Buhari gives Niger Delta militants two weeks for dialogue

President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered the military to stop attacking Niger Delta militants who have been destroying pipelines and other major oil installations in the area.

The president said he was giving the militants two weeks for dialogue on the prevailing situation in the region.

Disclosing this in Abuja, the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr Ibe Kachikwu said the order for the military to suspend its operations was to create a window for dialogue with militants.

He said the Federal Government was determined to resort to dialogue with a view to restoring genuine peace in the region.

According to Kachikwu, “The President is interested in dialogue and has mandated the military to halt actions for about two weeks to ensure a team that will be led by the NSA, dialogues with the militants to ensure peace in the region.

‘’The avenue is open for them, provided the militants are willing to embrace dialogue and allow truth to reign because we are going to involve key leaders from the region who have had previous experience in that area to play whatever role they can.”