Military places troops on red alert

– Military on red alert to combat any militant attack 

– Nigerian military vows to maintain law and order in the Niger-Delta region

The Nigerian military says troops have been placed on high alert to combat any militant attack in the Niger Delta.

Gen. Abayomi Olonishakin, Chief of Defence Staff made this known on Wednesday February 24, during the inauguration of 25 locally built gunboats donated to Nigerian Navy Ship in Port Harcourt.

Olonishakin said the military currently assessing the situation in the Niger Delta with a view to maintaining law and order.

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According to him, the nation cannot tolerate any criminality by individuals and groups, especially at a period it is faced with serious economic challenges.

”The Defence Headquarters is up and doing and we want to warn them (militants) that the military will not take it lightly in cases of disturbances.

”Any threat by them will be met with appropriate military actions. We have directed our troops to be on red alert as well as ensure that criminals and vandals who sabotage the national assets are brought to book,” he said.

Olonishakin expressed optimism that the 25 gunboats newly acquired by the Nigerian Navy would help in drastically reducing oil theft, sea piracy and other forms of illegalities in the nation’s maritime environment.

Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Adm. Ibok-Ekwe Ibas added that  the navy employed the services of local engineers to construct the gunboats to save cost and cut capital flight.

He said that President Muhammadu Buhari had approved local construction of additional 50 security patrol boats to be delivered in the coming months.

READ ALSO: Niger Delta tension: Militants threaten to blow up Delta state

According to him, the gunboats which have reached advance stages of completion, will be fitted with anti-ballistic protection and latest technology.

”Delivery of the additional 50 gunboats will ensure that the nation’s backwaters are saturated with patrol boats for improved security of our maritime domain.

”The boats will enable us meet with stiff opposition sea robbery, crude oil theft and other illegalities within the creeks and waterways,” he said.

Ibas said that plans were on to acquire more patrol vessels for the navy to enable it to maintain constant presence at sea.

 

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