Pipeline Attack: N'Delta Group Urges FG To Be Cautious

A Niger Delta group, the Niger Delta Youth Coalition (NDYC) has advised Federal Government to approach military hunt of the Niger Delta Avengers with caution for peaceful development of the oil rich Niger Delta region in particular and Nigeria in general.

National Co-ordinator of NDYC, Prince Emmanuel Ogba, who gave this advice Wednesday in an interview with The Tide in Port Harcourt said if Federal Government does not apply caution, several innocent communities in the region would become victims of a crime they know nothing about.

Ogba who stated that he was not in support of the renewed attack on pipelines of oil and gas facilities in the region, said the best approach was to invite the Niger Delta Avengers for a dialogue to enable the government have thorough understanding of the grievances of the group and design a way forward.

He explained that attack on the pipelines at this present period when the economy of the nation is passing through difficult trials is one of the worst things to happen to the economy of Nigeria and that the wisest approach was to negotiate and arrive at peace for the interest of all.

"The situation is akin to a man whose blocos is being held tightly by a madman. You see, under this precarious situation, logic does not apply, but the best approach is the use of wisdom".

"If the group goes on to sustain its threat of attacking the oil facilities, the nation would be worse off and the environment of the Niger Delta, as well as the innocent communities that might be smoked up in course of the military onslaught, would suffer more".

The NDYC boss however, appealed to the Niger Delta Avengers to suspend its attack and consider the fate of the poor people in these communities and submit itself to dialogue so that the world would know why they decided to renew attacks when the Federal Government had in its magnanimity given the militants amnesty.

The youth leader expressed belief that a military onslaught in Niger Delta communities might likely be counter-productive.

He equally recommended that the Federal Government should hold stakeholders meeting with oil community representatives, the oil companies and security agencies to synergize as to fight oil theft, vandalism and associated matters in the oil-rich Niger Delta Region.

Signed:
Prince Emmanuel Ogba
National Co-ordinator
08035055715