THE Commander of the Joint Task Force, JTF, code-named Operation Restore Hope, Brig-General Wuyep Rimtip yesterday said there was no truth in the rumour making the rounds that Northern soldiers had been deployed to kill Southerners in the Niger Delta region.
He noted that the rumour was a grand design by militants to further blackmail the JTF to enable them continued with their criminal and nefarious activities in the region.
“There is no iota of truth in the rumour that Northern soldiers were being brought here to kill Southerners. It is not true at all”, Brig-General Rimtip who spoke through his Coordinator, Joint Media Campaign Centre (JMCC) declared.
He said anybody who is intellectually sound would not believe such propaganda by the militants considering the federal character adopted in the recruitment of officers and soldiers.
The JTF Boss disclosed that the “rule of engagement” has not changed explaining that the special security outfit’s mandate has not changed adding that it remains internal security where minimal use of force were applied.
“We are 100 percent capable of dealing with the situation in the region within days but we are not at war with them (militants) hence the application of minimal force. People should understand our problems. The mandate is clear and rule of engagement still stands, that is using minimum force when necessary, still maintaining internal security. We are here to restore hope.
“We are not at war with anybody because they are our brothers and sisters. We are here to enhance the security and ensure peace in the region. It is only when there is security and peace that there can be development of the Niger Delta”, he added.
Brig- General Rimtip therefore solicited for the cooperation of the media in ensuring that correct information were given to the public noting that ensuring security of the region was a collective responsibility of all.
He declared “it is high time we stop this propaganda by the criminal elements that are making life difficult for the majority of the people of the Niger Delta”.
It will not help us rather it will increase the problem we are all trying to resolve”.