PAP Administrator Disavows Fake Demobilisation scheme for pipeline protection 

The Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) has distanced itself from a fraudulent ‘demobilisation exercise’ allegedly being promoted in the Niger Delta by unscrupulous individuals who are extorting money from unsuspecting members of the public for supposed pipeline surveillance and other vocational trades.

In a statement signed by Mr. Igoniko Oduma, Special Assistant on Media to the PAP Administrator, Dr. Dennis Otuaro, on Tuesday, it was clarified that the PAP office does not collect money or solicit favours from Niger Deltans to enroll them in its educational scholarship or vocational training programmes.

The clarification became necessary after the office was inundated with inquiries from concerned stakeholders regarding the fraudulent exercise. The PAP urged the public to remain vigilant and report such activities to the appropriate security agencies for the apprehension and prosecution of the culprits.

The statement reads: “It has come to the attention of the Presidential Amnesty Programme that some unscrupulous elements are extorting money from unsuspecting Niger Deltans under the guise of a so-called demobilisation exercise by the PAP office.

“These unpatriotic individuals claim that the PAP office will recruit people through this demobilisation exercise for training in pipeline surveillance and other vocational trades.

“Our investigation reveals that these dishonest persons have deceived their targets into believing that the exercise will take place at designated centres in Bayelsa, Rivers, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Edo, Ondo states, and others.

“The PAP office categorically states that it is not organising or conducting any demobilisation exercise in any part of the Niger Delta.

“We do not collect money or solicit favours from Niger Deltans to be part of our educational scholarship scheme or vocational training programmes.

“Therefore, we advise the youths and people of the Niger Delta not to fall prey to the fraudulent activities of these unpatriotic characters. No Niger Deltan should be deceived into participating in this criminal enterprise.

“The PAP Administrator, Dr. Dennis Otuaro, condemns the attempts by these individuals to tarnish the image of the office with their fraudulent activities. He also urges security agencies to arrest and prosecute those involved in this fake demobilisation programme to serve as a deterrent to others.”