Security Report – Week 16

GENERAL

� President Olusegun Obasanjo on April 18 2006 announced plans to recruit over 20,000 indigenes of the Niger Delta into the military, police, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and as teachers in the next three months. The measure is part of a nine-point agenda he tabled in Abuja at the stormy inauguration of the Council on Socio-Economic Development of the Coastal States of the Niger Delta, which he chairs. The President promised to personally commission the N230billion East-West Road that runs through Port-Harcourt-Mbiama-Warri, and Port Harcourt-Eket-Oron. He warned the youth against preventing the contractors from doing the job. Regardless, the militants in the region on April 19 2006 scoffed at the offer and reiterated their demands, which Abuja thinks are ridiculous and is unwilling to grant. The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) threatened more attacks on oil installations and oil workers if oil Exploration and Production are resumed where formerly closed down following the MEND threat and attack. At about 2000hrs of April 19 2006 militants killed two civilians in a car bomb attack on an army barracks in the southern city of Port Harcourt, extending a four-month onslaught against the world’s fifth-largest oil exporter. The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), whose attacks have cut Nigerian oil exports by a quarter, said in an e-mail that they detonated 30 kg (66 lb) of dynamite using a cellular telephone on April 19 2006. The use of the car bomb was unusual, and the militants threatened to stage more such attacks on the military, oil installations and individuals. “There was an explosion at 7.30 on April 19 2006 which resulted in the death of two persons and six people were injured,” Brigadier General Samuel Salihu reportedly said. MEND, which has demanded more local autonomy over the Niger Delta’s oil wealth, said the bomb had been concealed in a Mercedes Benz. The explosion blew the car 20 meters from its original site, on the side of a road in the Bori Camp barracks. Other demands include the release of incarcerated Ijaw leaders, Mujahid Dokubo-Asari and former governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, the former charged with treason and for concealing ammunition. MEND said the attack was “symbolic rather than strategic” and served as a warning that the military was unable to protect itself, let alone workers at oilfields dotted around the vast maze of mangrove-lined creeks in Nigeria’s far South. The April 19 2006 attack followed a four-month campaign of sabotage and kidnapping against the Nigerian state, forcing companies to cut production by 550,000 barrels per day and helping drive world oil prices to record highs. It released the last of its Western oil worker hostages in March after holding two Americans and a Briton for five weeks. The militants have warned all oil workers to leave the Delta and vowed to halt exports completely. Abuja has accused MEND of involvement in a lucrative trade in stolen crude oil, branding it �rascals�. But its demands — which also include the release of two jailed leaders from the region and compensation for oil spills — are shared by many activists in the area, where most people live in poverty despite the riches being pumped from their land. “In the coming weeks, we will carry out similar attacks against relevant oil industry targets and individuals,” MEND said in an email. Prominent leaders of the Ijaw tribe, who have taken advantage of the crisis to make separate demands, would also be targeted in these attacks, MEND reportedly added. Analysts link the violence to uncertainty ahead of next year’s presidential election. Different tribal and regional groups believe its their turn to rule multi-ethnic Nigeria after eight years of Obasanjo, a Yoruba from the Southwest. These hopefuls have been infuriated by a powerful campaign to amend the constitution to allow Obasanjo to stay in power for a third consecutive term. MEND few weeks back threatened attack on some Niger Delta leaders and governors whom it accused of complicity and of selling the region�s destiny to the Nigerian state. �What we have demanded is the control of our resources, which the Nigerian government has so far ignored. At a time of our choosing, we will resume our attacks with greater devastation and no compassion on those who choose to disregard our warnings,� MEND said.

� The heads of the Army, Airforce, Navy and the Police in Rivers State met on April 21 2006 at Port Harcourt to review security situation in the state following the explosion of a car at the 2nd Amphibious Brigade headquarters in Port Harcourt. The closed door meeting which lasted several hours, was held at the Brigade headquarters on Aba Road, Port Harcourt, attended by the Brigade Commander, the Commissioner of Police and the Director of the Security Services (SSS) in the state. It was reported that the heads of the various security agencies resolved that there was the need to overhaul security strategy in the state considering the recent happenings in the Niger Delta.
A Mercedes Benz 200 car that exploded at the 2nd Amphibious Brigade headquarters, killing two persons and critically injuring six others was cited as a typical example. Since then, stringent security measures have been put in place with human and vehicular movements being subjected to thorough scrutiny. The security measures apparently resulted from the claims by two militants, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) and Coalition of Military Action in the Niger Delta (COMA) that they were responsible for the car explosion. Though it is still awaiting the report of the Police anti-bomb unit that is investigating the precise cause of the explosion, the Army has reiterated that militants did not perpetrate the blast. Army spokesman, Major Sagir Musa, who debunked the militants’ claim, said that following the explosion at the precincts of the barracks, the Army would no longer allow unhindered access to and fro the barracks. The two gates within the barracks had been used by motorists as shortcuts between the busy Aba and Ikwerre roads’ section of Rumuokoro in Port Harcourt. The army spokesman explained that there was no arrest yet since the police have not come out with their findings on the matter. He disclosed that professional military police and members of the military intelligence are actively involved in the investigation aimed at unravelling the cause of the car blast. The army spokesperson said the Army had not been able to interrogate the six survivors of the explosion due to the critical injury they sustained and denied that the survivors had been relocated from the Military Hospital on Aba Road, Port Harcourt.

� Over eight (08) persons were killed in a communal clash between Imani and Ohinwa clans at Ihima in Okene area of Kogi State. The crisis started when people from Ohinwa who had gone for marriage ceremony of one of their kinsmen were attacked by Imani people which resulted into the death of one of them. The Ohinwa people were said to have gone into their community to mobilize for a reprisal attack. In the process, seven people died and 15 houses burnt. Ihima had long been enmeshed in crisis while fingers were pointed at both the state deputy governor, Chief Philip Salawu and the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Alhaji Ado Ibrahim. No arrest had been made, however mobile policemen had been drafted to the area to maintain law and order.

East (Rivers & adjoining States)

2.1 On April 17 2006 eight (08) cattle herdsmen who allegedly abandoned their flock to engaged in armed robbery were arrested by policemen at Eleme division of the Rivers State Police Command. The eight suspects allegedly mounted an illegal road blocks along Oyigbo – Agbonchia Eleme Road to rob their victims of money and other valuables. Police investigation is ongoing.

2.2 On April 19 2006 the Rivers State Police Command foiled an attempt by fifteen (15) dare-devil armed robbers to rob a branch of United Bank for Africa (UBA) located along Azikiwe Road Port Harcourt cash meant for the participant of a special skill/training programme conducted by the Rivers State government. Anti robbery police responded immediately and a shoot-out ensued which lasted for hours, causing panic and grounded business activities in the area. The robbers however escaped through the Marcoba water front jetty Port Harcourt into a waiting speed boat. Police investigation is ongoing.

2.3 On April 20 2006 a forty three year old black smith specializes in fabrication of arms has been arrested by police operatives from swift operation squad for allegedly supplying arms to cultists and robbers in Rivers State. The policemen posed as prospective customers had struck a deal with the suspect before he was arrested in port-harcourt alongside his partner. Two (02) G3 rifles concealed in a sac containing ripe plantains were recovered from the suspects. Police investigation is ongoing.

2.4 On April 21 2006 policemen at Emohua local government area of Rivers State have arrested an armed robbery suspect at Egbeda for being in possession of expended 5.56mm ammunition. The suspect was arrested while making enquiries on how to get more of the type of ammunition. The suspect said to a specialist in using motorcycle for robbery operation. Police investigation is ongoing.

2.5 On April 22 2006 men of the state security service (SSS) in Anambra state have arrested a middle aged man who allegedly specializes in signature forgery and impersonation. The suspected was arrested at Awka while in possession of some sensitive documents with a forge signature of Nigerian Vice President and letter headed papers from government agencies. The suspect has been handed over to the police for further investigation.

2.6 SPDC has re-enforced its Office and Residential Areas in Port Harcourt access control in response to renewed security threats and the recent incident in Port Harcourt as follows:1. All visitors to SPDC – IA, MOA and Edjeba must be signed in and picked up at entry points and escorted back after such visits. Similarly vistors to RA will have to be picked up at the entry points and signed out by their hosts after the visits.

Car-Jacking five (05) cars were snatched at gunpoint in the week under review including a M/Benz 190. Police investigation is ongoing to recover the cars.

West (Warri/Escravos and adjoining States)
2.7 On April 16 2006 at about 0215hrs, an armed robbery gang invaded a compound along K-Hut road Afuze, in Owan East local government council of Edo state, operating from house to house. A total cash of N3 million and Jewelries estimated at over N500,000.00 were carted away by the robbers. Police investigation is ongoing.
2.8 On April 18 2006 men of the Delta State Police command attached to ‘A’ Division, Warri, arrested one armed robbery suspect while other members of the gang escaped at Edewor’s quarter along Ometan street, Warri. Seven GSM handset jackets and three V-Mobile Sim cards were recovered at the scene. Police investigation is ongoing.
2.9 On April 18 2006 men of the Delta state Police command fatally shot a robbery suspect after confessing to be an armourer for a robbery gang. The robber was killed in a bid to escape from police net while he was leading the police to their armoury. Investigation is ongoing.
2.10 On April 19 2006 at about 0930hrs, men of the Quick Response Squad foiled an armed robbery operation at the Residence of one Chief Godsday Orubebe a former Special Adviser to the Delta state Governor on Urban Regional Planning on Virtrus street, off PTI road, Effurun. Police is investigating the incident.
2.11 On April 20 2006 a notorious armed robbery gang leader terrorizing Warri and its environs who was also a member of a syndicate of five that robbed a first generation bank in Obiaruku in Ukwani local government area of Delta state was arrested by men of the state police command following a tip-off. Two K2 rifles,one Lar rifle and one cut-to-size single barrel gun and 144 rounds of live ammunition were recovered from the hoodlum. Investigation is ongoing.
2.12 On April 20 2006 three (03) innocent persons lost their lives in what may prove to be a total case of mistaken identity by men of the Nigeria Police Force. Investigation revealed that a robbery incident occurred at the parallel foreign exchange market at Sakponba Road, Benin City around 10.30am. Shortly after, a police team around the scene was informed that the robbers came in a white bus. The police team promptly went after the bus” and opened fire on it from a distance. The bus driver reportedly lost control and ran into a ditch. On getting to the ditched bus, the police team opened fire on the trapped passengers killing three occupants in the process two males and female. Investigation is ongoing.
2.13 On April 21 2006 at about 2200hrs, two (02) armed robbery suspects in a gang of four were arrested by a mobile police patrol team along Enerhen road, Effurun while robbing some victims. Others members of the gang escaped on sighting the patrol team. The suspects are assisting the police in their investigation.

2.14 On April 22 2006 at about 2330hrs, a four man armed robbery gang struck at No 4 Otiwe street, off Sedco Road, Udu. The residents who sustained injuries were locked up in their own apartment after a successful robbery operation. The robbers escaped with GSM handsets and other valuable including some cash. The victims were freed by neighbours after the robbers escaped on sighting a police patrol team. Investigation is ongoing.

Car-Jacing Six (6) vehicles were reportedly snatched at gunpoint at different locations in Warri and its environs during the week. Three (03) of the said vehicles have been recovered, while investigation to recover the rest is ongoing.

Lagos (and adjoining States)
2.15 On April 16 2006 at about 1020hrs, there was a fire outbreak at the Human Resources Building at the University of Lagos. The fire was put out by a team of Policemen and Fire-fighters. Cause of fire and value of property destroyed are yet to be ascertained. No life was lost. Sabo Police Division is investigating the incident.

2.16 On April 17 2006 at about 0820hrs, four (04) armed robbers invaded Be Happy Palace Hotel at No.39 Ijede Road, Itamaga, Ikorodu, carting away unspecified amount of money. One of the customers bearing a SPY Identity Card was shot by the robbers before escaping on police response to the scene of the incident. The hoodlums abandoned their operational Honda Accord Car and escaped in one Nissan Blue Bird Saloon Car, which they had snatched from a motorist at the scene of robbery on sighting police patrol team but the robbers car collided with one Mazda bus a few metres away leading to the arrest of One of the robbers while three (03) others escaped. One English revolver pistol, one locally made pistol, one locally made single barrel gun cut to size, one English double barrel gun cut to size, on e Italian pump action gun, sixty-five (65) live cartridges and two expended cartridges were recovered from the robbers. The State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) Panti is investigating.

2.17 On April 17 2006 at about 1300hrs, two armed robbery suspects who emerged from their hideout in a near by bush close to a broken down vehicle under repairs attacked the occupants killing one of them. The two (02) suspects escaped on a motorcycle along Kingsway Road Ikoyi. SCID Panti is investigating.

2.18 On April 18 2006 at about 0640hrs, there was a fire outbreak at Bristol Hotel, Ebte-Ero, in a yet to be determined circumstance. The fire was put out by a team of Policemen and fire-fighters. Ebute-Ero. Police Division is investigating.

2.19 On April 19 2006 at about 0200hrs, an armed robbery suspect was arrested by a team of Anti-Robbery Policemen from Ojodu Police Station. The suspects and others at large allegedly robbed occupants of 11, Olaleke Taiwo Street, Ojodu of their belongings. Police investigation is ongoing.

2.20 On April 22 2006 two (02) policemen, a sergeant and a constable in the Osun State Police Command, were arrested and detained for allegedly killing a commercial bus driver with their riffles at a check point. According to an eye-witness account, the two cops shot dead the driver for refusing to offer N20.00 allegedly demanded by the police at a check point along Ilesa-Akure Express Road. Police investigation is ongoing.

Car-Jacking fourteen (14) vehicles were reportedly snatched at gunpoint at different locations in Lagos and its environs during the week. Eleven (11) of the said vehicles has been recovered. Police investigation is ongoing to recover the rest.