The shooting happened Monday near Danod town and Ethiopian officials are carrying out a full investigation, the British Foreign Office said.
The 39-year-old geologist worked for IMC Geophysics International Ltd, which is contracted to do seismic work for Petronas.
“We have reports that the incident has occurred and is an act of banditry,” said Ethiopia’s communications minister, Bereket Simon. “The deceased did not take security measures and was driving alone. Following the act the local militia had confronted the perpetrators and had taken measures on them. We understand that the act was not politically motivated.”
A London-based spokesman for the Ogadeni rebels fighting the Ethiopian government said they were not responsible. The Ogaden National Liberation Front attacked a Chinese-owned oil exploration field in April 2007, killing 74 people.
“As far as we know, our fighters are not involved in such barbaric attack,” said Abdirahman Mahdi. “Our troops do not have permission to target foreign civilians. But we will investigate the circumstances that led to the man’s death.”
The rebels are ethnic Somalis who have been fighting for independence since 1984. They have warned against any investment in eastern Ethiopia that could benefit the U.S.-allied government.
Ethiopia does not produce oil but Chinese companies and Petronas have signed exploration deals.
British geologist killed in Ethiopia’s Ogaden: BBC
A Briton working for an oil company has been shot dead in Ethiopia, the Foreign Office has confirmed.
The 39-year-old geologist was killed on Monday near Danot, a town in the Warder zone of Ethiopia, in the conflict-stricken Ogaden region.
He worked for IMC Geophysics International – which was subcontracted to Malaysian oil giant Petronas.
It is believed he was attacked while driving alone in what officials have called an “act of banditry”.
A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: “We can confirm the death of a British national on 5 April near Danot town in the Warder zone of Ethiopia.
“Next of kin have been informed and we have offered the family full consular assistance.
“The Ethiopian authorities are carrying out a full inquiry and we are liaising closely with them.”
Bereket Simon, Ethiopia’s communications minister, said the man had not taken the appropriate “security measures” and was driving alone.
He said: “We have reports that the incident has occurred and is an act of banditry.
“Following the act the local militia had confronted the perpetrators and had taken measures on them.
“We understand that the act was not politically motivated.”
