A court in Nigeria has reportedly ordered Royal Dutch Shell to pay nearly 1.3 billion euros in damages for pollution. It comes as militants continue to hold nine foreigners hostage.

The Anglo-Dutch energy firm has not confirmed the ruling but has said an appeal would be likely.

The long-running case centres on claims made by ethnic Ijaw communities in Bayelsa state who say Shell allows oil spills that spoil their crops.

The claim for compensation is just one of the demands made by the gunmen holding three Americans, one Briton, two Egyptians, two Thais and a Filipino hostage.

The American has been allowed to meet reporters, telling them the militants have a genuine cause to fight for, as their region battles poverty despite its oil wealth.

The kidnappers say the group will not be freed until the Nigerian government promises to halt any further attacks on their communities.

PHOTO CAPTION

This May 2005 picture taken on Bonny Island in southern Nigeria's Niger Delta shows a view of the Anglo-Dutch oil giant oil and gas terminal. (AFP)