This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/7289532.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Nigeria oil rebel pipeline found | Nigeria oil rebel pipeline found |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Nigeria's army says it has found a private pipeline that was used to supply oil to a militant leader's home. | Nigeria's army says it has found a private pipeline that was used to supply oil to a militant leader's home. |
| The underground pipeline ran from a major oil refinery to a hideout in Rivers State of Ateke Tom, the head of the Niger Delta Vigilantes. | The underground pipeline ran from a major oil refinery to a hideout in Rivers State of Ateke Tom, the head of the Niger Delta Vigilantes. |
| Mr Tom is accused of being behind much of the lawless money-making schemes causing havoc in the oil-rich region. | Mr Tom is accused of being behind much of the lawless money-making schemes causing havoc in the oil-rich region. |
| Correspondents say smuggling crude oil, known as bunkering, provides many militants with money to buy weapons. | Correspondents say smuggling crude oil, known as bunkering, provides many militants with money to buy weapons. |
| The Niger Delta Vigilantes leader is wanted by the authorities for a string of bank robberies, incidents of piracy, stealing crude oil and kidnappings. | The Niger Delta Vigilantes leader is wanted by the authorities for a string of bank robberies, incidents of piracy, stealing crude oil and kidnappings. |
| His present whereabouts is unclear. | His present whereabouts is unclear. |
| Some militants in Niger Delta claim to be fighting for a share of the oil wealth for the impoverished southern region. | Some militants in Niger Delta claim to be fighting for a share of the oil wealth for the impoverished southern region. |
| Other gangs operating in the creeks are often more criminal than political, reporters say. | Other gangs operating in the creeks are often more criminal than political, reporters say. |
| Child ransoms | Child ransoms |
| Nigerian military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Musa Sagir said a large stockpile of weapons has also been found at Mr Tom's home in a forest near Okochiri about 20km-30km from the regional capital, Port Harcourt. | Nigerian military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Musa Sagir said a large stockpile of weapons has also been found at Mr Tom's home in a forest near Okochiri about 20km-30km from the regional capital, Port Harcourt. |
| Niger Delta woes | Niger Delta woes |
| There are conflicting reports about whether this arms cache is a new find. | There are conflicting reports about whether this arms cache is a new find. |
| The underground pipeline, however, has not been heard of before. | The underground pipeline, however, has not been heard of before. |
| It led from the oil refinery in the regional capital Port Harcourt to the militant hideout and continued to a private jetty where the oil was sold illegally, the army spokesman said. | It led from the oil refinery in the regional capital Port Harcourt to the militant hideout and continued to a private jetty where the oil was sold illegally, the army spokesman said. |
| Instability and violence in the Niger Delta region over the past few years have led to a significant drop in Nigeria's oil exports. | |
| The BBC's Abdullahi Kaura Abubakar in Port Harcourt says taking hostages for ransom is now a common practice. | The BBC's Abdullahi Kaura Abubakar in Port Harcourt says taking hostages for ransom is now a common practice. |
| Foreigners, the main target in recent years, now travel under armed guard and local school children are the latest victims. | Foreigners, the main target in recent years, now travel under armed guard and local school children are the latest victims. |
| On Monday morning, a six-year-old was kidnapped by unknown gunmen. Hostages tend to be released after a ransom is paid. | On Monday morning, a six-year-old was kidnapped by unknown gunmen. Hostages tend to be released after a ransom is paid. |
| Mr Tom has claimed he was hired to rig elections in 2003 but says politicians have failed to live up to their promises. | Mr Tom has claimed he was hired to rig elections in 2003 but says politicians have failed to live up to their promises. |