Nigeria's main
militant group has threatened to attack oil pipelines belonging to the
government's oil agency. This, after
the managing director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation said it
held talks with militants. The director, Abubakar Lawal Yar'Adua, said the
corporation even paid the militants N1.4 billion ($12 million).
He said the payment came during the two months
before the government allowed the corporation to repair a damaged oil facility
in Delta State. The militants deny the claim and say they will cripple the
facility. Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan is the governor of Delta State. He told VOA
English to Africa reporter Chinedu Offor the government is working hard to
prevent the threatened attack on the pipeline.
"That threat is unfortunate. Over the years we
have tried to put up structures that would ensure we have peace and security
and facilities, especially the oil facilities, and if any group is trying to
destroy those facilities, we see it as being very very unfortunate. I want to
appeal that such threats should not be given". He says his administration has
taken steps to beef up security in the areas where the militants threatened to
attack.
"We have our youths who have been
helping us to maintain peace and security, we are reaching out to them and I
have also alerted the joint task force, which is a military force that is
overseeing security in the area. I ma just reassuring the people of Delta state
generally that we will provide adequate peace and security, especially for the
workers and oil facilities".
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