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Nigeria to begin re-training ex-oil rebels : defence minister
Abuja (AFP) Nov 3, 2009 Nigeria is soon to start retraining the first batch of former oil rebels that laid down arms after years of waging attacks on oil facilities in the Niger Delta, a government minister said on Tuesday. A group of 3,000 out of the 15,000 rebels the government has said laid down arms will be signed up for the training exercise to prepare them for re-integration into society. The oil-rich Niger Delta has for more than three years been a haven for armed militants claiming to be fighting for greater share of oil wealth for their communities. Their activities slashed by about a third Nigeria's oil output from 2.6 million barrels a day in 2006 to around 1.7 million. In June Nigerian President Umaru Yar'Adua decided to offer an amnesty which saw thousands surrender their arms. "For a start, between now and November 11, there will be a call-up of our boys, to start reporting in the camps," Defence Minister Rtd Major-General Godwin Abbe said during a meeting with some key militants. "And because of difficulty in accommodation facilities, we are going to put together the first 3,000 into camps (for training)," said Abbe. Prominent ex-militant commanders, Government Ekpemukpolo, better known as Tompolo and Ateke Tom were among dozen of former fighters at the meeting aimed at acquainting them with government's plans on the next move after the amnesty. "We are going to be discussing with you what plans we have...how we intend to implement these plans and we are going to elicit from you your own contributions toward these proposals so that together we can move on," he told the militants. The former fighters will get training tailored to their needs, Abbe said. There are those who will have to complete their academic schooling, some in need of vocational skills while others will be taught how to run own businesses before they are granted starter loans. The main rebel group, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), has not embraced the amnesty offer, but has declared an indefinite ceasefire to give dialogue a chance. Share This Article With Planet Earth
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