Nigerian navy vows to deal with militant activities in oil rich region

The Nigerian Navy on Thursday reiterated its resolve to deal with the resurgence of militancy in the oil rich Niger Delta region.

Rear Admiral Mohammed Garba, Flag Officer Commanding in charge of the Central Naval Command (CNC) told reporters in Yenagoa city that the navy had acquired the capacity to flush out recent resurgence of pockets of militant activities.

Garba said the Navy, under his leadership, would pursue a zero tolerance stance against oil theft, pipeline vandalism and illegal oil bunkering in line with the strategic directive of the Chief of Naval Staff.

"With the recent resurgence of pockets of militant activities, I wish to specifically call on these groups of people to desist from criminal activities capable of entrenching security breach in the Niger Delta," he added.

"They have no constituency; well meaning and law abiding Nigerians will not want to associate with the militants," he said.

"I, therefore, urge these criminal gangs to revert to legitimate business or face the wrath of the law," Garba told reporters.

The Flag Officer Commanding also appealed to the public to report suspicious activities to security agencies in a timely manner for swift response to curb criminality in the Niger Delta region.

Recent attacks on oil and gas facilities by militants have heightened tension in the Niger Delta region. Endit