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Nigeria militants step up 'war' Nigeria militants step up 'war'
(10 minutes later)
Militants have attacked another oil facility in Nigeria's Delta region, after "declaring war" at the weekend.Militants have attacked another oil facility in Nigeria's Delta region, after "declaring war" at the weekend.
The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (Mend) said it had destroyed Shell's Orubiri flow-station.The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (Mend) said it had destroyed Shell's Orubiri flow-station.
A military spokesman confirmed the attack but there are no details on any casualties. This is the second major oil facility attacked this week.A military spokesman confirmed the attack but there are no details on any casualties. This is the second major oil facility attacked this week.
Attacks by militants have cut Nigeria's oil production by some 20% even before this week's upsurge.Attacks by militants have cut Nigeria's oil production by some 20% even before this week's upsurge.
"It is feared the facility may have caught fire due to intense, sporadic gunshots and massive dynamite and bomb explosions," said Lieutenant Colonel Sagir Musa, spokesman for the military task force in Rivers State."It is feared the facility may have caught fire due to intense, sporadic gunshots and massive dynamite and bomb explosions," said Lieutenant Colonel Sagir Musa, spokesman for the military task force in Rivers State.
He said no soldiers had been killed in the attack, reports Reuters news agency.He said no soldiers had been killed in the attack, reports Reuters news agency.
Reuters says the recent fighting has been the heaviest in two years between militants and security forces. Hostages freed
The BBC's Andrew Walker in Nigeria says the recent fighting has been the heaviest in two years between militants and security forces.
In an e-mail send to journalists, Mend threatened to widen their attacks outside Rivers State, where the clashes have occurred in the past few days.In an e-mail send to journalists, Mend threatened to widen their attacks outside Rivers State, where the clashes have occurred in the past few days.
Mend said it was "declaring war" in response to attacks by the military.Mend said it was "declaring war" in response to attacks by the military.
Late on Tuesday, two South African hostages were released, Lt Col Musa said.Late on Tuesday, two South African hostages were released, Lt Col Musa said.
Earlier, a British oil worker was seized in the Delta's main city, Port Harcourt.Earlier, a British oil worker was seized in the Delta's main city, Port Harcourt.
Some 200 foreign oil workers have been taken hostage in recent years.Some 200 foreign oil workers have been taken hostage in recent years.
Almost all have been freed, normally in return for a ransom, although this is always officially denied.Almost all have been freed, normally in return for a ransom, although this is always officially denied.
They claim to be fighting for the rights of inhabitants of the oil-producing Niger Delta, who mostly live in poverty.They claim to be fighting for the rights of inhabitants of the oil-producing Niger Delta, who mostly live in poverty.
But many say they are criminal gangs out to extort money from oil companies.But many say they are criminal gangs out to extort money from oil companies.