Nigerian militia issues ultimatum

A separatist militia group in southern Nigeria says the government has until tomorrow to release its leader, saying that if he remains held for treason it will launch wide attacks on oil companies and the government.

“We will unleash upon the government and its cohorts, violence and mayhem never before reported in the history of the Nigerian state,” said a statement from the Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force.

The group led by Moujahid Dokubo-Asari, who was arrested on Tuesday, said it would bring a halt to oil production in the Niger delta and said oil firms should evacuate their staff before the deadline.

Nigeria is the world’s eighth largest oil exporter and the fifth main supplier to the United States.