Anxiety as troops deploy weapons to Niger Delta
- The deployment of the military hardware to the Niger Delta region caused panic among the locals
- While the soldiers promised to dislodge the militants, IYC, monarch urge Buhari to dialogue for returning the peace in the region
The Nigerian army has commenced a massive deployment of weapons against armed militants in Nigeria’s oil rich Niger Delta region, The Guardian reports.
A long convoy of about 32 articulated vehicles was spotted on the Port Harcourt-Warri dual carriage. The convoy includes long-range tanks, armoured personnel vehicles and an assortment of arms.
The vehicles reportedly headed to military formations in Delta and Bayelsa states.
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Since the beginning of the “Operation Crocodile Smile” there has been such a movement of heavy army hardware. However, locals complain that it has become frequent lately.
The Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) supposed that the deployment of soldiers and arms in the area was a sign that the government of Muhammadu Buhari was not interested in peace in the region and was intimidating the people.
Eric Omare, the council spokesman, said the President Buhari’s administration had shown through the deployment that it was never interested in talking with the Niger Delta shareholders.
On his own part, the Pere of Seimbiri Kingdom, His Royal Majesty Ayemi Botu, claimed that the deployment of army weapons and soldiers in the region could throw the region into the bloody war.
“Sequel to the acceptance of a ceasefire, courtesy of monarchs and other leaders of the Niger Delta 10 days ago by the Niger Delta Avengers and other militant groups, one would have expected President Buhari to announce his dialogue team as he did in early June, 2016 when he declared a two-week ceasefire, preceding his medical trip to the United Kingdom,” he said.
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However, the army has promised to use proportional force to defeat those defined as criminals and groups threatening the peace and stability of theregion.
As it continues its offensive against militants, the army advised law-abiding residents of the region not to panic when they see the movement of troops and heavy weapons.
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The Niger Delta Avengers and other militant groups have increased attacks on oil facilities, demanding a greater share of Nigeria’s oil wealth for the impoverished but oil-rich region.
Meanwhile, the Avengers on August 29, Monday, said that it had “halted hostilities” in the area and were ready to enter negotiations with the federal government.
Source: Legit.ng
