The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND)
has described as “provocative”, Monday’s statement by Tukur Buratai, chief of
army staff, that the army would resort to force should peace talks with
militants fail.
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| Tuhur Buratai |
While speaking at the inauguration of the newly built
ultra-modern 2 brigade headquarters complex and Olympic-sized swimming pool in
Port-Harcourt, Rivers state, Buratai had urged Niger Delta militants to embrace
the dialogue offer of the federal government or risk contending with the force
of the army. “Government is still committed to dialogue and where this
cannot go on – then there could be resort to other means,” Ibrahim Attahiru,
general officer commanding, 82 division, who represented him, had said. “The non-kinetic (force) means has always been the source
first before government can recourse to the kinetic means. So, there is need
for the Niger Delta Avengers to see reason and dialogue with government.”
But responding on Tuesday, MEND said such a statement is
“insensitive, provocative, unprofessional and prejudicial to the fair outcome
of the ongoing preliminary talks”.
“The attention of the Movement for the Emancipation of the
Niger Delta (MEND) has been drawn to a statement made in Port Harcourt on
Monday July 25, 2016 by the Chief of Army Staff Lt. General Tukur Buratai to
the effect that the Nigerian military authorities will resort to the use of
force if dialogue to resolve the current Niger Delta crisis fails,” read a
statement by the group, signed by Jomo Gbomo. “MEND hereby makes it clear that General Buratai’s statement
is insensitive, provocative, unprofessional and prejudicial to the fair outcome
of the ongoing preliminary talks regarding the Niger Delta crisis between
representatives of oil companies and security agencies, on the one hand; and
the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), on the other hand. “We therefore warn the Chief of Army Staff to guard his
utterances, refrain from making political and inflammatory statements and stick to his primary responsibility.
“We use this opportunity to appeal to the good people of the
Niger Delta to remain patient with the Administration of President Muhammadu
Buhari and keep hope alive, as MEND and the Aaron Team 2 Dialogue, Peace and
Development Initiative led by Mr. Odein Ajumogobia, SAN and HRH King Alfred
Papapreye Diette-Spiff are working assiduously to secure sustainable
concessions for the region from the Government.
“While MEND has already kick-started the dialogue process
with the ongoing preliminary talks, the Aaron Team, made up of distinguished and accomplished personalities from the
region, is waiting on the sidelines to conclude the dialogue process.
“Long live Niger Delta…Long live the Federal Republic of
Nigeria!”.
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