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Nigerian oil rebels release 19 hostages
LAGOS (AFP) - Militants behind a recent "oil war" in Nigeria's Delta region on Sunday freed 19 local hostages but said they were detaining two Britons and a Ukrainian "for security reasons".
"The Nigerian hostages rescued from pirates by the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta have been released in Rivers state," MEND said in an email statement to the media on Sunday.
MEND told AFP that the 19 Nigerians were part of a group of 27 hostages they said were liberated from "pirates" in mid-September and which they have been holding since.
The rebels said that the three foreign nationals still being held were "two Britons and one Ukrainian, officially.
"Due to the location where the expatriates were kept for their safety, they cannot be released at this time because of security concerns," the email added.
MEND has previously identified the group as comprising 22 Nigerians and two South Africans as well as the British and Ukrainian trio. The South African pair were freed on September 18.
The release of the 19 comes a day after a British national kidnapped this month in the southern Nigeria's oil hub of Port Harcourt was freed with no ransom paid.
However, six Filipinos were kidnapped early on Saturday in the Delta region by armed men who attacked their vessel near the key Bonny oil terminal, security sources told AFP.
The most prominent armed group in southern Nigeria, MEND declared a ceasefire on September 21 following a week of attacks on oil industry targets.
MEND has changed the security paradigm in Nigeria since its emergence in early 2006 -- multiplying attacks, kidnappings of foreign oil workers and sabotage at oil installations on land and offshore.
It has caused Nigeria to lose one quarter of its oil production, costing Lagos its place as the biggest crude oil producer in Africa, with Angola recently taking that title.
The group says it is fighting for a larger share of Nigeria's oil revenue to go to local populations. LAGOS (AFP) - Militants behind a recent "oil war" in Nigeria's Delta region on Sunday freed 19 local hostages but said ... more -
Shell pipeline 'wrecked' by radicals
A major Nigerian militant collective, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, has announced its latest strike against the oil industry, saying it has destroyed a key pipeline belonging to Royal Dutch Shell. The group says it is fighting for a better living environment and civil development in an area of social and economic neglect.
In an emailed statement, the group said, "MEND will continue to nibble every day at the oil infrastructure in Nigeria until the oil exports reach zero."
Output in Africa's most prolific oil area has plummeted by 150,000 barrels per day because of the now almost-daily attacks on its infrastructure. Shell has warned the upsurge in violence is likely to affect its quarterly earnings. A major Nigerian militant collective, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, has announced its latest strike against th... more -
American Filmmaker Arrested in Nigeria
LAGOS, Nigeria -- An American documentary filmmaker and his interpreter working in the volatile Delta region of Nigeria have been arrested and accused of spying, according to Nigerian government officials and media watchdog groups.
Andrew Berends, a New York-based freelance filmmaker and journalist who was working on a film about the oil-producing Delta region, was arrested on Sunday and held overnight.
Reporters Without Borders issued a statement that said: "Berends was arrested just for doing his job and no other reason. It is absurd for the authorities to think that by arresting him and his interpreter, they can conceal the economic and ecological disaster unfolding in the Niger Delta."
To see more on the deteriorating situation in the oil-rich Niger Delta, see the embedded video. LAGOS, Nigeria -- An American documentary filmmaker and his interpreter working in the volatile Delta region of Nigeria have been arre... more -
Rebels in the pipeline: Britain training counter-insurgent army
"Gordon Brown will offer British help to the Nigerian government – to fight rebels in the oil-producing Niger delta – at a meeting in London next week with President Umaru Yar'Adua, Downing Street said.
The prospect of British intervention in the delta conflict has prompted the end of a ceasefire in the region and drawn accusations of neo-colonialism from rebel groups. They also accuse the Nigerian government of illegal actions.
The Prime Minister's official spokesman said the focus will be on providing training for the Nigerian military. He said: "Oil supply from Nigeria has been undermined by insecurity in the Niger delta. This is bad for the local population, bad for workers, bad for the Nigerian government and the stability of the whole region. The President of Nigeria is visiting London next week and the Prime Minister will have an opportunity to discuss these issues with him then."
Mr Brown's statement on Wednesday that Britain stood "ready to give help to the Nigerians to deal with the lawlessness that exists in this area and to achieve levels of production that Nigeria is capable of", led to a rebel group called the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (Mend) to say it will call off its ceasefire today."
By Kim Sengupta "Gordon Brown will offer British help to the Nigerian government – to fight rebels in the oil-producing Niger delta – at a meetin... more -
Does unrest in Nigeria's oil heartland matter?
Ahead of the UK Prime Minister's meeting with the Nigerian leader, Reuters takes on the question: WHY IS THE DELTA IMPORTANT?
We tried to address this question last year with our piece, "Rebels in the Pipeline". Nigeria is the most important oil producer in a region that is expected to supply an increasing percentage of our energy needs. But 50 years of oil production has translated into very little for the people of Nigeria. I think what we're seeing with how all the unrest there is contributing to higher gas prices here demonstrates with sobering clarity how corruption, poverty and oppression in one country can have resounding effects in this increasingly interconnected world. Ahead of the UK Prime Minister's meeting with the Nigerian leader, Reuters takes on the question: WHY IS THE DELTA IMPORTANT? ... more -
An African Oil War?
Rebels in the Niger Delta called off a self-imposed ceasefire today in response to British Prime Minister Gordon Brown's comment that the UK stands ready to provide backing to Nigerian security forces to battle lawlessness in the oil rich region.
The Movement for the Emanicapation of the Niger Delta (MEND) issued a "stern warning" to Mr Brown in an emailed statement: "Should Gordon Brown make good his threat to support this criminality for the sake of oil, UK citizens and interests in Nigeria will suffer the consequences."
The Nigerian press received the British offer as a declaration of war against rebel groups. The Daily Champion newspaper ran the headline "Battle Line! UK to Declare War on Delta Militants".
The renewed tensions in the delta helped push oil to another record high.
See full article here:
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/browns-a... Rebels in the Niger Delta called off a self-imposed ceasefire today in response to British Prime Minister Gordon Brown's comment ... more -
Oil Wars: Nigerian Militants Vow More Attacks
What do a small group of rebels in southern Nigeria have to do with your daily commute?
Oil analysts have been pointing to the growing violence in Nigeria's oil-rich Niger Delta for a while now, but rarely with the frequency that they have over the last few weeks. In that time, militants have pulled-off about a half-dozen attacks on oil pipelines and facilities. With world oil supplies already stretched, Africa's largest producer -- and the US's fifth largest supplier -- has been forced to cut production. And if the rebels themselves are to be believed, the situation may only get worse. What do a small group of rebels in southern Nigeria have to do with your daily commute? ... more -
Nigerian militants to guard oil pipelines in Niger Delta
The president of Nigeria Umaru Yar'Adua has taken steps to indoctrinate the abundance of militants in the oil rich Niger Delta region into a defence scheme for the pipelines in the area.
The Defence Minister Alhaji Yayale Ahmed stated to the House of Representatives Committee that the federal government in conjunction with local and state levels have cultivated plans of “constructive engagement " meaning the forming of limited liability companies for the legitimate employ of the militants.
The area of the Niger Delta has suffered from unrest for many years due to the rich wealth in resources of the region and its exploitation paralleled with the poverty of the population in the region and the damage to the environment caused that effect all life in the area. MarianaVanZeller's pod will explain a lot about the situation: http://current.com/items/77541711_rebels_in_the_pipelin....
MEND have not stated if they will be involved with this “constructive engagement “scheme but their leader in negotiations has recently given his faith to peace in negotiations with the
Peace and Conflict Resolution Committee chairman Chief James Jeftha. There has been criticism of “constructive engagement " in the Nigerian and international communities, as questions such as; whose arming them, who do they answer to, how do you know they won’t continue hostile actions inside installations ? More constructive questions consist of; why not focus efforts on the Nigerian Local Content Policy to stop sucking up money and actually be applied to areas in need of it. Abubakar Atiku Nuhu-Koko addresses these issues in the linked article, here is a taste:
“The truth of the matter is that offering security jobs to the militants will not solve the problems at hand in the Niger Delta. A holistic approach, which requires integrating and domesticating the largely foreign-controlled “enclave” oil and gas economy, is what, is desirable. The militant youths need education, quality of life that comes with productive employment, training opportunities and an environment free from oil and gas related pollution etc.” The president of Nigeria Umaru Yar'Adua has taken steps to indoctrinate the abundance of militants in the oil rich Niger Delta re... more -
Niger-delta militants highjack oil vessel
Parallel to Nigerian President Umaru Yar'Adua gesture of good faith by offering to tackle the problems in the delta (suggesting reforms to the economy and petroleum sector), a Chevron Corp. oil vessel was highjacked off the coast of Port Harcourt on tuesday night. Eleven men were captured, two of which were foreign (Ukrainian and Portuguese) along with the vessel, however no group has claimed the action. MEND (Movement for Emancipation of the Niger Delta) has claimed it had nothing to do with the incident. Hopefully this incident wont effect President Yar'Adua's attempt to sympathise with the Niger delta's problems. Parallel to Nigerian President Umaru Yar'Adua gesture of good faith by offering to tackle the problems in the delta (suggesting r... more
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Unrest in Nigeria's oil region continues
A strike by Exxon Mobil workers and a string of militant attacks on Shell oil facilities in the Niger Delta have led Africa's largest oil producer to cut production by more than half. The shortfall is adding pressure to already tight oil markets and pushing the price of crude to near record highs.
For an in depth look at the deteriorating situation in the delta, check out Rebels in the Pipeline. A strike by Exxon Mobil workers and a string of militant attacks on Shell oil facilities in the Niger Delta have led Africa's lar... more -
Militants attack Nigerian pipelines
Oil pushed above $117 yesterday after rebels in the Niger Delta attacked two major pipelines. Shell confirmed the attacks and an expected output loss of 169,000 barrels of oil per day. The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, or MEND, claimed credit and in an email to reporters said it was a message to the United States to stop supporting "injustice" in the region.
For more on the situation in the Niger Delta, check out the Vanguard Special report Rebels in the Pipeline:
http://current.com/items/77541651_rebels_in_the_pipelin... Oil pushed above $117 yesterday after rebels in the Niger Delta attacked two major pipelines. Shell confirmed the attacks and an ... more -
Nigeria Navy in Deadly Oil Clash
At least two people have been killed in a clash between the Nigerian navy and suspected militants in the oil-rich Niger Delta, security sources say. It occurred near an offshore oilfield operated by the Shell oil company. At least two people have been killed in a clash between the Nigerian navy and suspected militants in the oil-rich Niger Delta, securit... more
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Kidnappings in Niger Delta Push Oil Above $92
An attack on a Nigerian oil rig operated by Italian firm ENI shut 50,000 barrels per day of production and reminded investors that Africa's biggest producer is a long way from restoring order and normal output in the oil-rich delta. Gunmen in speedboats attacked an oil vessel off the coast of Nigeria at dawn Friday and kidnapped six workers, ENI said. An attack on a Nigerian oil rig operated by Italian firm ENI shut 50,000 barrels per day of production and reminded investors that Afr... more
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Rebels in the Pipeline
Current's Mariana van Zeller travels to one of the most unstable regions in the world Nigeria's oil-rich Niger Delta. She investigates what's behind the growing number of kidnappings and attacks in Africa's largest oil producer and the US's fifth largest energy supplier. Current's Mariana van Zeller travels to one of the most unstable regions in the world Nigeria's oil-rich Niger Delta. She ... more
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