Back to work

LAGOS (Reuter) - More Nigerian oil workers returned to work yesterday as a two-month strike to topple the military government appeared to weaken. General Sanni Abacha, Nigeria's military ruler, under pressure to restore civilian rule, pledged to pursue an orderly handover and urged the armed forces to remain united.

He did not announce a date for a handover but has said this would be determined by an on-going constitutional conference. Oil workers want power handed to Moshood Abiola, who is credited with winning last year's annulled presidential election. Chief Abiola is in custody charged with treason.