Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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June 21, 2009

Nigerian Militants Claim Attack on 3 Shell Oil Facilities
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=24E4345:A6F02AD83191E160C8CCCFAEF0E757EA5C6F54A6CF9DC2CA&
 
Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, or MEND, says it
attacked two pipelines in the districts of Adamakiri and Kula in
Nigeria's Rivers state early Sunday 
Members of Movement for the Emancipation for the Niger Delta in
Nigeria's Niger Delta area (file photo)Nigeria's main militant group
said Sunday it sabotaged three more oil facilities in the restive Niger
Delta in response to a military offensive begun last in the region. The
Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, or MEND, said in a
statement e-mailed to journalists that the group had destroyed two Royal
Dutch Shell oil pipelines in Rivers state. It is the first attack by
militants in the eastern delta since MEND launched its latest campaign
of sabotage. MEND said it also attacked a Shell offshore facility on
Sunday. A Shell official has confirmed the attack on two Shell oil
pipelines in Rivers state but denied that its offshore facility had also
been targeted. Sunday's attacks came one day after militants blew up an
oil pipeline in nearby Bayelsa state. Nigeria is Africa's top oil
producer, but production has been badly affected in the wake of attacks
by MEND and other smaller groups. MEND has threatened more acts of
sabotage against the oil industry. Ikoyil Wilson, the leader of the Ijaw
Youth Council, a prominent youth group in the Niger Delta, told VOA that
aggrieved groups in the region should be encouraged to enter into
dialogue with the government. He also wants militants to consider the
government's pledge to grant an amnesty. "The people of the region have
the right to agitate, but such agitation should be channeled in such a
way that there is room for dialogue," Wilson said. "On those who are
armed, I have said, this is our time and this is our moment to cash in
to disarming, so that we can have an opportunity to continue to
dialogue. Dialogue may be slow but one thing at a time, we will get
there." MEND emerged in early 2006 as a leading group calling for a
greater share of Nigeria's oil revenue for the producer region. It has
carried out a series of deadly attacks in recent months. President Umaru
Yar'Adua took office in 2007!
  promising to address the root causes of the violence. But MEND has re
peatedly accused the government of "insincerity" in handling the
situation. Unrest in the Niger Delta has substantially reduced Nigeria's
oil output, putting pressure on crucial export earnings. 


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