The Nigerian government says the Nigerian rebel leader Henry Okah is to be released soon.
Mr Okah is thought to be the leader of MEND, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, which is active in Nigeria’s oil rich delta. MEND says it is fighting for a more equal distribution of the income from oil drilling. To this end it regularly attacks oil installations and kidnaps employees of oil companies.
The Nigerian government says Mr Okah is being released because he has agreed to a proposal for an amnesty. The conditions and details of that proposal have not been made public. It is also unclear when Mr Okah will be permitted to leave prison.
The rebel leader was arrested two years ago in Angola. Last year he was charged with high treason and illegal arms dealing in Nigeria.
Photo of MEND fighters and hostages by ISN Security Watch (flickr)
Photo of MEND fighters and hostages by ISN Security Watch (flickr)
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