Nigerian militant group claim destruction of oil pipelines

May 25, 2009, 7:29 GMT

Nairobi/Abuja - Nigeria's main militant group on Monday said it had destroyed oil pipelines linked to a Chevron facility in the oil-producing Niger Delta.

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) said its fighters attacked in the middle of the night to destroy the pipelines, effectively putting five flow stations out of operation.

Such claims are hard to verify due to travel restrictions to the region.

Fighting has flared up in recent weeks, with the militants and the government issuing claims and counter-claims about military victories.

Rights groups say that hundreds of civilians may have died in the crossfire.

The militant group has issued an ultimatum to oil companies to leave the Niger Delta, and Monday said it would keep attacking oil facilities until 'oil export ceases completely.'

Attacks on oil facilities and workers have cut oil production in Nigeria, one of the world's largest crude oil exporters, by around 20 per cent since 2006.

MEND and other groups operating in the Niger Delta say they are fighting for a better share of wealth from the oil-rich region for local residents, who say the oil industry has ruined their agriculture and fishing livelihoods.

However, the government says the rebels are criminal gangs intent on stealing oil or making money through extortion.