Nigeria militants hijack vessels, warn oil workers

PORT HARCOURT, Nigeria (Reuters) – Nigerian militants have hijacked two cargo ships in the Niger Delta and given oil companies until Saturday to evacuate staff, warning they would attack helicopters and planes after the deadline.

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) issued a 24-hour ultimatum on Wednesday for oil workers to leave the region after heavy clashes with the military, but said on Thursday some firms had asked they be given more time.

Security sources working in Africa’s largest oil and gas industry said they were taking the militant threats seriously, but there were no plans to evacuate staff.

“They’ve said it all before. Nobody ever evacuates, but some companies will increase their alert level,” a private security contractor said.

Global oil markets CLc1 have largely ignored the news, with prices falling $1.25 on Thursday to $56.77 a barrel. The military has also shrugged off the militant threats, saying it would continue its operations in the Niger Delta as usual.

Reuters