Breaking: Security Alert as DSS Moves to Verify Alleged June 12 Amnesty Protest Plans
........As DSS Officer Contacts Amnesty Leader Over Alleged June 12 Protest, Denial Emerges Amid Rising Tension
By Paul Ebi
Yenagoa, Bayelsa State — Amid growing concerns over a reported planned June 12 protest by some beneficiaries of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), an officer of the Department of State Services (DSS) identified as Affrem of the Bayelsa State Command reportedly contacted one of the second-phase leaders of the programme, Mr Abraham Vwaghie, for clarification.
The DSS officer, who was said to have reached Mr Vwaghie via phone call (+234 803 087 0426), reportedly raised concerns over intelligence linking certain ex-agitator groups to a planned demonstration scheduled for Democracy Day, June 12.
“No One in Amnesty Programme Is Planning Any Protest” — Vwaghie
In response to the inquiry, Mr Abraham Vwaghie firmly denied any involvement in protest planning, stating that neither he nor, to his knowledge, any organized group within the Presidential Amnesty Programme was mobilising for such action.
According to his statement:
“Good afternoon, Sir. My name is Abraham Vwaghie. Thank you for the call you made to me this morning.
I want to clearly state that nobody in the Presidential Amnesty Programme, to the best of my knowledge, is planning any protest. I can confidently say that I am not aware of anyone organizing either a protest or a peaceful demonstration.”
He explained that the primary concern among beneficiaries remains delayed stipend payments, which he attributed largely to BVN-related complications and unresolved administrative issues affecting several participants.
“The only issue I am aware of is the outstanding payments owed to some beneficiaries due to multiple BVN-related problems… This is the major concern affecting the people involved,” he added.
Vwaghie also dismissed reports linking his name to any protest mobilisation, describing them as attempts to damage his reputation.
“Some people would be happy to see me get into trouble or even be detained, but such allegations are completely false.”
He stressed that any legitimate protest would require proper notification and adherence to due process, insisting he would not engage in any unlawful or unstructured demonstration.
Rising Frustration Over Unpaid Stipends
He further acknowledged growing frustration among beneficiaries due to delayed monthly stipends, reportedly pegged at ₦65,000, which many depend on for survival.
“Some beneficiaries have not received their payments for last month and this month… there is frustration,” he said.
He also noted circulating social media messages calling for mobilisation but expressed uncertainty about their authenticity, suggesting they may not represent an organised effort.
Background: Earlier Report of Planned June 12 Protest
This development comes shortly after Tarakirivoice reported rising tension among ex-agitators over delayed payments, with claims that some beneficiaries were allegedly mobilising for a peaceful protest across parts of the Niger Delta on June 12, coinciding with Democracy Day.
According to earlier reports, voice notes circulating on WhatsApp platforms had urged participants to gather at strategic locations, including Mbiama Junction in Bayelsa State, Soba in Rivers State, the University of Benin (UNIBEN) gate in Edo State, and Ore in Ondo State.
The alleged mobilisation was said to be driven by unpaid stipends for May 2026, which many beneficiaries claimed had not been received as of June 10.
Official Silence and Uncertainty
While an unnamed official of the Presidential Amnesty Programme previously attributed delays to pending federal allocations, no formal public statement has been issued to clarify the situation.
The parallel mobilisation of the Take-It-Back Movement for nationwide protests on June 12 has further heightened national attention on the date, with multiple groups expressing grievances over insecurity, economic hardship, and governance challenges.
Situation Under Watch
As of now, both security agencies and stakeholders in the Amnesty Programme are closely monitoring developments to determine whether the reported protest plans are genuine or amplified social media claims.
Observers warn that clearer communication from authorities may be necessary to reduce tensions and prevent potential disruptions on Democracy Day.
For now, beneficiaries continue to await payment updates while leaders insist they are not involved in any protest planning.
