The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, has
said the Federal Government will not negotiations with the Niger Delta Avengers
but will instead work on strategies to first smoke the militants out of hiding.
Buratai, who was represented by Major General J. Hamakim at
the “State of the Nation Conference” organised by the Nigerian Bar Association
in Abuja on Tuesday made the position of the Federal Government known.
In his words, he said: “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 leaders for now.
“That is the only option.
“Possibly, we have to bring the people out to know who you
can dialogue with.”
Buratai said the activities of the group were affecting the
nation’s oil production, which has plummeted to 1.1 million barrels per day.
Buratai also spoke on the confrontation between the Nigerian
Army and pro-Biafra protesters on Monday.
He said: “Remember that lives were lost; policemen were
killed; some were thrown overboard and the military has rules of engagement.
“The question is how peaceful is the peaceful demonstration?
“How peaceful was the demonstration at that time?
“If it was that peaceful, how come we lost security agents?
“The rule of engagement is that if you feel threatened, you
have the mandate to respond.
“What we can say is: that was not at all a demonstration
that you can say was peaceful.”
Buratai said other security agencies were “overwhelmed”
during the protest, hence the deployment of the military.
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