Attackers Rob Oil Offices in Nigeria

LAGOS, Nigeria – Officials of the Italian oil company Eni SpA said an armed assault on its offices left nine people dead Tuesday in Nigeria’s petroleum-rich south, where four foreign oil workers also are being held hostage.

Recent attacks and sabotage in the Niger Delta region have helped drive up international crude prices, although the Italian company said there was no evidence the latest violence was linked to those incidents.
In the latest attack, nine people were killed in a shootout between an armed gang and local security forces at Eni SpA’s offices in Port Harcourt, the Italian company said.

The Italian Foreign Ministry said that no Italians were among the victims.

AP