.....as Otuaro’s supporters reportedly visited Owoupele Eneoriekumoh Owous’s residence and his wife’s shop in Bayelsa, issuing threats against their lives for speaking out and advocating for justice on behalf of the ex-agitators.

On May 30, 2024, an unprecedented gathering took place in Abuja as the Reformed Niger Delta Ex-Agitators Forum, alongside beneficiaries of Nigeria's Presidential Amnesty Program, engaged in critical discussions with officials from the Department of State Services (DSS). This high-level meeting was convened to confront escalating issues surrounding the management of the Amnesty Programme and the security threats that have recently tarnished its integrity.

The forum members laid bare their grievances about alleged systemic mismanagement and corruption plaguing the Amnesty Initiative. They accused senior officials, notably Dr. Dennis Burutu Otuaro, of abusing their positions, misappropriating funds, and manipulating beneficiary selection processes. These allegations threaten to undermine years of fragile progress in regional peace-building efforts and have ignited widespread outrage among the ex-agitators and stakeholders.

The group demanded urgent investigations into stipend discrepancies, which they contend are being manipulated to exclude genuine beneficiaries and siphon funds intended for peace and development. They also called for a review of the beneficiary inclusion process, arguing that many deserving individuals remain unjustly delisted, while others receive inconsistent stipends. The ex-agitators pressed the DSS for collaboration with the government and the multinational oil corporations operating in the Niger Delta to ensure equitable resource distribution and sustainable development.

The DSS officials acknowledged the gravity of the allegations and assured the forum that a comprehensive report would be compiled and submitted to designated authorities promptly. The representatives expressed appreciation for the proactive stance of the ex-agitators, pledging to assist in probing the issues raised and supporting efforts to enhance transparency within the Programme.

However, the aftermath of the Abuja meeting has cast a shadow over the fragile peace. Reports indicate that loyalists of Otuaro recently visited the residence of Owoupele Eneoriekumoh Owous, the National Chairman of the Reformed Niger Delta Ex-Agitators Forum, along with his wife's shop in Bayelsa State. These individuals issued dire threats, warning that any harm inflicted upon Owous and his team would be solely attributable to Otuaro and his associates. The threats have heightened fears of retaliatory violence and signal an increasingly volatile security environment in the region.

In a strongly worded statement, Owoupele Eneoriekumoh Owous urged all stakeholders and delegates involved in the Amnesty Programme to exercise patience while the DSS completes its investigation. He emphasized ongoing efforts to engage with President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to ensure that justice prevails and that the genuine beneficiaries of the programme receive their rightful stipends and recognition.

The forum leader condemned Otuaro’s alleged actions, criticizing his leadership for bringing shame and discredit to the Niger Delta’s peace process and the Amnesty Programme. The group insists that Otuaro's continued involvement jeopardizes the integrity of the initiative and, therefore, must be addressed by removing him from his position to restore credibility and accountability.

The Reformed Niger Delta Ex-Agitators allege that their fight for justice is far from over. They vowed to persist in their advocacy for transparency, accountability, and the rightful inclusion of all genuine beneficiaries. Their resolve remains firm, even amid threats and intimidation, as they push for reforms that will sustain peace and development in the Niger Delta.