Nigeria’s ethnic group wants Buhari involved in peace talks

It said the talks were aimed at “finding solutions to the short, medium and long-term future of the Niger Delta region”, home to the country’s massive oil and gas resources.

The federal government of Nigeria has reiterated that it is in peace talks with militants, despite being countered over the issue by the Niger Delta Avengers.

It also said it the decision of the Federal Government not to negotiate with the Niger Delta Avengers and other militant groups masquerading as freedom fighters was in order.

He warned the Federal Government to “move out all military personnel and all government agencies out of the Niger Delta”, noting that “failure will lead to destruction of military barracks and personnel”.

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari presents an art piece to Michael Zenner, the outgoing Germany ambassador to Nigeria, during his farewell audience, Abuja, July 21.

This was contained in a statement by MEND’s spokesperson, Gbomo Jomo on Sunday.

“After the government had named its dialogue team, we and others, under the Supreme Council through the government of the Niger Delta states, will name our representatives”.

He said the talks were done through security agents and oil companies operating in the zone. A wave of attacks in the region over the past six months have cut oil production by 700,000 barrels a day, the state energy company has said.

Enforcing any peace deal would be hard as the militant scene is divided into small groups where leaders do not control the unemployed youth they recruit.

Militants have said they want a greater share of Nigeria’s oil wealth to go to the impoverished Delta region.

“The Federal Government made it clear during our meetings that a negotiation with criminals is out of the question”, MEND said.