Buhari warns Niger Delta militants that decisive military action still remains an option

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has warned Niger Delta militants that decisive military action was still an option to deal with their militancy if they continue to blow up oil installations and refuse to dialogue.

 

Over the last year, militancy has returned to the Niger Delta with a vengeance, as armed groups have taken up arms and are attacking oil facilities. Attempts to bring the militants to the table have so far failed as several groups have rejected the offer of dialogue until the government meets certain conditions.

 

Apparently getting exasperated with the delay President Buhari warned the militants over the weekend while attending the passing out parade of the 133 cadets of 63rd Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy in Kaduna.  President Buhari, who expressed happiness that the Boko Haram insurgency was being defeated, noted that militancy and other forms of emerging threats, including kidnapping and cattle rustling, were negatively impacting the nation’s economy.

 

He stressed that, the activities of the militants has badly affected the Nigerian economy and must be stopped. According to President Buhari, the clean-up of Ogoniland was one of the ways to deal with root causes of militancy in the region.

 

President Buhari said: “However, for avoidance of doubt, let me state that other options are still open, including decisive military action. Today, criminal elements disguise in ethnic regalia to sabotage the country, largely for their selfish and parochial interests.

 

“I reiterate the call on all Nigerians to give peace a chance and jettison negative tendencies and join government’s efforts aimed at addressing the numerous challenges in the task of building a better Nigeria. Terrorism is a global challenge which needs a multifaceted approach and the role of the military is paramount in combating it."

 

He added, however, added that his administration would prioritise constructive engagement of relevant stakeholders in dialogue to address issues. On insurgency in the northeast, the president said although his administration inherited a badly managed Boko Haram situation, the capacity of the insurgents to launch attacks had been significantly curtailed.

 

Addressing the graduate, the president charged the newly commissioned officers to remain apolitical, patriotic and loyal to the nation at all times. He reminded them that they no longer belong to themselves, their parents, families, tribes and villages but the nation and be ready to pay the supreme sacrifice if the need arises.