Militants to Buhari: We’re not aware of your peace talks

The Niger Delta Avengers on Friday denied being involved in talks with the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

The position of the Avengers was contained in a statement by its spokesman, Brigadier General Mudoch Agbinigbo, which was obtained by The Icon.

The group spoke against the backdrop of the statement by President Buhari that it was involved in talks with the militants in the Niger Delta.
Buhari said this on Thursday in Abuja at the State House when he hosted the outgoing German Ambassador to

Nigeria, Michael Zinner.

He said 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.

He said: “We understand their feelings.

“We are studying the instruments.
“We have to secure the environment, otherwise investment will not come.
“We will do our best for the country.”
But the statement by Agbinigbo disputed the claim by the President.

The statement read: “Our attention has been drawn to a 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 talk.
“If there is any such peace talk, it means the President is talking to the Federal Government’s mercenaries set to disturb the genuine struggle of the agitators.
“President Buhari-led government is not sincere to the Nigeria people and their foreign allies.
“If we are to engage in any peace talk we made it clear that the international community must be part of it. The President knows our demands. So, they should stop deceiving the international oil companies, the general public and the international community.”
The Ijaw Youth Council also on Friday denied involvement in talks with anyone.