Buhari: We’re talking with militants through oil companies

‎President Muhammadu Buhari says his administration is “talking with Niger Delta militants through oil companies and law enforcement agencies”, to find a lasting solution to insecurity in the region.

‎According to a statement released on Thursday by Garba Shehu, presidential spokesman, Buhari disclosed this at the state house while speaking at a farewell audience with Michael Zinner, the outgoing ambassador of Germany to Nigeria.

The president said that the government was studying the instruments of the amnesty programme inherited from the previous administration, with a view to carrying out commitments made that were undelivered.

“We understand their feelings,” he said.

“We are studying the instruments. We have to secure the environment, otherwise investments will not come. We will do our best for the country.”

The president used the opportunity to thank the government of Germany for its support to Nigeria in the efforts to tackle insecurity and the ongoing rehabilitation and resettlement of displaced citizens in crisis areas in the north-eastern parts of the country.

He also thanked Nigeria’s neighbours for their firm and unflinching support in the war against terror.

The outgoing German ambassador said that bilateral relations between Nigeria and Germany “had improved very much in the last 12 months of this administration”.

He expressed the readiness of Germany to assist Nigeria in the rehabilitation process in the north east to help displaced persons return to their villages.

He also expressed the eagerness of German businesses to invest in the country, now that “conditions for investment have been put in place”.

The German ambassador reiterated the standing invitation of Chancellor Angela Merkel to Buhari to visit Germany‎.

The Niger Delta Avengers, a militant group responsible for recent attacks on oil installation, continues to deny reports of talks with the government.

However, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), another militant group, has expressed willingness to dialogue with the government, on several occasions.