Niger Delta militants want to “colonise Nigeria economically” — Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari addressing World
Leaders at the 71st General Assembly of United Nations
in New York 7000/21/9/2016/ICE/HB/BJO/NAN

President Muhammadu Buhari has described the
militancy in the Niger Delta as an attempt by raging
factions to “colonise” Nigeria economically.
Mr. Buhari said Germany could help curb oil theft in
Nigeria through assistance in the areas of
equipment, training, and sharing of intelligence with
the Nigeria Navy.
The president spoke Monday during an audience
with the Foreign Minister of Germany, Frank-
Walters Steinmeier, at State House, Abuja.
“Nigeria’s oil is stolen, and taken away through the
Gulf of Guinea. Adequate training and equipping of
our navy will prevent this,” the president said.
He told the visitor that the security challenge in the
North-east of the country was under control, with
Boko Haram largely defeated
“But another serious form of insecurity has reared
its head in the Niger Delta,” Mr. Buhari said. “The
objective is to colonize the country economically by
sabotaging oil and gas installations. We are trying to
speak with their leaders, to know how many groups
there are, and we are also working with the oil
companies.
“The militants engage in sophisticated sabotage,
using skills they had gained from trainings either by
government, or the oil companies, to vandalize
installations deep in the sea. We need to understand
who the real agitators are, and engage with them, so
that confidence can be restored in the region,” the
president added.
President Buhari said the Niger Delta situation was
more complex, since the militants had no central
command, and some of them were mere
extortionists. But he promised that a handle would
be found to the unrest soon.
Mr. Steinmeier, in his response, said Germany was
happy to hear of the strides taken by the Buhari
administration against insurgents in the North-east,
adding that they were equally willing to lend a
helping hand in resolving the crisis in the Niger
Delta.
Applauding the war against corruption, Mr.
Steinmeier said it had his country’s support, adding
that Germany was also interested in investing in
renewable energy, gas exploration, mining, among
others, to boost Nigeria’s economy.
“Germany will support development in Nigeria. We
want closer cooperation on migration issues,
urbanization, and supporting the navy with
equipment, training and intelligence,” the Foreign
Minister said.