Nigerian militants who say they have kidnapped four foreign oil workers and attacked a Shell oil platform claim to have carried out more raids.
The group says it attacked platforms run by the Total and Agip oil firms. Both companies have denied the claims.

The increased tension in the Niger Delta region has pushed up oil prices to more than $67 (£38) a barrel.

The four foreign workers, who are said to be in good health, have been held hostage for close to a week.

President Olusegun Obasanjo has appealed to the kidnappers to "not to do anything that might result in the loss of lives" and has set up a committee to work for their "prompt release".

In a statement, the previously unknown rebel group, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, said its ultimate aim was "to prevent Nigeria from exporting oil".

Instability

The group want local Ijaw people to benefit more from the region's oil wealth and are demanding the release of separatist leader Mujahid Dokubu Asari, being held on treason charges, by Friday.

"We will attack all oil companies, including Chevron facilities," it said. "Pipelines, loading points, export tankers, tank farms, refined petroleum depots, landing strips and residences of employees of these companies can expect to be attacked."

"We know where they live, shop and where the children go to school," it added.

The group attacked a Royal Dutch Shell pumping station near the port of Warri over the weekend, prompting the oil giant to withdraw some 330 workers.

One catering contractor died and 10 Shell workers were injured in the attack. An army spokesman said five soldiers were killed and nine were missing.

FULL STORY

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There are many things that will catch my eye, but there are only a few that catch my heart. It is those I consider to pursue.

A Beautiful Child of God

What a shame, it seems as if no one cares obout this very serious topic. I made a similar post and no one responded to that either.

It seem that the situation has just gone from very bad to critical, and the after affects of it will touch the pockets of you, me and nearly everyone else in the world as oil and gas prices shoot up.

Niger Delta: U.S. May Delay Troops Deployment
CLICK LINK

We need Jesus to intervene in that country. It would have been better if Naija had adopted the same methods Kuwait is using to keep things together in its country with the money made from oil. Naija is just too greedy to do that only God can give us peace now.

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www.bolaji.net

"Say my name, get it right" by Beyonce Knowles

What a shame in this day and age. When they attack all the companies and destroy things who are they hurting. It's understandable if they want better living standards and good share of the oil money, but they should try to do that in a civilized manner.

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Psalm 34 vrs. 19
Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him from them all.

U dey mind dem? dem wan turn to there Osama dem now

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THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT ME; SO I GUESS I AM DOING SOMETHING RIGHT.

U MAY lOVE ME OR HATE ME BUT U CANT IGNORE ME

Na wa o this is a very delicate issue may God just intervene

This isn't a delicate issue at all. The simple facts are that they are terrorist with an backward mindset no different than that of Al-Qaeda or any other sinister minded terrorist group around the world, and thus must be dealt with as such. It's all as simple as that very simple fact; nothing complicated or delicate about it. Like someone has stated; there are lawful ways and means to present and resolve their grievances, whatever they may be.

By resorting to senseless pillaging and killing, will ultimately do nothing more than totally discredit their movement and more than likely insure their destruction. They basically declared war against the nation and world at large, and thus the rest of the nation and world is in right to counter that declaration with every means necessary, and I suppose they will. They have started a battle they haven't a % of a chance in hell of winning...

The Niger-Deltans have a big greivance against the Nigerian Federal Govt.
The Govt should step up, and give the Niger-Deltans their dues!
Chikena

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UP ISI-EWU!! UP NIGERIA!!!

Well actually this has already been happening. In just the past 2 or 3 years more funds have been channeled into the development of the Delta region than what has gone in in the past 2 to 3 decades priorly. OBJ has establish a whole special interest organization in which is made up of a number of natives to the area, and geared with the task of being the go-between between the region and the government so to insure that sufficient attention is being paid to the area.

Beyond extensive increases in gov. expenditures in the area, the oil companies, upon demand by the gov., have also significantly increased their investment in the infrastructure of the area in the past few years.. while also having, to a large extent, cleaned up their methods of operation in the area with further compliance with the government to drastically increase their performance along these lines into the near future.

Hugh amounts of money in which I believe run into the billions...are being put to the side by the companies as investment funds for the region..Today, the actions of these insubordinate kids are more than likely doing much more polluting and destruction of the region than that of the oil companies.

True dat, but you know how a lot of Nigerians always think they can achieve their goals by "gra-gra". The Nigerian gov't have a big part to play in this mess tho', some of the people in those areas live in unimaginable and abject poverty. It's only fair that their area is developed. Lord help us.

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There are many things that will catch my eye, but there are only a few that catch my heart. It is those I consider to pursue.

A Beautiful Child of God

This problem goes both ways...these people are barbarians and the government needs to realize that. If the govt. or these oil company owners value the lives of the people that resides in Naija and works for the company then needs have to be met. These people are fighting for what they shouldn't have to fight for. The pollution rate in these places is ridiculous and lives are being affected by it so something needs to be done for them.

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www.bolaji.net

"Say my name, get it right" by Beyonce Knowles

Exactly my point, the govt. needs to do something. The Niger-Deltans do deserve a better life and should benefit from the oil company. They must have weak links representing them in the political office.

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www.bolaji.net

"Say my name, get it right" by Beyonce Knowles

There's a diffenrece between channeling fundings and actually doing something. Can physical changes be seen? We know how they easily channel funds and the funds channeling its ways to peoples pocket. If changes are been made then the Niger-Deltans need to know such changes will take time to manifest but they need to see proof that something is been done to take care of this problem. Well, there shouldn't have been a problem in the first place and this is exactly what happens when we have incompetent people representing us in office.

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www.bolaji.net

"Say my name, get it right" by Beyonce Knowles

This problem has been festering for years and everybody turned a blind eye. Was this not the same thing the Ogonis were struggling for and why Ken Saro-wiwa was killed? You cant come to a land and devastate it as much these oil corporations have done, without compensating or rather compensating the wrong people and not expect a backlash someday. These people cant farm, they cant fish, how can they survive? Even if we say ah, Ijaw people are lazy bla bla, when you give them the money they wont do anything useful with it' at least give it to them first, empower them, even resettle them, create alternative employement for them and then lets see if things wont change.
But no, these oil corporations have refused to do the right thing, so how do we expect the youths to one day take action, good or bad?

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Celebrate Africa, the continent of beauty!

All on paper. That's the problem with OBJ's govt, everything looks good on paper.

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Celebrate Africa, the continent of beauty!