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Nigeria rebels 'to end ceasefire' | Nigeria rebels 'to end ceasefire' |
(about 3 hours later) | |
A faction of the main rebel group in Nigeria's oil-rich Niger Delta says it will end its ceasefire on Tuesday. | A faction of the main rebel group in Nigeria's oil-rich Niger Delta says it will end its ceasefire on Tuesday. |
The faction of The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (Mend) is believed to be led by Henry Okah. | The faction of The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (Mend) is believed to be led by Henry Okah. |
But the faction's stance looks increasingly isolated, with other Mend leaders distancing themselves from Henry Okah, correspondents say. | |
Mend declared its 60-day truce in July. The group has in the past attacked the oil industry and the Nigerian military. | Mend declared its 60-day truce in July. The group has in the past attacked the oil industry and the Nigerian military. |
The rebels have been fighting to drive the army out of certain areas of the Niger Delta and allow displaced people to return to their homes. | The rebels have been fighting to drive the army out of certain areas of the Niger Delta and allow displaced people to return to their homes. |
The Nigerian government has recently announced an amnesty for armed gangs fighting the military and attacking the oil industry. | The Nigerian government has recently announced an amnesty for armed gangs fighting the military and attacking the oil industry. |
Some militant leaders are co-operating, saying they want to return to civilian life. | Some militant leaders are co-operating, saying they want to return to civilian life. |
One Mend leader has already dumped a large number of weapons, while two other are in negotiations to do the same. | One Mend leader has already dumped a large number of weapons, while two other are in negotiations to do the same. |
Amnesty plea | Amnesty plea |
But the "No" faction says it rejects the amnesty, describing the decommissioning as fake. | |
The faction is widely believed to be led by Henry Okah, the man who was in jail for nearly two years, the BBC's Caroline Duffield in the Niger Delta reports. | The faction is widely believed to be led by Henry Okah, the man who was in jail for nearly two years, the BBC's Caroline Duffield in the Niger Delta reports. |
However, few people in the area believe Henry Okah has any serious military capability, our correspondent adds. | However, few people in the area believe Henry Okah has any serious military capability, our correspondent adds. |
Other Mend members are distancing themselves from the whole idea of ending the ceasefire, appealing for no return to violence. | Other Mend members are distancing themselves from the whole idea of ending the ceasefire, appealing for no return to violence. |
Some Mend leaders have even told the BBC they want the government amnesty extended to give them more time to dump weapons, our correspondent says. | Some Mend leaders have even told the BBC they want the government amnesty extended to give them more time to dump weapons, our correspondent says. |
Numerous attacks by Mend on installations in the Niger Delta in recent years have seriously disrupted the Nigerian oil and gas industry. | Numerous attacks by Mend on installations in the Niger Delta in recent years have seriously disrupted the Nigerian oil and gas industry. |
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