Nigeria

Niger Delta guerrillas claim sixth oil attack

Article published on the 2008-09-20 Latest update 2008-09-20 15:08 TU

An attack by Mend in January
(Photo: Reuters)

Nigeria's main armed group, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (Mend), claims to have blown up a "major" pipeline operated by oil giant Royal Dutch Shell in a sixth attack this week. The company confirmed two attacks on Monday but has since stopped confirming or denying claims by Mend, which declared an "oil war" last Sunday.

Mend said that the pipeline was at Buguma Fort in the Asari Toru region and was the latest attack in its "oil war", which it declared in response to military attacks on its positions.

The Mend on Saturday vowed to "continue to nibble every day at the oil infrastructure in Nigeria until the oil exports reach zero."

The movement aims to win more benefits from oil wealth for the Niger Delta region and reduce environmental damage caused by the industry.

Earlier in the week, Shell confirmed the first attack on its Alakiri flow station and a second on the Greater Port Harcourt Swamp Line, but it has since refused to comment on Mend claims of attacks on the Orubiri flow station, Rumuekpe pipeline and a pipeline at the Elem-Kalabari Cawthorne Channel axis in Rivers state.

US company Chevron has confirmed two "shooting incidents" near its facilities but said it has no reason to believe that it was the target.

The army claims to have repelled several of the attacks that Mend says were successful.