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 07 September 2008 03:54 BST

Nigeria explosion 'kills 30'

Saturday, 12 Jan 2008 12:47
Mend militants lurk within the Niger Delta, seen here from space
At least 30 people have died after an oil tanker exploded on a road in Nigeria, according to reports.

The incident, on the outskirts of regional capital Port Harcourt on the west African state's southern coast, involved the vehicle tipping over and its ignited contents spilling on to the road.

The AFP news agency claimed the tanker had been stolen and was speeding to escape chasing police vehicles, but this remains unconfirmed.

It is not clear how many of those who died were killed from the collision or burned to death after catching fire.

The incident comes one day after a dawn attack on an oil tanker moored in Port Harcourt.

The vessel was targeted by a "remote explosive device", the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (Mend) claimed.

Its emergence as the region's main terrorist group last year saw it engaged in a series of kidnappings of foreign oil workers.

Mend opposes the flow of oil money out of Nigeria and its terrorist activities have significantly disrupted production in the region.

Delta State secretary Magnus Abe criticised Mend's rising popularity among youths in the region in an interview with the Kenyan Guardian newspaper on Thursday.

"Because of criminal activities, our businesses are collapsing, companies are moving out, unemployment is rising and when we act, someone is saying we are not supporting the Niger Delta," he said.

"This is not the Niger Delta that we want to support. We won't continue to keep quiet… nothing has been the benefit of militancy." End of story


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