The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has named a negotiation team including Nobel Prize winner, Professor Wole Soyinka and two retired army generals to negotiate with the Nigerian government.

 "These eminent persons will be known as the Aaron Team and have our mandate to oversee a transparent and proper MEND disarmament process," the group said in an emailed statement.

"The MEND disarmament process will only come after the root causes of militancy and agitation in the Niger Delta have been addressed by the Nigerian government," it said.

“Some eminent Nigerians have graciously accepted to dialogue on behalf of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) with the Federal Government of Nigeria whenever the government realizes the need to adopt serious, meaningful dialogue as a means to halting the violent agitation in the Niger Delta.

“The Nigerian government so far has not shown willingness to dialogue, preferring instead to make wild unrealistic threats, purchase more useless military hardware, and dole out bribes to traitors to our noble cause as has been obvious in its so-called disarmament process.

“The MEND disarmament process will only come after the root causes of militancy and agitation in the Niger Delta have been addressed by the Nigerian government.

“The Aaron Team is; - Vice Admiral Okhai Mike Akhigbe (rtd), Professor Wole Soyinka (Observer), - Major General Luke Kakadu Aprezi (rtd) and - Dr. Sabella Ogbobode Abidde, PhD

“MEND has also nominated Ms Annkio Briggs to liaise on behalf of the group with these Nigerians who have volunteered their time in a bid to bring a just and lasting peace to the Niger Delta.

“The hope for peace in the Niger Delta and Nigeria in general now rests squarely on the shoulders of the Nigerian government.” The statement was signed by Jomo Gbomo