- Nigeria's main militant group, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has claimed to have blown up yet another major pipeline in the early hours this morning.
The pipeline said to be by the Italian oil company Agip, according to MEND, is situated in Bayelsa state, and feeds crude to the Brass export terminal.
MEND has also claimed to have blown up a government gunboat and disarmed seven soldiers.
The claims by MEND have however not been independently confirmed, and the Italian company has not issued any statement since the claims came up.
This is the third attack reported this week by MEND, which stepped up its attacks on the oil infrastructure since government went on an offensive against militants in the region.
Shell's major crude oil trunk line was also attacked on Wednesday in Bayelsa state, with MEND also claiming the responsibility. It also claimed to have attacked a Chevron oil station in the Niger Delta region on Monday.
The group has warned oil companies and foreign interests to leave the region threatening more attacks. On Monday, MEND also threatened to disrupt the junior FIFA under-17 World Cup to be hosted by Nigeria later this year.
"The safety of international players and visitors can not be guaranteed due to the current unrest," MEND had said in an e-mailed statement.
The group has declared war against the government following for it called unprovoked attacks on its territories.
Fresh violence in the Niger Delta has seen Nigeria slip back again as Africa’s top oil producer, with Angola reclaiming the spot once more. Nigeria has seen a cut of almost 40 percent of its oil production per day, since the violence took toll.
afrol News - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda.
afrol News - The UN's humanitarian agencies now warn about a devastating famine in Sudan and especially in South Sudan, where the situation is said to be "imploding". Relief officials are appealing to donors to urgently fund life-saving activities in the two countries.
afrol News - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease.
afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.
afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries.
front page
| news
| countries
| archive
| currencies
| news alerts login
| about afrol News
| contact
| advertise
| español