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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: Thursday, 16 September, 2004, 15:14 GMT 16:14 UK E-mail this to a friend Printable version Huge Nigeria delta toll - Amnesty Many believe the gunmen were recruited to intimidate rivals in last year's elections Fighting in the southern Nigerian city of Port Harcourt has killed up to 500 people over the past month, says Amnesty International. It says many more were injured and tens of thousands driven from their homes after clashes involving armed gangs. Amnesty wrote to the state governor saying it was "deeply concerned" that troops had been given orders to use "maximum force" to quell the fighting. Officials defended the decision saying they had to protect lives and property. A spokesman for Rivers State Governor Peter Odili rejected the allegation that up to 500 had died, saying the authorities stuck by the police figure of about 20. Gangs Amnesty says the authorities are deliberately playing down the figures. "Amnesty International's analysis, based on international and national media reports combined with statements from reliable sources, points to a figure of up to 500," the organisation said. The present warlords were agents of the state government Sara Igbe Former state security official Fighting for Nigeria's oil "Most of the victims were civilians, including an unconfirmed number of women and children, who had taken no part in the fighting and were killed or injured as a result of being targeted or indiscriminately shot at by members of the armed groups," it said. Port Harcourt is the hub of Nigeria's oil industry and violence has raged in the surrounding area for the past two years. The BBC's Sola Odunfa visited Port Harcourt recently and said that armed gunmen belong to two main gangs, who it is widely believed, were created, funded and armed by politicians during last year's election They are said to have diverted from political violence and intimidation to stealing crude oil after last year's elections. E-mail this to a friend Printable version LINKS TO MORE AFRICA STORIES SelectAnnan urges UN action over DarfurKenyan sues over 'HIV sacking'Bid to avert new S Africa strikesWill Smith in Mandela Aids drivePipeline blast kills 12 in LagosCameroon leader's 'divide and rule'Battle near southern Somali portHuge Nigeria delta toll - AmnestyMbeki backs W Sahara independencePakistan roll over Kenya'Nuclear' case opens in S AfricaPresident sues UK 'coup plotter'Somalia's MPs elect new speakerWest Africa ditches dirty moneyNigeria downplays Bakassi delayLibya's talent and verve on displayComoros seeks sweet smell of successWriting for Madagascar's presidentIvory Coast's tricky border questionDo you have a story to tell?Send us your pictures of AfricaProgrammes and schedules  SEE ALSO: Nigeria's oil capital under siege 08 Sep 04  |  Africa Extra troops for Nigeria oil town 03 Sep 04  |  Africa Gun battles in Nigeria oil region 14 Jul 04  |  Africa Peace deal in Nigerian oil town 02 Jun 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 Annan urges UN action over Darfur Kenyan sues over 'HIV sacking' Bid to avert new S Africa strikes Will Smith in Mandela Aids drive 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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