[allAfrica.com]  [celtel.com]


Military to Deploy Forces in N-Delta in Show of Might

Vanguard (Lagos)
NEWS
August 12, 2004
Posted to the web August 12, 2004

By Kingsley Omonobi
Abuja
THE military might of the Nigerian Armed Forces will be deployed in the Niger
Delta in the next few weeks when Naval warships, Airforce combat helicopter
gunships and Alpha jets as well as the Army's armoured tanks, deploy in what
military sources say is a show of Nigeria's capability to defend her maritime
territorial interests and the oil-rich region from foreigners eyeing the
country's resource base.
Chief of Defence Staff, General Alexander Ogomudia who confirmed the planned
deployment yesterday, disclosed that it would involve the three armed services
and is aimed at addressing some of the problem areas inherent in the Niger
Delta.
The Niger-Delta is bedevilled by youth restiveness, formation of rebel groups,
sea piracy, hostage takings and fears of terrorism attacks and concern over
possible use of mercenaries to attack the nation's oil platforms.
The CDS who was speaking when he received the Commander of the United States
Air Forces in Europe, General Robert Foglesong at the Defence headquarters,
noted that the military authorities had earlier wanted to hold the exercise
outside the Niger Delta but decided to go to Calabar because "we found out it
will be better if it is done there."
Disclosing that Nigeria might send a battalion of soldiers to Sudan instead of
the two Companies it initially planned as contribution to resolving the Dafur
crisis, the CDS said the final decision would depend on recommendations of the
African Union.
"Nigeria has benefitted from Operation Focus Relief conducted by the United
States aimed at assisting the country in capacity building for peace support
operations. To this end, the country is prepared and well disposed for the
operation in Dafur," he added.
Regarding security in the West African sub region, Ogomudia stated that though
progress was being made in Liberia and Sierra Leone towards stability, another
violence has erupted in Cote d'Ivoire which would require the United Nations
intervention.
"In Liberia and Sierra Leone, we have two battalions each and winding down
starts in October," he announced.
Gen. Ogomudia also solicited the assistance of the US Airforce chief in the
area of exchange of intelligence between the two countries saying "the twin
issues of security and capacity building were uppermoast in the scheme of
things within the Nigerian Armed Forces.
According to him, "there must be sharing of intelligence so that we can jointly
act with a bid to surmount the spate of international terrorism and violence.
But this can only be achieved if enough funds was made available. We believe we
can cope with the situation we have but we still need assistance from the US."
The CDS then thanked the United States for assisting the Nigerian Airforce with
spare parts worth $3 million and a provision of some Bouy Tenders to the
Nigerian Navy.
Replying, General Foglesong stated that the war on terrorism has necessitated
the need for intelligence building and sharing of ideas and skills to effect
stability.
He explained that the decision of the US to donate spares of the C130 to the
Nigeria Airforce was occasioned because the aircraft has the tendency to wear
and tear.

   

  =============================================================================
   Copyright © 2004 Vanguard. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica
                         Global Media (allAfrica.com).
  =============================================================================