The Niger Delta Ex-Agitators Forum (Phase 3) has expressed concern over sustained attacks against the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dr. Dennis Brutu Otuaro, and ex-militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, describing the criticisms as baseless and driven by envy.

In a press statement made available to The Nation in Abuja on Saturday, the group said such attacks were unfortunate, particularly at a time when the Niger Delta is experiencing renewed peace and development.

The forum noted that under Dr. Otuaro’s leadership, the Presidential Amnesty Programme has recorded significant strides in education, capacity building, youth empowerment, and regional stability.

Members of the group, drawn from the nine states of the Niger Delta, pointed to a major turnaround in the past two years, attributing the progress to reforms and improved management of the programme.

The statement also highlighted Tompolo’s role in securing oil pipelines through surveillance operations, which it said has not only curbed oil theft but also created employment opportunities for youths, leading to a reduction in violent crimes across the region.

The forum, through its convener, self-styled General Emma Satu, criticised the actions of some Ijaw leaders allegedly working against Dr. Otuaro and Tompolo, accusing them of pursuing personal interests at the expense of regional development.

It also advised the Federal Government against calls to decentralise the pipeline surveillance contract, insisting that such agitations are championed by individuals linked to oil theft and illegal bunkering.

According to the group, the current surveillance arrangement has improved security, boosted oil production, and enhanced stability in the Niger Delta.

The forum reaffirmed its support for both Dr. Otuaro and Tompolo, urging stakeholders to sustain the prevailing peace and development in the region.

Satu described the actions of those behind the attacks as disgraceful, saying they are heading in the wrong direction when leaders of the Niger Delta are focused on the region’s development.

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 as 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 are 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 his 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 actions have become a major source of concern to all stakeholders as they portend huge danger to peace in the Niger Delta.

“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 out various impactful programmes as well as the continued surveillance of pipelines to curb oil theft in the region.

“We are also 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.” (The Nation)