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News Sport Weather World Service Languages Low Graphics version | Change edition About BBC News | Feedback | Help News Front Page Africa Americas Asia-Pacific Europe Middle East South Asia UK Business Health Science/Nature Technology Entertainment ----------------- Have Your Say In Pictures Week at a Glance Country Profiles In Depth Programmes LANGUAGES MORE > Last Updated: Friday, 3 September, 2004, 08:08 GMT 09:08 UK E-mail this to a friend Printable version Extra troops for Nigeria oil town Armed gangs of militant youths roam the swamps and creeks Security is being beefed up in Nigeria's oil capital, Port Harcourt, after renewed violence left seven dead. The army is now patrolling 24 hours a day to prevent further clashes, which have intensified after two months. Following claims that the gangs behind the violence were related to local politicians, the state governor sacked his cabinet on Wednesday. Rival armed gangs are also involved in the lucrative business of siphoning oil from the area's pipelines. Local observers say youths hired to intimidate opponents during last year's elections were using violence to demand payment from their political backers. Rivers State spokesman Emmanuel Okah said any public figures linked to the gangs, or cults, would be purged. "If any public officer is linked to any cult, he or she will no longer find safe haven in the government. There is going to be a state of reorganisation," he said. 'Dastardly acts' Governor Peter Odili said the gangs amassed sophisticated weapons to defend their illegal activities and usually targeted each other in their struggle for supremacy. "Unfortunately these dastardly acts often take place within the town and innocent citizens are caught in the crossfire," Mr Odili said, promising to do everything necessary to rout the militias. Fighting for Nigeria's oil Several hundred people have fled the spiralling violence, most of which is taking place on the waterfront of Port Harcourt. Shell, Nigeria's biggest oil producer, is in the process of moving its corporate headquarters from the commercial capital, Lagos, to Port Harcourt. This move is putting pressure on the state government to deal decisively with the militias, says the BBC's Sola Odunfa in the town. Nigeria is Africa's biggest oil exporter, but the Niger Delta region - the centre of the country's oil industry - is one of the most underdeveloped areas of the country and is prone to violence. Sometimes armed militant youths kidnap oil workers and hold them to ransom for money. But most of the time armed gangs roam the swamps and creeks stealing crude oil from pipelines. E-mail this to a friend Printable version LINKS TO MORE AFRICA STORIES SelectSudan rejects Darfur peace forceExtra troops for Nigeria oil townMuseveni wins referendum appealS Leone election chief steps downGrim search after Uganda collapseForeign truckers released in IraqDR Congo rebel back in governmentEritreans jailed for plane hijackKenya seeks 'miracle baby' pastorSouth Africa gas blast kills fiveBotswana strikers 'being evicted'Baroness posts bail for Sir MarkBlast victim sues German agencyNigerians put down new roots in IrelandTransvestite trial the talk of NigeriaThe Maasai's century-old grievanceCan Blair save Africa from poverty?Do you have a story to tell?Send us your pictures of AfricaProgrammes and schedules  SEE ALSO: Nigerian troops patrol oil city 31 Aug 04  |  Africa Gun battles in Nigeria oil region 14 Jul 04  |  Africa Peace deal in Nigerian oil town 02 Jun 04  |  Africa Security sweep in Nigeria's Delta 31 May 04  |  Africa Nigeria head vows to find pirates 25 Apr 04  |  Africa Who benefits from Africa's oil? 09 Mar 04  |  Africa RELATED BBC LINKS: Network Africa RELATED INTERNET LINKS: Nigerian government The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites TOP AFRICA STORIES NOW Sudan rejects Darfur peace force Extra troops for Nigeria oil town Museveni wins referendum appeal S Leone election chief steps down News alerts | E-mail services | Desktop ticker | Mobiles/PDAs Back to top ^^ News Front Page | Africa | Americas | Asia-Pacific | Europe | Middle East | South Asia UK | Business | Entertainment | Science/Nature | Technology | Health Have Your Say | In Pictures | Week at a Glance | Country Profiles | In Depth | Programmes BBC Homepage >> | BBC Sport >> | BBC Weather >> | BBC World Service >> About BBC News | Help | Feedback | News sources | Privacy & Cookies Policy | About the BBC

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