Nigeria oil union threatens strike over insecurity

LAGOS, Feb 3 (Reuters) - Nigeria's senior oil workers' union threatened to begin an indefinite strike from Monday Feb. 9 unless the government improves security in the Niger Delta, the country's restive oil heartland.

The latest warning by the PENGASSAN union on Tuesday came after gunmen last week killed an 11-year old Nigerian girl and abducted her 9-year old brother as they walked to school in the oil hub, Port Harcourt. Their father works for Royal Dutch Shell (RDSa.L).

"We have given the government a 7-day ultimatum. We expect government to effectively improve security in the Niger Delta," PENGASSAN General Secretary Bayo Olowoshile told Reuters.

"We are mobilising our members and engaging management on why our services should be withdrawn from all upstream facilities until security is improved in the region."

(For full Reuters Africa coverage and to have your say on the top issues, visit: af.reuters.com/ ) (Reporting by Tume Ahemba; Writing by Nick Tattersall; editing by Anthony Barker)