Nigerian militants destroy major oil pipeline

By XINHUA,

Lagos : Nigerian militants in the oil-rich Niger Delta have claimed to have blown up a major oil pipeline.

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A statement issued Thursday by the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) on the Internet said its fighters destroyed a pipeline belonging to Shell Development Co in Rivers state.

MEND Tuesday destroyed an important flow station operated by Shell and threatened to attack offshore oil facilities in other Niger Delta states.

Since the beginning of 2006, militant groups have emerged in Niger Delta region, fighting for more regional control of natural resources, especially oil. They have carried out numerous attacks on oil facilities as well as kidnappings.