In the Niger Delta, at least three people were killed after Nigerian gunmen attacked two oil boats. Security forces believe that the weapon used during the attack came from a destroyed Navy boat. The attack took place between an oil terminal in Bonny Island and the region’s main oil city, Port Harcourt. After the clash, the militants were able to escape with the guns of five policemen traveling aboard the ship. The militants also escaped with valuable items from the passengers of the boat.
This attack comes ten days after the ederly mother of the speaker of the state parliament; Werenipre Seibaguru was released after being held hostage for two weeks. While the Beyelsa State government spokesman, Ebimo Anungo denied that any ransom was paid to secure the elderly woman’s release, AFP news agency reported that the kidnappers demanded $384,000.
Furthermore, on Tuesday, a Nigerian employee of Total, a French oil and gas firm was also kidnapped in the Niger Delta. The worker was returning home from services at church when he was abducted in Port Harcourt.
The abductions as a whole have been a major detriment to Nigeria’s oil export industry, as it has cut oil production by one quarter. More than 150 foreigners have been seized in 2007 alone. Currently twelve foreigners are being held hostage in the violent Niger Delta. Presently, the Bayelsa State government has pleaded with the Federal government to increase security in the Niger Delta to prohibit militants from further disrupting oil production.
For more information, please see:
AllAfrica – Nigeria: Niger Delta and the Hostage-Taking Saga – 03 August 2007
Washington Post – Kidnappers Free Elderly Woman – 03 August 2007
AllAfrica – Nigeria: Militancy – Bayelsa Asks FG to Beef Up Security in N-Delta – 02 August 2007
