Nigerians freed

The head of Nigeria's new interim government, Ernest Shonekan, ordered the immediate release of pro-democracy leaders detained early last month, Reuter reports from Abuja.

Mr Shonekan gave the order after the three Campaign for Democracy leaders, Beko Ransome-Kuti, Gani Fawehinmi and Femi Falana, met him in his office in Abuja. They have been in detention in Abuja since early July after leading the first of a series of mass protests against the annulment of the June presidential election by the former military government.