The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF),Babachir Lawal, has disclosed that the Federal Government is open to holding talks with the Niger Delta Avengers. He said the government is committed to having a dialogue with the militant group, despite the presence of the military in the Niger Delta region. Lawal also described the militants’ actions as sabotage, adding that their activities has affected the country’s crude oil production. The SGF also called on the Niger Delta Avengers to nominate those who will represent them in the talks. Lawal said:
“Government is not averse to discussing with them (militants) but we need to know who is in charge and who we can discuss with meaningfully; that’s the dilemma of the government at the moment.”
“There are so many groups making it difficult to know who to talk to and the level of control that group will bring to the process.”
He also added that:
“When they blow up oil pipelines, the spill destroys their water and lands, a development that will take years to recover. They are more victims than the rest of Nigerians.”
The Niger Delta Avengers, a few hours ago, blew up a Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) crude oil trunk line to Warri refinery.