PORT HARCOURT (Nigeria), Oct 10: Armed villagers invaded on Tuesday a Nigerian oil platform operated by Royal Dutch Shell, holding up to 60 workers hostage in a dispute over community benefits.
The attack forced the company to shut the platform, which pumps 12,000 barrels per day (bpd) of crude oil, further denting output from the world's eighth largest exporter after a week-long resurgence of violence.
"Some armed youths shot their way into our facility at Nun River and took over the security post. They ordered people on the facility to the security post where they are all being held now," a Shell spokesman said.
About 60 people were on the facility at Oporomur in Bayelsa state when it was seized.
State government officials were negotiating with the attackers to persuade them to leave the platform.
"Shell promised a new school and water and the community felt the company had not lived up to its promise or expectations," a source said.—Reuters
