Militants attack Nigerian oil terminal - source

LAGOS, Nov 12 (Reuters) Seven boatloads of militants attacked one of Nigeria's largest oil export terminals today, engaging guards in a gunfight, an industry source said.

A spokeswoman for ExxonMobil said there were reports of shooting around Eket, the town closest to the 400,000 barrel per day Qua Iboe terminal, and workers at the terminal were in lockdown but operations were continuing.

''There are seven boats of militants at Qua Iboe terminal,'' the industry source said, asking not to be named.

ExxonMobil's spokeswoman Gloria Essien said: ''We have unconfirmed reports of shooting all around the Eket area. Our response was to go into lockdown and for now operations are ongoing.'' REUTERS PD HS1628