Nigeria oil militants disarm slowly

OKRIKA, Nigeria (Reuters) – Scores of Nigerian oil militants turned in weapons in the creeks of the Niger Delta on Thursday, two weeks after a 60-day amnesty period began, but the participation so far is still below authorities’ expectations.

President Umaru Yar’Adua offered an unconditional pardon in June to all militants who take part in the amnesty, the latest effort to stem unrest which has prevented Nigeria from pumping much above two-thirds of its oil capacity in recent years.

Attacks on pipelines and industry facilities along with the kidnapping of oil workers since early 2006 have cost the world’s eighth-biggest oil exporter billions of dollars a year in lost revenues and added to volatility in global energy prices.

Scores of young men in civilian clothes queued to have their photographs and thumbprints taken by the security forces before handing over weapons at this camp at Aluu in Okrika district, around 50 km (30 miles) east of the oil hub Port Harcourt.

Reuters