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| Nigeria rebels 'destroy pipeline' | Nigeria rebels 'destroy pipeline' |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| The main militant group in Nigeria's southern Niger Delta region says it has destroyed some major oil pipelines. | |
| The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (Mend) said it had attacked pipes for a Chevron facility in response to a military offensive. | The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (Mend) said it had attacked pipes for a Chevron facility in response to a military offensive. |
| The 10-day army assault has forced thousands of people from their homes in the remote region where militants say they want a greater share of resources. | The 10-day army assault has forced thousands of people from their homes in the remote region where militants say they want a greater share of resources. |
| Neither the oil company nor the military have confirmed the attack. | Neither the oil company nor the military have confirmed the attack. |
| Restricted access to the region means journalists have been unable to verify militant claims of military brutality against civilians. | |
| The offensive is the longest sustained military action the region has seen since the armed conflict between the government and militant groups began in 2006. | |
| The military say they have rebel leaders on the run and have seized caches of arms and "financial information". | |
| But security sources have told the BBC if the attacks on Chevron are confirmed, they may cast doubt on the claimed success of the campaign. | |
| 'Cat and mouse' | |
| It is thought five flow stations feeding oil to a major Chevron plant are now out of action. | |
| Thousands flee Delta fighting | |
| The oil business has until now escaped the current unrest without having to shut down the flow of oil. | |
| Mend said it had made sure of "huge collateral damage" as it carried out the attack. | |
| "We will continue our cat-and-mouse tactics with the Nigerian military until oil export ceases completely," it added. | |
| Nigerian Vice President Goodluck Jonathan, a former governor from the Niger Delta and head of the presidency's attempt to find a resolution to the conflict, told journalists the military offensive in Delta State would end "within days". | |
| But human rights activists in the region believe the military could expand the operation to neighbouring states. | |
| The military has not commented on its plans. | |
| Militant groups in the Niger Delta have flourished amid a lack of governance and rule of law. | Militant groups in the Niger Delta have flourished amid a lack of governance and rule of law. |
| They claim to be fighting to help local people benefit from the region's oil wealth but fund their activities with oil theft, extortion and kidnapping. | They claim to be fighting to help local people benefit from the region's oil wealth but fund their activities with oil theft, extortion and kidnapping. |
| The Joint Task Force, charged with bringing security to the Delta, has been accused of brutality and corruption. | The Joint Task Force, charged with bringing security to the Delta, has been accused of brutality and corruption. |