EU, ECOWAS commence payment for Cross River ex-militants

In collaboration with the Cross River State government, the European Union and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have begun batch-by-batch payments for repentant militants and cultists in the state.

An official of the state government, who pleaded not to be named, disclosed this on Wednesday at the UJ Esuene Stadium, venue of the payments where the ex-militants have converged.

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He said there are over 150 ex-militants on the list billed for the payment in the first batch.

He did not disclose the purpose of the payment and for which month.

“We cannot yet accommodate all the ex-militants even though the payments are done in collaboration with the EU and ECOWAS.

“We are taking them in batches.

“They also include some repentant cultists,” he said.

According to him, the EU/ECOWAS have slated some training for the ex-militants.

But he could not confirm the type or nature of the training and when it would commence

He however said that the state will soon conduct destruction of more arms surrendered by the ex-militants and those that have been mopped up.