NIGERIA: Gunmen abducted eight foreign oil workers in a night time raid on an oil rig off the coast Navy insists that they have the capabilities to combat the coastal criminalities

Record ID: 236330

  • Title: NIGERIA: Gunmen abducted eight foreign oil workers in a night time raid on an oil rig off the coast Navy insists that they have the capabilities to combat the coastal criminalities
  • Date: 3rd June 2006
  • Summary: AERIAL OF VESSEL LOADING OIL FROM THE OFFSHORE TANK (SHAKY CAMERA)
  • Embargoed: 18th June 2006 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Nigeria
  • Country: Nigeria
  • Topics: Crime / Law Enforcement,Energy
  • Reuters ID: LVA2T270943XXIP7EPP7F77626N3
  • Story Text: Gunmen abducted eight foreign oil workers in a night time raid on an oil rig off the coast of Nigeria today, raising new security fears after a series of militant attack that cut oil output from Africa top oil producer.
    Some 20 to 30 attackers fired shots as they boarded the rig at 3am and took eight workers. They are six from UK, one from Canadian and one from the US.
    It was not clear if the militant group the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) was involved. MEND attacks have shut down a quarter of Nigeria's 2.4 million barrels per day production of crude oil since February.
    The timing of the attack is embarrassing for Nigeria authorities and particularly the Navy which is celebrating its golden jubilee anniversary with an international fleet review by President Obasanjo in Lagos.
    The Navy insists that they have the capabilities to combat the coastal criminalities including kidnapping and oil bunkering if there equipments are improved.
    "You have seen what the Navy has and what the Navy can do, with improved equipments and manpower development we can play higher roles," said navy pilot, Lt. Commander Zego.
    The bulk of Nigeria oil is pumped onshore or in shallow water in the Niger delta, a vast wetlands region, were poverty, a lucrative trade in stolen crude, a breakdown of law and order, and corruption has fueled militancy and unrest.
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