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| Nigerian court frees oil militant | Nigerian court frees oil militant |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| A leader of Nigeria's oil militants has been released on bail on health grounds after being held on treason charges for almost two years. | A leader of Nigeria's oil militants has been released on bail on health grounds after being held on treason charges for almost two years. |
| The BBC's Alex Last in Lagos says Mujahid Dokubo-Asari is the best known of the militant leaders. | The BBC's Alex Last in Lagos says Mujahid Dokubo-Asari is the best known of the militant leaders. |
| His release has been a key demand of armed groups who have staged numerous attacks on oil installations. | His release has been a key demand of armed groups who have staged numerous attacks on oil installations. |
| The move is seen as part of the new government's pledge to bring peace to the troubled Niger Delta region. | The move is seen as part of the new government's pledge to bring peace to the troubled Niger Delta region. |
| Last week, three state governors from the Niger Delta appealed to new President Umaru Yar'Adua to free Mr Dokubo-Asari because of his ill health, while the Supreme Court refused a request to free him, citing national security fears. | |
| Asari is key to bringing peace to the delta Emmanuel DiffaNiger Delta elder class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/3713664.stm">Profile of Dokubo-Asari class="" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/picture_gallery/04/africa_fighting_for_nigeria0s_oil/html/1.stm">Pictures of Dokubo-Asari's campaign "I'm convinced the accused is not playing to the gallery. The accused is ordered to be released on health grounds," said Justice Peter Olayiwola. | |
| He ordered Mr Dokubo-Asari not to engage in any political activity and for his movements to be monitored. | |
| Leaders from Mr Dokubo-Asari's Ijaw community have welcomed his release. | |
| "This is good news for anyone with a business in the Niger Delta. It will pour cold water on the situation. Asari is key to bringing peace to the delta," said Emmanuel Diffa, | |
| Militants killed | Militants killed |
| In his inauguration speech last month, President Yar'Adua said that bringing peace to the region was one of his main priorities. | In his inauguration speech last month, President Yar'Adua said that bringing peace to the region was one of his main priorities. |
| He has already made preliminary contacts with the militants, who have declared a one-month truce and freed a large number of the foreign oil workers they had seized. | He has already made preliminary contacts with the militants, who have declared a one-month truce and freed a large number of the foreign oil workers they had seized. |
| But on Wednesday, at least eight militants were killed by the army, local sources have told the BBC. | But on Wednesday, at least eight militants were killed by the army, local sources have told the BBC. |
| This had raised fears of a resumption of hostilities. | This had raised fears of a resumption of hostilities. |
| Mr Dokubo-Asari was arrested in 2005 after saying in a newspaper interview that the Niger Delta, where most of Nigeria's oil is found, should secede. | Mr Dokubo-Asari was arrested in 2005 after saying in a newspaper interview that the Niger Delta, where most of Nigeria's oil is found, should secede. |
| The militants argue that local people should benefit from more of Nigeria's oil. | The militants argue that local people should benefit from more of Nigeria's oil. |
| The attacks on hostage-taking in the Niger Delta have led to a 25% cut in Nigeria's oil production. | The attacks on hostage-taking in the Niger Delta have led to a 25% cut in Nigeria's oil production. |