This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/6897217.stm
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Militants in first Nigeria talks | Militants in first Nigeria talks |
(20 minutes later) | |
Nigeria's most prominent oil militant leader has held his first talks with the new government and promised to help end the violence in the Niger Delta. | Nigeria's most prominent oil militant leader has held his first talks with the new government and promised to help end the violence in the Niger Delta. |
Mujahid Dokubo-Asari met Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan in the capital, Abuja, after a call for a ceasefire by another militant leader Tom Ateke. | Mujahid Dokubo-Asari met Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan in the capital, Abuja, after a call for a ceasefire by another militant leader Tom Ateke. |
"Abductions are not part of our struggle," Mr Dokubo-Asari said. | "Abductions are not part of our struggle," Mr Dokubo-Asari said. |
Attacks on oil facilities and the kidnapping of oil workers has cut Nigeria's oil output by 25%. | Attacks on oil facilities and the kidnapping of oil workers has cut Nigeria's oil output by 25%. |
Mr Jonathan, who is from the Niger Delta, was sworn in along with President Umaru Yar'Adua in May, with the president promising to bring peace to the region. | |
Children seized | |
Further talks are expected to continue on Friday in the port city of Calabar, away from the centre of the violence in the region. | Further talks are expected to continue on Friday in the port city of Calabar, away from the centre of the violence in the region. |
Six different militant groups who are believed to be behind the recent spate of kidnappings are expected at the two-day meeting. | Six different militant groups who are believed to be behind the recent spate of kidnappings are expected at the two-day meeting. |
Nigeria's lawless oil city On Thursday, the son of a Nigerian chief was kidnapped in the main oil city, Port Harcourt, as he was being driven to school. | |
This follows the release of a British three-year-old girl on Sunday, after four days in captivity. | |
Mr Dokubo-Asari dismissed suggestions that his latest move might be an indication that he was angling for a job in the new government. | |
"Our struggle is a moral struggle for justice," he said. | |
Most Niger Delta residents live in poverty despite the oil wealth of their region. | |
The militants want a greater share of the profits to remain in local hands. | |
Some criminal gangs have also taken to kidnapping, as ransoms are often paid, although this is officially denied. |