Veterans Renounce Biafra After The Approval For The Payment Of Their Pension Entitlements By The Federal Government

Biafrans who participated in the civil war has declared that they believe in one Nigeria and that the war is over and over forever.

President of the Association of Retired War Affected Police Officers (ARWAPO), Chief Matthew Udeh, stated this after approval for the payment of their pension entitlements by the federal government.

Chief Udeh thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for his forthrightness and believing in one Nigeria.

His words: “We believe we are all one, one Nigeria forever. The war is over and over forever. God will continue to bless President Muhammadu Buhari for looking at the nation as one indivisible entity.

“I feel fulfilled today. The whole ARWAPO members are full of gratitude to Mr President for hearing our cry for over 40 years and running.’’

According to report, they had been pardoned and retired from the Nigeria Police Force through a presidential amnesty granted on May 29, 2000 by the administration of the then President Olusegun Obasanjo and their payment approved.

Speaking during the meeting, President, Association of Retired Police Officers of Nigeria, Mr Fidelis Oyakhilome, thanked the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) and the federal government for living up to their words and treating the officers fairly.

His words: “I must commend ARWAPO members for their patience, endurance and perseverance all these years and as well thank Mr President, President Muhammadu Buhari, for making this possible.’’

A beneficiary, Mr Francis Ukaraoha, said that he was happy to have received his first pension.

Ukaraoha, who was elated, showed the amount (figure withheld) of pension arrears paid to his account to journalists.

At the launch of the pension payments to retired war-affected police officers in Enugu state, the executive secretary of PTAD, Mrs Sharon Ikeazor, said that the federal government would end all the painful legacies of the war.

Her words: “This represents another decision by the current federal government to bring closure to the painful legacies of the civil war, and indeed a clear demonstrate that President Muhammadu Buhari is indeed a father to all Nigerians.

“His (Mr President) administration’s reforms under the PTAD will ensure that Nigerians who spent the productive years of their lives serving their nation will not experience difficulties in getting their pensions.’’

She stated that the pension payment for the veterans, marks another milestone in re-integrating the hitherto neglected officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force who have suffered untold hardships over the years catering for their needs and that of their dependents.

“In this particular batch of payment, 162 officers who have never been on the payroll and 57 Next of Kin who have also not been paid their death benefits will be paid today.

“The others, 155 who are on payroll but were being short paid would be paid in the next batch as soon as their pension benefit computation is concluded,’’ she added.