Nigerian Military Prepares for Final Showdown Against Dreaded Niger Delta Militants

The Nigerian Army is almost ready to wage a
confrontational battle with the dreaded Niger Delta
militants bombing and destroying oil installations
in the region.

It is going to be full-scale war against Niger Delta
Militants as the Nigerian Army readies itself for a
final showdown to stop the bombing of oil
facilities in the Niger Delta region.

The Minister of Defence, Dan-Ali (retd), had 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.

According to a DailySun report, 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 States 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.