Nigerian Army says dialogue with the militant group, Niger Delta Avengers, whose operations in the oil rich region have cut down ‎daily oil production output, is not yet an option.

The Army, justifying its recent operations in Gbaramatu, Delta State, says the use of force is for now the only available option until leaders of the militant group are apprehended.

Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Tukur Buratai, made this known at the ‘State of the Nation Conference’, organised by the Nigerian Bar Association in Abuja.

During the conference, the Army recieve accusation of failing to explore dialogue with the Niger Delta militants and resorting to use of force which can lead to a war situation in the region.

The Army is also accused of attacking members of the Indigenous People of Biafra, who were allegedly demonstrating peacefully in Onitsha, Anambra State on Monday.

But Buratai, in his response, says there is no sign the Niger Delta Avengers’ members are ready for dialogue.

He says the activities of the group are affecting Nigerians as the nation’s oil production has recently further plummeted t‎o one point one million barrels per day.

Buratai debunked the allegation that soldiers, who are involved in the operations in Gbaramatu, are killing innocent residents and raped women.

The Army Chief who spoke through Brigadier-General, J. Hamakim, also says the demonstrations by IPOB, leading to a clash between the protesters and security forces which left two policemen and 30 others dead in Onitsha, Anambra State on Monday, were not peaceful.

‎Various heads of anti-corruption and security agencies, including the Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase; Controller-General of Prisons, Ahmed Ja’afaru; and Director-General of the Department of State Service, Lawal Daura; were represented by officers of their agencies at the event.

NBA President, Augustine Alegeh; the Chief Judge of Kogi State, Nasiru Ajanah‎; Chairman, House of Representatives’ Committee on Anti-Corruption, Babajide Akinloye, two contenders for the office of the NBA presidency, Messrs Abubakar Mahmud and Joe Kyari-Gadzama, among many other Senior Advocates of Nigeria were at the event.

A member of the House of Representative, Linda Ikpeazu, represented the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, as the Chairman of the event.