Nigeria: Militants claim gunfight in oil delta
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A militant group in Nigeria's oil-rich southern delta says the military started a gun battle with its members despite ongoing peace talks.
The Niger Delta Liberation Force, led by a militant calling himself John Togo, says the military attacked its fighters Wednesday morning with three gun boats. The group says the attack came as it had negotiated a temporary cease-fire.
The military has been trying to apprehend Togo since soldiers died trying to arrest him several weeks ago. Human rights activists say as many as 150 people died last week in a military operation aimed at the militant group.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The military has denied any negotiations are taking place.
Sporadic violence continues in the oil-rich Niger Delta despite a government-sponsored amnesty program for militants last year.