Niger Delta group turns over weapons

LAGOS, Nigeria, Aug. 22 (UPI) -- A Nigerian rebel group handed over about 300 assault rifles, several grenade launchers and ammunition to the government Saturday.

Ebikabowei Victor Ben, a senior commander in the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, or MEND, offered the arms under an amnesty program during a meeting with Nigerian President Umaru Yar'Adua, the BBC reported. He also uses the name General Boyloaf.

MEND also turned over 12 gunboats.

The general has been the architect of a number of spectacular MEND assaults, including an attack last year on Shell's Bongo oil field.

MEND and other militant groups in the Niger Delta say profits from the rich oil fields are going to politicians in Lagos and multinational companies, not to the people of the Delta.