A private security source says sailors on a Nigerian naval vessel battled speedboat-borne militants in the southern oil region, killing seven militants. The private security official said Saturday the clash began when a naval boat moving through the southern Niger Delta on Saturday came upon a speedboat carrying eight militants.
The official said seven militants died and one swam to safety while the military suffered no casualties. The official spoke on condition of anonymity due to company prohibitions on dealings with the news media. The military wasn't immediately available for comment. The military has increased its anti-militant operations in recent weeks, sending troops, helicopter gunships and warplanes against the militants.