Stop the Bombing, Buhari Begs Niger Delta Militants

Stop the Bombing, Buhari Begs Niger Delta Militants

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday appealed to militants in the Niger Delta to stop the bombing and destruction of pipelines and other oil and gas facilities in the region, the Nation is reporting.

Buhari who was speaking to some leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership at the Presidential Villa, Abuja while breaking the Ramadan fast asked those close to the militants to take things easy.

The President explained that militants in the region deploy high-tech equipment to vandalise oil installations.

He said: “I honestly don’t know how many factions the militants are in the Niger Delta compared to the north east where you have the Boko Haram.

“The technology being deployed by the militants to destroy oil installations is high tech, the way they can go on high sea and international waters and target oil installations is a national problem. It is affecting development.

“No insurance company will want to insure installations that will end up being blown up and no banks will want to finance such installations.

“Those of you who have friends among the leadership or even the militants themselves should plead with them in the name of God ‎Almighty to take it easy.

“We need to stablise to create employment, we need to stabilize the economy etc. I agonize over these things.

“We are in a very difficult time, so we have to organise ourselves. Anybody that says he has any other country than Nigeria should go out and see.”

Meanwhile, Buhari commended his party men for the successful conduct of the primary election in Edo State. He said the peaceful election in the state has given him fresh hope in the future of the party.

He said that Ondo State is going to be watched very closely in order to ensure that the vote of the people count.

The APC National Chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun welcomed the President back from his medical vacation abroad.

He also expressed satisfaction with what the President has been able to achieve in a short time.

He said: “Corruption is fighting back and change does not come easily. The way we do things must change. Our prayer is for God to give you the courage, wisdom and strength to set the new standard for the country.”

Among those who attended the dinner are former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, APC Deputy National Chairman (South), Segun Oni, Tony Momoh and Osita Ozinaso.