The Federal Government on Sunday read the Riot Act to Niger Delta militants, saying it would no longer condone violence in the region.
The warning came as more soldiers were deployed in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where militants killed 15 people and destroyed a mega-filling station belonging to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation on Saturday.
The Minister of Information and Communication, Mr. John Odey, who spoke exclusively with one of our correspondents in Abuja, said that the government was ‘fully’ ready to bring the militants to book and restore normalcy in the region.
Describing Saturday’s incident as ‘unfortunate,’ Odey said Nigeria was not a lawless country and that the government would not fold its arms and allow ‘some elements’ to plunge the nation into anarchy.
He said the Nigeria Police Force and the military had been exercising caution in confronting the militants, with a belief that they (militants) would lay down their arms.
The minister said the government was working out a ‘holistic approach’ to solving the Niger Delta crises and warned the militants not to provoke the Police and the military.
He said, “I am aware that the President (Alhaji Umaru Yar’Adua) has directed the Police to maintain law and order in the region. And as you can see, stability has already returned to the area.
“The Port Harcourt incident is unfortunate and government will not tolerate that kind of activities.
“Our country is not a lawless society and this government is one that is alive to its responsibility to the people.
“The militants should realise that this government is not prepared to tolerate their activities. They should not test the will of government.
“They should hearken to calls to lay down their arms and allow peace to reign.
“They should realise that the Police and the military have been careful not to use force to restore stability to the region.
“These agencies are adequately equipped to check any insurgency but they have been exercising restraint in their activities in the area.
“The militants should not push them to the wall.”
He urged residents of the Niger Delta to go about their normal duties, saying that government was doing everything to halt the ‘criminal activities’ in the region.
“No activity of any individual or group can go beyond the control of government. The Niger Delta crises cannot get out of hand. Government is equal to the task,” Odey said.
On whether the government would declare a state of emergency on Rivers State or not, the minister said, “I have just told you that everything is under control.
“The matter is being handled at the security level. What we are interested in is for lasting peace to return to the region.
“We will soon achieve that with the holistic approach we have adopted in solving the problem.”
More soldiers were, however, deployed in major streets of Port-Harcourt, to maintain peace and order.
One of our correspondents, who went round some parts of the city, reported that the soldiers mounted road blocks at major junctions and searched vehicles.
Armoured Personnel Carriers were also seen in some areas, including the entrance to Government House, the state Police Command Headquarters and the Mile 1 Police Station. Some APCs were seen patrolling some highways in the city.
Flashpoints like the old Port-Harcourt town, Diobu, Mile 1 and Abonima Wharf were patrolled by soldiers and policemen.
The Mile 1 and Mile 3 markets, which open for business everyday, were deserted.
Although shootings were heard around the Abonima Wharf, no incident of violence was reported on Sunday.
In its reaction to calls for a state of emergency, the Rivers State Government said such was not necessary.
The state Commissioner for Information, Mr. Emmah Okah, told our correspondents in Port Harcourt that everything was being done to bring the situation under control.
Okah, who spoke shortly after a programme by Rhythm FM, said that it was not true that the state government was helpless in the face of the attacks.
He said, “Those who are calling for a state of emergency do not understand that if soldiers take over the entire state, a generation of our youths may be wiped out.
“We appeal to parents to call their children to order while also appealing to the gunmen to drop their arms and embrace government’s rehabilitation programme to better their lives.”
Okah’s reaction came after callers to a programme on Rhythm FM, ‘Viewpoint,’ asked for a state of emergency in the state.
A presenter of the programme, Mr. Segun Awolabi, was later invited for questioning by the State Security Service.
Awolabi was, however, allowed to go after meeting with the leadership of the SSS.
Aug132007