Nigerian militants say Agip pipeline destroyed

Jun 19, 2009, 12:07 GMT

Nairobi/Abuja - Nigeria's main militant group on Friday said it had destroyed a pipeline supplying crude oil to Italian company Agip's export terminal, the latest in a string of attacks.

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has increased its activities in the oil-producing Niger Delta since Nigerian forces attacked one of its camps last month.

MEND spokesman Jomo Gbomo said in an emailed statement that the group's fighters blew up the pipeline in Bayelsa state in the early hours of the morning and also disarmed seven government soldiers.

Agip did not immediately confirm the attack.

Pipelines and facilities operated by Shell and Chevron have been targeted in the last week.

Attacks on oil facilities and workers have dramatically cut production in Nigeria, one of the world's largest crude oil exporters.

Nigeria's estimated output in May was 1.8 million barrels, compared to 2.6 million at the beginning of 2006.

MEND and other groups operating in the Niger Delta said they are fighting for a larger share of the wealth for local residents, who complain the oil industry has ruined their agriculture and fishing livelihoods.

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