Exclusive: Did Just Buhari Declare War on Niger Delta Militants; Deploys Troops to the Region

Determined to end oil theft and vandalism of oil and gas pipeline in the Niger Delta region, President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, in Abuja declared war on the militants and announced the deployment of military and task forces to the region.


Another reason for the deployment of troops, the president said, was to stop the kidnapping of citizens for ransom in the coastal areas of the country.


The president also said that his administration was concentrating on theresettlement of displaced persons and rehabilitation of infrastructure in the North East.


President Buhari made the disclosure at a meeting with a delegation from the United States Institute of Peace in his office at the Presidential Villa.


He assured the delegation that the task forces, coupled with his administration’s ongoing war against corruption, will be executed within the ambit of the law.


He explained that mechanisms had been put in place to ensure respect for human rights in the fight against terrorism.


“We attach great importance to human rights. If there are breaches, they will be investigated and dealt with,” he said.


Buhari, in a statement by his spokesman, Mallam Garba Shehu, said his administration welcomes the growing international support, especially from the United States and Europe, for Nigeria’s efforts to end the Boko Haram insurgency.


The President also expressed happiness with the support of Nigerians for the cardinal programmes of his government, the security of the country, the war against corruption and the revival of the economy, which he said, would continue to be vigorously pursued.


Speaking at the meeting, Ms. Nancy Lindborg, who led the Institute’s delegation, applauded the progress made by the Buhari administration in ensuring greater security in Nigeria.


She promised the continued assistance of the Institute for the reconstruction and development work going on in the country