Africa News
Nigerian militant group blows up oil pipeline
Nov 23, 2010, 8:29 GMT
Nairobi/Abuja - Nigeria's main militant group on Tuesday claimed responsibility for blowing up an oil pipeline in the oil- producing Niger Delta.
'On Sunday, Nov 21 ... fighters of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) attacked and destroyed the Obidi-Refinery trunk line,' MEND said in a statement. 'This pipeline was responsible for transporting crude oil to the refinery in Warri, Delta state in the Niger Delta.'
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company confirmed the attack and said it was carrying out repairs.
MEND slashed Nigeria's oil output through a campaign of sabotage that began in 2006, though late last year a government amnesty saw many militants lay down their arms and allowed output to rise again.
However, a faction of MEND has this year stepped up operations again.
The group killed at least a dozen people during Nigeria's 50th anniversary celebrations in October when it detonated twin car bombs at a parade in Abuja.
The army last week rescued 19 oil workers, including seven foreigners, being held hostage by MEND.
The group has recently warned it will step up attacks on oil facilities and continue to target oil workers for kidnap.
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