President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday night requested all those who have links with Niger Delta militants to beg them to stop sabotaging oil installations in view of the negative effects is having on the economy.

Speaking during the breaking of Ramadan fast dinner organised for leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, he revealed that the militants were using sophisticated technology to blow up the installations.

He said he was agonising at their action which was discouraging insurance companies from insuring oil and gas facilities in the region.

Buhari said: “I honestly don’t know how many factions the militants are in the Niger Delta, compared to the North East, where you have the Boko Haram

“The technology being deployed by the militants to destroy oil installations is hi-tech, the way they can go on the high seas and international waters and target oil installations is a national problem. It is affecting development.

“No insurance company will want to insure installations that will end up being blown up and no banks will want to finance such installations.

“Those of you who have friends among the leadership or even the militants themselves should plead with them in the name of God Almighty to take it easy.

“We need to stabilise to create employment, we need to stabilise the economy, etc. I agonise over these things.

“We are in a very difficult time, so we have to organise ourselves. Anybody that says he has any other country other than Nigeria should go out and see.”

The president expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the Edo State APC primary election which he said gave him hope, noting that the party would keep an eye on that of Ondo.

“We are going to watch Ondo very closely we have to ensure that the vote of the people counts,” he said.

Earlier, the national chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, told the President that the party was pleased with what he has accomplished so far and the strong leadership the president had given the country. (Saturday Tribune)

•Photo shows President Buhari.

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