By Estelle Shirbon

ABUJA, Dec 15 (Reuters) - An influential rebel commander in Nigeria's oil-producing Niger Delta has ordered the suspension of peace talks with the government because of military incursions and the arrest of another commander.

Government Ekpemupolo was one of the militants involved in attacks on the oil industry in early 2006 that shut down a fifth of Nigerian output, contributing to a rise in world oil prices.

Ekpemupolo's participation in negotiations with the government that came into office in May was regarded as a mark of the talks' seriousness and his withdrawal is a blow to hopes of pacifying Nigeria's oil heartland.

New President Umaru Yar'Adua promised to address the root causes of the crisis with a 15-year development plan for the delta and by negotiating with the militants. Yar'Adua's deputy is Goodluck Jonathan, a native of the delta.

In a statement emailed to journalists on Saturday, Ekpemupolo said the government's stated intention to bring peace to the delta was at odds with the military's attitude.

He highlighted the arrest of Henry Okah, another rebel leader, who was detained in Angola in September on gun-running charges. The rebels accuse Nigeria of being behind the arrest.

"Comrade Henry Okah among others was reached, consulted and made to concede to the ongoing peace process. Of what relevance could his arrest and continued incarceration in Angola ... be to the success of the peace process?" Ekpemupolo said.

Ekpemupolo's statement said he had met other fighters at Oporoza, deep in the creeks of the delta, and they had agreed to stop talking to the government and instead hold internal meetings to decide what to do next.

Several armed groups in the delta demand greater local access to oil revenues, an end to what they see as neglect of their impoverished communities, compensation from oil companies for oil spills and gas flares, and greater political autonomy.

Militants said over the last few weeks they were losing patience with the government. One faction attacked an ExxonMobil export terminal on Nov. 12 and seized a stockpile of weapons.

Ekpemupolo accused the army of storming the delta community of Gbaraun last month for no reason, destroying many homes, and of invading the stronghold of gang leader Ateke Tom at Okrika.

"What new offence has he committed? Is peace a crime? Or does the military flourish in crisis?" he said.

Army sources in Port Harcourt, the main city in the delta, said last week the incursion into Okrika was to search for guns. Authorities have not commented on the Gbaraun allegations. (Editing by Robert Woodward)

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