Pipeline attack in Nigeria

Crude oil from a ruptured pipeline oozed across farms and into a creek in southern Nigeria, unleashed by what residents and officials said was tampering by unidentified saboteurs.

A spokesman for Shell’s Nigerian subsidiary said workers had found signs of “excavations” and “disturbed vegetation” surrounding the broken pipeline at Ubianuge village, near the oil port of Warri.

The breakage was first reported on Friday and had been brought under control by Sunday, the spokesman said.

Nigerian newspapers cited residents as saying streams and farmlands had been polluted by crude oil. Some fled, fearing the fuel could catch fire.