Nigeria Content Online

The Chief of Army staff, Onyeabo Ihejirika, said
yesterday that although the deployment of soldiers to the Niger Delta
was to ensure peace, the military will not condone lawlessness. Mr.
Ihejirika, a lieutenant general, was on a fact-finding tour of Delta
creeks on Sunday where a militant leader, John Togo,

is threatening the peace and stability of the
area. He warned that the present government will not tolerate any act
capable of bringing down the nation’s reputation will be viewed
seriously.

Accompanied by the Joint Task Force (JTF) Commander, C. Omoregie, a major general, and other military
chiefs, the Chief of Army Staff met with some inhabitants of the area
at Ayakoromo, where soldiers displaced some residents and urged them to
maintain peace at all time assuring that the military will not attack
them.

“I want to assure you that the soldiers were
deployed to this area to maintain peace and not to kill. The only
person we are looking for is John Togo whose evil deeds have resulted
in the death of innocent persons.” He explained that development can
only come in an atmosphere of peace and promised that all the buildings
destroyed during the exchange of fire between John Togo and the
soldiers will be rebuilt but advised that the villagers should always
give up themselves whenever search is being conducted by the solders.

Villagers’ tears The villagers who corroborated
the fact that nine persons were killed during the crisis and not 50
were moved to tears as the Army chief hugged them one after the other
and they in turn pledge their loyalty to the federal government.

Samuel Rubber, who spoke on behalf of the council
of elders, commended the military for saving them and urged that basic
facilities be extended to them, especially as the place is almost
desolate.

Addressing the soldiers earlier, Ihejirika commended them for their gallantry adding that Nigerians are proud of them.

He however charged them to fish out John Togo and his gang, adding, “There will be no peace for the wicked.

The Army Chief however expressed dismay over the death of some
soldiers, adding, “I feel sad that some soldiers died, in fact it is
very painful but I can assure that they did not die in vain while
protecting the image of this great country”.