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Blood Oil

 


Militants display their weapons in the Niger Delta
For years, Nigeria's oil industry has suffered attacks from armed militant groups who complain about pollution and unfair division of oil wealth.

A multi-million dollar trade in stolen crude oil has developed in Nigeria's oil producing region, the Niger Delta - a trade which the Nigerian president has called a trade in blood oil.

Now, the government says it's determined to restore security to the troubled oilfields. But with widespread corruption and many vested interests at stake, it could be an uphill struggle.

In this week's Assignment, the BBC's former Lagos correspondent Alex Last considers the many problems, and the chances of peace.

First broadcast in January 2009

 Listen to the programme (23 mins)
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