We’ll Resist Violence Agitators, It’s Unconstitutional To Agitate And Blow Up Pipelines, CDS Tells Avengers, Others

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gabriel Abayomi Olonisaki, on Saturday declared that the military with resist violence agitators in the country including Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), which recently threatened to blow up critical oil assets in the Niger Delta region.

The CDS who was in Warri to inaugurate 20 mounted gunboats acquired by the Nigerian Navy, (NNS Delta), at Warri Naval base, Delta state noted that although it was the inalienable right of any group to agitate, agitation laced with violence was rather unconstitutional and would be resisted.

He said that the military would not spare anyone who goes against the constitution by embarking on violence uprising in the name of agitation.

BigPen Online recalls that the militia group, Niger Delta Avengers had threatened to attack oil facilities in the region following the alleged failure by the federal government to show sincerity about the 16-point negotiation demands conveyed by the group, Pan-Niger Delta Forum led by elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark.

While inducting the newly acquired gunboats constructed by two companies from South Africa and Nigeria, the military top brass said that the level of threats and violence in the Niger Delta was responsible for the huge deployment of troops to the region, saying that the recent militarization of the civilian communities was to curtail the current trend.

Speaking specifically on the recent threats by Niger Delta Avengers to to resume hostilities in the region, Gen. Olonisaki said, “it (threat) cast an unfortunate blow on the well being of the region and served as a sad commentary on the collective security of the environment.

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“Today, our nation is challenged by multifaceted threats from both continental and maritime fronts with great manifestations.

“In the seaward aspect, the nation’s maritime security drivers have been marked with increasing complexities in recent years covering both traditional and nontraditional threats, continuing and increasing challenges across the regional maritime security environment.

“Coming landward, there have been continued militarization of the Niger Delta and the proliferation of weapons among non-state groups.

“This unsavoury state of affairs has ominously ended up in a sharp increase in threat level and deepening in conditions inimical to security.

“The new maritime that expanded in recent times and had developed a new ways and means. They pose a serious and continued danger with potential for asymmetric and high hybrid warfare.

“The factors have complicated the nation’s maritime security environment. Increased tension in an area of interest can adversely impact on maritime security and pose great threats for those living in the area.”

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Continuing, he said “within the section of this great review, I’m constrained to recall with regrets the continued consideration of violence, threats of violence (sic) of our differences.

“The recent purported declaration with intent to resume hostilities by the Niger Delta Avengers rather cast an unfortunate blow on the wellbeing of the region and serves a sad commentary on the collective security of the environment.

“While the right of agitation is the inalienable right of agitation, any group associated with violence is unconstitutional and will be strictly prosecuted by the armed forces.”

He expressed satisfaction with the induction of the gunboats, adding that their addition to the platform of the Central Naval Command would boost the general preparedness of the command against security threats.

The CDS however lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for his ‘unyielding support’ for the armed forces, while urging the Navy to put the gunboats into good use as it has been doing in recent past.

Earlier at the event, the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Ibok-Ekwe Ibas, said with the provision and induction of the gunboats of two 200hp outboard engines each, criminals in the maritime domain of the Central Naval Command would face hard days ahead.

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Ibas, who only last week came on inspection of platforms of the force, warned criminal and saboteurs of critical economic assets in the Niger Delta to find a legitimate means of livelihood or be ready to face the battle ready personnel of the force.

Meanwhile, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has reiterated earlier call on militants in the state to sheathe their swords in the interest of the sustained peace and gradual economic boom from crude oil sales.

The governor who’s still on his leave abroad but was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Hon Festus Agas, however commended Nigerian Navy (NNS Delta), for its efforts at checkmating criminality, especially oil theft and illegal refineries in the creeks, warning perpetrators to desist.

Controversial Senator Isah Misau, chairman Senate Committee on Navy, was at the event but declined speaking with the press. The colourful ceremony was graced by Olu of Warri, Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, Pere of Gbaramatu, Pere of Ogulagha, Pere of Ogbe-Ijoh among others.

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