Nigerian group condemns violence in oil rich Niger Delta

A major Nigerian ethnic group Friday condemned the rising insecurity in the Niger Delta and loss of lives on the part of military and civilians.

Spokesperson for the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Eric Omare, who made the condemnation in a statement made available to Xinhua, said the insecurity in the region was getting out of control.

Omare said the group want President Muhammadu Buhari to personally take over the Niger Delta peace process to ensure a rapid return of peace.

According to him, the events of the last few days had clearly shown that those mandated to lead the peace process have failed to produce the desired result.

The youth group also called on the governors of the Niger Delta states to collaborate and galvanize stakeholders in the region to quickly start the process to return peace to the Niger Delta.

The Ijaw, Nigeria's fifth largest ethnic group, also passionately call on the Niger Delta Avengers and other militant groups and individuals to give peace a chance.

"Violence has never solved problems anywhere in the world," the spokesperson added.

Niger Delta Avengers, a new militant group, has been claiming responsibility for a string of attacks on oil and gas installations in the Niger Delta.

The group has launched several attacks on oil and gas infrastructure since February 2016, demanding a sovereign nation of the Niger Delta people. Endit