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Nigeria 'to release key militant' | Nigeria 'to release key militant' |
(10 minutes later) | |
Nigeria's government is offering clemency to oil rebel leader Henry Okah as part of its 60-day amnesty deal for militants in the Niger Delta. | Nigeria's government is offering clemency to oil rebel leader Henry Okah as part of its 60-day amnesty deal for militants in the Niger Delta. |
Mr Okah is facing trial on charges of gun-running and treason after being arrested in Angola in 2007. | Mr Okah is facing trial on charges of gun-running and treason after being arrested in Angola in 2007. |
His release will depend on whether Angola agrees to it, President Umaru Yar'Adua's spokesman said. | His release will depend on whether Angola agrees to it, President Umaru Yar'Adua's spokesman said. |
The main militant group in the oil-producing Delta had said it would not disarm unless Mr Okah was freed. | The main militant group in the oil-producing Delta had said it would not disarm unless Mr Okah was freed. |
The amnesty move is an effort to end years of attacks on the region's beleaguered oil industry, which have severely cut output. | The amnesty move is an effort to end years of attacks on the region's beleaguered oil industry, which have severely cut output. |
A presidential pardon, rehabilitation programme, education and training are being offered to militants who give up their arms by 4 October. | |
The militants claim they are fighting for the rights of local people to benefit more from their region's oil wealth. | The militants claim they are fighting for the rights of local people to benefit more from their region's oil wealth. |
But many attacks in the lawless region are undertaken for financial gain. | But many attacks in the lawless region are undertaken for financial gain. |
"Henry Okah will be offered the amnesty after the president has sent the envoy to Angola," said presidential spokesman Olusegun Adeniyi. | "Henry Okah will be offered the amnesty after the president has sent the envoy to Angola," said presidential spokesman Olusegun Adeniyi. |
"If [Angola] accepts, he will be released." | "If [Angola] accepts, he will be released." |