The Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) on Sunday condemned renewed hostilities by militant group, Niger Delta Avengers in breach of the ceasefire declare to pave way for dialogue.

The Niger Delta Avengers had in an online statement from its twitter account claimed to have blown up two oil wells operated by Chevron near Abiteye flow station, Delta.

In a statement issued by Eric Omare, Spokesman for IYC, and made available to newsmen in Yenagoa, the attacks were a setback to ongoing peace talks.

He called on the group to halt attacks on oil installations to pave way for meaningful dialogue.

The IYC regretted that the negotiators failed to cash in on the goodwill created by the visit of the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources to advance the peace process.

“It is unfortunate and worrisome that there is a resumption of fresh attacks on oil facilities in the Niger Delta region by the Niger Delta Avengers.

“The visit of the Minister for State, Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, to the creeks some weeks ago generated so much goodwill and commendation from the people of the region.

“The IYC had expected the Federal Government to take advantage of that goodwill to engage stakeholders on how to find short and long term solutions to the problem.

“IYC also call on the Niger Delta Avengers to halt further attacks on facilities considering the negative effects of the attacks on the Niger Delta environment and to give room for constructive dialogue,” Omare said.

Several efforts to verify the claims of several attacks on Chevron between Friday and Sunday were futile as calls and text messages sent to Chevron Spokesman Mr. Sola Adebawo did not get a response.

Also a security source in the area said that officials of Chevron maintained that they were not aware of the attacks as at Sunday.

"Has it not become evident that the whole thing is propaganda, the so called Avengers are mere puppets in the hands of politicians bent on sabotaging the present government and at the same time seeking attention?

"If the company that was supposedly attacked said it is not aware of the attack what do you want the security agencies to say?" the source asked.

Mr. Garbadeen Mohammed, the spokesman for Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) which operates a joint venture with Chevron reportedly said the corporation was not aware of any damage to its facilities in the region.

•Photo shows IYC Spokesman Eric Omare.

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