The main rebel group in Nigeria's oil-rich Niger Delta has announced that it is extending its ceasefire by 30 days.

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (Mend) said the move would allow more time for talks with the government on its weapons amnesty.

But Mend threatened renewed strikes on the oil industry and the Nigerian military if the group's key concerns were not met.

Mend's unilateral 60-day ceasefire expired at midnight on Tuesday.

The rebels have been fighting to drive the army out of certain areas of the Niger Delta and allow displaced people to return to their homes.

'Meaningful dialogue'

"The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (Mend) is extending its unilateral ceasefire which expired midnight (2300 GMT), 15 September 2009 by 30 days," the rebels said in a statement.


 
"The government should use this extension of time to do the right thing instead of pretending to talk peace while arming the military for a war it cannot win."

Mend also said that did not recognise the government's weapons amnesty "that has not made any provision for meaningful dialogue on the root issues that gave birth to the Niger Delta unrest".

The Nigerian government has so far made no public comments on Mend's latest move.

In June, the government offered the amnesty to all rebels who laid down their weapons in the region.

Some militant leaders are co-operating, saying they want to return to civilian life.

One Mend leader has already dumped a large number of weapons, while two other are in negotiations to do the same.

But one Mend's faction warned earlier this week it would end the ceasefire.

The faction is widely believed to be led by Henry Okah, the man who was in jail for nearly two years.

Numerous attacks by Mend on installations in the Niger Delta in recent years have seriously disrupted the Nigerian oil and gas industry.

Beaf:

^Shut your fucking smelly traps

sherry lo:

@Beaf, please is that the picture of MEND or Nigerian Army?

Gidado1565:

i want d govt launch massive assault on n n/delta militants like that of boko haram

erico2k2:

Guys dont decieve yourselves, on a one on one amour,MEND is better equipped than the Nigerian Army, they can afford to buy Guns stingy Nigerian Govt and corrupt politicians wont ever buy for the Army.Same is true round the world exccept for some few nations ie US,Uk Isreal and some others.

yeswecan:

You are a big fool, mere looking at your name i can tell where u fell down from, Do u realize these people contribute 80% of the federal account and they are going through hell. I don't want to support the MEND or anything but the government has to come out with a blueprint of ND development. The amnesty should be followed with a program; you can't just bring out amnesty and keep shut.

Only God can save us.