President Muhammadu Buhari has made bold statement against the Niger Delta Avengers militant group and their activities in the South-South region of the country.
President Buhari while speaking at the Democracy Day lecture organised by the Save Democracy Group Africa on Tuesday promised Nigerians that he will do all within his power to secure oil facilities and other government assets in the Niger Delta region.
Speaking at the lecture themed “The Change Agenda and Sustenance of Nigerian Democracy”, Buhari who was ably represented by the Secretary to Government of the Federation, Babachir David Lawal said “You will agree with me that two major reasons why our economy is in such a deplorable condition is the slump in crude oil prices.
“It is also due to decline in production as a result of the recent upsurge in activities of criminals and saboteurs in the oil producing region.
“While the control of the selling price of our crude oil is not solely in our hands, the challenge of militancy, criminality and vandalism is solely within our control.”
In addition, He said: “I therefore wish to restate that I have directed all the nation’s security outfits to take all steps necessary to secure the oil facilities and other government assets in the Niger Delta region.
“While our doors are open to dialogue, political and non-military solution on the matter, this government will not succumb to intimidation and blackmail by criminal element, coming to inflict further unnecessary social and economic hardship on the citizens.”
Buhari, while addressing the insecurity issues of the North-East including the incessant attacks carried out by Fulani herdsmen said: “In the area of insecurity, I can gladly report that the government has recovered territories hitherto under the control of insurgency in the North East.
He further added: “What remains is the ongoing military campaign to mop up pockets of insurgents scattered in forests and mountains of the region.
“In the meantime, government has started resettling the returning internally displaced persons to their original localities.
“The challenging task of rebuilding the region will start in earnest with the implementation of the 2016 Budget of Change.
“As to the rampant cattle-herdsmen clashes across the country, the Federal Government is partnering with state governments to find a lasting solution to the unfortunate menace.
“Among the solution being considered is the establishment of animal grazing reserve and other policies targeted at encouraging the nomad herdsmen to adopt modern methods of animal rearing.
“In the meantime, I have directed all security agencies to bring all perpetrators of the clashes to book.
“I wish to assure all Nigerians that there will be no sacred cows.”