A former militant group currently part of the ongoing Second Phase Presidential Amnesty Programme has said it would not shut down the Central Bank of Nigeria’s branches in the Niger Delta over failure to pay their stipends.

The factional group had threatened to attack the CBN.

In a statement issued by the Phase leader, Ebina Salvation, the group dismissed the threat which was reportedly written by the factional leader of the programme, Stephen Ebisintei.

Salvation said the allegations made by the faction were false, stating that the Amnesty Programme has been doing its best to cater for ex-militants.

He stated, “We, therefore, describe the allegations of the faction as false, baseless, mischievous and wicked. The allegations lack substance and should be thrown to the dustbin of history by all right thinking persons.

“We, therefore, urge members of the group to discountenance Stephen Ebisintei’s display of falsehood, which is a figment of his imagination and that of his co-travellers.”

He urged the security agencies to ascertain the real leader of the group.

He further said, “That is the only way to hold people responsible if anything happens. Our leadership is enlightened, reasonable, law abiding and has the respect for elders and the government,” he stated.