GENERAL.
Charles Taylor deported to Sierra Leone.
On the 27th of March 2006 Liberia’s new leader said she wants her predecessor sent directly to the UN-backed war crimes court in Sierra Leone and does not want him in Liberia. But Nigeria says that it had agreed to hand him over to Liberia, who should now, come and get him. Nigeria says Mr Taylor is free to leave his exiled home and has not received an arrest warrant from Sierra Leone. Mr Taylor left the presidency in Liberia for exile in Nigeria in 2003 in a deal to end the civil war, but there is uncertainty over whether he still remains in his luxury residency in Calabar. President Olusegun Obasanjo’s spokesperson Remi Oyo told Reuters news agency that Liberia’s President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf had been told she “is free to come and take President Taylor into her custody”. “Our job is done, and it is done Taylor is not a prisoner here,” she was quoted as saying. Nigeria must urgently take steps to tighten security around Taylor’s villa in Calabar and should immediately take him into custody. But Mrs Johnson-Sirleaf said she wanted her predecessor to be sent directly to Sierra Leone from Nigeria. “Taylor should rather go to Sierra Leone rather than coming to Liberia,” she told religious leaders at her official residence in Monrovia, according to AFP news agency. “Mr Taylor was not indicted by a Liberian court and therefore he is not needed by a Liberian court.” Desmond de Silva, chief prosecutor of the war crimes court in Sierra Leone, has called for Mr Taylor’s arrest in Nigeria, saying he was worried that the former Liberian leader may flee. He also described Mr Taylor as one of the three most important wanted war crimes suspects in the world. Joseph Ushigiale, spokesman for the Nigerian State where Mr Taylor is living, told the BBC’s Focus on Africa programme that he was “under very good protective custody” and had taken part in the just-ended census in Nigeria. “We can assure you Mr Taylor will not just walk away.” A number of Mr Taylor’s supporters have been detained in Liberia amid fears they may stage an armed uprising. A warrant was issued for Mr Taylor’s arrest three years ago on 17 charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity during the civil war in Sierra Leone. On the 27th of March 2006 Taylor went missing from his Calabar villa even though security had been increased. However he was caught on the Cameroon border in north-eastern Nigeria, a Nigerian police official has said. He has now been arrested by Nigerian officials and has been deported to Sierra Leone via Liberia where he has been arrested by UN Police and charged with crimes against humanity. He may well be moved to the Hague for trial.
Grenade explodes near Mantu�s house.
On the 26th March 2006 a grenade exploded in a building near the Deputy Senate Presidents, Ibrahim Mantu�s, house in Abuja. Mantu was part of the National Assembly Joint Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution (JCRC), which recommended that all government office holders should be allowed to run for a third term. The incident has started speculation that this was an attack on Mantu. However the police have said that the explosion was due to a man who was working on the building had gone into a field to relieve himself and found a grenade and, �whilst fiddling with the object, it had gone off and Injured him in the stomach and he is currently receiving treatment in hospital.� Mantu has drag the name of the Vice President Atiku Abubakar name into the incident stating that he believed the Chief Aide to the Vice President was responsible for the masterminding the, �attack,� however he has been quizzed by the President and is accused of blowing the incident out of all proportion as the incident did not pose any threat to him. Comment: Attempts have been made to impeach Mantu of late as a response to his support for a third term bid. This may well be the start of the politicking prior to the run up to the elections next year.
Nigeria takes steps stop superstitious interpretations of the eclipse sun.
On the 28th of March 2006 the Nigerian authorities feared a repeat of Muslim riots in 2001, when a lunar eclipse prompted attacks on Christian targets. The eclipse was seen as anger from god for sinful activities. But adverts said no religious significance should be placed on the natural phenomenon. Last month, religious riots over the cartoons satirising the Prophet Muhammad claimed more than 100 lives. Information Minister Frank Nweke is appearing on many of the television adverts warning against superstitious interpretations. His rising of Nigeria’s political temperature – ahead of next year’s elections – has prompted a concerted government campaign over the eclipse, our correspondent says. Scientists were also despatched to different parts of the country to explain the scientific aspects of the eclipse. Nigeria’s National Space Research Development Agency has warned against viewing the eclipse with the naked eye. Together with the government, the agency sent out special glasses to look at the sun. Devout Muslims regard the eclipse as a time of prayer, offering two raka’ats to ask for forgiveness and a time to give alms to the poor. Darkness fell in Northwest and south-west Nigeria, in 14 of the country’s 36 states between 0915-0945 local time on 29th of March 2006. Comment: No trouble was reported.
President denies third term bid.
In an interview on the 30th of March 2006 with CNN and VOA the president, Olusegun Obasanjo, denied he was manipulating the National Assembly into amending the constitution in order to serve a third term in office. His exact word Were, � for now, it is not on the card.� Comment: This is not to say should the constitution be amended to allow a third term that he will not run. This will be the cause of major tension in the run up to elections, which could well effect operations.
Port Harcourt (Rivers and adjoining State).
MOSOP Dismisses Stakeholders� Meeting On N�Delta.
The Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP) on 31st March 2006 expressed pessimism over the outcome of the stakeholders� meeting on the Niger Delta crisis convened by the Federal Government. It said the stakeholders would certainly not be given time to express their opinions. In a statement in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Thursday, MOSOP also doubted whether the planned unfolding of a new development agenda for the region would lead to lasting peace or was just to show that some consultation took place. �We know that with size of the meeting that the Federal Government has announced no meaningful discussion is possible within just one day,� the statement quoted MOSOP�s President, Mr. Ledum Mitee, as saying. �It is inevitable that whoever the stakeholders that are invited will be disappointed by lack of opportunity for any discussion.�
Warri, Delta (and adjoining states).
Last three hostages release amid new threats.
Nigerian militants on freed three foreign oil worker hostages on Monday 27TH March 2006 and stated that the release did not signify an end to their attacks on oil facilities, which have already cut exports by a quarter. The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (Mend) said kidnappings were a distraction for its fighters and that they would resume a three-month campaign of sabotage against Nigeria�s oil production. “This does not signify an end to our attacks. Hostage keeping is a distraction and ties down our units to this irrelevant enterprise,” the militants said in an email to Reuters. “We will concentrate our attacks now solely on oil facilities and workers found on these facilities.” The militants said the three hostages – two Americans and one Briton – were released unconditionally after five weeks in captivity. The release had raised hopes of an end to the attacks which have reduced output by 630 000 barrels a day. The three men were snatched on the 18th of February 2006 along with six others from a barge in the southern Niger Delta operated by United States oil Services Company Willbros. The other six were released on the 1st of March 2006. The militants said they were taken only to be used as human shields to prevent military attacks on villages in the Gbaramatu area of Delta State, and that this threat no longer existed. They had previously demanded more local control over the delta’s oil wealth, the release of two jailed Ijaw leaders and compensation for oil pollution as conditions for their release. “There were close to 800 fighters tied down in Gbaramatu on account of this. They would have served better use elsewhere,” the militants said. Comment: This appears to show a change in tactics for the militants. It also reveals that the estimate of between 500 to 1000 members of this group is probably correct. I do not believe that they will resort to kidnapping at the present time they will try to attack pipelines and flow stations in order to reduce the output of oil further unless the Federal Government starts talks with them over their demands.
Ijaw refuse to talk on Niger Delta.
On the 30th March 2006 it was reported that the Ijaw Leader, Chief Edwin Clark, had announced that the Ijaw Leaders and Youth had refused to attend a conference of stakeholders meeting in the Niger Delta. The meetings to take place next Wednesday will include all the leaders, traditional rulers, elected officials, community leaders, youth leaders and other relevant stakeholders within the communities of the Niger Delta coastal states. Topic discussed included dialogue, confidence building, employment creation and re-building of a wholesome community spirit in the region. However the Ijaw claim that this was just, �a jamboree conference, which would be hijacked by people who have no stake in the problems of Ijaw people.� They also stated that it was impossible for the people of Edo State and Cross River State to understand the problems of the Ijaw people in Okerenkoko in Delta State. They further stated that Ijaw people had been labelled as trouble makers, war mongers, agitators, hostage takers, pirates, pipeline vandals, bunkerer’s and as a group of people with no focus or foresight but were always causing problem for the federal Government. Chief Clark called on the Federal Government to enter into, �a dialogue, constructive and purposeful negotiation with the Ijaw, including the elders and youths. That is, serious discussion with the federal and state authorities if we are to avoid and prevent any such crisis.�
Bayelsa recruit youths for vigilance group.
On the 30th of March 2006 it was announced that in a bid to beef up security in the waterways of Bayelsa State the government was recruiting youths for a vigilance outfit called the, �Bayelsa Volunteers,� to assist the police. This group was in existence in Bayelsa prior to the arrest and impeachment of Governor Alamieyeseigha and was run by his cousin who has since escaped. As such it closed down. It appears that when it existed the waterways were more secure.
Oil communities want role in pipeline repairs.
On the 30th of March 2006 it was reported that the communities in Delta State have asked oil companies operating in the Niger Delta to engage people of the community in the repair of pipeline vandalised in the region and not to use expatriate while neglecting the natives. They threatened that if qualified companies and personnel in the area were not employed from the communities they would resist all attempts by the companies to use outside companies and that those companies operating would do so at their own risk. Comment: All pipeline repair jobs will have to ensure the client has settled the community prior to deploying to that job. This will probably involve employing local helper and security guards for the repair site and people to assist with the clean up of spillages.
Soldiers, Militants Clash Again In Bayelsa.
On the 30th of March 2006 only a few days after the release of three hostages by the militants in the Niger Delta, youths at Benesede in Ekeremo Council of Bayelsa State confronted a military supply escort on Operation Restore Hope. The soldiers who are members of the Joint Task Force (JTF) in the area were said to have responded by firing back at the militants. In the fight soldiers and the youths sustained injuries. The men in a supply convoy were on routine trip to Tulu when they were attacked at Letugbere. The attack by the militants is a renewed violence in the area after the release of the last batch of hostages taken from an oil rig over a month ago by the militants pressing for the control of resources in the Niger Delta. Details of the incident were sketchy on Thursday. However, the Commander of the Task Force, Brigadier-General Alfred Ilogho confirmed the attack but said the casualty level was not yet known. Ilogho said his men are still gathering information on the attack with the hope of making it public today. Comment: This may well not be the militant of MEND as it is not their normal motes operandi. I believe it could just be an attempt to steal the supplies on the convoy.
Niger Delta: Again, Militants, and Soldiers in Bloody Battle.
The on the 31st of March 2006 it was reported that the cease-fire between the Federal Government and Niger Delta militant youths following the release of the kidnapped foreign oil workers, appeared to have broke down when armed youths engaged men of the Joint Military Task Force on the Niger Delta (JTF) in a bloody battle at the Tunu and Benisede Flow Stations in Ekeremor Local Government area of Bayelsa State. Although the casualty figure could not be ascertained, the JTF reinforced from Warri on the afternoon of the 30th of March 2006 as the battle raged on in the creeks. It appears that the reinforcement followed major losses of lives and grounds by the JTF to the militants who are more familiar with the terrain. It will be recalled that Ijaw Youths forced Shell Petroleum Development Company to close down the affected flow stations last month when nine expatriate oil workers were kidnapped. A source in the military stated that the fresh onslaught against the militants might have been ordered from Abuja when the militants warned Shell and Agip Oil companies not to resume operations. The shut-down of Tunu, Benisede, Ogbotobo and Opukurushi flow stations is costing the Federal Government a loss of about 206,000 barrels of crude oil per day. As at the time of writing this report, more soldiers were being drafted into the waterways even as the Navy is said to have mounted a blockade along the route leading to Bayelsa. The Ogbotobo Flow Station was blown up at the height of the face-off between the militants and the JTF, leading to the death of 14 soldiers who were recently buried at the Port Harcourt Military Cemetery.
Lagos, (and adjoining states).
Robbery at Lagos Airport.
On Sunday 26th March 2006, an expatriate consultant on a scheduled business visit to Nigeria, was robbed on arrival at the MMIA. He arrived at about 2110 Hrs and went through immigration process and proceeded to meet with the airport protocol personnel who were apparently not there. A man who ostensibly offered to help, approached him and directed him to the Car park where the protocol people supposed to be. On reaching the car park, he was ushered into a police car with two armed uniform Policemen who posed as security escort. They drove him from the airport to an unknown housing area where he was robbed of all his valuables. He was later taken to the major road and put in a taxicab to the Hotel. Comment: I would take this opportunity to remind you to confirm the identity of anyone meeting you at the airport before accompanying them out of the terminal area. If you are unsure, stay in the terminal area and await your contact/driver.