ABUJA, Nigeria, Feb. 18 (UPI) -- A Nigerian group opposing government abuses said it sent an open letter to U.S. President Bush asking him to find a solution to the conflict.
The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, an armed group opposing the alleged exploitation and oppression of Niger Delta natives, sent a letter to Bush asking him to mediate disputes in the oil-rich region. The letter also called for the release the groups' leader, Henry Okah, Voice of America said Monday.
In addition, the letter asked the Nigerian government to apologize for its treatment of the head of the Ijaw Youth Council, a group opposing oil operations in the Delta. MEND claims council President Christopher Ikeyor was tortured while in custody.
The letter to Bush says Nigeria is on the brink of major conflict that would have dire economic consequences, VOA reported.
"We have told George Bush that he should advise the Nigerian president to withdraw its men from the streets of Niger Delta," the letter reads.
