Avengers debunk claims of peace talks with Buhari

Members of the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) have debunked the claim that they were on an ongoing peace talks with the Federal Government.

President Muhammadu Buhari has, on Thursday, stated that his administration was in peace talks with the militants while speaking at a farewell ceremony organised for the outgoing ambassador of Germany to Nigeria, Mr Michael Azinner at the State House, Abuja.

The president said his administration was doing this through the instrumentality of oil companies and law enforcement agents and that the amnesty programme was being critically studied to further implement other commitments enshrined in it.

But in a statement posted on its website late Thursday and signed by its spokesperson, self-styled Brid. Gen. Mudoch Agbinibo, the group said it was not aware of any peace talks with Buhari.

According to them, it is possible the FG is in talks with their mercenaries tagged members of the Avengres, accusing the president of insincerity to Nigerians and foreign allies.

The group advised Buhari to stop deceiving Nigerians, oil multinational companies and the international community, noting that its demands had been clearly stated.

“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 talk.

“If there is any such peace talk, it means the President is talking to their 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 know our demands.

“So they should stop deceiving the international oil companies, the general public and the international community,” the militants warned.