Bangkok Post (Thailand): Nigerian separatists seize Shell facility: "...many are feared dead...": Posted Monday 16 January 2006

Abuja (dpa) - Ethnic Ijaw youths attacked a Shell Petroleum Development Company facility in Bayelsa State in the Niger Delta Sunday and many are feared dead, according to unofficial reports.

The attack was the second in the past five days. On Wednesday, three expatriate employees were abducted from the company's EA oil field in Bayelsa State.

The attackers blew up two house boats and oil facilities with dynamite, according to Charles Akeni, Shell's acting external affairs manager.

"The attackers arrived at the flow station in six boats, invaded and forcefully seized the flow station," Akeni said. "There are reports of unconfirmed fatalities and missing persons."

The injured have been taken to hospitals in Warri, Akeni added. He declined to say many had died or were injured or missing.

Akeni said that because of the growing insecurity in Bayelsa, Shell has started evacuating personnel at its Benesede, Opukushi, Ogbotobo and Tunu flow stations, all in Bayelsa.

A spokesman for "Operation Restore Hope", Major Said Ahmed, said efforts were underway to bring the situation under control.

"Operation Restore Hope" is the code name for a team of army, navy and air force personnel assembled by the Nigerian government to tackle youth restfulness in the Niger Delta, the region from which Nigeria exports oil, a natural resource that accounts for more than 90 per cent of the country's total annual income.

Ahmed confirmed Sunday's attack, but said actual figures for victims was hazy.

Meanwhile, the kidnappers of expatriate Shell employees on Wednesday have demanded an unconditional release of the former governor of Bayelsa State, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, who was impeached last year over corrupt practices, Ahmed said.

Alamieyeseigha is currently standing trial in Abuja on charges of embezzlement and other forms of fiscal impropriety.

The former governor jumped court bail in London last year to evade trial over money laundering charges in the United Kingdom.

The kidnappers also demanded the release of separatist leader Asari Dokubo, another native of Bayelsa State, currently facing charges of treason at an Abuja court, Ahmed added.

Meanwhile, more troops are oil-rich Warri, also located in the Niger Delta. "Operation Restore Hope" personnel are guarding major streets and searching vehicles. 

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