The REAL reason there is an on-going military operation in Bayelsa – Army
– The army says the Bayelsa operation is meant to keep the country as one
– It was in response to a planned declaration of an independent Biafra state
– The army assured that civilians will not be harassed
The Nigerian army has confirmed that it deployed military equipment and troops to Bayelsa to prevent any declaration of an independent Niger Delta Republic.
A group, the Adaka Boro Avengers had issued a warning to Yorubas and Hausas in the Niger Delta region to vacate while also urging Niger Delta peoples to region as it planned to declare the region independent on August 1.
READ ALSO: Army storm Bayelsa to stop declaration of Niger Delta Republic
The planned declaration resulted in tension as military personnel were seen in the region conducting a stop and search operation during the weekend forcing residents in rural areas to flee to Yenagoa.
NAN reports that the army conducting Operation Delta safe said it would remain “professional and civil” in dealing with security threats by militant groups in the area.
Rear Admiral Joseph Okojie who is the commander of the joint operation spoke in Yenagoa on Tuesday, August 2 where he explained that the weapons noticed in Kaiama was part of normal military operation.
Okojie said: “The Federal Republic of Nigeria belongs to all of us and the armed forces have the freedom to be at any part of Nigeria at any time, we are merely doing our normal duty within our mandate.
“We were in Kaiama to show that Operation Delta Safe was on ground to ensure that the report by some faceless organisations about creating a ‘territory’ to themselves is not allowed to happen.
“The heavy presence being noticed in parts of the Niger Delta is part of our routine duties to guarantee the safety of law abiding that people of Niger Delta and ensure atmosphere conducive for economic activities.
“I am sure that we did not molest or intimidate anyone, we shall be professional and civil in the discharge of our duties.
READ ALSO: Niger Delta group accuse northerners of deadly plot
“Our presence is part of our normal duty to reassure the people that there is no cause for alarm.”
Mr. Okojie also revealed that the meeting with component commanders of Operation Delta Safe was to review the achievements of the operation to ensure that they were mission-oriented.
Meanwhile, the Adaka Boro Avengers cancelled its planned declaration of an independent Niger Delta Republic.
The group in a statement on Sunday, July 31 said it had cancelled its planned declaration and credited former president, Goodluck Jonathan and other top Ijaws for the move.
The group however said it “will not stop until the Nigerian government is ready to sit on a round-table to dialogue and to restructure Nigeria.”
“We received calls from prominent leaders like Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, Mrs. Ankio Briggs, Chief. E. K. Clark and especially King Alfred Diete Spiff calling on the freedom fighters to abort their mission to declare Niger Delta Republic.”
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