GENERAL
Pipeline repairs stopped by militants.
Militants suspected to be Ijaw in Delta State have prevented repair work on the pipeline conveying crude oil to Warri and Kaduna refineries. This development dashed the hope of early resumption of operations in the two crude oil refining plants, shut down in February following the vandalisation of their crude oil flow line. It was learnt that the militants insisted that some demands, such as the provision of infrastructure in Gbaramatu kingdom must be met by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation. Warri Area Office of the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company, a subsidiary of the NNPC, said on May 23 2006 that maintenance teams assembled to ascertain the extent of damage to the pipeline were barred from the scene. Their flow line, identified as System 2C, was vandalised at a location in Gbaramatu kingdom in Warri South-West Local Government during the recent crisis in the Niger Delta. PPMC in Warri had mobilised personnel and equipment to the scene many times, only to be warned by the militants that they should not venture into the area. It was alleged that the management of the Wilbros Nigeria Limited, an American oil servicing firm, which won the contract, was sceptical in mobilising to the site due to its recent experience. It will be recalled that four of its expatriates were abducted by the militants in the riverside area of the region. As a way out, it was said that the Group Managing Director of NNPC, Mr. Funso Kupolukun, has invited some Ijaw elders and youth leaders from the area to Abuja on May 24 2006, to discuss the way forward. The General Manager, Public Affairs Division of the NNPC, Dr. Levi Ajuonuma, allegedly confirmed that the militants prevented the repair of the pipeline.
Shell will not meet deadline.
Royal Dutch Shell (RDSA) said the company wouldn�t meet a Nigerian court-ordered deadline of May 22 2006 and pay $1.5 billion in environmental compensation damages to local communities because of the company’s appeal on the long-simmering matter. Anglo-Dutch Shell has appealed a decision handed down on May 19 2006 by the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, the main oil city in Nigeria that ordered the company to pay money to ethnic Ijaw communities in the Niger Delta. Ijaw communities that dominate the delta, an impoverished England-sized area with a population of around 20 million, have long accused Shell of permitting oil spills that have polluted waters and killed vegetation and fish in the area. Shell, the biggest Western oil company operating in Nigeria, has rejected this and said many past oil spills in the delta, dotted with swamps and rivers, have been caused by illegal bunkering in which vandals puncture pipelines to steal oil that they later sell. The bunkering trade is often operated with the tacit support of some local politicians and, at times, with help from members of the Nigerian Navy. Oil bunkering is estimated to have caused Nigeria to lose up to 300,000 barrels a day of oil, at peak moments, and millions of dollars in government revenues. The Federal High Court in Port Harcourt on May 19 2006 ordered Shell to deposit the money into an escrow account with the Central Bank of Nigeria by noon local time on May 22 2006. Shell already has appealed a ruling in February that upheld a Nigerian parliamentary resolution from three years ago that said Shell should pay money to Ijaw communities in Bayelsa State, one of three main oil-producing states in the delta. Shell has argued that the Nigerian government should be liable for the bulk of any eventual payment if the companies end up losing the case because of the government’s majority-stake in the Shell Petroleum Development Co. The other companies in the SPDC venture should pay according to their stakes in the company, Shell has said, if they lose the case. Militant groups, led by the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) have attacked oil and gas facilities in the delta over the past six months that have cut almost a quarter of Nigeria’s typical daily output. Most of the attacked facilities belong to Shell. MEND has demanded a $1.5 billion payment from Shell in environmental compensation. MEND, an unknown coalition of groups several months ago that quickly gained stature among delta locals because of its firepower and relative cohesion, is also demanding more control over oil resources and the release of two Ijaw leaders imprisoned on money-laundering and treason charges.
Nine political groups in fight for presidency.
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in-charge of Nigeria national election has announced election dates for 2007 year’s general elections, which are set to usher in a new president for the country. INEC has announced the general elections date as between the 7th of April 2007 and the 29th of April 2007. According to Maurice Iwu, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, the mode of the election was still unclear as the Commission was still waiting for parliament to pass the new electoral bill into law. The new law is set to pave way for the introduction of electronic voting for the first time in Nigeria. The system which has been widely used in the US has received phenomenal success. The incumbent, Olusegun Obasanjo will not be participating in the election as he has already done his two terms allowed by the constitution. Efforts by his supporters to amend the constitution so as to have Obasanjo contest for another term was blocked by Nigerian upper legislative body the Senate when the Constitutional Amendment Bill that contained third term for presidency and governors could not reach second reading in the senate. The elections preparation is expected to reach its peak in the coming months following the release of the election dates. Nine different groups have already declared an interest in nominating people for the presidents� job.
Port Harcourt (Rivers and adjoining States)
Nineteen escape death in aircraft.
On the 22nd of May 2006 nineteen) persons escaped unhurt when a beach craft 1900D aircraft conveying personnel to Eket, Akwa Ibom state made an abrupt landing at Mobil airstrip following an explosion that rocked one of the twin engines. Among the 19 persons were 17 executive branch committee members of the petroleum and natural gas senior staff association of Nigeria. (PENGASSAN)
2 Agip Worker detained by community.
On the 24th of May 2006 information was received from a reliable source that an Italian expatriate and a Nigerian were kidnapped by youths from the Ogbogu community in Omoku early in the morning. Both the Italian Expatriate and the Nigerian national were released about 1340 hrs the same day. It was confirmed by both Total & Agip officials that the incident occurred. The expatriate concerned is an employee of Agip, but was mistaken as an employee of Total, as they were coming from a Total location. The incident was community related and not connected to militant activity. From information gathered, the incident occurred as a result of the disgruntled community who accused Total of failing to fulfil their commitment in terms of the MOU with the community. Youths from the “Gas & Oil Family of Ogbogu” are said to have perpetrated the kidnapping. Their release was secured following the intervention of the Egi Youth in the area.
Criminal Activity Port Harcourt, Rivers and adjoining states.
On the 22nd of May 2006 at about 1030hrs, a gang of criminals invaded the premises of Winners chapel, Abakiliki in Ebonyi State. Personal assistant to Ebonyi State governor was allegedly shot on his left leg and hand during the attack. One of the attackers was arrested.
On the 23rd of May 2006 at about 2328hrs, a police federal high way patrol team A & B intercepted a taxi at Trans Amadi slaughter and arrested five suspected armed robbers believed to have been en route to commit a robbery. Twenty-seven rounds of AK 47 live ammunition were recovered from the hoodlums. The suspects have been handed over to Police Special Anti Robbery.
On the 25th of May 2006 men of Diobu police division in River State arrested an armed robbery suspect operating on a motorcycle who claimed to be a policeman. A locally made pistol was recovered from the suspect. Police investigation is ongoing.
On the 26th of May 2006 a taxi driver alleged to be an armed robbery suspect was arrested at Igwuruta, Port Harcourt after his gang successfully robbed a staff member of Union Bank who boarded his taxi to the airport. The victim lost his handset and the sum of N110, 000.00 to the robbers. Igwuruta police is investigating.
On the 26th of May 2006 Bayelsa State Police Command arrested a middle-aged man who allegedly stabbed his friend to death following a minor disagreement that ensued between them at Oporoma in the Southern Ijaw local government of Bayelsa State. The victim died on his way to Yenagoa government health centre, Yenagoa. Police investigation is ongoing.
On the 26th of May 26 2006 Seven (07) out of the twelve guns that was carted away by angry youths in Njaba local council in Imo state during their clash with security agents last month were returned back to the police. Meanwhile, concerted effort is ongoing to recover the remaining five. It can be recalled that early April 2006 youths had clashed with police in the area over the death of two persons who were knocked down by a truck after it was allegedly flagged down by police at a check point.
On the 10th of May 2006 the Rivers State police Command have arrested an armed robbery suspect alleged to be involved on the 20th of May 2006 bloody bank robbery attempt at Hospital/Station Road which claimed the lives of three persons including the special assistant to a senator. The arrested suspect who took the police to a hide out where a cache of explosives was discovered is also helping the police to fish out his accomplices.
On the 27th of May 2006 heavily armed robbers raided the living quarters of Nigerian premier league club Enugu Rangers at Nkpokiti Road, Independence layout Enugu, Enugu State. The robbers numbering over a dozen stormed the camp between 0130-0200hrs and broke into rooms, ordering occupants to lay facedown. The robbers carted away valuables including cash and GSM handsets. Police investigation is ongoing.
Six killed in Okrika community.
Over six persons were reportedly shot dead and several others injured in the early hours of the 27th of May 2006 when a Joint Military-Police taskforce made incursion into Okrika community, in Rivers State, in a bid to arrest Ateke Tom, leader of a militia group, the Niger Delta Vigilante. The taskforce comprising of the Navy, Army, Airforce and Anti- Riot Policemen invaded Okrika in the early hours of May 27 2006 with the instruction to capture the notorious gang leader dead or alive, following his indictment as the mastermind of the spate of deadly bank robberies in Port Harcourt. Joint Task Force attempts to forceful arrest and capture Tom Ateke was reportedly thwarted by some of his loyalists who engaged them in gun duel making Tom to find his way into the thick mangroves surrounding the island. Meanwhile, scores of suspected members of the Niger Delta Vigilante were arrested and large caches of arms and other lethal weapons were recovered from the operational base of Tom, who until this, had remained untouched by the security agents despite having been fingered for some of the atrocities in Okrika. Until the invasion of Okrika, police had not arrested anyone in connection with the robberies in Port Harcourt. Just two Saturday ago, the vehicle of a Senator representing Rivers South West, Lee Maeba mistakenly ran into suspected militias who were robbing a bank. His aide and two others were killed. River State Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Ireju Barasua and the Public Relations Officer of the 2 Amphibious Brigade, Port Harcourt, Major Musa Sagir have confirmed the presence of the joint taskforce in Okrika but were not certain on the number of people killed. Tom, who was declared wanted by the Rivers State Police Command since 2003 in connection with a disturbance in Buguma that claimed the lives of three policemen and the secretary to the Amanyanabo of Kalabari, was never arrested due to his political connections.
Warri (Delta and adjoining States)
Inspector shoots dead colleague.
On the 21st of May 2006 at about 0020hrs, a policeman identified as Mr. Sunday Edem (Insp.) of the Delta state police command attached to the General Steel Mills (GSM) located on Ibusa-Ogwashi-Uku road, Asaba allegedly shot dead his colleague while both were on duty. The reason for the action is yet to be ascertained as the suspect reportedly claimed the deceased committed suicide by shooting himself. The suspect is undergoing orderly room trial at the state police headquarters, Asaba.
Cultists rob students.
On the 22nd of May 2006 at about 2000hrs, a six man armed robbery gang suspected to be cultists stormed the off campus residence of their fellow students of the Delta state university (Delsu) Abraka and robbed them at gun point of their GSM handsets, an unknown amount of cash and other valuables. Two students sustained injuries following the robbery operation. Police investigation is ongoing.
Communities disrupt Chevron operation.
On the 24th of May 2006 activities at the premises of the Southern Gas Company (SGC) a servicing firm to Chevron Nig Ltd (CNL) were partially disrupted when eleven (11) youths of Ogborodo community in the Warri South-West local government area of Delta state stormed the company’s office along the NPA express way, Warri and locked out expatriate staff over disagreement between the company and their community. The youths had last week threatened to disrupt operation over alleged marginalisation of the indigenes during the award of contracts and job execution. The situation came under control when youths of Ekpan the host community to SGC’s office in Warri arrived at the scene and chased the Ogborodo youths away.
Policeman shoots dead vigilante.
On the 25th of May 2006 at about 0100hrs, a young man in his late thirties alleged to be a member of a vigilante group at Mosheshe estate, Enerhen was allegedly shot dead by a mobile policeman on guard duty at the estate. The incident occurred when the deceased was mistaken for an armed robber following frequent incidents of robbery operation in the estate. Police are investigating the incident.
Five Police arrested for extortion.
On the 26th of May 2006 at about 1300hrs, five policemen attached to the Effurun police division, Ekpan were arrested by men of the Delta state Commissioner of Police Monitoring Unit along the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) housing complex road over alleged extortion of money from motorists at road blocks. The sum of N13, 780 �squeezed� were found on them. The monitoring unit was set up to fish out corrupt police officers from the command. The suspects are undergoing interrogation at the state police headquarters, Asaba.
Lagos (and adjoining States)
Expatriate shot in robbery.
On the 22nd of May 2006 an attack around 2030hrs on Victoria Island, Lagos. Motorists were attacked by gunmen shooting at random into cars. One expatriate of Indian origin was shot in the head he was unconscious but stable awaiting medivac at the time of writing, No other casualties are known. It appears the vehicles drove into an illegal VCP/robbery then tried to reverse out and the gunmen fired directly into the fleeing cars. The location was in the City mall area.
6 armed robbers arrested and leader killed.
On 23rd of May 2006 at about 2300hrs, the suspected leader of a robbery gang was killed while six others were arrested during a fierce gun battle with a team of policemen at Gbagada, along the Ikorodu expressway. The gang is notorious for using commercial vehicles as bait to trap their victims whom they rob halfway to their destinations. Operational vehicle of the armed robbers and some of the victims� valuables were recovered by the police. State CID Panti, Yaba is investigating the case.
Community and area boys clash.
On the 21st of May 2006 internal clash of street urchins commonly known as Area Boys was reported at Ilupeju and Ojota areas of Lagos State claiming supremacy over who should handle a cleaning contract awarded by the local government authority. Twenty of them were arrested while the wounded ones were rushed to hospital for treatment. Police investigation is ongoing.
Woman killed by ritualists.
On the 22nd of May 2006 a 65-year-old woman identified as Salawu Mohammed, a staff member of Flour Mills Apapa, Lagos was reportedly killed by ritualists. The woman�s body was found lying at Coca-Cola bus stop, Apapa with all her vital parts removed by her killers. Police detectives at the State Criminal Investigations Department (SCID), Yaba are said to be closing in on the woman�s killers. However, no arrest had been made. Ritualists are again on the prowl in Lagos after they went underground for some time when the police turned the heat on them. Security agents have alerted members of the public to be wary of their activities especially at late hours.
Armed robbers raid Lekki.
On the 22nd of May 2006 at about 0300hrs, armed robbers raided some residents of Lekki Phase 1 area on Lagos Island and made away with valuable items estimated at millions of Naira. One of the robbers was arrested with bullet wounds while others escaped with their loot. The arrested suspect is being interrogated at the State CID.
Area boys and union member clash.
On the 22nd May 2006 renewed hostilities between the area boys and the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) at Iddo terminus which spread to Idumota and Ijora Olopa was reported. Many innocent traders and passers-by lost their valuables to the miscreants whom used the opportunity to commit crimes. Anti-riot policemen and an armoured tank were stationed at the ever-busy Ojota Motor Park to check the excesses of the hoodlums. Police investigation is ongoing.
Church raided by robbers.
On the 22nd of May 2006 at about 1900hrs, the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Tree of Righteousness Parish at Jakande Estate, Isolo, was raided by armed robbers. A security guard identified as Mr. Nathaniel Ademefun was shot dead after putting up strong resistance to the robbers. The robbers made away with valuable items before the arrival of policemen from the Ejigbo Police Station. No arrest has been made. Police investigation is ongoing.
Three arson suspects arrested.
On the 23rd of May 2006 three suspects were arrested over the recent fire incident that burnt the second and third floors of the Defence Building in Lagos. Detectives at the state CID, Yaba, stated that the three men suspected to be security operatives were handed over to them by military authorities for interrogation. Last week, the second and the third floors, four-Storey building beside another 10-Storey building, both of the Ministry of Defence, housing the Nigeria Army School of Logistics, the Airforce and other offices, were gutted by fire on Moloney Street, Lagos Island. Sabotage is suspected in the fire incident. Investigation is ongoing.