Militancy: Nigeria will prioritise dialogue, says Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari in Kaduna on Saturday warned that decisive military action was still an option to deal with militancy in Niger Delta if militants continued with sabotage.

The president, who gave the warning at the Passing out Parade of 133 Cadets of 63rd Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy, added that his administration would prioritise constructive engagement of relevant stakeholders in dialogue to address issues.

Buhari, who expressed happiness that the Boko Haram insurgency in the North East was being defeated, noted that militancy and other forms of emerging threats, including kidnapping and cattle rustling, were negatively impacting the nation’s economy.

He said the clean-up of the Ogoniland was one of the ways to deal with root causes of militancy in the region.

He said, “For avoidance of doubt, let me state that other options are still open, including decisive military action.

“Today, criminal elements disguise in ethnic regalia to sabotage the country, largely for their selfish and parochial interests.

“I reiterate the call on all Nigerians to give peace a chance and jettison negative tendencies and join government’s efforts aimed at addressing the numerous challenges in the task of building a better Nigeria.”

The president, however, added that his administration would prioritise constructive engagement of relevant stakeholders in dialogue to address issues.

On insurgency in the North East, the president said although his administration “inherited a badly managed Boko Haram”, the capacity of the insurgents to launch attack had been “significantly curtailed.”

He also said that their capacity to take territories had been knocked out, adding that ongoing operations were to clear remnants of the terrorists from their hideouts.

The president charged the newly commissioned officers to remain apolitical, patriotic and loyal to the nation at all times.

He reminded them that they no longer belong to themselves, their parents, families, tribes and villages but the nation and be ready to pay the supreme sacrifice if the need arises. (NAN)