NIGERIAN ARMY ISSUES FINAL WARNING TO MILITANTS

– The Nigerian army has condemned the
continued vandalism of pipelines in the
Niger Delta region
– It said no group has the right to threaten
people to live their location
– Militants have continued to attack in spite
of President Buhari’s plea for ceasefire
The defence headquarters has issued a final
warning to militants in the Niger Delta region
to desist or face the wrath of the military.
Since President Muhammadu Buhari took
over power, different militant groups have
been terrorising the Niger Delta region by
blowing oil and gas pipelines.
Operation CROCODILE SMILE
Although the Niger Delta Avengers which has
claimed responsibility for most of the
attacks has agreed to a ceasefire, different
mushroom groups have in a bid to make
their voice heard have also embarked on
destruction of pipelines.
One of the groups, Niger Delta Greenland
Justice Mandate, recently issued a threat to
residents living near oil and gas
infrastructures to vacate the areas as they
plan to carry out an attack that may likely
destroy lives and properties in the area.
However, in a statement by Brigadier
General Rabe Abubakar who is the acting
director of defence information, the army
warned that the group should desist as the
president has agreed to dialogue with
militants.
Read the statement below:
The Defence Headquarters wishes to alert the
general public of the disturbing spate of how
various militant groups are springing up in the
Niger Delta with each of them hiding under
regional agitation to commit all manners of
crimes and atrocities.
The latest being the Niger Delta Greenland
Justice Mandate (NDGJM) that claimed
responsibility for blowing up NNPC oil pipeline
few days ago. The same group has come out
again, demanding residents living near oil and
gas infrastructure to vacate their homes to
avoid being caught in its next attacks.
The Defence Headquarters wishes to state, in
clear term, that no group or individual has the
right to threaten or force residents in any part
of Nigeria to abandon their homes in
obeisance to certain group’s selfish and
devilish interest.
It is more worrisome that despite the Federal
Government’s olive branch to broker peace and
profer solution to the lingering Niger Delta
problem, some groups are still fanning the
ember of war. The military and other security
agencies would remain focused, un-intimidated
and will display professionalism in ensuring
adequate security to lives and property.
While the Armed Forces respect the
Government’s negotiation with relevant
stakeholders in the Niger Delta, the military
exercise and operations in the area are not
targeted at any group or meant towards
making lives difficult for the inhabitants. The
ongoing exercise is geared towards enhancing
civil-military relationship and building the
confidence of the resident on the ability of the
military to protect them. The exercise also
demonstrates the strength of the troops to
purge the region of criminals and economic
saboteurs. The Armed Forces would not
tolerate any form of criminality in that region.
The military and other security agencies wish
to therefore re-affirm their total commitment to
ensure security of lives and property, not only
in the Niger Delta, but throughout the
federation. We also solicit the cooperation of
all the stakeholders, including the royal
fathers, leaders and youths to achieve this
feat. We urge public, especially those residing
in the Niger Delta, to discountenance the threat
and request innocent citizens and those
domiciled therein to go about their legitimate
businesses.


Source :naij.com
Edited by DANIEL IKECHUKWU EKWUNIFE