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| Nigeria rebels hand over weapons | Nigeria rebels hand over weapons |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| A key militant leader in Nigeria's Delta region has handed over weapons under a government amnesty programme. | A key militant leader in Nigeria's Delta region has handed over weapons under a government amnesty programme. |
| The militant, Ebikabowei Victor Ben, also known as General Boyloaf, is a top commander of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (Mend). | The militant, Ebikabowei Victor Ben, also known as General Boyloaf, is a top commander of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (Mend). |
| Hundreds of rifles and rocket launchers, as well as gunboats, were handed in at a ceremony in Yenagoa, near the oil city of Port Harcourt. | Hundreds of rifles and rocket launchers, as well as gunboats, were handed in at a ceremony in Yenagoa, near the oil city of Port Harcourt. |
| Unrest in the region has seriously affected Nigeria's oil production. | Unrest in the region has seriously affected Nigeria's oil production. |
| Gen Boyloaf has been seen as Mend's leading tactician, and was responsible for spectacular attacks against the oil industry, the BBC's Caroline Duffield in Yenagoa reports. | Gen Boyloaf has been seen as Mend's leading tactician, and was responsible for spectacular attacks against the oil industry, the BBC's Caroline Duffield in Yenagoa reports. |
| In 2008 he led a raid on Shell's Bonga oil field which the Nigerian government had boasted was impregnable. | In 2008 he led a raid on Shell's Bonga oil field which the Nigerian government had boasted was impregnable. |
| But he recently met Nigerian President Umaru Yar'Adua and accepted the offer of an amnesty. | But he recently met Nigerian President Umaru Yar'Adua and accepted the offer of an amnesty. |
| In June the president unveiled the amnesty programme for all Niger Delta militants who agree lay down their arms. | In June the president unveiled the amnesty programme for all Niger Delta militants who agree lay down their arms. |
| The offer ends in October. | The offer ends in October. |
| On Saturday about 300 assault rifles, a few rocket-propelled grenades, and mounds of ammunition were dumped in a square in Yenagoa. At least 12 gunboats were also handed in. | |
| But our correspondent says it is far from clear that the entire stock of weapons held by Gen Boyloaf's group is being decommissioned. | |
| It is believed many of his men will accept amnesty along with him. | |
| Militant attacks have reduced Nigeria's out to 1.3m barrels per day. Nigeria's Opec quota is 2m. | Militant attacks have reduced Nigeria's out to 1.3m barrels per day. Nigeria's Opec quota is 2m. |
| The rebels say proceeds from oil production have not benefited the region. | The rebels say proceeds from oil production have not benefited the region. |