Military reads riot act to militants, pipelines surveillance contractors

Will Not Spare Any Community That Harbours Criminals

As the military onslaught on militants, kidnappers and oil thieves in the Niger Delta continued with the recent harvest of criminals, arms and ammunition, the new Commander of the Operation Delta Safe (ODS), Rear Admiral Apochi Suleiman, has warned that few disgruntled elements would no longer be allowed to hold the nation to ransom.

Apochi, who took over from Rear Admiral J.O. Okojie, while briefing newsmen on the successes recorded so far in the fight against militants and oil thieves, also read the riot act to surveillance contractors to be proactive in carrying out their duties.

He also warned that the ODS would not spare any person, group of persons or community in the region that harbours criminals that murder any of its soldiers in cold blood.

The new Commander was reacting to allegations by some communities in the region that the JTF soldiers were invading and intimidating members of their communities.

He noted, “Nothing goes for nothing. I believe the presence of the military in a community must have been caused by actions or inactions of criminals in the community.