Militants in Nigeria's oil-rich Niger Delta region say they have killed three soldiers in a clash near a major natural gas plant.
The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta made the announcement in an e-mail statement Saturday.
The group says it seized a military boat as well as weapons and ammunition during Thursday's encounter.
An Army spokesman says three soldiers went missing near Soku, but says at this time, there is no confirmation of them being killed.
Militants groups are demanding greater autonomy for the Delta region. They have carried out several attacks and kidnapped foreign oil workers in recent months. Militants are still holding three hostages, two Americans and a Briton.
Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.