Nigerian Army ruled out any dialogue with Niger Delta Avengers

In case you don't know, the Nigerian Army on Tuesday, May 31, ruled out any dialogue with the militant group, Niger Delta Avengers, whose operations in the region have cut down daily oil production output.

According The Punch, the army, justifying its recent operations in Gbaramatu, Delta state, said the use of force was for now the only option until leaders of the militant group were apprehended, The Punch reports.

Brig.-Gen. J. Hamakim, representing the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, said this at the ‘State of the Nation Conference’, organised by the Nigerian Bar Association and held in Abuja.

Hamakim, in his response alos, said there was no sign that the Niger Delta Avengers’ members were ready for dialogue.

He said, “I quite agree that dialogue is very important. But where it is not too obvious that the adversary is ready to come out and talk, you can also force such a person.

“I think that is what the Nigeria Army is trying to do. Yes, we don’t know the group’s leader, for now; that is the only option, possibly we have to bring the people out to know who you can dialogue with.”

He said the activities of the group were affecting Nigerians as the nation’s oil production had recently further plummeted to 1.1 million barrels per day.

He debunked the allegation that soldiers, who were involved in the operations in Gbaramatu, were killing innocent residents and raped women.

“We have done our investigation and nothing like that is happening,” he said.

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