Military In Last Minute Preparations For Final Showdown With Niger Delta Militants

The Nigerian military is preparing for a final showdown with Niger Delta militants to stop the bombing of oil facilities in the Niger Delta region. This is even as the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) disclosed that it has secured some concessions from the Federal Government.

The group also backed the use of force if “the recalcitrant Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) continue on their senseless and political-motivated path of attacks on the country’s oil assets.”

Minister of Defenc Dan-Ali (retd), who stated the position of the Federal Government over the weekend in an interview after a closed door meeting in Yenegoa with Commander of Operation Delta State (ODS), Rear Admiral Joseph Okojie, operational officers and explained that despite the ongoing talks with militants to address their grievances, the use of force was not ruled out to end the criminality being perpetrated by some of the groups.

He restated that the Federal Government was committed to peace in the Niger Delta and was prepared to do everything to ensure that the ongoing talks yield positive result.

Dan Ali, who was accompanied by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Lt. Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin, said the Federal Government was implementing resolutions reached with government of the Niger Delta State on the conduct of it operation in the region.

He disclosed that like it did in the North-east, civilians would be involved in its operations and would work with the special force being trained to ensure that fake websites used to dish out rumours to intimidate people were closed down.

Dan Ali explained that former agitators trained under the amnesty programme would also be involved in the efforts to secure peace in the region. He allayed the fears that collateral damage might occur when the military operation start.

“We are not going to war. It is an internal security operation. We know our rules of engagement so there is no need to talk of collateral damage. As far as we are concerned, what we are doing is to stop the criminality in the Niger Delta region.”

Also speaking, Olonisakin said the Federal Government has provided the opportunity for negotiation, adding however, that the military would not condone the continued destruction of oil facilities.

“We are doing everything to secure peace. We have provided the opportunity for negotiations and discussions and we expect those sabotaging the nation’s oil infrastructure to come to the negotiation table.

“We want to assure that those that want to continue to destroy oil facilities would be dealt with,” he said.

Source; Daily Corespondents

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