“WHO COLLECTED OUR AMNESTY STIPENDS?” — Commissioner Defends Boyloaf, Accuses Ogunbos Of Allegedly Diverting Ex-Fighters’ Presidential Amnesty Payments Since 2013, Demands EFCC, ICPC Probe

By Passman Akpos

YENAGOA, BAYELSA — A fresh and increasingly bitter dispute has erupted within the ranks of former Niger Delta militants, as Senior Commander General Etorboimi Gobo, popularly known as Commissioner, has levelled serious allegations against former camp leader Paul Eris, also known as Ogunbos/Ogunboss, over the alleged handling of Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) benefits meant for former members of his camp.

Commissioner accused Ogunbos of spreading what he described as misleading narratives on social media while allegedly failing to account for the entitlements of former commanders and rank-and-file members of the camp.

The allegations could not be independently verified by Tarakirivoice at the time of publication, and no response from Ogunbos was available to address the specific accusations.

Paul Eris is a publicly known former Niger Delta militant leader from Peremabiri in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. Previous media reports have documented his role in the region’s former militant network and conflicts involving Peremabiri.

Commissioner Defends Boyloaf

The latest confrontation reportedly followed comments attributed to Ogunbos concerning another prominent former militant leader, High Chief Ebikabowei Victor-Ben, popularly known as General Boyloaf.

Commissioner rejected the criticism of Boyloaf, claiming that Boyloaf had continued to support members of his camp, including some individuals who, according to Commissioner, were not originally under his command.

He alleged that some beneficiaries receive payments of ₦200,000, ₦250,000, ₦300,000 or more, depending on their categories.

Commissioner further claimed that Boyloaf continued making such payments even to individuals who had become critical of him.

“These are the things that show true leadership,” Commissioner was quoted as saying.

‘Boyloaf Saved Lives During Ogunbos-General Africa Conflict’

Commissioner also invoked the history of conflicts among former militant camps, alleging that Boyloaf once intervened during a dangerous confrontation involving Ogunbos and another former militant commander, General Africa.

According to Commissioner, Boyloaf’s intervention helped prevent further loss of lives.

He also credited Boyloaf with playing a role during the early stages of the Federal Government’s Amnesty arrangement, particularly concerning the autonomy of individual camps.

Commissioner, however, alleged that the autonomy granted to camp leaders was subsequently abused in the case of Ogunbos.

Explosive Allegation Over Amnesty Payments

The most serious allegation concerns the handling of PAP-related payments.

Commissioner alleged that payments to some senior commanders, sub-commanders and rank-and-file members of the Ogunbos camp were stopped from around 2013, including members from Ogunbos’ home community of Peremabiri.

He further alleged that parallel bank-account arrangements were created using the names of some fighters and that payment details were allegedly submitted to the Amnesty authorities in a manner that allowed funds intended for beneficiaries to come under the control of Ogunbos.

Commissioner described the alleged practice as financial fraud and a breach of trust.

These allegations have not been independently established by Tarakirivoice. They would require examination of PAP payment records, beneficiary lists, banking records and other documentary evidence by the appropriate authorities.

‘Where Are The Benefits Of The Men?’

Commissioner’s allegations come amid an increasingly public dispute over alleged unpaid Amnesty benefits involving former members of the Ogunbos camp.

In a separate recent account, Commander Pere Elako alleged that members of the camp had been excluded from payments for years and identified Commissioner and other commanders among those he said were affected. Elako also claimed that an original camp master list contained 259 names and called for the relevant records to be produced for verification.

The allegations therefore raise a central question:

Who received the payments approved for members of the camp, and what happened to those allegedly excluded from the payment system?

That question can ultimately be answered only through official PAP records and independently verifiable financial documentation.

Commissioner Threatens EFCC, ICPC Route

Commissioner said the aggrieved commanders and former fighters would pursue what he described as an alternative legal strategy.

He specifically mentioned approaching the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the allegations surrounding the camp’s finances and the handling of Amnesty-related benefits.

He also warned against attempts to use political connections or influence within institutions to prevent scrutiny of the allegations.

Commissioner said those affected would continue pursuing institutional and legal avenues rather than resorting to violence.

What Should Authorities Investigate?

If the allegations are formally presented to the appropriate authorities, several issues could potentially be verified through documentary investigation:

– The original beneficiary/master list associated with the camp.

– Names and numbers of beneficiaries approved under the Amnesty arrangement.

– Payment records from the inception of the programme.

– Bank-account details submitted for individual beneficiaries.

– Changes made to beneficiary banking information.

– Persons who allegedly stopped receiving payments and when those payments stopped.

– Whether any third party received or controlled payments intended for individual beneficiaries.

– The total value of any disputed payments.

– Correspondence between the affected

beneficiaries and the Presidential Amnesty Office.

These records, rather than competing claims on social media, would provide the clearest basis for establishing what actually happened.

Ogunbos Yet To Respond To Specific Allegations

As of the time of publication, Tarakirivoice had not obtained a direct response from Paul Eris, popularly known as Ogunbos, to the specific allegations made by Commissioner.

The allegations should therefore not be treated as established facts unless and until they are independently substantiated through official records, documentary evidence, investigation or judicial findings.

The controversy nevertheless adds another chapter to the long-running disputes surrounding former militant camps and the distribution of benefits under the Niger Delta Amnesty framework.

With Commissioner now threatening an EFCC and ICPC route, attention is likely to shift from social-media accusations to a more consequential question:

Will the relevant financial and Amnesty records be opened for independent scrutiny?

Tarakirivoice will continue to follow the dispute and publish verified responses and documentary evidence from the parties and relevant government institutions.