By Our Correspondent
National News – The Niger Delta Ex-Agitators Forum (Phase 3) has expressed concern over what it described as sustained attacks against the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dr. Dennis Brutu Otuaro, and ex-militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, calling the criticisms baseless and driven by envy.
During a press briefing held in Warri, Delta State, on Friday to mark Dr. Otuaro’s second anniversary in office, the group said such attacks were unfortunate, particularly at a time when the Niger Delta is experiencing renewed peace and development.
They highlighted that under Dr. Otuaro’s leadership, the Presidential Amnesty Programme has made significant strides in education, capacity building, youth empowerment, and regional stability.
Members of the forum, drawn from the nine states of the region, also pointed to what they described as a massive turnaround in the past two years under Dr. Otuaro’s leadership.
Prior to the briefing, they staged a solidarity march with placards declaring their support for the Amnesty Boss and Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo.
They commended Tompolo for not only securing oil pipelines through surveillance operations but also creating employment opportunities for youths, which they said has led to a drastic reduction in violent crimes in the Niger Delta.
At the press briefing, the convener of the forum, self-styled General Emma Satu, criticized the actions of a few Ijaw leaders allegedly working against Dr. Otuaro and Tompolo, stating that the opposition was driven by envy and personal interests rather than the collective good of the region.
Despite ongoing campaigns against both leaders, the Niger Delta Ex-Agitators Forum advised the Federal Government not to heed calls for decentralizing the pipeline surveillance contract.
According to the group, those pushing for decentralization are individuals linked to oil theft, frustrated by the success in curbing illegal bunkering and pipeline vandalism.
The forum described these calls as the handiwork of oil thieves driven by frustration and confusion, emphasizing that the current surveillance arrangement has enhanced stability, increased oil production, and improved security in the Niger Delta.
The group reaffirmed its support for Dr. Otuaro and Government Ekpemupolo, urging all stakeholders to sustain the peace and development currently being experienced across the region.
Satu described the actions of Boyloaf, Shoot-at-Sight and their cohorts as disgraceful; saying they are heading in the wrong direction at a time when leaders of the Niger Delta are talking about the development of the region.
He said, “when these same people were in the amnesty office, ex-agitators were suffering, but under the able leadership of Dr Dennis Brutu Otuaro, the past two years have been phenomenal. We are particularly happy to say that he has performed creditably and beyond our expectations when compared to his predecessors.”
“We, the Niger Delta Ex-Agitators Forum (Phase 3) want to make it clear that the 30,000 ex-agitators in the Presidential Amnesty Programme have never had it so good as we are currently experiencing under the stewardship of Dr. Dennis Brutu Otuaro.”
“The Amnesty Programme which before now was characterized by corruption and other sharp practices is now on its right path, with targeted policies to effect the desired change and redirect the programme towards the attainment of its core objectives which is focused on disarmament, demobilization and reintegration.”
“Dr Dennis Brutu Otuaro’s leadership has focused extensively on enhancing stakeholder engagement, ensuring timely stipend payments, and promoting merit-based education and vocational training for ex-agitators across the Niger Delta region.”
“We want to express our profound gratitude to His Excellency, the President of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for supporting Dr Dennis Brutu Otuaro to coordinate the affairs of the Amnesty Office. The President has done well by giving us, Niger Delta people, the recognition we deserve in is administration and we want to assure him of our unalloyed support ahead of the 2027 Presidential election.”
“We equally want to address the several attacks on an illustrious son of the Niger Delta, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo over the federal government pipeline surveillance contract awarded to his company, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited.”
“We are emphatic in our condemnation of the allegations of misappropriation of funds, kidnapping, terrorism funding and several other crimes against humanity leveled against our two illustrious sons, Dr Dennis Brutu Otuaro and High Chief Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo during a sponsored-protest in Washington DC in the United States.”
“Those spearheading these wicked and callous allegations are well known to us. The federal government and security agencies know them and their action has become a major source of concern to all stakeholders as it portends huge danger to peace in the Niger Delta.”
“We are calling on the disgraced former Amnesty Staff, Jude Gbaboyor, who is being sponsored by former militant leader, Chief Ebikabowei Victor Ben alias BoyLoaf and his bandwagon of misfits to stop this wicked propaganda against Dr Dennis Brutu Otuaro and High Chief Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo and several other Niger Delta leaders.”
“We are grateful to the federal government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for giving Dr Dennis Brutu Otuaro and High Chief Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo the much needed support, through the prompt release of funds to the Amnesty Office to carry various impactful programmes as well as the continued surveillance of pipelines to curb oil theft in the region.”
“We also are unanimous in our decision to continue to promote and support all peace initiatives driven by the Presidential Amnesty Programme under the guidance of Dr Dennis Brutu Otuaro, and well supported by the federal government.”
“We ask all Niger Delta leaders and youths to remain steadfast with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who has shown uncommon love for our people in his government and the development of our region.”
