N'Delta militants: Don't use force, cleric warns Buhari
 |
Mbang said force can’t solve the Niger Delta crisis |
– President Buhari has been warned against using force to solve the Niger Delta militants and Biafra
– Former CAN president, Mbang said Niger Delta militants and Biafra issues should not be treated like Boko Haram
– He expressed disappointment with the Operation Crocodile exercise, describing it as nonsense
The Prelate Emeritus of Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence Sunday Mbang, has asked President Muhammadu Buhari not to treat the renewed militancy in the Niger Delta region and the Biafra issue like that of Boko Haram.
The former president of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) argued that the Niger Delta militants and Biafra agitators have given reasons for their actions, but it is yet unknown what the Boko Haram insurgents are fighting for, This Day reports.
“For Biafra and Niger Delta militants, if you ask them they have reasons why they are angry. Sit down with them and talk and try to sort out some of these problems. They are Nigerians; they have every right to ask questions when they are uncomfortable,” the cleric said.
He said this at the weekend while fielding questions from newsmen during his 80th birthday celebration at his country home in Eket local government area of Akwa Ibom.
Mbang condemned the use of military by the federal government to address the renewed militancy in the Niger Delta region, saying the use of force will not solve the problems in the region, but rather worsen make things worse.
The former CAN resident said: “The truth is that you cannot use both military and dialogue to resolve the crisis in the Niger Delta.I would have preferred dialogue. Once you are talking about dialogue then you use military you defeat the purpose of dialogue.
“I was pretty disappointed when I saw the operation crocodile nonsense. I was disappointed I must be sincere because the trouble in Niger Delta is not today’s trouble. It is a trouble that has gone on for very long and I am sure people know the solution to them but they decided to be dancing around what they know.
“The solution is not all these boys carrying the gun. These gun boys are working for people. You kill this today, tomorrow another one will come up.”
He noted that the use of force to solve issues has never yielded positive results anywhere in the world, while stressing that force was not required in solving the Niger Delta crisis.
Aside other challenges facing the nation, the federal government has to deal with the renewed militancy in the Niger Delta region and agitation for Biafra.
The Biafran agitators have refused to give up their struggle for the Republic of Biafra. On the other hand, the Niger Delta militants have been blowing up oil facilities in the region but only recently agreed to dialogue with the government.
The government deployed military operatives to the region to curb the activities of the militants. However, the Ijaw National Congress (INC) has warned President Buhari against the deployment of troops in combating restive youths in the Niger Delta region.
Let your friends & loved ones know whats happening around them - Hit SHARE below -Scroll down to COMMENT
