We might use force to flush out militants – Defence minister says

chika ebuzor

July 31, 2016 8:36 AM

Dan-Alli said he was in Bayelsa state to determine the capability of the military to contain any form of aggression.

Minister of Defence, Brigadier General Mansur Mohammed Dan-Ali

The Minister of Defence, Gen. Mansur Dan-Alli (rtd.), has said there is a possibility that force will be used to flush out the militants if dialogue fails.

Dan-Alli, in the company of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Abayomi Olonishakin and other officers, said he was in Bayelsa state to determine the capability of the military to contain any form of aggression.

The minister also paid a courtesy visit to the Bayelsa Governor, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha Jonah.

Punch reports that Dan-Alli said “One of the cardinal objectives that brought us here is to look for peace. But we are also preparing in case the peace and negotiations are not favourable.

“We are also on our own side making all the necessary security arrangements so that there will be peace in the Niger Delta.”

He also said “We are not saying that we are going to war; we are doing internal security work and internal security work is not war, so you cannot start claiming collateral damage.

“We know our rules of engagement. We cannot use force without any mandate. So, collateral damage does not come in here. As far as I am concerned, we are just trying to stop criminality in this general area.”

Three Niger Delta militant groups - the Reformed Egbesu Boys of the Niger Delta, Egbesu Red Water Lions and Egbesu Mightier Fraternity, have agreed to dialogue with the Federal Government.

See Pulse Photo-News gallery below.

chika ebuzor