We’ll not shield militants from military operations

RIVERS State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has declared that nobody will be shielded from the military operations against militants sabotaging the nation’s economy.
Wike explained that all Niger Delta governors were opposed to the use of violence to settle grievances.
He disclosed that governors were billed to meet with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on June 7, 2016, to discuss and proffer solutions to the security situation in the region.
The governor spoke on Monday at the Government House in Port Harcourt when he granted audience to the country’s military high command led by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin.
Wike said, “What is happening affects our state revenue. We shall help the military to fish out militants blowing up oil pipelines in the region.”
The Chief of Defence Staff was accompanied by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-General Tukur Buratai, Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ibas and the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar.
Wike explained that the State Government was worried about the resurgence of militancy in the Niger-Delta, adding that it was adversely affecting the development of the region.
“As a government, we cannot support economic sabotage. What is going on is economic sabotage. Production is being negatively affected, with the revenue of states dwindling.
“There are ways to channel grievances and it is wrong to do what will negatively affect the people of the region,” he added.
The governor, however, assured the military high command that the government and people of Rivers State would support efforts to secure the area.
While commending the military for the sacrifice they have made in providing security for most parts of the state, Wike urged them to work towards improving security in Ahoada East, Ahoada West, Abua/Odual and Ogba/Egbema /Ndoni Local Government Areas of the state.
Earlier, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin, said the recent resurgence of militancy in the Niger Delta was a serious concern to the military.
“Recent activities of the militants have led to the sabotage of oil and gas infrastructure,” Olonisakin said.
He noted that the economy of the nation was threatened by the resurgent militancy, hence the need to stop the insecurity in the region.
Olonisakin urged the governor to reach out to his colleagues in the Niger Delta to resolve the conflicts in the region.
He said the military high command was in the region to interface with the leadership of the Operation Pulo Shield and other service commanders on how to put an end to criminality in the region and protect the nation’s economy from total collapse.