Nigeria, US discuss ways of ending militancy in Niger Delta
Officials of Nigeria and the United States of America have met in Washington D.C. over ways to end militancy in the Niger Delta area.
The officials that met were Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Maj-General Babagana Monguno (rtd) and his American counterpart, Susan Rice. They both met at the White House.
President Muhammad Buhari is in the US to attend the United Nation General Assembly alongside delegates from the country and the two security advisers used the opportunity to discuss opportunities to expand cooperation between the United States and Nigeria.
The two countries exchanged views on how to achieve an immediate and peaceful resolution to the conflict in the Niger Delta region especially the destruction of oil and gas pipelines by militants. Rice also commended Nigeria for the success recorded in the fight against Boko Haram and said Nigeria should focus on defeating the group militarily.
The security adviser advised Nigeria to establish good governance and providing basic services in regions liberated from Boko Haram.
Meanwhile, about 23 militants and criminals were confirmed dead by Nigerian soldiers during a recent Operation Crocodile smile military exercise in Niger Delta. Reports credited to the News Agency of Nigeria have it that 55 assorted weapons were also seized from suspected criminals during the operation by the Nigerian troops deployed to restore sanity to the region.
