Rebel group ends cease-fire in Niger Delta

ABUJA, Nigeria, Sept. 15 (UPI) -- A wing of the main rebel group in the oil-rich Niger Delta of Nigeria ended its cease-fire Tuesday, though the main faction is embracing a government amnesty.

A division of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta announced an end to a cease-fire agreement on Tuesday. The faction is said to be headed by guerrilla leader Henry Okah, who was arrested in 2008 and charged with 62 counts of treason and terrorism.

The main faction of MEND, however, has backed away from militancy, calling on its members to embrace a government-backed amnesty effort, the BBC reports.

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta had declared 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.

Rilwanu Lukman, the Nigerian oil minister, said oil production has reached its 1.7 million barrels per day quota due in part to an amnesty with militants.

Lukman claims his country is set to become the African leader in oil as the amnesty program with Niger Delta militants contributes to a rise in crude oil production.