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.
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.
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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