More unrest for Nigeria. The main militant group in the Niger Delta – MEND or The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta – is threatening a “bloody fight” in the new year. MEND says in an e-mail statement that its “goal remains to paralyze 100 per cent of Nigeria’s oil export in one … Read More
violence
A Not so Happy New Year for Nigeria
Whilst the political crisis and rising death toll in Kenya is gaining global attention and absorbing the media’s attitude for stories from Africa, it’s a bloody New Year in Nigeria too. Thirteen people died after armed militants attacked targets in Port Harcourt, Nigeria’s main oil industry town in the Delta.
Not so Happy Xmas Shell
MEND – the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta – released a statement yesterday that said all “genuine” militant groups should come together and cripple the Nigerian oil industry “once and for all.” Nigerian officials have not commented on the statement, which was e-mailed to journalists. MEND and other groups in the Niger … Read More
Two Killed In Niger Delta Clash
In a worrying development, at least two people have been killed in a clash between the Nigerian navy and the militant organization, MEND. It occurred near an offshore oilfield operated by the Shell oil company. Militant groups had been observing a five-month ceasefire on attacks against the oil industry to allow for peace talks with … Read More
Sudan Rebels Take Oil Hostages
A Darfur rebel group has claimed it has attacked a Sudanese oilfield in the Kordofan region, taking a Canadian and an Iraqi oil worker hostage, according to the BBC. The group, the Justice and Equality Movement (Jem), said it attacked the facility which is run by a Chinese-led consortium in the Defra oilfield.
Burma: Business As Usual For Big Oil
It may be bloody on the streets of Burma, but its business as usual for the oil industry. While Burma’s military junta cracks down on pro-democracy protests, oil companies are quietly jostling for access to the country’s largely untapped natural gas and oil fields. Just last Sunday – as marches led by Buddhist monks drew … Read More
Heritage Oil Denies Involvement in New Uganda Clash
Canada’s Heritage Oil Corporation has denied that its ship was at the center of a clash between Congolese troops and the Ugandan army on Lake Alberta, in which soldiers from both sides were killed. The company has also challenged a UN official that its oil exploration vessel was escorted out of “Congolese waters” to “avoid … Read More
MEND Threatens New Attacks
MEND has threatened to resume attacks on oil facilities in the Niger Delta and kidnapping of foreigners, ending a four-month ceasefire. The threat follows the arrest of a factional leader of MEND, Henry Okah, in Angola on arms trafficking. “With effect from 12 midnight today, Sunday September 23, 2007, we will commence attacks on installations … Read More
Nigeria: Gunmen Kidnap Toddler
Wire reports are claiming that gunmen have kidnapped the two-year-old daughter of a Shell worker in Port Harcourt. The child was abducted when the unidentified gunmen raided her father’s residence in the city on Wednesday night. “We have information that the daughter of one of our staffers was kidnapped. We appeal for an early release … Read More
Mexico Pipelines Attacked Again
Explosions rocked Mexico yesterday as attacks on six pipelines disrupted oil and gas supplies and forced thousands from their homes, just weeks after leftist rebels set off a string of pipeline bombs. State energy monopoly Pemex said there were no injuries from the blasts, most of which were in Veracruz on the Gulf of Mexico, … Read More