Don’t use force on N/Delta militants, Col Dangiwa cautions

Former governor of Kaduna State, Colonel Abubakar Dangiwa Umar (retd), has advised President Muhammadu Buhari against the use of military force on the Niger Delta militants, saying military option may further inflict collateral damage to the nation’s fragile economy.

In a statement titled: “War In The Niger Delta: A Most Dangerous Option”which  he issued to newsmen in Kaduna on Tuesday, he noted that the Niger Delta militancy should not be equated to the Boko Haram insurgents.

According to him, the activities and ideology of the two groups are not the same, urging President Buhari to engage in a meaningful dialogue to end the crisis in the Niger Delta.

“I am really frightened by the sudden escalation in the Niger Delta Region where there are reports of skirmishes between our security forces and the Niger Delta militants.”

He pointed out that “this is happening after the President was quoted as vowing to deal with the militants as he did Boko Haram”.

While condemning the position of President Buhari over the Niger Delta crisis, Umar argued that “all factors considered the use of military force in an attempt to resolve the lingering crisis is not a good option and must therefore be discarded.”