DHQ to Militants: We will Treat You As Criminals

•Deny granting amnesty to repentant terrorists

Senator Iroegbu in Abuja

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has warned the emergent militant groups destabilising the economic infrastructure in the Niger Delta region that they would be treated as criminals and resources will be mobilised to crush their resistance.

The Director of Defence Information (DDI), Brig-Gen. Rabe Abubakar, said that the military is not unaware of the emergence of a group in the Niger Delta region that has vowed to cripple economic activities through pipeline vandalism, oil theft and kidnap of expatriate workers in that region.

According to Abubakar, the military “will not hesitate to deploy every available resource to deal decisively with any threats to economic lifeline of the nation”.

“The military will employ all available means and measures within its Rule of Engagement to crush any individual or group that engages in the destruction of strategic assets and facilities of the government in the Niger Delta or any other location and they will stand to regret the consequences of their actions.

“The whole world has seen what they are causing in terms of economic terrorism against the nation and would be treated as criminals in line with the laws of the land,” he stated.

He noted that while the military and other security agencies would continue to emplace more proactive measures within the creeks and other places to fish out those responsible for the heinous crime, it will remain focused and assure oil companies and law abiding community members of their safety and protection of their sanctity.

“The DHQ advices the community leaders, Traditional Rulers and the general public to cooperate with the security agencies to ensure the apprehension of the culprits for the interest of our great nation; as no individual or group interest is above national interest of this country,” he said.

In a related development, the DHQ, has denied and condemned the report in some media that 800 Boko Haram members had been granted amnesty.

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