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/8147035.stm

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Nigeria rebels claim Lagos attack Nigeria rebels claim Lagos attack
(about 2 hours later)
Nigeria's most prominent rebel group says it has carried out an "unprecedented attack" on an oil tanker facility in Lagos state. Nigeria's most prominent rebel group says it has carried out an "unprecedented attack" on an oil tanker facility close to the capital, Lagos.
"The depot and loading tankers moored at the facility are currently on fire," said the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (Mend)."The depot and loading tankers moored at the facility are currently on fire," said the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (Mend).
It was not immediately clear whether the attack had taken place but police were investigating, reported Reuters. Residents of the capital heard a loud blast, said the AFP news agency, but there was no official confirmation.
Previous attacks by Mend have mostly hit the Niger Delta in the south.Previous attacks by Mend have mostly hit the Niger Delta in the south.
Such attacks have severely cut Nigeria's oil output. Such attacks have severely cut Nigeria's oil output. Production has been cut by a fifth in the last three years partly as a result of violence.
In a statement, Mend said that "heavily armed" men had "carried out an unprecedented attack on the Atlas Cove Jetty in Lagos" at 2230 hours (2130GMT). In a statement, Mend said that "heavily armed" men had "carried out an unprecedented attack on the Atlas Cove Jetty in Lagos" at 2230 hours (2130GMT) on Sunday.
It follows claims from the group in recent days that it had blown up several oil pipelines and captured six foreign crew from onboard an oil tanker. The jetty is the main entry point for ships entering Nigerian waters from the west and for oil tanker loading.
Leader release
The alleged attack follows claims by Mend in recent days that it had blown up several oil pipelines and captured six foreign crew from onboard an oil tanker.
The government recently offered an amnesty to members of any militant group which laid down its weaponsThe government recently offered an amnesty to members of any militant group which laid down its weapons
Henry Okah, Mend's leader, is facing treason and gun-running charges since his arrest in Angola in 2007. His release has been a key demand of his Mend militant group.Henry Okah, Mend's leader, is facing treason and gun-running charges since his arrest in Angola in 2007. His release has been a key demand of his Mend militant group.
On Friday, lawyers for Mr Okah said he had accepted the amnesty offer and he is expected to released early this week.On Friday, lawyers for Mr Okah said he had accepted the amnesty offer and he is expected to released early this week.
"The case is coming up tomorrow," lawyer Femi Falana told the AFP news agency on Sunday."The case is coming up tomorrow," lawyer Femi Falana told the AFP news agency on Sunday.
He said it was "most likely" that the attorney general would decide not to pursue the case against Mr Okah.He said it was "most likely" that the attorney general would decide not to pursue the case against Mr Okah.
The Mend rebels have been fighting the rights of local people in the Niger Delta and for an increased share of Nigeria's vast oil wealth.The Mend rebels have been fighting the rights of local people in the Niger Delta and for an increased share of Nigeria's vast oil wealth.
But the government has in the past dismissed them as criminals. In Sunday's statement, the group said the problems facing Nigeria were "nothing to do with militant freedom fighters but with the corrupt political leadership and certain arrogant tribes still living on past glory".
But the government has in the past dismissed Mend as criminals.