(Recasts with sources blaming militia) By Tom Ashby ABUJA, Nov 14 (Reuters) - Twin attacks on Cameroonian and Nigerian troops guarding an oil terminal in which at least 32 people died were the work of Nigerian militant group MEND, government, militant and oil industry sources said on Wednesday. The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), a loose organisation of militia groups based in Nigeria's oil producing south, has stepped up attacks in the past month in the wake of the arrest of factional leader, Henry Okah, in Angola on arms trafficking charges. The 60 fighters involved in Monday's raids on the Qua Iboe oil export terminal in Nigeria's Akwa Ibom state and a Cameroonian border unit 50 miles (80 km) further east extended the theatre of conflict in the world's eighth largest oil exporter, where attacks have already cut output by a fifth. Previously, militants have focused attacks on three states further west: Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta. "It appears likely it was the Henry Okah group led by Farah," said Miabiye Kuromiema, a delta activist, referring to a militia leader from Rivers State. "They made a statement of relevance, that they are a faction to be reckoned with," he added. No group has claimed responsibility for either attack. MEND has staged a string of attacks and kidnappings on oil facilities since late 2005, forcing thousands of foreign workers to leave. EVACUATION In Monday's first attack on the oil terminal, militants stormed a heavily guarded jetty, seized two machine guns, stole a navy boat and blew up a police boat, industry sources said. A pregnant woman was killed in the crossfire. The fierce gun battle prompted U.S. company ExxonMobil to evacuate families of staff from the 400,000 barrel per day facility, but production was not affected, the company said. An associate of Okah, asking not to be named for security reasons, said: "It was a MEND operation. They wanted those machine guns because they are preparing for war." The raid in Bakassi, some 50 miles (80 km) away, raised tensions in the long-disputed peninsula, which has offshore oil deposits and was handed back to Cameroon by Nigeria last year. The Cameroonian presidency said 21 soldiers and 10 attackers were killed in the gunfight and one of the militants' boats was destroyed. A Cameroonian military source said the clash involved "a suspected militant group from Nigeria". Industry, militant and government sources said the two attacks were almost certainly by the same group. MEND had observed a ceasefire for four months to allow for peace talks with the government until September when Okah was arrested in Angola. Since then, it has staged two kidnappings on foreign operated offshore oilfields and threatened more attacks. The government's attempts to lure militants to the negotiating table has split them into factions, and activists say rival militant groups could be rearming for a major battle, either between factions or against the federal government. MEND's Okah has been in a war of words with rival militia leader, Mujahid Dokubo-Asari, who has joined the peace talks and spoken out against kidnapping. Activists say Farah's real name is Farouk, a Muslim converted by Asari who has since allied with Okah. His militia is believed to have staged several MEND operations over the past two years under Okah's direction. (Additional reporting by Tansa Musa in Yaounde; Editing by Charles Dick)
