Nigerian militants claim oil sabotage

LAGOS (Reuters) – Rebels in Nigeria’s oil-producing Niger Delta said on Friday they sabotaged a major pipeline operated by Royal Dutch Shell, and a company spokeswoman said it was investigating reports of an explosion.

A statement from the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) said it attacked the Shell pipeline, which crosses from the Cawthorne Channel to the Bonny terminal, at Adamakiri in Rivers state late on Thursday.

“We have decided to step up our attacks ahead of schedule and there will be many more to follow,” the group said.

A spokeswoman for Shell — the company which has been worst hit by Niger Delta violence — could not immediately confirm whether an attack had taken place.

“Shell Petroleum Development Corporation received a report of an explosion in the Cawthorne Channel area yesterday. The report is being investigated and further information will follow when available,” said spokeswoman Caroline Wittgen.

Reuters