In a recent interview, Mr. Igoniko Oduma, the Special Assistant on Media for the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), addressed growing concerns about a fraudulent ‘demobilisation exercise’ emerging in the Niger Delta. This scam involves unscrupulous individuals duping unsuspecting citizens by falsely claiming to offer training for pipeline surveillance and other vocational trades.
Oduma emphasized the importance of this clarification, noting the flood of inquiries from worried stakeholders. “Under the leadership of Dr. Dennis Otuaro, the PAP Office does not charge fees or request favors from anyone in the Niger Delta for our educational scholarship schemes or vocational training programs,” he asserted. He urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the authorities for prosecution.
The PAP’s statement detailed the ongoing deception: “We are aware that some dishonest individuals are misleading residents of the Niger Delta, claiming that the PAP is conducting a demobilisation exercise to recruit trainees. Investigations have shown that these fraudsters are falsely leading people to believe this initiative is happening at designated sites in Bayelsa, Rivers, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Edo, and Ondo states, among others.”
Oduma made it clear: “The PAP office categorically states that it is not organizing or executing any demobilisation exercise in the Niger Delta.” He cautioned citizens not to fall victim to the manipulative tactics of these unpatriotic individuals and stressed, “No one should be misled into participating in such criminal activities.”
Dr. Otuaro expressed his strong disapproval of these fraudulent practices, which undermine the credibility of the PAP. He called on security agencies to take swift action against those behind this bogus demobilisation program to prevent further scams and protect the community.
