Th‎e Bayelsa Government on Saturday roused residents of the state for war against the militant group Niger Delta Avengers, urging them, especially those in oil communities, “to be very vigilant and work closely with security agents to apprehend anyone or group attempting to undermine key national assets.”

Bayelsa Commissioner for Information, Mr. Jonathan Obuebite, gave the charge while condemning the attack, in the wee hours of today, on ‎two crude trunk lines operated by Aiteo and Agi‎p.

The Niger Delta Avengers had early this morning claimed responsibility for blasting the pipelines that convey crude to the Bonny and Brass Export terminals.

Aiteo, the new owners of one of the lines, could not be reached for comments.

Aiteo had in 2014 acquired the 100km Nembe trunkline from The Shell Petroleum Development Company Limited (SPDC), which however still relies on the line to convey crude from Bayelsa to the Bonny Export Terminal in neighbouring Rivers State.

Mr. Obuebite, who confirmed the attack in an email on Saturday afternoon, described the twin attack as one too many.

The devastating attacks came few days after a similar oil facility operated by Chevron was blown up in Delta State by the militant group.

Obuebite lamented the economic impact of destruction of the key oil facility, wondering why the militants will go to that extent, “knowing fully the economic implication to the state, the Niger Delta region and the country at large.”

He observed that despite the concerted efforts of the government to move against such atrocities, the militants are still unrepentant in their acts of vandalism.

Obuebite urged the group to embrace dialogue rather than the current approach to register their grievances.

He noted that the activities of the group adversely affects affect our people who reside in those areas affected by oil spill from the vandalised pipelines.‎

The commissioner also called on security agents to be more alert and to devise new means to protect very important oil and gas facilities in order to prevent further destructions

•Photo shows Niger Delta militants.

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