MEND announce destruction of oil pipelines

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) announced on 23 July 2008 that it will destroy oil pipelines in the Niger Delta within 30 days to prove that it has not been bought off by oil companies. MEND has denied that it was included in a US$12 million payoff from foreign oil companies to end militancy in the region, instead insisting that the companies had only paid off criminal groups. Targeted pipelines are expected to include the Chamoni creek pipeline -- located in Delta state -- and other major pipelines in the region. Unrest in the Niger Delta has reduced production and some foreign firms have left the area or have limited operations due to the frequent kidnappings of expatriate workers and violence.