We can’t rule out force against militants – FG

Defence, Gen. Mansur Dan-Alli (retd.)

The Minister of Defence, Gen. Mansur Dan-Alli (retd.), has declared that the Federal Government will not rule out the use of force against the Niger Delta Avengers if peaceful dialogue fails.

Dan-Alli stated this while on a courtesy visit to the Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha Jonah, at the Government House in Yenagoa, in company with Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Abayomi Olonishakin and the Commander, Operation Delta Safe, Rear Admiral Joseph Okojie.

The defence minister said his visit to Bayelsa with the CDS was to examine the situation on the ground and the operational capability of the armed forces within the zone.

He said, “One of the cardinal objectives that brought us here is to look for peace. But we are also preparing in case the peace and negotiations are not favourable.

“We are also on our own side making all the necessary security arrangements so that there will be peace in the Niger Delta.”

When asked to comment on a recent statement credited to the military that the use of force could  not be ruled out if the ongoing peace process with the Avengers failed, the minister stated, “We cannot rule it (force) out.”

Speaking on the possibility of collateral damage if the military declared war on the militants, Dan-Alli said there had never been war without peace.

He added, “We are not saying that we are going to war; we are doing internal security work and internal security work is not war, so you cannot start claiming collateral damage.

“We know our rules of engagement. We cannot use force without any mandate. So, collateral damage does not come in here. As far as I am concerned, we are just trying to stop criminality in this general area.”

Olonishakin added that the military had a constitutional duty to ensure there was peace, advising those destroying the country’s critical infrastructure to put on their thinking cap and come to the negotiation table.

The CDS said, “We have allowed truce to ensure that whoever wants to come to talk can be given the opportunity, then while giving the opportunity, we also ensure that our troops are in a position to make sure that the truce is well implemented.

“However, we want to tell those who are sabotaging the critical infrastructure that they have to put on their thinking cap and ensure that they come to the negotiation table and discuss.

“We in the military will enforce and ensure that critical infrastructures are protected and ensure that anyone found sabotaging the economy is properly dealt with.”