British Prime Minister Gordon Brown yesterday offered to help Nigeria in training security forces in its main oil-producing area as part of an effort to steady oil markets by knocking down a multi-billion pound criminal business.

The prime minister made promises to help establishing a maritime training centre for forces functioning in the Niger Delta after meeting Umaru Yar'Adua, the president of Nigeria, in London. Brown said it would form part of a repression on "lawlessness and corruption" in the energy rich region and make oil stations less exposed to plundering.

The government in Nigeria has tried to control the rebel group Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, which started attacking the country's oil infrastructure and abducting oil workers just over two years ago. Its insurrection-materialized campaign has reduced the country's normal daily production of oil by a quarter and contributed to the worldwide boost in the price of unrefined.

Gordon Brown thinks production could be increased by more than 1m barrels a day in the region if a long-term peace agreement could be reached.

"The price of oil requires us to look round the world where sources of production can be found. One of the areas where we can make the greatest progress most quickly is the Niger Delta,'' said Prime Minister Brown.

He disclosed no details of whether the training package included financial support or a commitment of British armed forces. According to one government official, it would involve "military experts providing military advice".

On Wednesday, thousands of people ran away from the oil town of Bonny after militants threatened to behead anyone not originally from the region.