Nigerian militant group claims attack on pipeline

Nigerian militant group claims attack on pipeline

2010-11-23 23:25:10 GMT+7 (ICT)

LAGOS, NIGERIA (BNO NEWS) -- A Nigerian militant group on Tuesday confirmed its attack against a crude oil supply pipeline in the country's Warri Refinery.

Nigeria's main militant group, Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), confirmed the attack on the refinery, which produces 125,000 barrels a day, through a statement released by the group's spokesperson, Jomo Gbomo, on Tuesday.

"This attack and similar attacks on pipelines which will take place within the next few days is a reminder to the Nigerian government of the futility of wasting the nations resources in combating militancy without addressing the underlying causes of agitation in the Niger Delta," the statement said.

State-owned energy company Nigerian National Petroleum Corp. spokesperson Levi Ajuonuma said the pipeline was sabotaged on Monday.

Two weeks ago, MEND revealed the names and nationalities of seven hostages abducted from the shallow-water Okoro oilfield in Akwa Ibom state as part of the group has resumed kidnappings and raids following several months of ceasefire - a 2009 government amnesty agreement.

MEND claims it is fighting for local control of oil revenue by the ethnic minorities of the Niger Delta, alleging domination by the country's biggest ethnic groups.

With an average of around 2.2 million barrels a day, Nigeria is one of the world's most important oil producers.

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