[Ovie Okpare, Warri PUNCH] The Niger Delta Avengers on Friday denied claims by President Muhammadu Buhari that his administration was holding talks with the militants for possible compromise.

The militants had claimed responsibilities for series of attacks on oil facilities across the region in recent times.

A statement issued by the group’s spokesman, Mudoch Agbinibo, the group was not aware of any ongoing peace talks.

It said the militants would only hold peace talks with the government if the international community were involved.

They alleged that the government was dialoguing with its own mercenaries which it engaged to derail the militants’ genuine struggle for the people of the region.

It read, “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.

“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