Group advises against troop deployment to Niger/Delta

A group, ‎United Niger Delta Energy Development Security Strategy (UNDEDSS)‎, has advised Federal Government not to heed the call by some Nigerians to deploy soldiers to  Niger/Delta region.

 At a briefing addressed by the Group’s Secretary General, Tony Uranta, UNDEDSS ‎said rather than heeding the call of those asking for troop deployment, President Muhammadu Buhari should lead ‎the way in finding lasting solution to insurgency in the region.‎

 "President Buhari is advised to personally and visibly head a holistic solution-seeking strategy that will prove his commitment to a robustly sustainable peace in the region, for there to be true unity, stability and progress in Nigeria",‎ Uranta said.‎

 The UNDEDSS Secretary also advised the President not to re-invent the wheel as there is a template already established by late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in 2009.‎

 The Group also said it has made known to Federal Government how best to douse the tension in the region.

 "The President should personally broadcast to the nation an indefinite ceasefire to be matched by armed actors in the region; speak on government’s commitment to the National Maritime University, Okerenkoko and the appointment of a savvy Special Adviser (Niger Delta Affairs) to the President among other things.‎

 "If the President follows Yar’Adua’s steps, there will be sustainable cessation of hostilities in the Niger Delta and the nation will not subjected to further losses in national revenues or the crippling power shortfalls due to unavailability of crude and gas," he said.‎