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'Pipelines hit' in Nigeria delta 'Pipelines hit' in Nigeria delta
(about 1 hour later)
A militant group active in oil-rich southern Nigeria says it has bombed three major oil pipelines. A militant group active in oil-rich southern Nigeria says it has bombed three oil pipelines in Bayelsa State.
The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (Mend) said it had attacked pipelines in Bayelsa State. The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (Mend) has carried out a number of attacks on oil facilities and abducted foreign workers.
The group has led several attacks on oil facilities and has abducted foreign workers in its campaign to win a larger share of the region's oil wealth. The latest - eight Filipinos and three South Koreans kidnapped last week - were freed on Tuesday, sources said.
Nigeria is Africa's largest oil producer but last year militant attacks cut production by more than a quarter. Mend wants a larger share of oil wealth. Its attacks cut production in Nigeria by more than 25% last year.
The price of oil in London is now up to more than $65 a barrel.The price of oil in London is now up to more than $65 a barrel.
Easy targetsEasy targets
Government officials confirmed that the attacks had taken place in the Brass and Akassa areas without giving details of the damage caused.Government officials confirmed that the attacks had taken place in the Brass and Akassa areas without giving details of the damage caused.
MEND Formed early 2006Close links to militant Mujahid Dokubo-Asari's Niger Delta Volunteer ForceSplit into two rival groups late 2006Bayelsa State faction leader - Jomo Gbomo Delta State faction leader - Gen Godswill TamunoDemand 100% control of Nigeria's oil wealthDemand release from jail of Dokubo-Asari being tried for treasonDemand release of impeached Bayelsa governor on trial for money launderingOperate from creeks of Niger DeltaCommunicate with media by emailMEND Formed early 2006Close links to militant Mujahid Dokubo-Asari's Niger Delta Volunteer ForceSplit into two rival groups late 2006Bayelsa State faction leader - Jomo Gbomo Delta State faction leader - Gen Godswill TamunoDemand 100% control of Nigeria's oil wealthDemand release from jail of Dokubo-Asari being tried for treasonDemand release of impeached Bayelsa governor on trial for money launderingOperate from creeks of Niger DeltaCommunicate with media by email
Security sources in the region say it is not clear whether the bombed pipelines belonged to Shell Petroleum Development Company or the Italian Agip. But a spokesman for the Italian oil company Eni told Reuters the attacks forced it to stop producing 150,000 barrels a day at its Brass export terminal.
The BBC's Abdullahi Kaura in Port Harcourt says investigators in helicopters are trying to pinpoint the exact locations of the attacks. The BBC's Alex Last in Nigeria says the pipelines are easy targets as an attack on a single pipeline can significantly affect production and exports.
The pipelines criss-cross the swamps and creeks of the Delta, usually running above ground.
The BBC's Alex Last in Nigeria says they are easy targets as an attack on a single pipeline can significantly affect production and exports.
The militants had earlier warned that they would step up attacks on oil installations in the region as "parting gift" to President Olusegun Obasanjo who stands down in three weeks time.The militants had earlier warned that they would step up attacks on oil installations in the region as "parting gift" to President Olusegun Obasanjo who stands down in three weeks time.
They say the attacks were also in pursuance of their resolve to cripple the Nigerian crude oil export industry.They say the attacks were also in pursuance of their resolve to cripple the Nigerian crude oil export industry.
The militants say they will continue their renewed campaign "indefinitely with attacks on all pipelines, platforms and support vessels".The militants say they will continue their renewed campaign "indefinitely with attacks on all pipelines, platforms and support vessels".
"All fighters involved in this attack have since returned to base without further incident," Mend said in an email to the media. The eight Filipinos and three South Koreans, all workers at Daewoo, had been taken at gunpoint from a heavily guarded compound last Thursday.
It is not clear why the militants have stepped up their campaign after a lull in violence during Nigeria's general elections, but they say they want to remind the incoming government that the Niger Delta question has not left with Mr Obasanjo. Their Nigerian driver was later released.
Poverty and political corruption are widespread in the Niger Delta region. South Korean government officials said the freed hostages were well.
Nearly 100 foreign workers have been abducted this year.