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Pipeline blown up in Niger Delta Pipeline blown up in Niger Delta
(10 minutes later)
The Nigerian military has confirmed that a major pipeline in the country's oil-rich Niger Delta has been blown up.The Nigerian military has confirmed that a major pipeline in the country's oil-rich Niger Delta has been blown up.
But it denied a militant claim that it had lost 11 troops during the attack.But it denied a militant claim that it had lost 11 troops during the attack.
The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (Mend) group said in an email that it had attacked the Royal Dutch Shell pipeline in Rivers State.The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (Mend) group said in an email that it had attacked the Royal Dutch Shell pipeline in Rivers State.
The militants, who want a greater share of oil revenues for the area, said they blew up a flow station and were retreating when soldiers opened fire.The militants, who want a greater share of oil revenues for the area, said they blew up a flow station and were retreating when soldiers opened fire.
A Shell spokesman told Reuters news agency the company was investigating the attack, which happened in the early hours of Monday morning, but had no comment to make yet.A Shell spokesman told Reuters news agency the company was investigating the attack, which happened in the early hours of Monday morning, but had no comment to make yet.
It is not only a lie, but it is dubious bunkum Military spokesman Lt Col Sagir Musa Tackling Nigeria's oil swampsIt is not only a lie, but it is dubious bunkum Military spokesman Lt Col Sagir Musa Tackling Nigeria's oil swamps
Nigeria is the world's eighth largest oil exporter and the largest in Africa.Nigeria is the world's eighth largest oil exporter and the largest in Africa.
Since 2006 Mend has waged a campaign of sabotage on oil infrastructure that has seen oil production cut by a quarter. Since 2006 Mend has waged a campaign of sabotage on oil infrastructure that has seen oil production cut by a fifth.
Nigerian President Umaru Yar'Adua, who is nearing the end of his first year in office, had said that addressing the problems in the Niger Delta - where there is widespread poverty - was one of his priorities.Nigerian President Umaru Yar'Adua, who is nearing the end of his first year in office, had said that addressing the problems in the Niger Delta - where there is widespread poverty - was one of his priorities.
'Boat sunk''Boat sunk'
A military spokesman has strongly denied any troops were killed in the attack.A military spokesman has strongly denied any troops were killed in the attack.
"It is not only a lie, but it is dubious bunkum," Lt Col Sagir Musa said in a statement read to the BBC."It is not only a lie, but it is dubious bunkum," Lt Col Sagir Musa said in a statement read to the BBC.
He confirmed that the important oil pipeline had been blown up, but he said there were no soldiers in the area at the time of the explosion.He confirmed that the important oil pipeline had been blown up, but he said there were no soldiers in the area at the time of the explosion.
"The flow station is not guarded by any armed men. How and where did they get the soldiers they claim to have killed?" the statement said."The flow station is not guarded by any armed men. How and where did they get the soldiers they claim to have killed?" the statement said.
Mend claims their fighters sank the boat the soldiers were in.Mend claims their fighters sank the boat the soldiers were in.
"Today's attack is dedicated to the administration of Umaru Yar'Adua and [Vice-President] Goodluck Jonathan who have failed after one year in office to ensure peace, security and reconciliation in the Niger Delta region," the Mend email said."Today's attack is dedicated to the administration of Umaru Yar'Adua and [Vice-President] Goodluck Jonathan who have failed after one year in office to ensure peace, security and reconciliation in the Niger Delta region," the Mend email said.
Mend say they are campaigning for a better share of the oil wealth, but correspondents say many of the attacks on pipelines are carried out by criminal gangs for extortion.Mend say they are campaigning for a better share of the oil wealth, but correspondents say many of the attacks on pipelines are carried out by criminal gangs for extortion.