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Nigeria

Nigeria: Niger Delta - Civilians killed after rebel attacks

At least nine people, five of them civilians, were killed after a series of clashes in the area of Bonny Island, in the Niger Delta. Local sources said that 30 unidentified armed men aimed against a boat, killing two civilians and four crew members, before the security staff aboard the boat was able to respond to the fire. The resulting gun battle lasted a long time and some of the aggressors were also killed. Shortly after, however, the same group landed in the town of Bonny, prompting another gunfight with the special armed forces sent by the government of the Delta. The stray bullets killed three other civilians, including a pregnant woman, an animal merchant and a bystander. News sources said that at least one of the attacks was intended against one of the oil multinationals, but the company that was identified denied having incurred any attacks. So far nobody has claimed responsibility for the actions, but the local press has blamed unspecified 'Niger Delta Militants'. [AB]