Nigeria's leading militant group warned that it is planning a full-scale attack on military bases and petroleum production centers in the oil-rich Niger Delta to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the president's inauguration.

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta said that it would use car bombings and other forms of terror Thursday, marking one full year in office for President Umaru Yar'Adua.

"To commemorate the one year of failure by the government of Umaru Yar'Adua, MEND will carry out a string of deadly attacks and car bombings," the group said in a statement e-mailed to media outlets.

The advance warning, according to the group's statement, was to ensure that civilians avoid milling around oil pipelines so as to "minimize civilian loss of life."

Military officials in the delta said they are ready for a major assault by MEND, and foreign oil firms operating in the region said they would bolster their security as well.