The Joint military force deployed to the Niger Delta, Operation Delta Safe, has summoned its operations commanders to a closed-door strategic meeting on the activities of militant groups threatening to declare a ‘Niger Delta Republic’.

The military however, pledged to remain civil in dealing with security threats by militant groups in the region.

Read Admiral Joseph Okojie, Commander of the joint operation on Tuesday said the deployment of troops and equipment noticed on Monday at Kaiama in Bayelsa was part of normal operations to keep the region safe.

Massive troops and military hardware were deployed to Kaiama in Bayelsa following threats by a militant group, Adaka Borroh Avengers to take control of the area.

The group however, beat a retreat following a ‘show of force’ by the joint military operation in Niger Delta.

Okojie who briefed the media on Tuesday after a meeting with Unit Commanders within Operation Delta Safe in Yenagoa noted that the military had the freedom to be in any part of the country.

“The Federal Republic of Nigeria belongs to all of us and the armed forces have the freedom to be at any part of Nigeria at any time. We are merely doing our normal duty within our mandate.

“We were in Kaiama to show that Operation Delta Safe was on the ground to ensure that the report by some faceless organisations about creating a territory to themselves is not allowed to happen.

“The heavy presence being noticed in parts of the Niger Delta is part of our routine duties to guarantee the safety of law abiding people of the Niger Delta and ensure a conducive atmosphere for economic activities.

“I am sure that we did not molest or intimidate anyone, we shall be professional and civil in the discharge of our duties. Our presence is part of our normal duty to reassure the people that there is no cause for alarm,” Okojie said, explaining further that the meeting with component Commanders of Operation Delta Safe was to review the achievements of the operation to ensure that they were mission oriented.

•Photo shows Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin.

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