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Nigerian militants step up attacks, appeal for help
Nigerian militants renewed attacks on Monday in the oil-rich south in a move that could greatly affect exports according to a leading supplier.
- Agencies
- Published: 10:43 April 22, 2008
Lagos: Nigerian militants renewed attacks on Monday in the oil-rich south in a move that could greatly affect exports according to a leading supplier.
A statement by a group called Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, or MEND, said attacked two pipelines believed to be run by Chevron Corp. and Shell oil has been attacked on Monday.
Militants are stepping up their attacks after one of their leaders, Henry Okah, was arrested for terrorism and treason.
The militants have appealed to former US president Jimmy Carter and actor and activist George Clooney to intervene in the long-running crisis that remains unsolved despite government efforts.
US President George W Bush has also been contacted, the militants said.
In a statement, the militants hoped the ripple effect of this attack would bring the world's attention to the crisis.
They also said it launched the attacks as a "welcome" message to a US Navy vessel visiting the oil-rich Gulf of Guinea, which includes Nigeria.
Last week a Royal Dutch Shell PLC joint venture warned that it may not be able to deliver some 169,000 barrels per day of crude in April and May because militants sabotaged a pipeline.
The unrest in Nigeria, the announcement by Shell and a missile attack on Japanese oil tanker off the east coast of Yemen sent oil prices spiking to a record US$117.40 a barrel on Monday.
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