Nigerian militants promise to attack a Shell pipeline already targeted by saboteurs

Nigerian militants promise strike on Shell line

LAGOS, Nigeria — The main militant group in the restive Niger Delta says they will attack a Royal Dutch Shell PLC pipeline already hit in recent days by saboteurs.

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta issued a statement Tuesday saying they would attack the Trans-Ramos pipeline after it is repaired. The group criticized government officials who blamed the pipeline’s rupture Saturday on thieves trying to steal crude oil.

The group says that no thief “breaches pipelines with explosives as was done in this attack.”

MEND announced Saturday that it would break its Oct. 25 cease-fire agreement with the government as a proposed amnesty deal appears to have stalled.