President Buhari Says FG is in talks with Niger Delta Militants

President Buhari and Michael Zinner, flanked by Min of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama and a German delegate

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

This is contained in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant (Media and Publicity), Garba Shehu on Thursday.

Buhari spoke at a farewell audience with Michael Zinner, the outgoing Ambassador of Germany to Nigeria at the State House, Abuja.

He said his administration 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. We are studying the instruments. We have to secure the environment, otherwise investment will not come. We will do our best for the country,” he affirmed.

He expressed appreciation to the government of Germany for its continuing 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.

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

The outgoing German Ambassador noted 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”.

Zinner reiterated the standing invitation of Chancellor Angela Merkel to Buhari to visit Germany.

Photo Credit: Instagram – @buharisallau