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| Version 5 | Version 6 |
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| Abductions in Nigerian oil states | Abductions in Nigerian oil states |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Gunmen with dynamite have stormed an oil industry vessel off the Nigerian coast in Bayelsa State and kidnapped six foreign oil workers. | Gunmen with dynamite have stormed an oil industry vessel off the Nigerian coast in Bayelsa State and kidnapped six foreign oil workers. |
| The militant group, Mend, which says it wants a larger share of oil wealth for locals, said they were holding four Italians, an American and a Croatian. | The militant group, Mend, which says it wants a larger share of oil wealth for locals, said they were holding four Italians, an American and a Croatian. |
| In a separate incident, armed men kidnapped the mother of a newly elected governor in the south's richest state. | In a separate incident, armed men kidnapped the mother of a newly elected governor in the south's richest state. |
| Celestine Omeiha's mother was taken from her village in Rivers State. | Celestine Omeiha's mother was taken from her village in Rivers State. |
| Militants in the Delta rarely abduct locals, prompting speculation that this abduction near Port Harcourt may be fall-out from the elections. | Militants in the Delta rarely abduct locals, prompting speculation that this abduction near Port Harcourt may be fall-out from the elections. |
| "We have some clues and we are working on it," said police chief Felix Ogbaudu. | "We have some clues and we are working on it," said police chief Felix Ogbaudu. |
| States in the oil-producing Niger Delta have huge budgets, yet most people live in poverty, partly caused by endemic government corruption. | States in the oil-producing Niger Delta have huge budgets, yet most people live in poverty, partly caused by endemic government corruption. |
| Attack | Attack |
| Dozens of kidnappings of foreign oil workers have taken place in recent months, with ransom fees usually demanded before their release. | Dozens of kidnappings of foreign oil workers have taken place in recent months, with ransom fees usually demanded before their release. |
| Many locals have turned to violence | Many locals have turned to violence |
| One sailor was killed in the attack on the FPSO Oloibiri run by Chevron, which is stationed offshore to store crude oil. | |
| "The militants shot one navy personnel and compelled the crew to throw a rope down to give them access by using dynamite," a security source said. | "The militants shot one navy personnel and compelled the crew to throw a rope down to give them access by using dynamite," a security source said. |
| Mend said in an email statement that their attack was to show their opposition to Nigeria's president-elect Umaru Yar'Adua and his deputy Goodluck Jonathan - the governor of Bayelsa State. | |
| "This attack is one in a series intended to embarrass the out-going regime. It is also a warning to the incoming government," the statement said. | "This attack is one in a series intended to embarrass the out-going regime. It is also a warning to the incoming government," the statement said. |
| Nigeria is Africa's leading oil exporter but locals complain that little of the wealth reaches their communities. | Nigeria is Africa's leading oil exporter but locals complain that little of the wealth reaches their communities. |
| Mend are responsible for many of the attacks in the Niger Delta, which has seen a 20% drop in output over the past year and led to thousands of foreign oil workers leaving. | Mend are responsible for many of the attacks in the Niger Delta, which has seen a 20% drop in output over the past year and led to thousands of foreign oil workers leaving. |
| Mend, which is also calling for the release of two imprisoned leaders charged with treason, promised to released the hostages on 30 May as long as there was no attempt to free them - such as offering a ransom. |