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Nigeria tracing militant pipeline Nigeria tracing militant pipeline
(about 4 hours later)
Nigerian oil officials are to start digging up an oil pipeline found at a militant's abandoned hideout to see if it runs to a refinery about 2km away.Nigerian oil officials are to start digging up an oil pipeline found at a militant's abandoned hideout to see if it runs to a refinery about 2km away.
The army claims the pipeline was used by Ateke Tom, the head of the Niger Delta Vigilantes, to steal oil.The army claims the pipeline was used by Ateke Tom, the head of the Niger Delta Vigilantes, to steal oil.
A BBC reporter says the pipeline, found earlier this week, is visible for about 500m before disappearing underground.A BBC reporter says the pipeline, found earlier this week, is visible for about 500m before disappearing underground.
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.
He is wanted by the authorities for a string of bank robberies, incidents of piracy, stealing crude oil and kidnappings.He is wanted by the authorities for a string of bank robberies, incidents of piracy, stealing crude oil and kidnappings.
His present whereabouts is unclear, but contacted by the BBC by phone Mr Tom denied laying the pipeline to his former base near Okochiri about 20km-30km from the regional capital, Port Harcourt.His present whereabouts is unclear, but contacted by the BBC by phone Mr Tom denied laying the pipeline to his former base near Okochiri about 20km-30km from the regional capital, Port Harcourt.
Instability and violence in the Niger Delta region over the past few years have led to a significant drop in Nigeria's oil exports.Instability and violence in the Niger Delta region over the past few years have led to a significant drop in Nigeria's oil exports.
RaidRaid
The BBC's Abdullahi Kaura Abubakar who went to Mr Tom's former hideout in Evil Forest near Okochiri says soldiers showed him the pipe in a deep gully covered by overgrown shrubs.The BBC's Abdullahi Kaura Abubakar who went to Mr Tom's former hideout in Evil Forest near Okochiri says soldiers showed him the pipe in a deep gully covered by overgrown shrubs.
Niger Delta woesNiger Delta woes
Our reporter says no oil was visible, but Mr Tom and his men left Evil Forest in December after it was raided by the military.Our reporter says no oil was visible, but Mr Tom and his men left Evil Forest in December after it was raided by the military.
Port Harcourt refinery, which is run by Rivers State authorities, has not commented on the revelations made by the military. Port Harcourt refinery, which is run by the state-owned Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, has not commented on the revelations made by the military.
Refinery staff together with the military are to start tracing the pipeline on Thursday to see if it does indeed go directly to the facility which is in Eleme nearby Okochiri.Refinery staff together with the military are to start tracing the pipeline on Thursday to see if it does indeed go directly to the facility which is in Eleme nearby Okochiri.
Smuggling crude oil, known as bunkering, provides many militants with money to buy weapons.Smuggling crude oil, known as bunkering, provides many militants with money to buy weapons.
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.