(Ecofin Agency) - Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari (photo), has pleaded with militants in the Niger Delta region to stop the act of bombing oil and gas pipelines which only assist in destroying the country’s ecosystem and economy.

He urged the people of the region to take full benefit of the huge potential in agriculture adding that his administration was dedicated to doing everything possible to support the region in achieving their potential in agriculture which is more than oil and gas, News24 reports. “I urge you to take advantage of the huge potential in agriculture and stop the destruction of oil and gas pipelines, which only serve to destroy our ecosystem and economy,” Buhari was quoted as saying.

Recent attacks on pipelines by militant groups had cut Nigeria's oil output, helping to push the country into recession as it makes efforts to become accustomed to the low price of crude in the international market.

Anita Fatunji