Buhari confirms talks have begun with Niger Delta militants and local leaders

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has confirmed that his administration has begun holding talks with Niger Delta militants with the help of oil companies and law-enforcement agencies in a bid to find a lasting solution to the insecurity in the region.

 

Over recent months, militancy has returned to the Niger Delta with groups like the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) blowing up oil installations. If late attempts have been made to initiate talks with some groups like the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (Mend) welcoming negotiations by the NDA has said it is not interested.

 

It had been suspected that the talks may not hold due to these objections but yesterday, President Buhari confirmed that negotiations have begun. Mallam Shehu Garba, President Buhari's spokesman, said that the government was studying the instruments of the Amnesty Programme inherited from the previous administration with a view to implementing the commitments made, but remained undelivered.

 

Mallam Garba added:  “We understand their feelings and we are studying the instruments. We have to secure the environment, otherwise investment will not come, so we will do our best for the country.”

 

However, the NDA has made it clear it will not participate in any negotiations, warning that it will continue to attack installations. It has warned all companies operating in the region and the petroleum workers union to leave as things will soon get very dirty.