Nigeria Military vows to crack down on pipeline bombers, criminal herdsmen

The Nigerian military Wednesday vowed to sustain its onslaught against Niger Delta militants, Boko Haram and criminal herdsmen across the country.

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin and Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Vice Admiral Ibok Ete-Ibas made this disclosure Wednesday at the International Maritime Conference organised by the Nigerian Navy  NN) as part of activities to celebrate its 60th anniversary.

This is just as the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen. Tukur Buratai inaugurated six communication vans which are to be deployed to the various troubled areas across the country.

Olonisakin stated that the military has stepped up its game against armed conflicts, warning those sabotaging pipelines to desist from it.

Speaking to reporters after the conference, Ibas said the military was expanding its technical aspect of its surveillance to ensure the menace was contained.

“We have made some inroads by ensuring that we are at least out there at sea especially when you consider that we have over 3000 creeks, rivers and actuaries and the navy has over the last 10 years been building its capacity to operate in the backwaters.

“What we have for now might not be adequate but we are expanding the technical aspects of our surveillance to ensure that we adequately contain the menace,” said Ibas.

Buratai who was in Lagos to inaugurate some buildings renovated by the 81 Division, Nigerian Army as well as address the troops as part of his maiden official visit to command also assured that the military was leaving nothing to chance in combating armed conflicts.

He said: “We are still pursuing the terrorists and we will continue to do that. So far so good, as the troops are doing very well.

“We are fighting the insurgents in the north east. We are also handling militants in the Niger Delta and combating the criminal elements disguising as herdsmen.

“We will continue to operate the way we have been doing. We may not be able to divulge our strategy because it is an operational issue.”