The Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs  has given out COVID-19 palliatives to members of the defunct Bakassi Strike Force who laid down their arms in 2018.

The palliatives were part of the 1,400 bags of rice distributed by the ministry through the Niger Delta Development Commission  to cushion the impact of COVID-19 in Cross River State.

A former Deputy Speaker of Cross River House of Assembly, Mr Orok Duke, is coordinating the distribution exercise in the state.

He said while distributing the rice in Calabar that the ex-militants have been law abiding and peaceful since they laid down their arms, adding that it was important to also capture them by accommodating and carrying them along in such activities.

Duke said the 196 wards across the 18 Local Government Areas in Cross River have also benefited from the gesture of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs.

“Today, we have the last group, which is the ex-Bakassi Strike Force members who have disarmed and have joined the state amnesty programme and still waiting for the promises made to them to be fulfilled.

“The COVID-19 pandemic affected everybody and we are here to give them the little palliative to survive the pandemic in order to wait for the promises made by the Federal Government.

“We have brough this food for the ex-militants, and I will like to say that I was nominated by Senator Godswill Akpabio to participate in distributing the palliative to as many groups as possible.

“Here we are, and this is our little token from the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs. Government at all levels and Non-Governmental Organisations should join in doing same for the growth of the state and the country,” he said.

Receiving the palliative, one of the commanders of the defunct Bakassi Strike Force, Mr Victor Benjamin, thanked Senator Akpabio for recognising them “in times like this when the world was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

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Benjamin, who spoke on behalf of the leader of the defunct Bakassi Strike Force, Benjamin Eneh, said the effort of the ministry would forever live in their hearts.

“The Bakassi situation is a very sad one which needs to be arrested. We have decided to let go of our losses for the sake of peace but the Federal Government should take over the situation so that generations yet unborn won’t choose the path of arms struggle.

“We plead with our brother, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, to look into the situation also by helping us plead with President Muhammadu Buhari that the issue of Bakassi needs to be addressed accordingly.