Gunmen attack ExxonMobil oil platform

Unidentified gunmen attacked an ExxonMobil oil platform off the coast of Akwa Ibom state on 7 January 2009. Reports indicate that the gunmen gained access to the platform -- which is located two hours off the coast -- using a flat-bottomed boat. Authorities stated that no one was injured in the attack, although the gunmen reportedly rounded up the workers and threatened to kill them before stealing their mobile phones, valuables and money. ExxonMobil stated that the attack has not affected the platform's output. The incident was the second attack on Mobil Producing Nigeria (MPN) -- ExxonMobil's local subsidiary -- in the past month. Gunmen raided an MPN convoy in early December 2008 in Akwa Ibom state, killing one soldier. Meanwhile, nine hostages taken from the French Bourbon oil vessel were released unharmed on 7 January. Gunmen hijacked the Bourbon Leda and its crew of five Nigerians, a Cameroonian, two Ghanaians and an Indonesian near Bonny Island on 4 January. Reports did not indicate if a ransom had been paid for the crew's release.