The Nigerian military has expressed support to the ongoing negotiation with militants to restore peace in restive Niger Delta region.
Defence Headquarters on Wednesday re-emphasised that the military would continue to abide with the ongoing negotiation effort of the Federal Government with militants.
Brig.-Gen. Rabe Abubakar, Acting Director, Defence Information, however warned that while trying to achieve peace through negotiation, the military would not take kindly with any individual or group who would want to abuse the process.
“The military will not take kindly for anyone to take good gesture of adherence to ceasefire and peaceful disposition to the impasse for granted
He warned that the military would not hesitate to respond proportionately to any armed attacks against its location in a decisive.
Such response he explained would be professional and in line with military’s constitutional mandate of defending innocent citizens as well as national critical infrastructure.
“It is also instructive to state that the Armed Forces has the capacity to defend itself just as it did recently when a group of misguided elements under the militancy guise attacked its location at Efut Esighi waterfront in Bakassi Local Government Area of Cross River State where they paid dearly for their evil act.
“The Armed Forces therefore warn various belligerent groups in either the Niger Delta or any other part of the nation to desist from any act capable of jeopardising peace and security of our country or they will regret the consequences of their evil action.”
He said that the Armed Forces would continue to partner with peace-minded groups and stakeholders to bring lasting peace in any security threatened areas or locations.
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