Bankole who spoke with journalists at the Presidential wing of Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos described the military option recently introduced by the federal government to counter and suppress the insurgence of the militants in the Niger Delta, who have almost held the nation’s social and economic activities to a
stand still in the area for some years now, as a necessary option to achieve peace in that part of the country.

 “As far I am concerned it is a peace keeping option that is going on in the Niger Delta.” he said.On the innocent citizens who were being killed on a daily basis in the crossfire that ensued as a result of the military action, the speaker said casualties of that status were inevitable in the cause of attempting to
resolve any conflict.“When two people are fighting and you try to separate them, you might get punched as well,” Bankole added.He also sympathised with the family of the victims

The military assault started last Friday against the Niger Delta militants who in the last one year have taken to kidnapping of prominent citizens or their relations as well as foreigners who were released only after ransoms were paid.