The Nigerian Army says it will continue to respect the ongoing negotiation effort of the Nigerian Government with militants in the Niger Delta even as it continues its operation in the troubled region.

The restive southern swampland region has been rocked by violence against oil and gas pipelines since the start of the year, reducing the OPEC member’s output by 700,000 barrels a day to 1.56 million bpd.

The attacks had previously pushed the country’s oil production to 30-year lows some months ago.

The Nigerian Government has revealed that it is in talks with the militants in the region in an effort to end the crisis.

But some groups in region have denied entering negotiations with the government.

Niger Delta Avengers, one of militant groups in the region, which claimed responsibility for several attacks, recently agreed to a ceasefire and a dialogue with the Nigerian government.

However, the militant group broke the truce and bombed a pipeline on Saturday, September 24.

The army says it will respect the negotiation efforts but warned that it was ready to deal with any group or individual causing trouble in the region.

It also assured that it would continue to partner with peace-minded groups and stakeholders to bring lasting peace in any security threatened areas or locations. (TV360 Nigeria)