Nigerian acting President Goodluck Jonathan has consolidated his grip on power, easing a political crisis that fanned fears of instability in Africa’s most populous nation, a senior U.S. official said on Friday. Assistant Secretary of State Johnnie Carson said Washington … read more
The Nigerian military said on Friday oil thieves had sabotaged an oil pipeline at Buguma in the Niger Delta and Royal Dutch Shell (RDSa.L) said it was investigating. “There was an attack on a pipeline early this morning around Buguma … read more
Switzerland has halted special flights to deport asylum seekers after a Nigerian man on hunger strike died on the tarmac at Zurich airport. Swiss police say they had shackled the 29-year-old man, who was being forcibly deported along with 15 … read more
The US State Department has flatly denied a newspaper report that alleged President Barrack Obama is preparing American troops for a “special intervention” in Nigeria. In a statement issued by the State Department, it said “we have done nothing to … read more
Indications emerged in Abuja yesterday that Acting President Goodluck Jonathan has barred all ministers of the just dissolved executive council of the federation from travelling out of the country in the next one month. The restriction is to ensure that … read more
The Federal Government yesterday recalled its ambassador, Alhaji Isah Mohammed, from the Libyan Peoples Arab Socialist Jamharriyah “for consultations” following Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi’s call on Tuesday for the splitting of Nigeria into two, along religious lines. Ministry of Foreign … read more
Seven Chinese hostages who were freed by an armed gang in Cameroon’s southwest Bakassi region arrived “traumatised” Thursday in Yaounde, the capital, Chinese source said. The seven fishermen went straight to the Chinese embassy, where ambassador Xue Jinwei received them … read more
Analysts say ships passing through Africa’s Gulf of Guinea are at greater peril than off Somalia because West African pirates appear more ready to use deadly force. In the latest case of hijacking and kidnapping in the area, gunmen seized … read more
Perhaps as a sign of new alignment of forces and power, the acting president, Goodluck Jonathan, received only a handful of visitors yesterday. The visitors included the chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, Vincent Ogbulafor, and the special adviser to … read more
Nigerian authorities Thursday relaxed a curfew imposed in the flashpoint city of Jos after sectarian carnage in January as the security situation had improved, a senior official said. “Given the improvement in security situation in Jos and Bukuru … the … read more