Nigerian oil militants call end to ceasefire

Oct 16, 2009, 4:48 GMT

   Nairobi/Abuja - Nigeria's main militant group said Friday that it would resume attacks on oil facilities in the Niger Delta, three months after calling a ceasefire.

   The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has conducted a long-running campaign of sabotage, cutting the West African nation's oil production by more than 20 per cent since early 2006.

   However, many of its commanders and rank-and-file men have taken advantage of a government amnesty to lay down their arms over the past few months.

   'The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta resumes its hostilities against the Nigerian oil industry, the Nigerian armed forces and its collaborators with effect from 0000 hours Friday, October 16,' MEND spokesman Jomo Gbomo said in an e-mailed statement.

   The remnants of MEND are believed to be led by Henry Okah, a militant who was released this year as part of the amnesty.

   Gbomo had earlier warned that MEND did not recognize the amnesty because it did not provide for any 'meaningful dialogue' on the root causes of the unrest.

   Militants operating in the delta said they are fighting for a larger share of the oil wealth for local residents, who complain the oil industry has ruined their agriculture and fishing livelihoods.

   However, illegal bunkering - the practice of tapping into oil pipelines and selling the crude on the black market - takes place in the background of the conflict.

   Many militants are backed by businessmen and politicians who are believed to make millions of dollars from the trade.