Militant group claim responsibility for another attack on oil facility

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) militant group claimed responsibility for another attack on a Royal Dutch Shell facility in the Niger Delta on 26 June 2009. The militants reportedly attacked Shell's Afremo oil field in Delta state late on 25 June. The attack took place just hours after President Umaru Yar'Adua offered amnesty to Niger Delta militants, provided that they lay down their arms and discontinue their campaign of violence. The militants have 60 days to accept or reject the amnesty offer, which includes an unconditional presidential pardon, rehabilitation program, education and training. MEND stated that it attacked the Shell facility in response to a Nigerian military operation in Delta state's Abeti village just hours after Yar'Adua's amnesty offer was announced.