Nigerian militants declare ‘oil-war’ ceasefire

Nigeria's largest militant group, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), have declared a ceasefire, ending the worst spate of militant attacks in years to hit Africa's oil giant. MEND say the decision was made following appeals from tribal leaders and politicians in the area.

Groups such as Mend claim to be fighting for greater control over oil wealth in the impoverished Niger Delta, but they are accused of making money from criminal rackets and trade in stolen oil. Three years of attacks have cut the country's oil production from 2.5 million barrels per day to about 1.5 million barrels.

The group said it would launch reprisal attacks in the event of another military raid on one of its base camps.

"Effective 0100 hours (0000GMT) 21 September, exactly one week after we launched our reprisal, mend will begin a unilateral ceasefire till further notice," the group said in a statement.

"We hope that the military has learnt a bitter lesson. The next unprovoked attack will start another oil war," it said.

The group, which is a loose alliance of various armed gangs operating in the southern Niger Delta, had attacked military positions, destroyed pipeline switching stations and blew up pipelines that carry crude oil from wells to export terminals in southern Nigeria.

In the past week, militants have attacked gas plants, oil installations and pipelines in some of the worst violence for two years.

The attacks forced oil giant Shell to declare a force majeure on Saturday - which frees it from contractual obligations - on crude oil shipments from its Niger Delta facilities.

Nigeria's oil production has been cut by 20% because of unrest in the region over the past few years.

Author: Jo Amey