"The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) confirms that the attack on a Nigerian marine police checkpoint on Thursday March 1, 2012, in Bayelsa state in the Niger Delta ... was carried out by our fighters," the statement from Jomo Gbomo, a spokesman for one of MEND`s factions, said.
He said they were in contact with the group which had kidnapped three people in a pirate attack on a Dutch vessel on Tuesday and were considering taking them in. Earlier reports had said two were kidnapped.
MEND has been largely inactive since most of its militants agreed an amnesty with the government in 2009, ending a wave of attacks that at one stage cut oil production down by half.
But last month the group resurfaced when it said it had attacked an oil pipeline owned by Italian firm Eni.
"MEND wishes to sound a warning to masters of oil industry vessels considering adopting manoeuvers aimed at preventing our fighters from boarding their vessels," the statement said.
"We will launch rockets at ... uncooperative vessels, and ensure such vessels are set alight, when we eventually board."
Militant activity in the Niger Delta, whose coastal areas pumps out most of Nigeria`s more than 2 million barrels a day, has slowed to a trickle since the amnesty.
It is seen as more of a criminal enterprise making huge sums for oil thieves and pirates rather than a determined political movement.
Under the amnesty thousands of militants gave up their weapons, joined training schemes and drew stipends. Security sources say remaining gangs in the Niger Delta do not have the capacity to do the damage seen in the past. (*)
Editor: Kunto Wibisono
Copyright © ANTARA 2012
