In pursuit of its change of approach towards renewed militancy, the Nigerian government has ordered the immediate withdrawal of military from Niger Delta region communities. They have been accused of abuses in their response to attacks on oil and gas installations in the region.
People in the region had cried of harassment and indiscriminate arrests by soldiers hunting the militants.
The government said yesterday that it was withdrawing troops immediately. However, soldiers will continue to patrol the waterways.
This was decided at a meeting between Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, governors from Niger Delta states, some ministers and service chiefs.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Delta State governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, said: “We have also agreed that there is a need to distill military operations directly in communities, but the military need to actually remain on our waterways to ensure that we adequately man the waterways itself while we engage the communities and that engagement process is starting any moment from now”.
He explained that during the meeting they received briefings on the situation of things and agreed that a synergy, especially in a form of intelligence sharing, between the Federal Government and the States would help in tackling the problem.
“We have taken a lot of decisions which will help us mitigate what is going on currently in the states particularly Bayelsa and Delta.
“One of such is that there is a need for us to share intelligence which is very important and for us to be proactive, working together with the various stakeholders in the states to achieve a better result
going forward,” he said.
Okonwa said the withdrawing of troops was to begin immediately.
Edo state governor, Mr. Oshiomhole, told journalists that Nigeria was not at war as the government was ready to address the conflict.
“If we have conflicts, we will talk through those conflicts. There are laws that have to be enforced. I think that in all of these the whole idea is to find peace that is functional, that creates an environment for very decent Nigerians to live their lives.”
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