Speculations Over Arms Build-up In South-East, Niger Delta

A report by New Telegraph indicates that there is a secret arms build-up in the South east and South south regions of Nigeria. 

Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase

The report quotes a highly placed security official who said the federal government was ‘worried and concerned’ over the situation in both regions.

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The source said: “Some practical and strategic steps have to be taken immediately to circumvent these growing concerns if the government must make any meaningful progress to deliver on its promises to the people.” 

While the source blamed what he called “miscalculated security steps on the part of some agencies” for some of the avoidable concerns, he however said direct engagement with concerned stakeholders in the affected areas is in the pipeline.

The source also said fresh security ‘persuasions’ have been tabled before President Muhammadu Buhari to have a holistic review of the government’s stance on certain issues.

He cited the charges against the director of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu and the recent invitation of ex-militant warlord in the Niger Delta, Chief Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo) as the reasons for the arms build-up.

He said: “Some of us have cause to believe that most of the steps taken security wise in the last six months have been ill-advised and avoidable. We have no reason to be in the news that some MASSOB and IPOB members have been abducted or seized by the military.

“Also, we have no reason to detain for so long, an inconsequential Kanu to the extent that he has become a central point in the ethnic and regional agitations in the East. So, the young man has to be allowed to go. This is not to talk of the EFCC’s miscalculation by inviting Tompolo at this time.

“Perhaps, some persons have forgotten that the pain of the loss of Goodluck Jonathan in the last presidential poll still lingers and once you play into the hands of these people, the nation might feel the heat with red eyes. So, we cannot afford to toy with such things.

“We understand that there are some political forces inciting such moves, but some of us have made persuasive moves to the president to allow the sleeping dog to rest rather than stirring up troubled waters that may have collateral damages on the economy. We can’t try that in the face of the consequences inherent in this.

“Government is very much aware of this development and the reasons behind some of these provocative moves are what baffle some of us. For instance, there are intelligence reports of how ex-militants took over the electoral process in Bayelsa state.

“It is not as if they love the governor there, they are merely rehearsing with the election to do the ultimate and the avalanche of weapons is a source of concern and worry.”

When contacted, Information and Culture Minister, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said he could not comment on the issues raised by our correspondent on the telephone.

READ ALSO: Why Agitation For Biafra Is Senseless – Senator

“Please I cannot make any comment on these issues you have raised; I don’t want to be misquoted on any of the issues please,” he said.

Meanwhile Lai Mohammed, the minister of information and culture, has called on religious leaders in Nigeria to appeal to those agitating for a republic of Biafra to let peace reign in the region.

He made the statement on Wednesday, December 9 in Abuja stressing the important role of the Nigerian clergy in this respect.

The post Speculations Over Arms Build-up In South-East, Niger Delta appeared first on Nigeria News today & Breaking news | Read on NAIJ.COM.

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