The Nigerian army has said the call for dialogue by the Federal Government with rampaging militants in the Niger-Delta should not be mistaken for weakness.
Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Tukur Buratai said this in an interview with newsmen during the commissioning of the new Administrative Block of the 2 Brigade, Port Harcourt.
Buratai who was represented by the General Commanding Officer of the eighty-two Division of the Nigerian army, Major-General Ibrahim Attahiru, said the Nigerian Military will not hesitate to use full kinetic means if dialogue fails.
He said the military is committed to resolving the security challenges in the Niger-Delta.
The Chief of Army Staff also said the military was concerned about the violence associated with elections in the country.
He said the army only operates to complement and support civil authority to avoid the break-down of Law and order.
“We are committed to the dialogue with the Niger-Delta Avengers but in a situation whereby peace cannot go on, we could resort to the kinetic means. But the non-kinetic means will be sought before government can use the kinetic means.
“So, there is the need for the Niger-Delta Avengers to see reasons and dialogue with government.
“On the use of military for elections, the army can only intervene if there is a civil need based on the call by the police,” he said.
The Chief of Army Staff commissioned a 25/25 Olympic size swimming pool, a new building at the Military Hospital along Aba Road, among other projects initiated and completed by the outgoing 2 Brigade Commander, Brigadier-General Stephenson Olabanji.
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