The Federal Government has commenced the withdrawal of soldiers from the streets of major towns in the troubled Niger Delta region.
Security Sources told LEADERSHIP on Monday that the dismantling of military checkpoints and posts began last week.
It was learnt that apart from Rivers State that is still witnessing a wave of criminal activities, other states in the region have been witnessing the a reduction in the presence of soldiers on the streets.
LEADERSHIP correspondent observed in Warri, Delta State that military checkpoints and posts have been reduced drastically in line with a federal government directive.
A top security source said the federal government stance was in response to appeal by elders, leaders and Senators from the Niger Delta region that met with President Umaru YarAdua last week.
“In separate meetings between the South South Senators and Elders and leaders of the region with the President last week, they pleaded with the him to order the withdrawal of the soldiers from the region.
“They said if this is done, it would enable them convince the militants that the government is sincere with the on going dialogue between them and the government”, he said.
LEADERSHIP learnt that the elders and Senators said that that was the only condition that they would make them talk to the militants and prevail on them to lay down their arms and embrace dialogue with government.
Ijaw National Leader, Chief Edwin Clark confirmed on Monday that they asked President YarAdua to remove soldiers from the streets as a way of demilitarizing the Niger Delta region.
Joint Task Force (JTF) Public Relations Officer, Major Omale Ochagwuba could not be reached as his mobile phone was switched off.