No Negotiations With IPOB, Avengers – CDS

Honker vehiclesThe top echelon of the Nigerian military has ruled out negotiations with the Niger Delta Avengers, NDA, warning the militant group to desist from all acts of economic sabotage.
The NDA has continued to carry out bombing of oil and gas installations in the region, a development that has seen Nigeria’s oil production tumble from 2.2 million barrels a day to less than a million barrels.
The federal government has been urged by various stakeholders to dialogue with the Avengers instead of using military action, an option that usually results in collateral damage.
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin, who ruled out dialogue, said the military was disposed to asserting its authority and upholding the nation’s dignity.
Gen. Olonisakin stated this at the inauguration of the Nigerian Air Force’ (NAF) newly acquired 10 highly-militarised Honker Scorpion vehicles.
Olonisakin-Abubakar-Honker
The defence chief, who insisted that the military will not tolerate any threat to the stability of the nation, reminded those perpetrating violence in the Niger Delta and other parts of the country that the country’s defence architecture was very much in place.
This is just as he advised the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to seek better ways of airing their grievances.
“There are better ways to air their grievances than the way they go about it. The right way is to get necessary permit and protest. If they are violent, we will not take it lightly with them.
“The vehicles being commissioned were procured specifically for the purpose of enhancing security of the air assets within the area of their deployment.
“The equipment are certainly geared towards raising and maintaining the capability of the regiment troops as they contribute to our collective efforts to address the various security challenges confronting our nation.
“I must commend the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar, for this strategic initiative of providing troops with adequate equipment and for undertaking numerous other projects which culminate into actualising his vision for the NAF”.
“I will like to say that I am very impressed with the CAS’ achievements within the short period of assumption of office. The procurement of these Honker Airfield Defence vehicles is a testimony of the importance the NAF attaches to protection of its critical assets and force protection”, he said.
The inauguration of the Honker Vehicles was witnessed by the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Abubakar and Air Officer Commanding (AOC), Logistics Command, Air Vice Marshal Sani Ahmed among others.