Nigerian militants destroy oil pipeline

MILITANTS holding nine foreign hostages in Southern Nigeria destroyed an oil pipeline yesterday and blew up a boat in violence that has cut about 20% of crude production in Africa’s oil giant.

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta said it attacked a Shell-operated oil-pipeline switching-station known as a 'manifold' and a military houseboat in the oil-rich southern region.

"Both were destroyed with explosives," the group said in an email.