Lagos, July 18 (Xinhua) The Nigerian government has offered amnesty to around 10,000 militants in the country’s oil rich Niger Delta, a media report said Saturday.
The move is aimed at reducing tensions in the restive region, Lagos-based daily This Day reported.
Lucky Ararile of the Amnesty, a human rights group, said Friday in Abuja that the Nigerian government has allocated 200 million naira (about $1 million) to feed the militants who are expected to lay down arms at the 50-60 camps set up by the government in Niger Delta.
The government has given 60 days to the rebels to lay down arms.
“Each militant will receive an allowance of 20,000 naira per month, in addition to 1,500 naira per day for food while at a reintegration centre,” Ararile said.
The surrendered militants will also receive trainings from the government to start alternative livelihoods, he added.
The militants have been demanding a share of the oil resources in the Niger Delta.
The oil output in the country has been cut more than 20 percent since 2006 due the almost daily attacks on the oil facilities by the militants.
