BY OBINNA NWACHUKWU
The Permanent Secretary Ministry of Defence Dr Ibrahim Abubakar Kana has brokered peace with veteran soldiers protesting over issues of their Security Debarment Allowance.
For two days the veterans blocked the premises of the ministry of defence over the alledged refusal of the Ministry to pay their allowances
In a statement issued by Mohammad Abdulkadri, Special Assistant to the Hon Minister on Media and Publicity, the permanent secretary debunked allegations that the money has been released and payment denied the Veterans by the authorities of the Ministry.
“Being the Accounting Officer of the Ministry, I am urging you to give peace a chance and go home. We will get back to you as soon as possible and without delays.” He said
Kana pointed out that the Minister of Defence, Maj Gen Bashir Salihi Magashi (rtd) is concerned about their plight.
The Permanent Secretary assuaged the fear of the Veterans on the issue of fresh Verification Exercise before payment stressing that the existing database of all Veterans will be used to administer payment.
The Chief of Defence Staff General Leo Irabor thanked the Permanent Secretary, Dr Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, mni for resolving the impasse and appreciated the protesters for their peaceful conduct.
The Spokesman of the Retired Veterans, Biodun Durowde Albert attributed the misinformation and insinuations to the Communication gap between the Veterans and the Ministry to which the Permanent Secretary assured them of free flow of information on the issue.
The Veterans agreed to go back home immediately and have since cleared the barricade to signal the return of peace as they said they are now better informed than before and promised to work closely with the Ministry on the matter