NIGERIA SECURITY REPORT WEEK 17 2006.
GENERAL
� The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) issued fresh threat on April 25 2006 to conduct a remote controlled car bombing in the Niger Delta in late April 2006. The attack in late April 2006 according to the militants may be a “Port Harcourt” style car bombing that occurred in Port Harcourt military barrack on April 19 2006. MEND also threatened to resume conventional attacks by the end of April or beginning of May 2006. Mend stated that these conventional attacks will be punctuated at regular intervals by car bombings that are directed at specific individuals that are betraying the cause of the Niger Delta or oil industry targets. Meanwhile, the US energy giant ExxonMobil was reported to has evacuated non-essential staff from Nigeria’s largest oil export terminal amid fears it could be attacked by armed militants after receiving threat of attack from MEND. ExxonMobil’s Qua Iboe facility in Southeastern Nigeria handles exports of
650,000 barrels per day. However, ExxonMobil reportedly said that its output had not yet been hit by the latest scare. Over the past three months separatist guerrillas have carried out a series of attacks on Niger Delta oil facilities, forcing foreign multinationals to cut Nigeria’s exports of around 2.5 mln barrels per day by around a quarter.
� A car bomb explosion was reported at the tankers park of National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas workers, Warri Refinery on April 29 2006 at about 2125hrs. The explosion was traced to unidentified person(s) who carefully parked a Mercedes Benz 190 car suspected to have been loaded with bombs at the site before detonating and shattering windscreens of most of the tankers parked within the vicinity. The explosion did not cause any casuality or injury to person. The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) said the blast was a warning to companies working in Nigeria’s oil fields, especially the Chinese. Chinese President Hu Jintao signed oil deals earlier in the week under review with Nigerian officials during a state visit. The militant e-mail to the press after Warri car bomb explosion read thus:”We wish to warn the Chinese government and its oil companies to steer well clear of the Niger Delta. Chinese citizens found in oil installations will be treated as thieves. The Chinese government, by investing in stolen crude, places its citizens in our line of fire,” .The militants claim the government of Nigeria has extracted billions of dollars worth of oil from the delta while leaving the region undeveloped and its residents impoverished. Attacks, which included bombings and kidnappings, have cut Nigeria’s oil output by as much as 20 percent. In a related threat, on April 29 2006 the Niger Delta Peoples Salvation Front (NDPSF) issued fresh ultimatum to foreigners in the Niger Delta region to leave immediately or become victims of violent attacks. The Niger Delta Peoples Salvation Front (NDPSF) to which detained Mujahid Dokubo-Asari belongs, urged embassies and foreign missions in the country to advise their nationals in the Niger Delta to leave forthwith. The group, which demanded the immediate release of Dokubo-Asari, who is facing treason charges, warned that it would launch a devastating military campaign that would have grave impact on the global economy. NDPSF, the political wing of the Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Force (NDPVF), gave the warning in a statement signed by its Head of Administration, Mark Olise and Publicity Officer, Onengiya Erekosima and made available to press in Port Harcourt. The organisation said the militants had decided to launch a violent campaign code-named ‘Operation Boro’ owing to the continuous detention of Dokubo-Asari “for spurious reasons.” Consequently, the group urged that “the United Nations, African Union, Peoples Republic of China, United States of America, United Kingdom, Nelson Mandela, Bill Clinton and other world leaders should send special delegations to Nigeria and the Niger Delta to help resolve this problem, which is unarguably a threat to continental and global peace and economy.” The militants also reminded the international community not forget that the price of crude oil in the world might reach $100 per barrels as a result of crisis in the Niger Delta region.
� The Ijaw nation rose from its meeting in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State April 25 2006 and agreed to hold direct talks with the President on the Consolidated Council on the Socio-Economic Development of the Coastal States of the Niger Delta. Also, a committee was set up to compile the Ijaw position and report back in the next two weeks. Ijaw national leader, Chief Edwin Clark said at the end of the meeting of the Ijaw nation in Yenagoa that Ijaw people welcomed the channel of dialogue opened with them by President Olusegun Obasanjo’s invitation of Chief Clark to Abuja for a parley. He, however, said that they resolved that dialogue with the Ijaw should continue and that a position paper on the Ijaw problem be prepared and submitted to the President. National President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Prof. Kimse Okoko who also spoke on the outcome of the meeting said the Ijaw people agreed to hold direct talks with Mr. President on the new council. He said that a committee was put in place under the supervision of the INC to work out the details and report back in the next two weeks. The meeting which was jointly presided over by Chief Clark and Prof. Okoko also reviewed the developments in Ijaw land and the country at large, particularly after Ijaw militants released the last nine hostages that were kidnapped in Delta State. Chief Pere Ajuwa, another Ijaw leader also briefed the meeting on the $1.5 billion issue between the Ijaw of Bayelsa State and Shell Petroleum Development Company. A member of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Mr. Kingsley Kuku, who participated in Yenagoa meeting confirmed that the parley between Chief Clark and President Obasanjo was endorsed by the Ijaw but said the agreement was that Mr. President should meet with the Ijaw nation as a people first before they would review their earlier position not to participate. However, both Chief Clark and Prof. Okoko, allegedly confirmed that the participation of the Ijaw in the council is without condition. The meeting reportedly ended after the Bayelsa State Governor, Chief Goodluck Jonathan, Chief Clark and the Secretary to the Bayelsa State Government were mandated by the Ijaw Consultative Assembly to contact President Obasanjo to fix a date for a meeting with the Ijaw nation.
� The convoy of President Olusegun Obasanjo on April 24 2006 on its way to Jigawa State enroute Kano ran into hundreds of protesting youths who threw missiles at it. The incident precipitated a violent clash between the supporters of All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and the rival Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), resulting in the destruction of about 70 vehicles while the stone-throwing youths chanted anti Obasanjo slogans. The supporters of both political parties were seen wielding dangerous weapons, which they also used to smash the windscreens of any vehicle that carried the posters of a rival party. It took the intervention of the security personnel to control the situation at Kofar Nasarawa at the heart of Kano metropolis when the warring youths engaged themselves in a skirmish which many people suffered various degrees of injuries. The President was accompanied by the Minister of Defence, Alhaji Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and his counterpart in the ministry of Water Resources, Alhaji Muktari Shagari. The crisis was traced to those protesting against third term bid for Presidency and Governors in the ongoing Constitutional amendment before the National Assembly which they believe is being sponsored by the presidency.
� Human Rights Watch report on Nigeria released on April 24 2006 revealed that since the advent of civil rule in May, 1999 about 100,000 persons have died in a series of inter-community violence. Mr. Christopher Albin-Lackey, HRW researcher on Nigeria said that despite improvements in governance and the economy, not much had happened in the areas of rights abuses in the country. He spoke in Lagos on why the Federal Government should reverse policies that discriminate against non-indigenes, which caused some of the unrest. He wants legislation outlawing discrimination against non-indigenes in all matters that are not purely cultural or related to traditional institutions. Human Rights Watch admitted that things have improved since the military left, but that the government has a lot to do to improve the human rights situation in the country. Presenting a 64-page report entitled “Nigeria: Indigeneity Policies Marginalise Millions, Federal Government Must End Discrimination Against Non-Indigenes” at the briefing, he lamented that many Nigerians had been relegated to the status of second class citizens through some discriminatory policies. Albin-Lackey said the report was based largely on a six-week HRW research mission to Nigeria in late 2005 that included field research in Kaduna, Kano, Plateau and Delta states and interviews in Abuja, Lagos and Ibadan. The population is deeply divided along ethnic, religious, and other lines, and frequent inter-communal clashes have claimed many lives since present democratic dispensation started in 1999.
� A mobile policeman and one soldier were among 29 persons arrested by a federal task for offences ranging from pipeline vandalisation to oil theft. They were arrested at various locations in Edo and Delta states. Two other mobile policemen also caught in the act, however, escaped and have been declared wanted by the task force on pipeline vandalisation. According to the Commander of the task force on pipeline vandalisation in Edo and Delta states, Mr. Sam Okaula, a chief superintendent of police (CSP), the truck conveying the 53 drums was intercepted by the Military Joint Task Force (JTF) on Niger Delta before the suspects were arrested while committing the offence.
� Two persons including a policeman were killed and about N190m carted away on April 26 at about 2305hrs when an armed gang invaded a branch of a new generation bank in Port- Harcourt. The gang entered the bank at about midnight with a power generating set, welding instruments like cutter, arms and ammunitions. On entering the bank, the robbers shot dead one of the two policemen guarding the bank. The gang moved unhindered into the bank through the back door by using the welding cutter that was being powered by the set they came with. The robbers succeeded in ripping open the bank�s vault and carted away higher denomination of naira notes of N1000,N500, N200 leaving behind smaller denominations from N100, N50, N20 and rest lesser notes. It was also said that the gang divided themselves into two groups and while some were inside carrying out the operation, others were at strategic junctions keeping watch and attacking police response team. It was this group outside that repelled police when they actually came much later to counter the robbers. Police has beefed up security around banks in Port Harcourt after the incident. Police is working on the theory that there must have been connivance between the bank staff and the robbers considering the rate of bank robberies in the city, especially at the time this one happened. It should be recalled that on April 19 2006, a Commercial Bank on Hospital Road, Port Harcourt was invaded by some armed youths. Although the gang could not gain entry into the bank�s vault, they succeeded in collecting money from customers and the cashiers at the counter.
East (Rivers & adjoining States)
2.1 On April 24 2006 two (02) of the six-man gang of pirates that have been terrorizing Nembe -Brass waterways of Bayelsa State were arrested by men of Bayelsa State Anti-sea pirate squad. The arrested sea bandits and four at large were allegedly laid siege to the Brass waterways and robbed some commuters and fishermen of their valuables. Six (06) outboard engines were recovered. Police investigation is ongoing.
2.2 On April 25 2006 at about 2120hrs, a fifty year old man was shot dead in front of a popular supermarket at Owerri by three men suspected to be assassins. The gunmen escaped with the victim�s V-boot mercedez Benz salon car after the act. The cause of the assassination was not immediately ascertained. Police investigation is ongoing.
2.3 On April 26 2006 three (03) armed robbery suspects were arrested by policemen of the Diobu Division of the Rivers State Police Command while attempting to board a bus en route to Umuahia, Abia State. Two (02) locally made short double barrel guns and one locally made revolver pistol with one life cartridge were recovered from the suspects. The suspects were alleged to be on a mission to snatch a colleague father’s car. Police investigation is ongoing.
2.4 On April 27 2006 at about 0210hrs, armed robbers raided a block of shops on Nsuka St., Mile 1 Diobu, Port-Harcourt, carting away fabrics worth over millions of Naira. The hoodlums perpetrated the shops with the aid of guns and house-breaking implements. Police investigation is ongoing.
2.5 On April 28 2006 at about 0200hrs, armed robbers attacked Julius Berger yard in KOKO AMA Eastern bypass Port-Harcourt after gaining entry through the water side. The robbers were said to have shot fiercely as they made their way to the safe which they blew up with explosives, and carted away N50m meant for workers salary. Police investigation is ongoing.
2.6 On April 29 2006 fifteen member staff of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Owerri had been arrested for allegedly selling JAMB forms far and above the approved fee. The arrested staff took advantage of the closure of forms to rip off the prospective candidates and buyers. Police investigation is ongoing.
2.7 On April 29 2006 following an assistance from Angulama community in Rivers state, two AK 47 riffles have been recovered by the Police in Asari-Toru Local Government Area of the Rivers State. The riffles alleged to have been used by cultists were recovered by policemen on surveillance patrol at Angulama. River State Police Command has taken custody of the two rifles.
2.8 On April 30 2006 an armed robbery suspect was arrested for allegedly snatching a female hand bag at a business center in Oyigbo, River State. The hoodlum and two of his accomplices now at large were alleged to have gone to a business center and snatched a lady’s bag on gun point. A locally made pistol was recovered from the suspect. Police in investigation is ongoing.
Car-Jacking five (05) cars were snatched at gunpoint in the week under review. Police effort to recover the vehicles is ongoing.
West (Warri/Escravos and adjoining States)
2.9 On April 23 2006 at about 0900hrs, hundreds of both civilian and military pensioners blocked the popular Nnebisi road to demonstrate against the shoddy manner in which the ongoing verification exercise was being carried out. Delta state police command deployed anti-riot policemen to the area to maintain peace and order.
2.10 On April 23 2006 irate villagers numbering over 100 drawn from three communities including Okwabude in Okpe kingdom of Delta state staged a peaceful protest against the activities of pipeline vandals and security agents, engaged in the business of seizing gallons of siphoned fuel from the vandals only to sell them to tanker drivers. The Federal Task Force on pipeline vandalization is investigating the incident.
2.11 On April 24 2006 at about 2300hrs, two (02) army privates serving at 302 Artillery, Onitsha in Anambra state including a female who disguised as passengers in a bus were arrested by the police over their alleged involvement in a robbery incident that took place at the summit junction on the Benin-Asaba highway. The robbers were said to have robbed other passengers of their money and handsets. Investigation is ongoing.
2.12 On April 25 2006 the Delta state Commissioner of Police, Mr Udom Ekpoudom has ordered the immediate arrest of about twelve policemen serving at Police Divisional headquarters Ogwashi-Uku in Delta state, for aiding and abetting the escape of some armed robbery suspects from police cell. The escapee robbers were said to have made away with a good number of arms after successfully breaking into the armoury with an axe. This is the second time in a year that suspects will be escaping from the custody in Ogwashi-Uku town. Investigation is ongoing.
2.13 On April 26 2006 at about 2200hrs, two (02) armed robbery suspects in a gang of six were killed by men of the Delta state police command attached to the Quick Response Squad during a gun battle along Udu-Utor road, while other members of the gang escaped in a snatched vehicle. Seven live cartridges were recovered from the robbers. Police investigation is ongoing.
2.14 On April 27 2006 four (04) persons were killed when the Onitsha vigilance group on a reprisal, attacked the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MOSSOB) headquarters at the Fegge area of Onitsha. Trouble started when the Chairman of the Onitsha main market Association, Mr Sam Uzor, was allegedly abducted by suspected members of MOSSOB, who was later released. Investigation is ongoing.
2.15 On April 28 2006 at about 0710hrs, seven (07) policemen attached to the Enerhen police division were arrested by the Delta state commissioner of police (CP) monitoring team along Enerhen road by fair-view junction for extorting money from commercial motorcyclists. The policemen who were immediately whisked off to the Police headquarters, Asaba are facing orderly room trial.
2.16 On April 28 2006 at about 1030hrs, hoodlums suspected to be armed robbers stormed the company’s premises of Reynolds Construction Company (RCC) Benin branch in three Jeeps and overpowered the police officers on duty in a shoot-out and carted away N2.1 million meant for the workers April salaries from the accountant. Police is investigating the incident.
2.17 On April 28 2006 at about 2100hrs, the police at Oleh arrested five (05) persons including two sons of a former Council Chairman in Isoko south and three others for allegedly vandalizing electrical installations at Ewokpata-Aviara Community in Isoko South local government area of Delta state. Equipment worth thousands of Naira were recovered from the suspects. Investigation is ongoing.
2.18 On April 29 2006 at about 2000hrs, police at Orerokpe raided the hide-out on a gang of robbers operating along the Eku road and fatally shot one of the robbery suspects while other members of the gang escaped with serious gun shot wounds following a gun battle. One locally made pistol and a double barrel cut-to-size gun with ten live cartridges were recovered from the robbers. Investigation is ongoing.
Car-Jacking eight (8) vehicles were reportedly snatched at gunpoint at different locations in Warri and its environs during the week. Five (05) of the said vehicles have been recovered, while investigation to recover the rest is ongoing.
Lagos (and adjoining States)
2.19 On April 23 2006 at about 2040hrs, an armed robbery suspect was arrested along Ozurumba Mbadiwe Street Victoria Island for allegedly robbing a female at 1004 flats first gate, Maroko of one cell phone, some vital documents and a cash sum of Five thousand Naira (=N=5,000.00). State Criminal Investigation Department Panti, Yaba Lagos is investigating.
2.20 On April 23 2006 at about 1610hrs, a petroleum product syndicate was arrested with twenty-six (26) drums containing liquid substance suspected to be stolen petroleum product at Ejinrin waterside, Epe. The culprit on interrogation could not give a satisfactory account of how the suspected products came about, while a boat with which the drums were conveyed escaped on sighting the police team with the remaining drums on board. Anti-vandalization task force is investigating.
2.21 On April 24 2006 at about 1300hrs, a commercial motorcycle (okada) operator suddenly ran into a stationary Tanker at Ware-house bus stop, along Apapa-Oshodi Expressway. The victim died on the spot. Trinity police division is investigating.
2.22 On April 25 2006 at about 0045 hrs, an armed robbery suspect died on the spot after jumping down from a moving vehicle in an attempt to escape police arrest along Alapere road, Lagos. The suspect was escaping with other gang members after robbing three females of their valuables. Five (05) live cartridges and one Sim-card was recovered suspect�s vehicle. SCID Panti, Yaba, is investigating.
2.23 On April 26 2006 at about 1720hrs, three (03) miscreants armed with guns and other dangerous weapons, led a large number of other social miscreants ( Area Boys ) from Fadeyi/Mushin axis of Ikorodu express road to Ayodele street, Fadeyi and started shooting sporadically, in a yet to be determined circumstance. The area boys vandalized the windscreens of two (02) Mercedes cars and escaped on sighting the police patrol teams drafted from Alakara and Alade Divisions. No casualties were recorded. SCID Panti is investigating.
2.24 On April 26 2006 at about 2030hrs, five (05) armed men operating in an unmarked Mercedes Benz V-Boot car fatally shot a mopol sergeant and seriously wounded another mopol along Ire-Akari road. The robbers also snatched one AK47 assault rifle with thirty (30) rounds of ammunition and K2 rifle with nineteen (19) rounds of ammunition from the sergeant and the constable respectively. No arrest was made, however, one Ak 47 rifle, a complete army camouflage uniform, one cell phone, some important documents and a cash sum of =N=150,000.00 were recovered on police reprisal attack of the robbers. SCID Panti, Yaba is investigating.
2.25 On April 27 2006 at about 1000hrs, the anti-robbery team attached to Isolo Police Division while acting on a tip-off recovered one locally made double barrel pistol in a bush at Isolo. SCID Panti, Yaba is investigating.
Car-Jacking fifteen (15) vehicles were reportedly snatched at gunpoint at different locations in Lagos and its environs during the week. Six (06) of the said vehicles have been recovered, while police investigation is ongoing to recover the rest.