Abuja, September 17: Nigeria’s main militant group has extended its ceasefire by 30 days but warned that it would continue to attack oil and gas installations if the government did not engage in meaningful peace talks.
Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) in an e-mail statement, signed by group spokesperson Gbomo Jomo, said it was extending unilateral ceasefire by 30 days and the government should put this extension to right use.
“We have therefore resolved to continue fighting because the reasons for fighting have not yet been addressed. The government should use this extension of time to do the right thing instead of pretending to talk peace while arming the military for a war it can not win,” MEND said yesterday.
MEND and other militant groups had attacked oil installations in the region and this led to the use of military force by the government. In August, the government offered amnesty to militants.
The amnesty involves the surrender of arms and stipends to be paid to the militants. After surrendering their arms recently, some of the militants complained that the money agreed was not paid.
Earlier, the militant group had declared a 60-day ceasefire on July 15 after its leader, Henry Okah, was released from detention while standing trial for treason.
–Agencies