Military Declares War on Militancy

Chiemelie Ezeobi

The military on Wednesday declared war on the menace of militancy in the Niger Delta, just as the Nigerian Army said it has procured six communication vehicles for the prosecution of the war against insurgency in the North-east.

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Gabriel Olonisakin, the service chiefs from the Nigerian Navy (NN) and the Nigerian Army (NA), Vice Admiral Ibok Ette-Ibas and Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai respectively, made this disclosure at different military functions in Lagos.

The CDS, who was the guest of honour at the navy’s 60th Diamond anniversary in Lagos, said the military would continue its onslaught against militancy in the Niger Delta and insurgency in the North-east.

At the end of the two-day maritime conference organised by the navy to mark its anniversary, Olonisakin said the military has stepped up its game against the militants in the Niger Delta because of the recent attacks on the nation’s infrastructure.

Warning those involved in the attacks on oil facilities to desist from any form of sabotage or would be made to face the wrath of the law when arrested, Olonisakin while reviewing the role of the military in recent times said the navy had performed creditably in securing the nation’s territorial waters in its 60 years of existence.

He also assured that the Armed Forces would continue to work together to keep the nation’s maritime environment safe from any form of criminality.

Also speaking at the conference, the CNS, Vice Admiral Ibas, said the navy had been able to reduce robbery and piracy on the nation’s waterways, adding that they are expanding the technical aspect of their surveillance to ensure that they curtail the menace.

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