Don’t bomb Niger Delta – Ex-Kaduna gov warns Buhari

Muhammadu Buhari

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Former Military Governor of Kaduna State, Col. Abubakar Umar (retd), on Tuesday warned President Muhammadu Buhari against deploying troops and military hardware in the Niger Delta to halt the activities of militants in the region.
Umar said the Federal Government’s planned use of force to rout out militants, especially the Niger Delta Avengers in the Niger Delta, was not the best option; adding that the militants were still amenable to dialogue.
President Muhammad Buhari was, in a statement credited to him by his Senior Special Assistant on Media Affairs, Mr. Garba Shehu, in Nairobi, Kenya, quoted to have said that he would treat Niger Delta agitators the same way he dealt with Boko Haram if they failed to negotiate.
But the former governor in a statement entitled, ‘War in the Niger Delta: A most dangerous option,’ argued that the militants could not be treated like Boko Haram insurgents that had killed over 20,000 Nigerians in the North-Eastern part of the country.
Umar argued that the Niger Delta militants could not be said to be terrorists in the real sense of the word, warning that collateral damages to any military option in that region would be colossal.
Umar said, “I am really frightened by the sudden escalation in the Niger Delta Region from where there are some reports of skirmishes between our security forces and the Niger Delta militants. This is happening after the President was quoted as vowing to deal with the militants as he did to Boko Haram.

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“All factors considered, the use of military force in an attempt to resolve the lingering crisis is not a good option and must therefore be discarded.
“As a retired general, Mr. President is well aware of the serious and daunting challenges any military will face in its operations in the most difficult and densely populated Niger Delta region.
“The creeks are so heavily polluted with oil, rendering them highly inflammable. It will take the firing of a few high explosive shells to set the whole area on fire, resulting in the inestimable collateral damage among innocent civilians.
“It is also difficult to see how an armed conflict can secure our oil and gas assets in the region. Instead, it will aid the destructive activities of the militants and lead to the total shutdown of all oil and gas operations in the area.”
The former governor added, “Besides, the Niger Delta militants cannot be said to be terrorists in the real sense of the word. I believe they are amenable to meaningful dialogue.
“I need not to remind the President that a war in the Niger Delta will be opposed by most objective Nigerians and the international community as unjust and merely aimed at the control and exploitation of the region’s oil and gas resources.
“I therefore beseech you, Mr. President, in the name of all that is good, to continue to explore peaceful means of resolving the Niger Delta crisis as painful as you may find this. May God direct and guide you on the path of justice.” posted by www.alabareport.com

Army trains 200 special marines to tackle Niger Delta militants Soonest Nathaniel 6 months ago 233042 Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Send email – In preparation to completely still the brewing storm within the Niger Delta, the army has trained 200 special soldiers – Brig-Gen Olabanji made the disclosure in Port Harcourt at the graduation ceremony of recruits in Harry’s town – The army chief is confident the training will make a difference in the war against militancy in the Niger Delta – Niger Delta leaders fear that a continued raid by the army might cause new militants to spring in the region The Nigerian army has said it has specially trained 200 soldiers to carry out special marine operations and rescue missions in the Niger Delta, following the resurgence of militant activities in the region. Brig-Gen Stevenson Olabanji, the Comman­der of 2 Brigade, Nige­rian army, said this at the graduation ceremony of young soldiers of 73 Regular Recruit In-take in Harry’s town, Degema Local Government Area of Rivers state. Olabanji said the ex­ercise by Operation Pulo Shield Sector 2 is aimed at equipping soldiers with the requisite marine skills and boost troop’s readi­ness at combating oil theft in the region. According to him, the army leadership has tak­en personnel training se­riously in view of current security challenges confronting the nation in the northeast and other parts of the country. Share on Facebook Share on Twitter marine-Nigerian-exercises File photo: The Nigerian army says 200 special soldiers have been trained to aid quell the storm in the Niger Delta. READ ALSO: Army declares Nigerian ‘Osama Bin Laden’ wanted “To this end, the train­ing began on December 14 with 200 young and fresh soldiers from Nige­ria army depot in Zaria with the aim of familiarizing them with their operating environment. “The soldiers were trained in basic unit regimentation covering field craft and minor tactics, internal security op­erations, general service knowledge, range classification and swimming, among others. “The young soldiers also received special training in basic swim­ming lessons owing to the peculiar nature of our op­erating environment. “This swimming exer­cise is to equip with nec­essary survival skills as they will be operating in coastal areas,” he said. Olabanji expressed optimism that the training would boost soldiers’ proficiency to better navigate the creeks, and as such, put an end to oil theft and attacks on oil installations in the region. The commander said that current dynamics in the country require that the army become more professional in the dis-charge of its responsibilities and operation conduct. The army chief advised the 200 sol­diers to obey military and civil laws, stressing that discipline, hard work and commitment must be the watchword in discharge of their duties. In the same vein, the navy has launched 25 gunboats to tackle kidnapping and pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta region. The chief of naval staff, Rear Admiral Ibok Ekwe Abas, made the disclosure while speaking at the central naval command (CNC) in Yenagoa, Bayelsa state. Abas said he inaugurated gunboats in Port Harcourt to support operations against kidnapping and other crimes in the maritime environment. Adding that the force will not rest on its oars till vandalism and vandal become a thing of the past in the south-south region. Meanwhile, there is growing tension in certain communities within Gokana local government area of Rivers state over an alleged plot by the military to conduct mass arrest of suspected militants or cultists. Rulers of the communities have cried out, lamenting that the recent spate of raids by the army is not doing the region much good. Some youth leaders have in recent times warned that the continued alleged persecution of some ex-warlords, could cause more militants to spring-up within the volatile region.
Read more: https://www.naij.com/747503-read-what-nigerian-army-is-doing-to-fight-militancy-in-niger-delta.html

Army trains 200 special marines to tackle Niger Delta militants Soonest Nathaniel 6 months ago 233042 Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Send email – In preparation to completely still the brewing storm within the Niger Delta, the army has trained 200 special soldiers – Brig-Gen Olabanji made the disclosure in Port Harcourt at the graduation ceremony of recruits in Harry’s town – The army chief is confident the training will make a difference in the war against militancy in the Niger Delta – Niger Delta leaders fear that a continued raid by the army might cause new militants to spring in the region The Nigerian army has said it has specially trained 200 soldiers to carry out special marine operations and rescue missions in the Niger Delta, following the resurgence of militant activities in the region. Brig-Gen Stevenson Olabanji, the Comman­der of 2 Brigade, Nige­rian army, said this at the graduation ceremony of young soldiers of 73 Regular Recruit In-take in Harry’s town, Degema Local Government Area of Rivers state. Olabanji said the ex­ercise by Operation Pulo Shield Sector 2 is aimed at equipping soldiers with the requisite marine skills and boost troop’s readi­ness at combating oil theft in the region. According to him, the army leadership has tak­en personnel training se­riously in view of current security challenges confronting the nation in the northeast and other parts of the country. Share on Facebook Share on Twitter marine-Nigerian-exercises File photo: The Nigerian army says 200 special soldiers have been trained to aid quell the storm in the Niger Delta. READ ALSO: Army declares Nigerian ‘Osama Bin Laden’ wanted “To this end, the train­ing began on December 14 with 200 young and fresh soldiers from Nige­ria army depot in Zaria with the aim of familiarizing them with their operating environment. “The soldiers were trained in basic unit regimentation covering field craft and minor tactics, internal security op­erations, general service knowledge, range classification and swimming, among others. “The young soldiers also received special training in basic swim­ming lessons owing to the peculiar nature of our op­erating environment. “This swimming exer­cise is to equip with nec­essary survival skills as they will be operating in coastal areas,” he said. Olabanji expressed optimism that the training would boost soldiers’ proficiency to better navigate the creeks, and as such, put an end to oil theft and attacks on oil installations in the region. The commander said that current dynamics in the country require that the army become more professional in the dis-charge of its responsibilities and operation conduct. The army chief advised the 200 sol­diers to obey military and civil laws, stressing that discipline, hard work and commitment must be the watchword in discharge of their duties. In the same vein, the navy has launched 25 gunboats to tackle kidnapping and pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta region. The chief of naval staff, Rear Admiral Ibok Ekwe Abas, made the disclosure while speaking at the central naval command (CNC) in Yenagoa, Bayelsa state. Abas said he inaugurated gunboats in Port Harcourt to support operations against kidnapping and other crimes in the maritime environment. Adding that the force will not rest on its oars till vandalism and vandal become a thing of the past in the south-south region. Meanwhile, there is growing tension in certain communities within Gokana local government area of Rivers state over an alleged plot by the military to conduct mass arrest of suspected militants or cultists. Rulers of the communities have cried out, lamenting that the recent spate of raids by the army is not doing the region much good. Some youth leaders have in recent times warned that the continued alleged persecution of some ex-warlords, could cause more militants to spring-up within the volatile region.
Read more: https://www.naij.com/747503-read-what-nigerian-army-is-doing-to-fight-militancy-in-niger-delta.html

Army trains 200 special marines to tackle Niger Delta militants Soonest Nathaniel 6 months ago 233042 Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Send email – In preparation to completely still the brewing storm within the Niger Delta, the army has trained 200 special soldiers – Brig-Gen Olabanji made the disclosure in Port Harcourt at the graduation ceremony of recruits in Harry’s town – The army chief is confident the training will make a difference in the war against militancy in the Niger Delta – Niger Delta leaders fear that a continued raid by the army might cause new militants to spring in the region The Nigerian army has said it has specially trained 200 soldiers to carry out special marine operations and rescue missions in the Niger Delta, following the resurgence of militant activities in the region. Brig-Gen Stevenson Olabanji, the Comman­der of 2 Brigade, Nige­rian army, said this at the graduation ceremony of young soldiers of 73 Regular Recruit In-take in Harry’s town, Degema Local Government Area of Rivers state. Olabanji said the ex­ercise by Operation Pulo Shield Sector 2 is aimed at equipping soldiers with the requisite marine skills and boost troop’s readi­ness at combating oil theft in the region. According to him, the army leadership has tak­en personnel training se­riously in view of current security challenges confronting the nation in the northeast and other parts of the country. Share on Facebook Share on Twitter marine-Nigerian-exercises File photo: The Nigerian army says 200 special soldiers have been trained to aid quell the storm in the Niger Delta. READ ALSO: Army declares Nigerian ‘Osama Bin Laden’ wanted “To this end, the train­ing began on December 14 with 200 young and fresh soldiers from Nige­ria army depot in Zaria with the aim of familiarizing them with their operating environment. “The soldiers were trained in basic unit regimentation covering field craft and minor tactics, internal security op­erations, general service knowledge, range classification and swimming, among others. “The young soldiers also received special training in basic swim­ming lessons owing to the peculiar nature of our op­erating environment. “This swimming exer­cise is to equip with nec­essary survival skills as they will be operating in coastal areas,” he said. Olabanji expressed optimism that the training would boost soldiers’ proficiency to better navigate the creeks, and as such, put an end to oil theft and attacks on oil installations in the region. The commander said that current dynamics in the country require that the army become more professional in the dis-charge of its responsibilities and operation conduct. The army chief advised the 200 sol­diers to obey military and civil laws, stressing that discipline, hard work and commitment must be the watchword in discharge of their duties. In the same vein, the navy has launched 25 gunboats to tackle kidnapping and pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta region. The chief of naval staff, Rear Admiral Ibok Ekwe Abas, made the disclosure while speaking at the central naval command (CNC) in Yenagoa, Bayelsa state. Abas said he inaugurated gunboats in Port Harcourt to support operations against kidnapping and other crimes in the maritime environment. Adding that the force will not rest on its oars till vandalism and vandal become a thing of the past in the south-south region. Meanwhile, there is growing tension in certain communities within Gokana local government area of Rivers state over an alleged plot by the military to conduct mass arrest of suspected militants or cultists. Rulers of the communities have cried out, lamenting that the recent spate of raids by the army is not doing the region much good. Some youth leaders have in recent times warned that the continued alleged persecution of some ex-warlords, could cause more militants to spring-up within the volatile region.
Read more: https://www.naij.com/747503-read-what-nigerian-army-is-doing-to-fight-militancy-in-niger-delta.html