afrol News, 16 September - The Nigerian government has continued to step up security around oil establishments in the Niger Delta, while the main rebel group, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has announced that it is extending its ceasefire by one more month.

Tensions began as the ceasefire earlier announced by the militants drew closer to its expiry yesterday, with threats that fresh attacks would be launched by the militants.

MEND has said the extension of the ceasefire is meant to allow talks on the arms amnesty to be finalised. However the group warned that the extension does not necessarily mean it was giving in to the amnesty offer.

The group has continually said it wanted all its political demands met before taking up the amnesty offer, which include a fair share of the oil revenue to the people of the Niger Delta.

The government of Nigeria, on the other hand has also given a stern warning that the 4 October deadline for the amnesty offer will not be extended, urging all armed groups in the delta to cooperate without giving conditions.

The government of President Umaru Yar'Adua, in June this year, offered amnesty to all rebels who laid down their weapons, as a way of ending the unrest and violence in the region, which has cut Nigeria's oil production by almost a quarter since 2006.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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