Ceasefire declared by Nigerian rebels

The BBC is reporting that the West Africa rebel group MEND - the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta - is to begin a sixty day cessation in its attacks against various targets. These have included oil and gas installations in the coastal region of Nigeria, the personnel working in those facilities and their families, security forces guarding them, and vessels servicing the facilities. The ceasefire is to come into effect today - Wednesday - and comes as a result of the release from government detention of the group's leader. If the truce holds, it should provide some relief to those who have been dealing with the increasingly violent attacks in the region.