GENERAL.
NITEL workers strike over unpaid salaries.
On the 5th of June 2006 the workers of Nigerian Telecommunications Limited began an indefinite strike over the arrears in payment of their salaries. It appears that they have not been paid for four months. This has caused all NITEL lines to be shut down allowing only GSM communication.
FG to review deals with oil firms.
On the 5th of June 2006 it was reported that the Federal Government was going to review the operating agreements with oil exploration and production companies in the country as a way of getting out of the financial constraints brought about by cash call payments. There are indications that Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation is being prepared to take up the responsibility for operating some of the fields. The reason for the review of the joint venture partnerships is because the desired pace of development could not be achieved due to the inability of the FG to raise the 60% funding required.
Appeal Court Declares Asari-Dokubo a security threat.
On the 5th of June 2006 the Court of Appeal in Abuja dismissed the leader of the Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Force (NDPVF) Alhaji Mujaheed Asari-Dokubo�s appeal for bail. The court decided that if given bail he would pose a threat to national security. Asari is on trial for various charges relating to treason and attempting to remove the President by other than constitutional means, forming and being a member of an illegal organisation, levying war against the Government of Nigeria, encouraging the killing and Injuring of persons, destroying, injuring and encouraging the destroying and injuring of property. Asari has stated he will appeal to the Supreme Court.
Port Harcourt (and River State).
Rallies in support of Southern president in 2007.
On the 5th of June 2006 peaceful protest took place in several cities in the Niger Delta in support of a president to come from the south in the 2007 elections. The rallies took place in Calabar, Port Harcourt and Asaba the capitals of Cross Rivers, Rivers and Delta States. The South-South Peoples Assembly (SSPA) organised the rallies. A letter was handed to the Calabar State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party formally emphasising the commitment of the SSPA to ensure that the South-South takes the Presidency of Nigeria in 2007. The SSPA is a cross section of society made up of elders, youths, political leaders and men and women�s organisations.
2 Killed in shooting incident.
On the 6th of June 2006 it was reported that two men were killed and a woman injured in a shooting incident in Idama. Ekulama Community, Akuku Tora Council Area of River State. It appears that gunmen on a speedboat fired on the waterfront of the community. Although the identity of the attackers could not be ascertained it is believed they are from a neighbouring community in the area. There have been a series of attacks in the area due to an ongoing dispute between the towns of Ekulama and Kula over a piece of land who ownership is disputed.
Cultist Kill man in Port Harcourt.
On the 6th of June 2006 it was reported that suspected cultist had killed a youth in the Marine Base, Port Harcourt. It appears that ten assailants stormed the deceased�s residence around 0200 hrs the 5th of June 2006, dragged him out of his residence and shot him several times in the head. It is believe this may be connected to cult clashes for domination of the area. On the same night armed youths took over the streets in the Ojoto area of Port Harcourt shooting indiscriminately. No loss of life was reported. The whole incident was linked to criminals in the state.
SPDC gas plant attacked.
On the 6th of June 2006 four Nigerian soldiers were killed in a raid on an oil field in which five South Koreans were kidnapped. The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (Mend) said it might swap the hostages for a local leader charged with treason. Mend has staged several attacks in Nigeria’s main oil producing region to demand more oil wealth for locals. Attacks on oil facilities have become increasingly common in Nigeria’s lawless, impoverished Delta region, leading to a 25% cut in oil production by Africa’s biggest exporter. Armed groups have long complained that oil wealth has not been distributed equitably among the local population. Mend said they had sunk an army boat, killing at least five soldiers, after they came under attack as they retreated into the creeks of the Niger Delta. One militant was also killed, the group said. There is no independent confirmation of the casualties, but Nigerian military sources say some soldiers have been reported missing. The South Koreans were safe and would not be harmed unless they were attacked, Mend said. Mend said the attack was a response to a court decision to deny bail to militant leader Mujahid Dokubo-Asari. Mr Dokubo-Asari was arrested on treason charges last year. Mend has long demanded his release. “We are of the opinion that the government of Nigeria may be interested more in a prisoner exchange rather than releasing the persons whose release we have demanded,” Mend said. Three of the kidnapped workers are from South Korean engineering firm Daewoo. The others work for the Korea Gas Corp. “The Daewoo Company is advised to close down its operations with immediate effect as a second attack will bring only death,” Mend said. The latest abduction took place just after midnight in the Cawthorne Channel area of Rivers State. South Korea’s foreign ministry said. The ministry said a Nigerian had also been abducted. On the 8th of June 2006 all the hostages were released following a direct appeal by Dokubo-Asari.
Deputy Speaker�s house attacked.
On the 7th of June 2006 it was reported that on the 6th of June the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Austin Opara, had escape assassination by unknown persons when his residence at Opara Street, Port Harcourt was attacked with an explosive device. It appears that the Deputy Speaker was in Abuja at the time and no one was injured or killed. The building appears to have sustained server damage however. It has been muted in the media that this may have been done by his political rivals in order to stop him running for Rivers State Governor in the 2007 elections. Comment: Incidents of intimidation, clashes over control of territory and general politicking are on the increase and will continue to rise until the elections are over.
Warri (and adjoining States).
Ijaw youths warn on Olokola gas project.
On the 6th of June 2006 it was reported that the Ijaw Youth Council had warned multinational oil companies working on the new Federal Government Liquefied Natural Gas Project at Olokola, Ogun State not to laying pipelines for the project across Ijaw Communities in order prevent a fresh crisis in the Niger Delta. The Ijaw Youth Council believe this is an attempt to destroy the Bonny Liquefied Natural Gas and proposed Brass River Gas Project in Rivers and Bayelsa States and to divert their resource to a state that does not produce a single barrel of oil or gas.
Lagos (and adjoining states).
Lagos Government to clear destitutes.
The Lagos State Government has concluded a plan to clear all destitutes from the state. They are going to use a vehicle to pick up all destitutes and take them to camps and designated locations where the state government will care for them and provide for some of their needs and give them assistance through education and vocational training in an attempt to improve employment opportunities for both men and women. The destitutes are responsible for many crimes in the state.