Breaking: Dss Invites Niger Delta Ex-Militant Leaders To Abuja Meeting As November 2 Protest Mobilisation Continues
...Coalition Confirms Tuesday Meeting With DSS Headquarters, Identifies Officer Who Contacted Its Legal Counsel As Bolaji, Provides Telephone Number As Pressure Mounts Over Unpaid PAP Entitlements.
By Passman Akpos
The planned November 2 peaceful protest by the Coalition of Ex-Militant Leaders of the Niger Delta, covering Phases One, Two and Three of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), has taken a new turn following an invitation from the Department of State Services (DSS) Headquarters in Abuja for a meeting with representatives of the coalition.
In an urgent communication addressed to all coalition leaders and members, the national leadership disclosed that an individual identified as Bolaji of the DSS Headquarters, Abuja, had contacted the coalition through its legal counsel to arrange a meeting.
According to the announcement, the individual, identified as Bolaji, reportedly contacted the coalition’s legal counsel by telephone using the number 0911 213 6809.
The DSS Headquarters subsequently scheduled a meeting with the coalition’s representatives for Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.
The development comes as members of the coalition are already mobilising and travelling to Abuja ahead of the peaceful demonstration scheduled for Monday, November 2, over unresolved welfare complaints and outstanding entitlements allegedly owed to affected beneficiaries of the Presidential Amnesty Programme.
According to the notice signed by the National Coordinator, the coalition has resolved to nominate two representatives from among its members already mobilising to Abuja.
The two representatives will accompany the coalition’s legal counsel to the DSS Headquarters to formally present the grievances and demands contained in the coalition’s petition.
The leadership explained that the purpose of the meeting is to hear from the authorities, engage in dialogue and obtain clarification on the issues raised in its petition.
It further stated that the outcome of the engagement would determine the next line of action to be communicated to members by the national leadership.
DSS CONTACT PERSON IDENTIFIED AS BOLAJI
The coalition specifically identified the DSS contact person as Bolaji of the DSS Headquarters, Abuja, and provided the telephone number 0911 213 6809 in its internal mobilisation announcement.
According to the communication, the contact was made through the coalition’s legal counsel concerning a proposed engagement with the coalition’s leadership.
The meeting has been fixed for Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., with two nominated representatives expected to accompany the coalition’s lawyer.
However, Tarakirivoice has not independently verified Bolaji’s official designation or the ownership of the telephone number provided in the coalition’s announcement.
DSS MEETING ANNOUNCED AS EX-MILITANTS TRAVEL TO ABUJA
The DSS invitation introduces a fresh development into the growing controversy surrounding the administration of the Presidential Amnesty Programme under its Administrator, Chief Dennis Brutu Otuaro.
The coalition’s announcement does not state that the planned November 2 protest has been cancelled or suspended.
Rather, it confirms that mobilisation and travelling to Abuja are continuing while the leadership prepares to engage the security agency through its nominated representatives and legal counsel.
This distinction is important because the meeting is scheduled for November 3, one day after the coalition’s previously announced protest date.
The leadership has therefore asked members to remain calm, maintain communication with the national leadership and await further directives.
It also reaffirmed its commitment to peaceful engagement and lawful action.
FOUR MAJOR DEMANDS BEHIND THE PLANNED PROTEST
The latest development follows Tarakirivoice Newspaper’s earlier report titled:
“BREAKING: Ex-Militants Mobilise For November 2 Abuja Protest, Issue Four Demands To Otuaro Over PAP Crisis.”
In that report, the coalition outlined four principal demands directed at the management of the Presidential Amnesty Programme.
The first is the payment of the ₦65,000 monthly stipend to eligible beneficiaries.
The second is the settlement of outstanding stipend arrears allegedly owed to affected beneficiaries across the three phases.
The third concerns the restoration of camp slots which the coalition claims have been withdrawn or reduced.
The fourth is protection against alleged intimidation and harassment of beneficiaries who raise concerns about their welfare and entitlements.
The coalition maintains that these demands are connected to issues of justice, accountability, transparency and the protection of beneficiaries’ rights.
However, the precise number of affected beneficiaries, the total value of outstanding claims and the number of disputed camp slots have not been independently established.
RECALL: COALITION PREVIOUSLY ISSUED SEVEN-DAY ULTIMATUM
The planned demonstration also follows an earlier seven-day ultimatum reportedly issued by representatives of the ex-agitators through their solicitors, Babs Akinwumi & Co.
As previously reported by Tarakirivoice, the coalition’s legal representatives petitioned the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; Senate President Godswill Akpabio; and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, over outstanding welfare complaints, alleged intimidation and other unresolved issues affecting PAP beneficiaries.
The correspondence reportedly raised concerns about unpaid stipends, BVN-related payment difficulties, disputed camp slots, beneficiary records and access to programme opportunities.
The coalition had indicated that it could pursue further lawful action, including peaceful demonstrations, if meaningful attention was not given to its complaints.
The November 2 mobilisation subsequently emerged as part of the coalition’s response to what it considers unresolved grievances.
The latest DSS invitation now introduces an additional avenue for engagement between the coalition and the authorities.
WHAT WILL THE DSS MEETING ADDRESS?
Although the coalition has not published a detailed agenda for Tuesday’s meeting, its announcement makes clear that its representatives intend to present the grievances and demands contained in its petition.
Several critical issues are therefore likely to feature in the engagement.
These include the status of outstanding stipend payments, the administration of beneficiary accounts, the settlement of verified arrears, disputed camp slots and allegations of intimidation.
The meeting also presents an opportunity for the authorities to hear directly from the coalition’s representatives and clarify the appropriate channels for addressing the complaints.
However, the announcement does not establish that the DSS has agreed to the coalition’s demands or that the meeting will result in immediate payment of outstanding entitlements.
The outcome will depend on the issues discussed and any commitments or recommendations communicated by the relevant authorities.
WILL THE NOVEMBER 2 PROTEST STILL HOLD?
One major question arising from the latest announcement is whether the planned peaceful demonstration will proceed as originally scheduled.
The coalition’s communication confirms that members are mobilising and travelling to Abuja on Sunday, November 1, ahead of Monday’s protest.
It does not announce a cancellation.
Instead, the leadership has indicated that two representatives will attend the DSS meeting on November 3 alongside their legal counsel, after which further directives will be communicated to members.
Consequently, members have been instructed to remain calm and maintain contact with the national leadership.
OTUARO AND PAP MANAGEMENT STILL FACE QUESTIONS
While the DSS invitation represents a new development, the underlying issues that triggered the planned protest remain central to the controversy.
The coalition is seeking answers concerning beneficiary welfare, monthly stipends, outstanding arrears, camp slots and allegations of intimidation.
For PAP Administrator Dennis Brutu Otuaro and the programme’s management, the unfolding situation raises questions about the existing procedures for resolving beneficiary complaints and reconciling disputed payment records.
The programme’s management has an opportunity to clarify its position on the allegations and provide verifiable information concerning the affected beneficiaries and the administrative decisions under challenge.
THE BIG QUESTIONS AWAITING ANSWERS
As ex-militant leaders and beneficiaries continue their journey to Abuja, several questions remain:
- Will the November 2 peaceful protest proceed as originally announced?
- What specific assurances, if any, will the DSS provide during Tuesday’s meeting?
- Will PAP management be invited to address the coalition’s complaints?
- Will the outstanding stipend and arrears complaints receive a clear administrative review?
- What will happen to disputed camp slots and beneficiaries who claim to have been affected?
- Will the coalition suspend, continue or modify its planned action following the DSS engagement?
TARAKIRIVOICE MONITORS DEVELOPMENTS
The invitation from the DSS Headquarters marks a new chapter in the unfolding dispute between sections of the Niger Delta ex-agitator community and the administration of the Presidential Amnesty Programme.
Whether the engagement produces meaningful progress or further action by the coalition remains to be seen.
For now, the coalition says its members are mobilising to Abuja, its representatives are preparing for Tuesday’s meeting, and its demands for justice, accountability, transparency and outstanding entitlements remain unchanged.
Tarakirivoice Newspaper will continue to monitor the mobilisation, the November 2 protest developments and the outcome of the November 3 meeting between the coalition’s representatives and the DSS Headquarters.
The central question remains: Will the Abuja engagement finally produce concrete answers to the longstanding grievances of affected Presidential Amnesty Programme beneficiaries?
Editorial note: This report is based on the coalition’s circulated announcement and previously reported correspondence. The allegations concerning unpaid entitlements, camp slots and intimidation are attributed to the coalition and have not all been independently verified. The identity and official designation of the DSS contact person have not been independently confirmed. No formal DSS response was included in the announcement.
