25 missing after attack in oil-rich Niger Delta

LAGOS – Twenty-five people working as contractors for the oil giant Shell were missing following an attack by heavily-armed assailants in which 14 Nigerian soldiers were killed, local newspapers reported yesterday.

According to The Guardian, the 25 people were working on a site belonging to the Anglo-Dutch oil company in Nigeria’s southern Rivers State when they were attacked by about 70 armed men on fast launches Monday. The company declined to comment yesterday on the reported disappearances.Responsibility for the attack was claimed by the Joint Revolutionary Council, a structure which groups together several separatist movements.The JRC said in a statement published by several dailies that the attack was aimed at obtaining the immediate release of Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo Asar, the imprisoned leader of the Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force (NDPVF).In October 2005 Asari was charged by the Federal High Court of treason, illegal assembly and conspiracy.The separatist Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (Mend) put out a statement denying responsibility but saying “we salute the courage of all who stand and fight in the name of the liberation of the Niger Delta.””Investors of the stolen wealth of the Niger Delta should brace up for terrible times which will come upon them very suddenly,” Mend warned.The Niger Delta is home to Nigeria’s multi-billion-dollar oil and gas industry, but its inhabitants live on less than one dollar a day.Nigeria, a nation of 130 million people, is Africa’s leading oil producer and the world’s sixth biggest crude exporter with a normal daily output of 2,6 million barrels.But attacks on oil installations in the Delta region have cut about a quarter of oil production since the start of the year and at least five Nigerian staff employed in the oil sector have been killed by unknown attackers.Since January, more than 40 expatriate oil workers have been kidnapped but later released, while 25 soldiers or security officers have been killed.Following an increase in the number of abductions in August, the Nigerian army launched a widespread manhunt for the kidnap gangs on the personal orders of President Olusegun Obasanjo.Nampa-AFPThe company declined to comment yesterday on the reported disappearances.Responsibility for the attack was claimed by the Joint Revolutionary Council, a structure which groups together several separatist movements.The JRC said in a statement published by several dailies that the attack was aimed at obtaining the immediate release of Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo Asar, the imprisoned leader of the Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force (NDPVF).In October 2005 Asari was charged by the Federal High Court of treason, illegal assembly and conspiracy.The separatist Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (Mend) put out a statement denying responsibility but saying “we salute the courage of all who stand and fight in the name of the liberation of the Niger Delta.””Investors of the stolen wealth of the Niger Delta should brace up for terrible times which will come upon them very suddenly,” Mend warned.The Niger Delta is home to Nigeria’s multi-billion-dollar oil and gas industry, but its inhabitants live on less than one dollar a day.Nigeria, a nation of 130 million people, is Africa’s leading oil producer and the world’s sixth biggest crude exporter with a normal daily output of 2,6 million barrels.But attacks on oil installations in the Delta region have cut about a quarter of oil production since the start of the year and at least five Nigerian staff employed in the oil sector have been killed by unknown attackers.Since January, more than 40 expatriate oil workers have been kidnapped but later released, while 25 soldiers or security officers have been killed.Following an increase in the number of abductions in August, the Nigerian army launched a widespread manhunt for the kidnap gangs on the personal orders of President Olusegun Obasanjo.Nampa-AFP

In an age of information overload, Sunrise is The Namibian’s morning briefing, delivered at 6h00 from Monday to Friday. It offers a curated rundown of the most important stories from the past 24 hours – occasionally with a light, witty touch. It’s an essential way to stay informed. Subscribe and join our newsletter community.

The Namibian uses AI tools to assist with improved quality, accuracy and efficiency, while maintaining editorial oversight and journalistic integrity.