Buhari meets Niger Delta leaders on militancy

President Muhammadu Buhari has met with Niger Delta stakeholders to deliberate on how to find a lasting solution to the menace of militancy in the region.

The meeting was also by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, some governors, ministers and other political appointees from the oil rich region.

The governors are those from Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, Imo and deputy governor of Rivers.

Others are Service Chiefs, Inspector-General of Police Idris Ibrahim and Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Alhaji Lawal Daura, as well as traditional rulers and representatives of militant groups.

Also attending are former governors, civil rights activists and community leaders from the Niger Delta region, including Obong Victor Attah, Chief Edwin Clark, Timi Aliabe, Diette Spiff, Ledu Mitee, and Florence Ita-Giwa.

Others are Tony Uranta, Nkoyo Toyo, Sen. Ewa Henshaw, Seminatri Bozimo and Roland Owei.

The ministers attending the meeting are those of Interior, Justice, Transport, Budget and National Planning as well as Ministers of State for Health, Niger Delta Affairs.

The Chairmen, Senate and House of Representatives committees on Upstream, Downstream as well as Niger Delta are also in the meeting.

The meeting, presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari, started around 12.10p.m.

The stakeholders are expected to make submissions on issues that border on the economic and human capital development as well as security and restoration of peace in the region.

The meeting with the president is also expected to 'focus on socio-economic development of the region as well as building a strong synergy with multinational oil companies operating in the area'.