In Nigeria, at least five people have died in an attack on a loading dock for oil tankers in Lagos. The victims were all harbour workers.

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta is claiming responsibility for the attack. However, although the MEND rebels say they set an oil depot and a number of moored tankers on fire, their claim has not been independently confirmed.

MEND rebels usually limit their attacks to the oil-rich Niger Delta, where they say they are fighting on behalf of local people for a fairer distribution of oil revenues. Yet now they are also saying they have sabotaged oil pipelines elsewhere in the country during the past few days.

The Lagos attack claim did not prevent the Nigerian government from freeing MEND leader Henry Okah on Monday. He is said to have agreed to conditions for an amnesty. Although these are reported to include MEND's disarmament, observers think it unlikely that the rebels will put an end to their attacks.

Photo of MEND fighters and hostages by ISN Security Watch (flickr)