Pipeline Bombings: FG Warns Niger Delta Avengers Strictly

Special Adviser to the President on Niger
Delta and Coordinator of the Presidential
Amnesty Programme (PAP), Brig-Gen. Paul
Boroh (rtd), has denounced the recent attack on
oil and gas pipelines in the Niger Delta by some
misguided elements, warning the masterminds of
the dire consequences of their nefarious action.
The PAP coordinator, who spoke to journalists in
Abuja, against the backdrop of the recent attack
on the Chevron Abiteye pipeline in Delta State,
said the act is condemnable as it poses grave
danger not only to the region but
also to the
Nigerian economy.
“Pipeline vandalism is an avoidable self-inflicted
agony. It is unreasonable to engage in such
criminal activity not only because of the
resultant economic effect on the country but
particularly as it also negatively affects the Niger
Delta environment. The act of vandalising
pipelines is counter-productive apart from it
being a crime against the state.
“Those involved in this nefarious activity are
economic and environmental saboteurs. It will do
well for them to refrain from it as my office is
always open to dialogue regardless of their
grievances.
“The Federal Government already has in place a
well-structured reintegration programme for
youths of the region, which has helped in
maintaining the peace and stabilizing security of
the region. The Amnesty Programme has made
militancy unattractive in the region mainly
because of the government’s sincerity and
commitment to the programme. The proper thing
is for those behind such activity to embrace
dialogue,” Boroh said.
The Amnesty boss commended security agencies
for their commitment to ensuring peace in the
region.
He warned that his office would not hesitate to
delist and bring to book any beneficiary of the
programme that engages in criminal activity.
A group, Niger Delta Avengers, recently claimed
responsibility for the attack on oil pipelines in the
region, fueling fears of a resurgence of militancy
which was prevalent in the Niger Delta before
June 2009 when the late President Umaru
Yar’Adua granted amnesty to youths who
hitherto bore arms and were sabotaging oil
pipelines.