President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday vowed that his administration was determined to arrest resurgence in the activities of militancy in the Niger Delta region.
In a nationwide broadcast to mark this year’s democracy day, the President vowed to apprehend militants groups which had in the past few weeks launched several attacks on pipeline installations in the Niger Delta region.
According to the President, his administration in a bid to restore the region is committed to the implementation of the United Nations Environment Programme report and is advancing clean-up operations in the area.
Buhari said, “We are committed to implementing the United Nations Environment Programme report and are advancing clean-up operations. I believe the way forward is to take a sustainable approach to address the issues that affect the delta communities.
“If the militants and vandals are testing our resolve, they are much mistaken. We shall apprehend the perpetrators and their sponsors and bring them to justice.”
The President also declared that this government will engage leaders in the region in discussions with the aim of finding a lasting solution to the issue of militancy.
“The recent spate of attacks by militants disrupting oil and power installations will not distract us from engaging leaders in the region in addressing Niger Delta problems. I believe the way forward is to take a sustainable approach to address the issues that affect the Delta communities.”
He, however, warned that his government’s policy measures and actions taken so far are not to be seen as some experiment in governance.
“We are fully aware that those vested interests who have held Nigeria back for so long will not give up without a fight. They will sow divisions, sponsor vile press criticisms at home and abroad, incite the public in an effort to create chaos rather than relinquish the vice-like grip they have held on Nigeria.”
DAILY POST recalls that the Niger Delta Avengers in the past two weeks had launched series of attacks on pipeline installations with Chevron Nigeria Limited and the Nigerian Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, been the most affected.
The resurgent militant group while claiming to be responsible for these attacks said they were fighting for the sovereignty of the region.
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