The British Foreign Minister Philip Hammond has warned Buhari of the dangers of using military confrontation against the militants in the Niger Delta.
The President has been quite vocal on his plans to crush the insurgency and the militants from that area who have claimed responsibility for a slew of attacks in the region.
The Foreign Minister is of the opinion that rather than force, a Buhari should try to address the grievances of the people.
So far, due to attacks on the southern Delta Nigeria’s output of oil has been reduced by 300,000 barrels a day. A major export port and two refineries have also been closed.
According to the Vanguard Hammond said “It’s obviously a major concern,
“The idea that your answer is by moving big chunks of the Nigerian army to the Delta simply doesn’t work,
“It won’t deal with the underlying issues.
“Buhari has got to show as a president from the north that he is not ignoring the Delta, that he is engaging with the challenges in the Delta,” Hammond said.
The Foreign Minister also noted that the military couldn’t fight both the militants and Boko Haram.
There have been cries against Buhari, not only has he not visited the region, but he’s also ended generous pipeline protection contracts and cut the amnesty budget by around 70 percent, which partly funds training for unemployed.
The Niger Delta provides around 70% of Nigeria’s income from Crude sales which therefore makes Buhari’s refusal to visit all the more worrying.