We will not negotiate with NSA - MEND

Their reason is that the NSA does not have any executive powers to effect or implement decisions that will be reached during the negotiations.

Punch reports that the Niger Delta militant group has released a list of 10 prominent Nigerians (Aaron Team) who will negotiate on their behalf.

A former minister of foreign affairs, Odein Ajumogobia, who earlier denied accepting to talk on behalf of MEND, was named as the team leader of the negotiators.

The militants said “Given also the fact that the root issues surrounding the Niger Delta question are on the exclusive legislative list. Also, for the fact that the proposed dialogue is not an interrogatory session.

“We therefore hope that the Federal Government shall reach out to the Aaron Team Leader, Mr. Odein Ajumogobia, to signal government intention to commence the dialogue. If after two weeks from the date of publication of this Right of Reply, we don’t hear from the Federal Government, MEND shall safely assume that the government is truly not sincere about the dialogue on the Niger Delta question and responds only to the threat of violence or industrial action.”

READ: ‘I don’t know militants so I can’t negotiate for them,’ Ajumogobia says

There are unconfirmed reports that the Federal Government paid a group of Saudi mercenaries the sum of $280m to stop the activities of the Niger Delta Avengers.