Fake News: Ignore Death Rumours Of PAP Delegate – Amnesty Office

By Sola Omoniyi, Lagos

Following an alleged fake information peddled around by some media organisations stating that there’s tension in the Niger Delta region, as soldiers assigned to the Amnesty office allegedly strangled ex-agitators to death in Abuja, the authorities of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) have described such as false and misleading reports.

According to the information, it was reported that one of the PAP delegates, Tunde Pere Ebidouwei was brutalized by security agents attached to its annexe office in Abuja.

However, a statement from Amnesty Media Office, said contrary to claims, Ebidouwei was only disciplined after he engaged security operatives guarding the office in a shouting match.

According to the statement, Ebidouwei who hails from Bayelsa State was asked to leave the premises of the office, since he was not on any formal invitation for a visit but refused and challenged the security agents to a fisticuff.

The statement reads: “On Thursday, September 7, 2023, one Mr Pere Ebidouwei, a phase 1 delegate of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) from Bayelsa State had attempted to forcefully gain entrance into the annexe office of the PAP located along Buzi Close, Off, Amazon Street, Abuja.

“He was stopped by the security agents on duty and as customary, he was asked to present a valid notice of invitation after he claimed to have been invited by a staff. The simple request got him infuriated. He started cursing and insisting that he must be allowed to enter.

“The security operatives sensing that he was intoxicated with hard substance and reeking of alcohol, decided to be more careful with him and also, in keeping with their professional rules of engagement. But the harder they tried, the more the deliberate provocation.

“They decided to discipline him subtly to maintain sanity in the area as the scene was becoming very embarrassing to officials of the PAP and other national as well as foreign institutions with offices around the same vicinity.

“Surprisingly, Ebidouwei in what appeared to be a drama, pretended to have passed out. This led to the office arranging for quick medical attention on the orders of the Chief Security Officer. At the hospital he was confirmed to be okay without any injury but a few bruises he inflicted on himself.

“For the records, Ebidouwei, unlike the falsehood posted on social media was not there to present any of his details as the office did not ask for that but was on a personal visit to solicit for financial assistance. Also, the incident happened at the annexe office and not the Head office which accommodates the Interim Administrator and some top management staff.

“We therefore call on the general public to disregard the falsehood being peddled concerning the incident. The young man did not die but has since returned to his abode after he was properly counselled.”