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Gun battles in Nigeria oil city Gun battles in Nigeria oil city
(about 14 hours later)
Heavy fighting between armed gangs and the military has been reported in Nigeria's oil city of Port Harcourt. Several people are feared dead after the military attacked armed gangs in Nigeria's oil city of Port Harcourt.
Residents say the military has deployed armoured personnel carriers and has been shooting indiscriminately in the air in part of the old town. Reports suggested both militants and military personnel were killed in subsequent fighting, but officials have not yet confirmed any fatalities.
It follows clashes that raged last week between powerful rival armed gangs that left at least 15 people dead.It follows clashes that raged last week between powerful rival armed gangs that left at least 15 people dead.
The gangs run criminal rackets and also have links to militant groups based in the creeks of the Niger Delta. Militant groups in the Niger Delta say they are fighting to gain more local control over the region's oil supplies.
Violence around Port Harcourt has increased since militants launched a campaign last year for a greater share of oil revenue for the poor region. 'Surprise attack'
Turf war Residents in some parts of Port Harcourt described blazing buildings and streets deserted except for men on motorbikes carrying automatic weapons.
Residents in some parts of the city have described blazing buildings and streets deserted except for men on motorbikes carrying automatic weapons. Others said they had seen helicopter gunships firing into the city, as well as armoured personnel carriers near government offices.
Others say they have seen helicopter gunships firing into the city as well as armoured personnel carriers near government offices. The fighting followed an operation by the military against the base of one of the major gang leaders in the city, Soboma George.
The fighting follows an operation by the military against the base of one of the major gang leaders in the city - his name is Soboma George Major Sagir Musa said the gang leader was "linked to different kinds of atrocities in terms of hostage-taking, killing and maiming of innocent citizens".
The army said it arrested a number of militants during the raid though Soboma George was not among them. "Members of the joint taskforce made a surprise attack on the hideout, and in the process, Soboma George is suspected to have been killed," he said.
But the militant group Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta said Soboma George was "alive and well".
The army said it arrested a number of militants during the raid, but he was not among them.
Political links
For most of last week rival gangs fought pitched battles around the city leaving many dead, mostly bystanders.For most of last week rival gangs fought pitched battles around the city leaving many dead, mostly bystanders.
The authorities say it is a turf war.The authorities say it is a turf war.
The gangs that run criminal rackets are large in size and have plenty of weapons. The gangs that run criminal rackets are large and have plenty of weapons.
The BBC's Alex Last in Lagos says there is also a suspicion that others may have an interest in the fighting.The BBC's Alex Last in Lagos says there is also a suspicion that others may have an interest in the fighting.
Most of the armed gangs had close links to politicians who employed them to help rig elections.Most of the armed gangs had close links to politicians who employed them to help rig elections.
Gangs, money and politics have long been a dangerous combination in the Niger Delta, he says.Gangs, money and politics have long been a dangerous combination in the Niger Delta, he says.
In the aftermath of April's polls, he says it seems all sides are trying to exert their control, whether it be the gangs, the politicians or the security forces directed by the new government.In the aftermath of April's polls, he says it seems all sides are trying to exert their control, whether it be the gangs, the politicians or the security forces directed by the new government.