We'll Deploy Full 'Kinetic' Means If Dialogue Fails - Buratai Warns N'Delta Militants

Posted by Odinaka on Mon 25th Jul, 2016 - tori.ng

The Nigerian Army has said the call for dialogue by the Federal Government with rampaging militants in the Niger-Delta should not be mistaken for weakness.

T.Y Buratai

Speaking in an interview with newsmen in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Tukur Buratai, has said the the call for dialogue by the President Buhari-led Federal Government with rampaging militants in the Niger-Delta should not be mistaken for weakness.

The Army chief who spoke during the commissioning of the new Administrative Block of the 2 Brigade in Rivers state, was ‎represented by the General Commanding Officer of the 82 Division of the Nigerian army, Major-General Ibrahim Attahiru, said the Nigerian ‎Military will not hesitate to use full kinetic means if dialogue fails.

According to DailyPost, he said the military is committed to resolving the security challenges in the Niger‎-Delta, adding that the military was concerned about the violence associated with elections in the country.

He said the army only operates to complement and support civil authority to avoid the break-down of Law and order.

“We are committed to the dialogue with the Niger-Delta Avengers but in a situation whereby peace cannot go on, we could resort to the kinetic means. But the non-kinetic means will be sought before government can use the kinetic means.

“So, there is the need for the Niger-Delta Avengers to see reasons and dialogue with government. On the use of military for elections,‎ the army can only intervene if there is a civil need based on the call by the police,” he said.