Nigerian armed militants have escalated attacks on oil facilities over the last several months. The country is no longer the largest petroleum producer in Africa.
Originally uploaded by Pan-African News Wire File Photos
ABUJA (AFP) – Nigeria's military has said 14 people, including eight soldiers and six civilians, were killed during a recent operation in a village in the main oil-producing region targeting a notorious gang leader.
Death tolls have varied widely since the operation at the start of the month. Several activist groups, including at least one that visited the village of Ayakoromo, have issued a joint statement saying at least nine civilians were killed and more than 150 buildings burnt.
"On casualties, we lost a total of eight soldiers in the crossfire and we also received reports from those on the ground that six civilians were killed also during that operation," Army Chief of Staff Onyeabo Ihejirika told reporters Tuesday.
He said President Goodluck Jonathan had ordered that the buildings destroyed in the village be reconstructed, though he did not give a number.
The military has blamed the burnt houses on gunfire that would have ignited canisters of fuel stored there for generators or boat engines.
The fire would have spread because the fire service was not around to extinguish it, according to the military.
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