Nigerian Militants Warn Major Oil Attack Imminent

A prominent militant group in Nigeria’s oil producing south says a major attack on the oil industry is imminent and has warned foreigners to leave the region for their own safety. Gilbert da Costa reports the threat comes days after militants attacked four ships in the troubled region.

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta says the planned attack will be of such magnitude that it will cause what it describes as an “economic tsunami” in the world oil market.

MEND has claimed responsibility for a string of kidnappings of foreign oil workers as well as attacks on oil facilities in the past two years.

Military and intelligence sources acknowledge oil rebels are stockpiling weapons and supplies in preparation for a big offensive.

Army spokesman in the main oil city, Port Harcourt, Major Sagir Musa, says the Nigerian military is taking the threat very seriously.

Voice of America