Nigeria oil spill hits shoreline

Reports from southeastern Nigeria say a large oil spill off the coast last week has hit the shoreline in at least three different places.

The oil company Mobil, which admits it was responsible for the spill, says the worst-affected area is at the mouth of the Pennington River in Bayelsa state.

Mobil had hoped that the oil would disperse without ever hitting the shoreline.

Environmentalists say the oil could spread inland to the Niger delta, known for its rich vegetation and populated by fishing communities.

The BBC correspondent in Nigeria says these communities are often locked in confrontation with foreign oil companies over compensation claims.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service