The claims were made by President Muhammadu Buhari who also said that oil companies were negotiating with the militants on the government’s behalf.

The group however issued a denial via a statement released by spokesman, Mudoch Agbinibo on Friday, July 22, 2016.

The statement reads:

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.

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If we are to engage in any peace talk we made it clear that the international community must be part of it. The President knows our demands. So they should stop deceiving the international oil companies, the general public and the international community.