Former President Goodluck Jonathan has revealed how he visited a Niger Delta militant camp without armed security in 2007 as part of efforts to restore peace to the oil-producing region.

Jonathan said he ignored security advice and accepted the militants’ condition that no member of his delegation should carry weapons in order to build trust and facilitate dialogue.

According to the former President, only his Chief Security Officer and Aide-de-Camp accompanied him into the camp after surrendering their weapons, while the rest of his security team remained behind.

He said the meeting with militant leaders lasted about 90 minutes and became a turning point in the peace process.

Jonathan explained that the engagement laid the foundation for the Niger Delta Amnesty Programme, which helped reduce hostilities and restore relative peace in the region.

He stressed that dialogue, mutual trust and sustained development remain essential to achieving lasting peace in the Niger Delta.