The Nigerian Navy began to deploy ships and helicopters to evacuate the rigs where an estimated 35 British citizens, 17 Americans and over 150 other Nigerian workers are being held captive.

However, NUPENG, which has distanced itself from the strike, said that broad industrial action would be taken if force was used against the protesters or if any of them was hurt.

Barricades have already been put in place on the rigs after a failed rescue attempt by families of the captive workers.

The rigs, located some 40 km off the Niger Delta, are operated by U.S-based Transocean Inc. on behalf of transnationals Royal/Dutch Shell and TotalFinaElf. A dispute between junior oil workers and management over use of boats instead of helicopters for crew changes escalated after five union leaders were fired.

There is already a tense air around the oilfields after Shell was forced to advertise a warning to potential attackers of its Sea Eagle FPSO that it was ready and aware of the plans to attack.