Nigerian militants refute Buhari on claims of talks
July 22, 2016
President Buhari issued a statement Thursday saying his government was using oil companies and security agencies to talk to the militants "to find a lasting solution to insecurity in the region."
But the Niger Delta Avengers, the militant group that has repeatedly claimed responsibility for numerous attacks and the destruction of oil facilities in the southern part of Nigeria, responded on Friday that there were no peace talks between the group and the Nigerian government.
Mudoch Agbinibo, spokesperson of the militant group, made this known in a statement released via the Avengers official website. "Our attention has been drawn to media reports 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," the statement said.
"If there are any such peace talks, it means the president is talking to their mercenaries set to disturb the genuine struggle of the agitators. President Buhariʹs government is not sincere to the Nigerian people and their foreign allies," Agbiniboʹs statement continued.
The Avengers group also reiterated its conditions for negotiations with the government in Friday's statement. "If we are to engage in any peace talks, we have made it clear that the international community must be part of it. The president knows our demands. Therefore, they [the government] should stop deceiving the international oil companies, the general public and the international community."
Solution to the crisis
Eric Omare, spokesperson of the Ijaw Youth Council, which represents the Ijaw ethnic group, the largest in the Niger Delta region, told DW that peace could only be achieved if Buhari himself led a delegation to negotiate with the Avengers.
"The only way the current problem in the Niger Delta region can be resolved is for a sincere and committed dialogue by the president of Nigeria in person, leading a delegation with the people of the Niger Delta, the communities and leadership. Anything less than that cannot resolve the problem," Omare said.
President Buhari made his announcement about the alleged negotiations with the Niger Delta Avengers at a farewell event with Michael Zinner, the outgoing German ambassador to Nigeria.