Militants kill 3 in Nigerian oil facility attack

LAGOS, Dec 21 (Reuters) Armed militants attacked a Nigerian oil facility operated by France's Total today, killing three people, police said.

Oil production at the 35,000 barrel a day Obagi field in Rivers State was unaffected by the attack, a company source said.

''Militants at 1530 hrs. attacked a facility at Obagi. Three people were killed,'' a police spokesman said.

A company source said the attackers struck a base camp for workers at Obagi and not the oilfield control station itself.

There has been a surge in attacks on the industry in the world's eighth largest oil exporter this year, partly by militants fighting for more control over the region's oil wealth, and partly by criminals, often sponsored by local communities, seeking ransoms or other benefits from Western oil operators.

REUTERS DKA DS1345