Shell ordered to pay $ 1.5 billion.
A Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt Rivers State has ordered Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) to pay the sum of $ 1.5 billion to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), latest by 12 mid-day on 22nd of May 2006 as compensation to the Ijaw Aborigines of Bayelsa State. Delivering judgement on the application for stay of execution filed by Shell challenging the court’s earlier ruling on the compensation for the devastation of the Ijaw’s environment, Justice Okechukwu Okeke, on the 19th of May 2006 directed the Anglo-Dutch oil giant to pay the said amount into the coffers of the CBN in the name of the Chief Registrar of the Federal High Court. The court had on the 22nd of February 2006, ordered Shell to pay the money to the Ijaw, who had gone to the National Assembly to seek redress for the despoliation of their environment, which they attributed to the exploitation and exploration activities of shell. Shell counsel had filed an application for the stay of execution of the judgement, which was eventually struck out on the 19th of May 2006. Justice Okeke, who saw no reason to overturn his earlier ruling, explained that Shell’s counsel had unequivocally stated that the company is financially capable to pay the money but could not do so pending the outcome of its appeal. He also dismissed the firm’s argument that if it paid the money to the Ijaw, the Federal Government would be adversely affected. The judge described this argument as preposterous since the government was not a party to the suit. Following Shell’s argument that if it paid the money and the Court of Appeal rules in its favour that it would be difficult to retrieve it from the beneficiaries, Justice Okere, then ordered that the money be paid between the 19th of May 2006 and 12 noon on the 22nd of May 2006 into the coffers of the CBN in the name of the Chief Registrar of the Federal High Court. Pere Ajua, who took the case to the National Assembly, said rather than resort to violence, the Ijaw under the aegis of Ijaw Aborigines had decided to legitimately demand for justice denied them over the years by both the government and Shell. He warned that if Shell failed to obey the court’s ruling, Ijaw Aborigines would use all legal means possible to ensure that all its accounts and assets were frozen.
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House of Assembly kick out Constitution Amendment Bill.
On the 16th of May 2006 it was announced that the bill to amend the 1999 Nigerian Constitution to allow Government Officials to run for a third term, had been kicked out during a voice vote, during its second reading in the House of Assembly by Senators. This effectively means that this bill cannot be raised again. Comment: Although this means the third term issue is effectively dead in the water and as such tensions should ease it also means that the immunity from prosecution for government officers also remains.
ExxonMobil Threatened with Strike.
On the 18th of May 2005 it was announced that senior staff working for US energy giant ExxonMobil in Nigeria have threatened to go on strike unless the management agrees to their demand for a pay rise, company and union officials said. “We gave the management a seven-day notice with effect from last Friday (May 12) to review our remuneration�s or they will be faced with an industrial action that will paralyse the company’s operations,” a spokesman for senior staff association PENGASSAN told AFP. A spokesman for the company confirmed the strike warning and said ExxonMobil was in talks with the workers to avert industrial action. “There is nothing to worry about. The company is negotiating with the union to resolve the matter,” spokesman Paul Arinze told AFP. ExxonMobil is the second largest oil operator in Nigeria after Shell. It exports around 650,000 barrels per day of the country’s overall production of 2.5 million barrels. The strike threat risks further unnerving the world energy market, which is already jittery about the international crisis over Iran’s controversial nuclear programme and unrest in the Niger Delta. Nigeria’s current oil production rate is 20-percent below normal due to the unrest in the Delta region. Over the past three months separatist fighters have carried out a series of attacks on Niger Delta oil facilities, forcing foreign multinationals to cut exports from Nigeria. ExxonMobil has not been directly affected by the crisis.
Shell to resume work in Niger Delta.
On the 18th of May 2006 it was reported that Royal Dutch Shell may resume work in the next few weeks in parts of the Nigeria’s Delta region affected by rebel attacks, Shell’s head of exploration and production said Tuesday. Shell, state-run Nigerian National Petroleum Corp. and other partners in the joint venture were losing about 455,000 barrels a day of oil output at the end of March because of violence. About one-third of the loss was Shell’s share. “I’m very encouraged by the dialogue to ensure we get back to safe operations,” Malcolm Brinded, head of exploration and production, told shareholders at Shell’s annual general meeting in Scheveningen, near The Hague. Work in the region “may be back in weeks,” he said. Violence escalated in January when militants blew up pipelines and kidnapped Shell contract workers, who were later released, halting shipments from an export terminal. Shell executives including Chief Executive Jeroen van der Veer have said since that the company would return staff to parts of the delta only when it was safe. “Joint investigation teams are being put together at the moment to assess affected areas,” Shell’s top manager in Nigeria, Basil Omiyi, told reporters after the meeting. “We hope they will be able to visit the affected areas soon. First priority will be relief materials to affected communities and environmental cleanup. Once we are back in the field we will work to restore capacity as soon as possible.” Violence directed against Nigeria’s oil industry and foreign companies may last throughout 2006 because presidential elections are next year, Citigroup analysts said in a28th of February report. Militant groups including the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta say foreign firms and the government should give a greater share of the region’s oil wealth to locals. Van der Veer told Nigerian environmental activists at the shareholder meeting Shell is working to stop gas flaring, a practice residents say leads to pollution and health problems. “Gas flaring has severe health consequences and is a primary contributor to a host of problems that include acid rain, retarded crop yield and respiratory diseases,” Friends of the Earth said in a statement. On the 17th of May 2006 it was announced that Shell Petroleum Development Company was going to acquire ninety boats to post as security boats for its operations in the Niger Delta.
Port Harcourt (Rivers and adjoining States)
Four Police Officers found shot.
On 14th of May 2006 the bodies of four policemen were recovered in a river in Port Harcourt. Initial reports indicated possible militant involvement. However, preliminary enquiries and investigations conducted indicate that the incident was not linked to militant activity. Confidential reports indicate that the incident is most likely linked to criminal activity on the wharf. The deceased, who were members of the police’s marine division, are reported to have been on duty at their Port Island post in Abonnema Wharf area when they were shot and killed. Further information indicates that the incident occurred after the policemen accosted a criminal gang consisting of three (3) members who had been conducting criminal activities in the wharf/port area. It is alleged that the policemen confiscated the criminals’ loot and when threatened with arrest, the gang attacked the policemen. Police investigation is ongoing.
Odili offers N 5m for information on slain American.
Irked by the murder of an American oil worker in the state last week, the Rivers State Governor, Dr. Peter Odili, on 15th of May 2006 dangled a N5 million reward for whoever can provide useful information to security agents that would lead to the arrest of the assassins. Ricky Wiginton, an engineer with Baker and Hughes, was slain by two gunmen at the industrial area of Trans-Amadi in Port Harcourt on Wednesday. The incident coincided with the award of an honorary degree to Odili by Lincoln University in the United States of America. Odili and some members of the state administration were in America for the award when the gunmen killed the American. Upon his return on Saturday, an astonished Odili reportedly placed security agents on the alert and asked them to take any step necessary to fish out the assassins. The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Emma Okah, told our correspondent on the phone on Monday that the governor was saddened by the murder of the American and was ready to do anything possible to unravel the killers. Okah said that, as a first step, the governor had offered N5million to anyone who could provide information that would lead to the arrest of the killers. While conveying the condolences of the government and people of the state to the government and people of the US on Wiginton�s death, Odili also prayed to God to assist in unmasking the masterminds of the dastardly act. Okah said, �The Rivers State governor is ever ready to assist security agents to continue to provide a safe environment for those who are doing legitimate business in the state. That is why we are calling on the residents to do their own part by exposing those who engage in senseless killings in the interest of the society.� Although no one has claimed responsibility for the murder, security agents are working on many theories that may lead to the arrest of the killers. A senior police officer told our correspondent on Monday that they were trying to establish whether the killing was motivated by a failed relationship or business with any of Wiginton�s associates. The police are reported to have concluded that armed robbers did not kill the American, as the killers took nothing from him.
Armed robbery foiled.
On the 15th of May 2006 an armed robbery attempt on Conoil service station along Reclamation Road by a gang of robbers who came through the water ways in a speed boat was foiled by men of the Rivers State police command and the joint patrol team of the Navy, Army and Air force. Two sticks of dynamite, two loaded magazines with 24 & 25 rounds of live ammunition were recovered. Police investigation is ongoing
Cultist arrested
On May 16 2006 the Rivers State Police Command have arrested 20 young men and 2 young women alleged to be suspected cult members when they intercepted a Mitsubishi L300 bus while on a stop and search duty along Omoku/Obirikum Road. The suspected cult members who were alleged to have left Etche for a mission at Omoku before their arrest were in possession of 1 locally made double barrel and ammunition, 1 three star iron, 1 axe, 1 hammer, a dry gin and a roll of weeds suspected to be Indian hemp. Police investigation is ongoing.
Two armed robbers arrested.
On the 17th of May 2006 two armed robbery suspects were arrested at Rumuibekwe by the Rivers State Police Command, with one suspect still at large. The suspects who were alleged to have robbed residents of Rumuibekwe Road were chased and apprehended by a police patrol unit. One locally made double barrel shotgun, two cartridges and one brand new Q-link motorcycle were recovered from the suspects. Effort by the police to arrest the other gang member is ongoing.
Arms maker arrested.
On the 18th of May 2006 following the confession of a member of a robbery gang, the police in Enugu arrested a blacksmith alleged to be a manufacturer of firearms such as pistols and double barrel guns allegedly used by robbers for their nefarious activities. The suspect who was arrested in his hometown Udi had in his possession, drilling/filing machines and other tools of trade. Police investigation is ongoing.
Three killed in youth clashes.
On the 19th of May 2006 three people were killed and several others seriously injured in Awka the Anambra State capital when the annual Imo-Awka festival turned to a bloody mayhem following clashes between some Awka youths and their neighbours in Amawbia. The palace of the traditional ruler of Amawbia was burnt and eight vehicles destroyed on the busy Nnamdi Azikiwe Road. Anti riot policemen were drafted to the troubled area.
Senator vehicle caught up in bank robbery shoot out.
On the 0100 hrs and 0300hrs on the 20th of May 2006 armed robbers attacked the United Bank for Africa (UBA) branch along Railway Station Road in Port Harcourt. Police response teams engaged the armed robbers in a gun battle that led to the death of number of persons. The number and identity of the deceased is unknown at this stage. At the time of the incident, a Senator’ SUV Jeep was travelling through the scene and was subsequently caught up in the cross firing. Stray bullets killed the driver of the senator�s vehicle and the senator�s aide. A police orderly sustained gunshot wounds, as did a bus driver near the incident. The senator was not in the vehicle at the time. The name of the senator was disclosed as Lee Macba, information indicates that the senator was in the State in preparation of the Presidential visit to River State on the 20th of May 2006. According to police reports and information at hand, there is no evidence indicating that the armed robbery attack was in any way directed at the senator concerned. It was purely coincidental that his vehicle was travelling in the area at the time of the incident. The bank officials have yet to confirm whether the armed robbers were successful in taking any cash/valuables.
Militants threaten more attacks.
On the 22nd of May 2006 militants threaten to attack more politicians, oil facilities after
suspected militants attacked the vehicle of a Rivers State Senator, Lee Maeba, and killed his aide, a coalition of militant groups has vowed to attack more politicians and offshore oil facilities.
The groups drawn from Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force (NDPVF), the Martyrs Brigade, the Coalition for Militant Action in the Niger Delta (COMA) and the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has threatened to launch what they referred to as “Operation Isaac
Boro,” aimed at creating tremendous levels of insecurity in the Niger Delta. The spokesperson of the coalition, Cynthia Whyte, in a statement, explained that the militants would remain undaunted in their campaign as long as Alhaji Mujaheed Dokubo-Asari remained in detention. She said the militants would remain sleepless and continue to devise new ways of unleashing havoc on every thread in the fabric of the Nigerian State. “There will be no peace in the Niger Delta until our patriotic and esteemed leader is released from the gallows of the evil Nigerian State.
We shall make the Iraqi insurgents go green with envy. The Palestinians will come to us for mentoring. It shall come to pass,” the statement claimed. The militants declined to comment on the attack and the warning by President Olusegun Obasanjo that the government would not tolerate brigandage or criminality. They claimed that they had acquired the technology to deploy
Heat seeking rockets, which would be used against convoys of dubious politicians and deep-offshore facilities. Whyte warned that it would be preposterous for anyone to believe that
Offshore oil facilities like BONGA fields and the structures therein were truly protected. She said the militants were strengthened by Asari-Dokubo’s refusal to compromise, adding that all earlier warnings remain valid. When the Guardian called the Rivers State Police Public Relations
Officer, Mrs. Ireju Barasua, to confirm if there had been any arrests of those who attacked and killed the Senator’s aide, someone else picked her phone alleging she was in a meeting. Meanwhile, the Nigeria Agip Oil Company’s (NAOC) oil wells recently shut by militants suspected to be members of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) in the Southern Ijaw of Bayelsa were reopened yesterday. The Guardian learnt that the reopening of the oil wells followed the mediation in the problem between Agip and the militants, Chief Preye Olomu, who is also the chairman of oil and gas producing communities in the Niger Delta. In a telephone interview, Olomu confirmed the reopening of the oil wells by the militants. Comment: As stated in the previous article this is still believed to be a criminal attack on a bank and the motorcade just got caught up in the fire fight. As for their ability to attack an offshore location this cannot be assessed at the moment.
Warri (Delta and adjoining States)
Assassins shoot one dead.
On the 14th of May 2006 at about 1900hrs, gunmen suspected to be hired assassins shot dead one Mr.T. Akporido and his wife in front of their residence near Agbarho in Delta State. The deceased were returning home with their four years old son in an Audi car with Registration number, AD 651 EFR when the incident occurred. The gunmen speed away with the car after killing the couple. Police investigation is ongoing.
Five injured in attack on bullion van.
On the 15th of May 2006 at about 1620hrs, five persons including police escorts and Bank staff sustained injuries when a gang of armed robbers attacked a bullion van conveying N78 million from Benin city to a bank in Warri at Mosoga junction, Delta state. The robbers took to their heels with bullet wounds after abandoning their loots following an exchange of gunfire with policemen. Six persons have been arrested over their alleged involvement in the robbery. Police investigation is ongoing.
US warns of threat against Chevron/Texaco.
On the 17th of May 2006 the United States Government stated that it had learned of an immediate threat against operations at Chevron/Texaco facilities in Dibi, Forcardos, Delta State. There is no information concerning the timing of any events or what the threat was however this could be related to the militants threat to destroy a large oil or gas installation.
One person shot in car jacking.
On the 17th of May 2006 at approximately 1630hrs a Toyota Rav 4 belonging to a major oil producing company Shell Petroleum Development Company was forced to stop the on Warri expressway near to the Military Barracks. The four occupants were forced out of the vehicle, in the process one of the occupants was shot and the vehicle was stolen. The injured party is currently recovering from their injuries at the Ogunu Hospital. Comment: The incident is not considered to be linked to the recent militant activities in the Niger Delta but to be criminals.
Host community threatens to close down Escravos.
On the 18th of May 2006 youths of Ugborodo community in Warri South-West local government area of Delta state and host to Chevron�s $3 billion Escravos Gas-to-Liquid (EGTL) project threatened to disrupt its operation with all available means over alleged marginalisation in the award of contracts and job execution by Southern Gas Construction (SGC) hired by CNL to execute the project. The servicing firm SGC had already awarded contracts for hiring of two Houseboats and catering services to a foreign oil servicing firm, which contravened agreement reached between the Ugborodo Community and the company.
Lagos (and adjoining States)
Church attacked by 5-armed robbers.
On the 14th of May 2006 at about 0330hrs, five armed robbers invaded St. Francis Catholic Church, situated along Liasu Road Ikotun and robbed one Reverend Father of undisclosed sums of money, being church collections meant for church projects. The robbers had on arrival fired several shots, ostensibly to scare away people before embarking on their unholy act. Four expended cartridges and twelve expended shells of 9mm-calibre ammunition were recovered at the scene. SCID Panti, Yaba is investigating.
49 bodies exhumed.
On the 14th of May 2006 about forty-nine decomposed bodies were exhumed and beheaded by suspected ritualists in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, at the Akinyele Hausa Community Cemetery. No arrests have been made. Police investigation is ongoing.
Expatriate robbed in home.
On the 14th of May 2006 at about 2130hrs, armed robbers invaded the home of a Chinese national at 1, Alhaji Inua Mohammed Street, Ajao Estate, Lagos. The five man armed robbery gang reportedly stormed the home of the Chinese national identified as Mr. Stephen and held everybody at gunpoint before carting away valuable property into their waiting van. They reportedly shot one of his housemaids in the head and escaped. No arrest has been made. Police investigation is ongoing.
Area boys and Okada riders clash
On the 15th of May 2006 at about1650hrs, there was pandemonium at Ijaye-Ojokoro area of Lagos State when people suspected to be Okada riders and area boys clashed. The incident occurred at Ajala bus stop area and unconfirmed report said a man, who was attacked with a machete, later died. The clash was alleged to have been caused by an incessant extortion of money from Okada riders by the area boys. Police investigation is ongoing.
Clashes over area control.
On the 15th of May 2006 there was a stampede in Mushin area of Lagos State, when street urchins popularly called area boys, clashed for territorial control in Ojuwoye local government development area. During the clash, several people were said to have been seriously injured. Property estimated at millions of Naira were allegedly destroyed before a combined team of mobile policemen from Squadron 22, Ikeja, were drafted to the area and put the situation under control. Meanwhile, security sources said twenty of the troublemakers are in the police net for interrogation. It will be recalled that a similar incident occurred twice in Ikosi-Ketu area recently, in which several lives were lost and property estimated at millions of Naira destroyed. Police investigation is ongoing.
Ten members of security forces killed whilst bunkering.
On the 16th of May 2006 it was announced that five officers of the Nigerian Navy and ten policemen were among those killed by the pipeline fire at Ilado village in Lagos on the 12th of May 2006. Intelligence report revealed that the dead security agents were among those posted to the area to monitor the pipelines but resorted to aiding and abetting pipeline vandals to carry out their criminal act in exchange for money. Security agents investigating the incident said the identities of the victims would be made public soon.
WEST (Warri / Escravos and Adjoining States)
REMINDER: The curfew night restrictions between the hours of 1800 to 0600 hours are still in force in Warri. While the military are manning fixed checkpoints, the Nigeria Police continue to carry out Mobile Patrols in conjunction with random checkpoints considered to be under the Warri South Council Area. All, especially new arrivals, must be aware of the above issues and act accordingly. Escorts to Warri must be planned ensuring they have enough time to travel to avoid being trapped during curfew hours. Areas adjoining Jakpa Junction on the Effurun-Sapele Road, Okito/Okunbor axis continue to be under security vigil by security agents as a way to check further spread of violence emanating from the political rivalry between supporters of the PDP and AD parties. Staffs are advised to use alternative routes and to generally exercise vigilance and caution in all their movements