While justifying its operations in Gbaramatu, Delta State, the army said the use of force is the only option left at this moment and that it will not stop until the leaders of the group are arrested and brought to justice, the Punch reports
Speaking at the “State of the Nation Conference” organised by the Nigerian Bar Association in Abuja, Brig.Gen. J. Hamakim, who represented the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.Gen. Tukur Buratai at the conference, reacted to claims that it has failed to explore dialogue with the Niger Delta militants, resorting to the use of force and the possibility of war in the region. He said there was no sign that the militant group was ready for talks.
“I quite agree that dialogue is very important. But where it is not too obvious that the adversary is ready to come out and talk, you can also force such a person.
“I think that is what the Nigerian Army is trying to do. Yes, we don’t know the group’s leader, for now; that is the only option, possibly we have to bring the people out to know who you can talk with.”
He said the activities of the group had cut the nation’s oil production to 1.1 million from 2.2 million barrels per day.
He denied that soldiers deployed to Gbaramatu were killing innocent residents and raping women.
“We have done our investigation and nothing like that is happening,” he said.
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