MEND vows to resume militancy

ABUJA, Nigeria, Sept. 2 (UPI) -- A government amnesty effort in the oil-rich Niger Delta is in danger of collapsing with the main militant group vowing to resume its attacks.

Nigerian President Umaru Yar'Adua announced an unconditional amnesty offer for any militants who give up their weapons in exchange for peace. The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, the main militant group, however, says the offer is a political move.

MEND launched a series of attacks on oil facilities operated by Chevron and Royal Dutch Shell during the summer, declaring an "oil war" on the national energy sector in an effort to gain access to oil revenue.

MEND declared a cease-fire July 15 following a government amnesty effort but threatened to resume its militancy when that agreement expires Sept.15.

Timipre Sylva, the governor of Bayelsa state, said MEND is irrelevant and its threats should be ignored, Voice of America reports.

"I do not believe there is anything called MEND, because the key people who propelled MEND have all said they are not it anymore," he said.

The Nigerian government in July said oil revenue fell by 50 percent in the first quarter of 2009 due in part to militant activity targeting the energy sector in the Niger Delta. Recent reports, however, show production is on the rise.

The government amnesty expires Oct. 4.