GENERAL
� Expatriates Kidnapped in Port Harcourt. Two expatriates, including an Italian oil worker working for Saipem, were kidnapped from Aker Base, Port Harcourt, on August 24, 2006 at about 2230hrs. A soldier guarding the Italian was killed. The Italian was kidnapped from a bar in the slum area and had his bodyguard shot dead by a band of militant. The militants have staged eight separate abductions within the month of August 2006 alone. In total, 19 expatriates of oil worker were kidnapped, but only three are still in captivity. It was alleged that the trend has been encouraged by state governments and Western oil companies paying ransoms. It is suspected that Politicians are also using this as a platform to showcase their leverage amongst ‘militia groups’ in the delta.
� Hostage Caught in Militant/Security Force Exchange. One attempted hostage release went wrong on August 20 2006, when militants bringing a Nigerian employee of Royal Dutch Shell out of captivity ran into a military convoy at Letugbene in Bayelsa state, and a gunfight broke out. The whereabouts of the hostage is unclear. Ten (10) militants and others were killed in the exchange. The Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) vowed on August 24 2006 to avenge their deaths. Oil companies fear that these killings, and the military crackdown on militants, may signal a new escalation in the conflict in the vast wetlands region of Niger Delta.
� Hostages Released. On August 23, 2006 the Rivers State Government secured the release of six expatriate oil workers abducted from GoodFellas bush bar in Port Harcourt on August 13 2006. The expatriates were released to the Rivers State Commissioner for Justice and had been handed over to their embassies at Lagos.
� Kidnappers Arrested. Four (04) members of a syndicate, who specialize in kidnapping expatriates in the Niger Delta region, have been arrested by men of the State Security Service (SSS), in Delta State. The first suspect was arrested when he was going to collect N50 million ransom before the release of a Lebanese national who was abducted on the 18th of August 2006 in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State. State Security Service Assistant Director in charge of Operations in Delta State, Mr. Brown Ekwoaba, who paraded the first suspect at the Service state headquarters in Asaba on August 25 2006 narrated how the criminal lured the suspect into their net. Mr Brown stated that the group which calls itself Niger Delta Enlightenment and Expedition Force led by the suspect who hails from Akugbene in Bomadi local government area in Delta state and others still holding one Danny, an expatriate staff of Homan Engineering Company Port-Harcourt. Danny was abducted on August 18 2006 at Mbiama axis popularly known as Banana junction while making a call on his GSM handset in a parked Hilux Toyota Pick-Up. The kidnappers took him to waterside en-route to Enekorogha town in Burutu Local government area, Delta State. Three (03) other suspects were subsequently arrested in a hotel at Asaba, but Asaba State Security Service Director expressed fear whether the captive is still alive. An official of the Homan was said to be on his way with the sum of N5m to hand over to the suspect to aid the release of Danny before the SSS arrested the suspects. The SSS boss cautioned the members of the public especially companies or their aides against negotiating without informing security agencies as such step is always fraught with dangers.
� Prisoners Released. Nigeria is releasing 10 000 inmates who have spent up to a decade in jail awaiting trial, in a first step towards cleaning up one of the worst blemishes on its human rights record, said the justice minister Ojo Bayo on August 24 2006. It was reported that more than 25 000 Nigerian inmates have never been convicted of a crime, but remained jailed because of delays in the justice system, missing police files, absent witnesses and prison mismanagement. Nigeria Justice Minister Ojo Bayo said those being freed included thousands who were accused of minor crimes and had spent longer in jail awaiting trial than they would have served if convicted. President Olusegun Obasanjo, described Nigerian jails as violent, overcrowded, filthy, rife with diseases and unable to provide decent food to inmates. A government-commissioned survey published last September found that in four out of 10 cases, prisoners awaiting trial were ordered to be jailed indefinitely by magistrates under a “holding charge”. Ojo said a new administration of criminal justice bill going through parliament would address this problem by explicitly banning indefinite detention without trial. He also said the government was working on a police reform programme that would help improve Nigeria’s poorly trained, badly paid police who are more often found extorting money from drivers at illegal roadblocks than investigating crimes.
EAST (RIVERS & ADJOINING STATES)
2.1 On August 20 2006 a gang of armed robbers posing as operatives of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) dispossessed a permanent secretary of a ministry in Rivers State of his multi-million Naira bullet-proof jeep. The PS who was returning from church with his family in the jeep was tailed into his compound before the robbers introduced themselves as EFCC officials. The robbers who were ushered into one of the sitting rooms succeeded in carting away N.5m cash after they pulled out their pistols. Police investigation is ongoing.
2.2 On August 20 2006 two (02) persons were allegedly killed and scores injured as the two warring cult groups resumed hostilities again at Bodo in Rivers State. It could be recalled that trouble broke out in Bodo about two months ago and since then about 12 persons had been killed with several others sustaining different degrees of bullet injuries. Police have increased their presence in the area.
2.3 On August 21 2006 the services of the Ahoada business unit of the Port-Harcourt electricity distribution Plc, of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) were paralyzed when officials of the Ikwerre local government council blocked and locked the services centre office following electrical disconnection to the Ikwerre council resulting from an alleged accumulated electricity bill calculated to be well over N25m. Ahoada section of electricity supplies power to Ikwerre council. The disconnection of electricity supply to the council head quarters is part of the presidential directives to PHCN to recover all debts owed it by all its customers including Aso Rock.
2.4 On August 21 2006 ten (10) militants youths and one soldier lost their lives in an early morning battle between the hoodlums and members of ” Operation Restore Hope” a military outfit for peace keeping in Delta and Bayelsa States. The clash occurred in Ekeremor axis when the militants with their captor, SPDC staff clash with JTF. The where about of the SPDC staff could not be ascertained.
2.5 On August 21 2006 work was disrupted at Elf Petroleum Company Ltd, Obagi base station in Rivers State when contract drivers barricaded the gate for several hours. The contract driver�s provider is to be resolving the dispute.
2.6 On August 22 2006 tipper drivers in Onitsha protested against the killing of one of their members by an anti-riot policeman over an alleged N200 bribe. The policeman was alleged to have jumped into the tipper and struggled for its control with the driver and in the process, the vehicle hit two persons, killing one and injuring the other. The driver immediately took to his heels but was shot dead by the policeman who was stationed at the marine junction. The Anambra State Police spokesman has however refuted the claim by the tipper drivers and said that the driver was killed by angry mobs for running over a commercial motorcyclists and its passenger. Investigation is ongoing.
2.7 On August 22 2006 barely 24hrs after two persons were shot dead by armed robbers at Ozomagala street in Onitsha, there was pandemonium as residents and shop owners on the ever busy old market road in Onitsha ran helter and skelter for their lives when robbers struck again, killing four persons. The robbers succeeded in carting away their loots before the arrival of the police. Police investigation is ongoing.
2.8 On August 22 2006 ten days after president Obasanjo worshiped at Emmanuel Methodist church Itiam, Uyo in Akwa Ibom state, some armed robbers have raided the church in search of funds and vital documents. The robbers who gained entry into the church offices through the windows after they carefully removed its iron protector, carted away N190, 000 and some valuable documents. Police investigation is ongoing.
2.9 On August 22 2006 the police in Enugu State have arrested ten (10) final year students of Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), alleged to be members of secret cults. The suspects who were armed with guns and dangerous weapon were also alleged to have over-run the city under the guise of celebrating the successful end of their academic career before they were intercepted by the police. The suspects have been handed over to the state criminal investigation department (SCID) for further investigation.
2.10 On August 23 2006 at about 2225hrs, the Rivers State Government secured the release of six expatriate oil workers abducted during militants operations at GoodFellas bush bar at GRA phase 2 Port Harcourt on August 13 2006. The expatriates were released to the Rivers State Commissioner for Justice and had been handed over to their embassies at Lagos.
2.11 On August 23 2006 residents and traders within the mile III area of Diobu in Port-Harcourt were awakened in the early hours by fire that engulfed a section of the mile III main market. It took the effort of the state fire service to put off the fire after they arrived late. The cause of the fire outbreak was not known.
2.12 On August 23 2006 hundreds of women from Rumuola area of Port-Harcourt staged a protest at the Rivers State House of Assembly to intervene in a cult clash in the area that had claimed several lives. It could be recalled that for about one month running, residents of the area had been having sleepless nights owing to the incessant cult clashing.
2.13 On August 24 2006 less than 24hrs after the release of six foreign workers, two expatriate oil workers, including one Italian have been kidnapped by militants at Aker Base, Rumuolumeni in Port-Harcourt. The two expatriates, working for a contracting firm to Saipem at Aker base, was allegedly abducted while having a drink in a bush bar located close to Aker base. The militants had earlier engaged some military men in a shoot-out, killing an army sergeant and injuring a lady before the abduction.
2.14 On August 24 2006 the Petroleum and Natural gas Senior Staff Association (PENGASSAN) has threatened to pull out of the Niger Delta if its kidnapped member was not released, a liaison officer with SPDC who was earlier kidnapped by youths of Letugbene community in Bayelsa State. PENGASSAN has criticized the government for failure to secure a release for its member 2 weeks after his abduction, stressing that the same government was able to facilitate the release of kidnapped expatriate workers.
2.15 On August 25 2006 policemen from the Rivers State police command have arrested two armed robbery suspects for allegedly dispossessing a victim of N350,000 at gunpoint. The suspects who were operating in a Toyota Carina car were arrested along Oheto Street in D/line Port-Harcourt, two American pistols were recovered from the suspects. Police investigation is ongoing.
2.16 On August 25 2006 at about 2100hrs, two armed men trailed and chased a business man on his way back from the mosque and dispossessed him of his M/benz flat booth at Ada Georges road. The car was recovered at Choba where the hoodlums abandoned the car.
Car-Jacking: six (06) vehicles were reportedly snatched at gun point at different locations in Port-Harcourt and its environs during the week under review. Police investigation to recover the snatched vehicles is ongoing.
WEST (WARRI/ESCRAVOS AND ADJOINING STATES)
2.17 On August 20 2006 at about 0200hrs, men of the Delta state police command attached to Sapele Division shot dead one member of a four man armed robbery gang who stormed the residence of a prominent Niger-Delta leader, Senator David Dafinone to carry out a robbery operation, while other members of the gang escaped with bullet wounds. A locally made gun, two expended cartridges, padlock, cutlasses, weeds suspected to be Indian hemp and charms were recovered at the scene of the incident. Investigation is ongoing.
2.18 On August 20 2006 at about 1750hrs, armed youths of Ogbe-Ijoh community suspected to be political thugs linked to a serving commissioner of the present administration with sophisticated weapons attacked the campaign train of People Democratic Party (PDP) Delta state, Gubernatorial aspirant, Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi at Ogbe-Ijoh,an Ijaw enclave in Warri South-West local government area of Delta state. The thugs smashed the windscreens of the vehicles in the convoy, inflicted heavy damages on several cars and injured many of the occupants. Police investigation is ongoing.
2.19 On August 21 2006 at about 0315hrs, one armed robbery suspect in a gang of five was apprehended by a congregation of Shalon Christian Mission, located along Enerhen road during an all night service, while other members of the gang escaped with their loots before the arrival of policemen from the Enerhen division in response to a distress call. Handsets, Jewelry and handbags were carted away by the fleeing robbers. Investigation is ongoing.
2.20 On August 22 2006 at about 0700hrs, a Police sergeant attached to the Delta state command’s Anti-Robbery Patrol team was crushed to death while on duty post near Okpanam junction on Benin-Asaba highway. The incident occurred when a Trailer with registration No XB 169 MAG coming from Lagos towards the East swerved to escape police check and knocked down the policeman. Investigation is ongoing by the police.
2.21 On August 22 2006 irate youths and elders of Onyobru community in Jesse clan in Ethiope, Delta state, arrested some vandals while trying to cart away petroleum products siphoned from a damaged oil pipeline belonging to Petroleum Products Marketing Company(PPMC).The vandals numbering five who were caught with a Yamaha generator, a canoe and a speed boat which they used in conveying the products said they were directed by unnamed person to convey the products from Onyobru community to Aragba where it was to be discharged. The suspects were handed over to the Federal Task Force on Pipeline vandalization for interrogation.
2.22 On August 23 2006 at about 0430hrs, men of the Delta state police command attached to Delta storm on stop and search duty along Benin-Asaba expressway, intercepted a Mercedez bus with registration No XA 291 AKL at their nipping point carrying twelve rolls of vandalized cables belonging to Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) worth about N3.million. Police investigation is ongoing.
2.23 On August 24 2006 at about 0220hrs, a seven man armed robbery gang attacked the General Hospital Orerokpe in Okpe local government area, Delta state after gaining access into the premises through a broken down fence. A security guard on duty was tied before they started their operation. The hoodlums could not break into the safe of the hospital, they dispossessed patients and hospital staff of their GSM phones and cash. There were no policemen on duty at the hospital when the bandit struck. Police are investigating the incident.
2.24 On August 25 2006 at about 0900hrs, men of the Delta state command apprehended a fraudster identified as one Daniel Moseri who was allegedly to be operating a fake consultancy company under the name ‘Glitz consult’ which claimed to be recruiting staff for one Zenith Petroleum Company Ltd, a non existent multi-national oil company. Applicants were usually asked to send the sum of N8,900 worth postal order to the dummy company as administration fees. Police investigation is ongoing.
2.25 On August 26 2006 at about 1930hrs, two armed robbery suspects in a gang of four were arrested by men of the Delta state police command in Abuja while trying to change the colour of a bus snatched. The robbers were said to have robbed the Eku branch of Cherubim and Seraphim Church in Ethiope East local government area of Delta state of the Toyota Hiace bus at gun point. On interrogation, one of the suspects confessed that the decision to snatch the bus was informed by the need to operate his own vehicle which he could not afford due to his poor financial status. Police investigation is ongoing.
Car-Jacking six (6) vehicles were reportedly snatched at gunpoint at different locations in Warri and its environs during the week. Four (4) of the said vehicles have been recovered, while investigation to recover the rest is ongoing.
LAGOS (AND ADJOINING STATES)
2.26 On August 19 2006 at about 1500hrs, a yet to be identified man was arrested by the Lagos State Police Command in connection with an alleged killing of a student of Lagos Polytechnic, School of Part Time Studies, during the schools graduation at Awori College, Ojo. The arrested suspect was found with a locally made pistol and two (02) live cartridges. The State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti Street, Yaba is investigating.
2.27 On August 20 2006 at about 0730hrs, a Police Patrol Team attached to Victoria Island Division, stopped a motorcyclist (Okada) for routine checks, at Cow Gate Black-spot. The motorcyclist and the passenger out-smarted the police and zoomed off, while they were still checking the contents of their bag. One locally made gun and eleven cartridges were recovered in the bag. SCID Panti is investigating.
2.28 On August 20 2006 at about 2130hrs, some unidentified men, in a blue Nissan bus with unknown registration number, opened fire on a Honda Jeep with registration number BG 872 EKY, on Akpongbo Bridge, Lagos. One of the occupants was shot dead while his boss sustained serious gun shot wounds. SCID Panti is investigating.
2.29 On August 20 2006 at about 2130hrs, men of the Nigerian Police force Ikeja command, on a tip-off arrested an armed robber while robbing the occupants of No. 19 Alabi Street, Ikeja. One locally made double barrel pistol and two cartridges were recovered. SCID Panti is investigating.
2.30 On August 21 2006 at about 2250hrs, one suspected armed robber, operating on a motorcycle was tracked down and arrested by unit of the Inspector General of Police (INGEPOLS) convoy, on the third main-land bridge. SCID Panti is investigating.
2.31 On August 21 2006 at about 0700hrs, a member of Awodi-Ora Estate vigilante group, Ajegunle, was shot dead by unidentified gunmen, at Mba Street, Ajegunle. Three (03) live 9mm calibre ammunition, two (02) expended cartridges were recovered at the scene. SCID Panti is investigating.
2.32 On August 22 2006 at about 0900hrs, some social miscreants (area boys) armed with guns and machetes, disturbed public peace at Ojuwoye/Isolo junction, Mushin area of Lagos. A team of Policemen drafted to the area brought the situation under control and equally arrested two suspects with bullet wounds while others escaped. SCID Panti is investigating.
2.33 On August 22 2006 at about 0400hrs, armed robbers stormed West Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, located in Okokomaiko. The bandits forced their way into the residence of the parish priest and made away with computer lap-tops, wrist watches, mobile telephone handsets and unspecified amount of money. No arrest was made. Police investigation is ongoing.
2.34 On August 23 2004 two (02) suspected oil bunkerers in Lagos were arrested with 5,000 litres of illegally-siphoned Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) by men of the Nigerian Navy. The suspects were rounded up at Takwa bay by the naval men patrolling the creek. The products was scooped from vandalized oil pipelines and stored in 10 black jerry cans of 50 litres. The suspects have been handed over to the Police for investigation.
2.35 On August 23 2006 at about 0830hrs, factions of the National Union of Road Transport Workers Union (NURTW) engaged themselves in a battle over supremacy on the management of Ojuwoye Motor Park, Mushin. One person was killed during the clash and goods worth millions of Naira were destroyed in the melee. Investigation is ongoing.
2.36 On August 24 2006 at about 0745 hours, some unidentified gunmen entered the house of one Oshame Andrew at No. 11 Tiwatayo Street, Egbeda Estate and inflicted deep cuts on his head. During the scuffle with the victim, the hoodlums abandoned a locally made pistol with two cartridges and escaped. SCID Panti is investigating.
2.37 On August 24 2006 a burglar simply identified as Geoffrey of No.9 Tade Ayepe Street, Ajangbadi, was set ablaze after burgling a supermarket on the same Street. Police investigation is ongoing.
2.38 On August 26 2006 two members of a notorious robbery gang that attacked the popular Alaba International Market, Ojo, Lagos on August 19 2006, carting away goods and cash worth more than N2 billion, were arrested and are currently being detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) Panti Street, Yaba, Lagos. They are expected to assist in trailing the other forty-eight (48) members of the gang at large.
Car-Jacking: forty-one (41) vehicles were reportedly snatched at gunpoint at different locations in Lagos and its environs during the week. Twenty- three (23) of the said vehicles have been recovered, while police investigation is ongoing to recover the rest.