Buhari Says His Govt is Talking to Niger Delta Militants, Avengers Deny This

President Muhammadu Buhari Thursday in Abuja said that his administration is talking to Niger Delta militants through oil companies and law-enforcement agencies to find a lasting solution to insecurity in the region, sources reports.

This was made known in a press release issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President, Media & Publicity, Garba Shehu on Thursday in Abuja. The President was speaking at a farewell audience with Mr. Michael Zinner, the outgoing Ambassador of Germany to Nigeria at the State House.

President Buhari said that government is studying the instruments of the Amnesty Programme inherited from the previous administration with a view to carrying out commitments made that were undelivered.

However, according to sources, the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), in a swift reaction to President Muhammadu Buhari’s claim, said there were no such peace talks.

The militant group in a statement by its spokesperson, self-styled Brig. Gen. Mudoch Agbinibo, asserted: “Our attention has been drawn to media report that the President is in touch with Niger Delta agitators, including the Niger Delta Avengers, but the truth is that we are not aware of any peace talks.”