GENERAL
� Sequel to sectarian violence that erupted in the Northern part of Nigeria, over a hundred and thirty eight (138) persons lost their lives and properties worth several millions of naira destroyed at Onitsha, a commercial nerve centre in Anambra State and its environs. The youths, in a reprisal attack for the killings of their kith in Northern Nigeria, attacked non-indigenes especially of the Hausa extraction with cutlasses when the corpses of the Northern Nigerian sectarian violence were brought back to Onitsha, damaging houses and some mosques. Anambra state government swiftly reacted by imposing a dusk to dawn curfew in Onitsha and its environs including Nnewi and Akwa. The federal government had also ordered the military to team up with the police to bring the situation under control. Entreaties to end the hostilities were made by eminent Nigerians including the Sultan of Sokoto and leader of the Muslim community in Nigeria. Meanwhile, a fresh attacks on places of worship in Kotangora, Niger State and Potiskum, Yobe State broke out February 24 2006 in which four (04) died. The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has warned the Federal Government against a prolonged sectarian crisis. The bishops cautioned that if urgent measures were not taken to arrest the situation, the country would drift to the 1996 era, the commencement year for thirty-month Nigeria civil war. It would be recalled that violence earlier had broke out in Bornu and Katsina states during a Prophet Mohammed cartoon protest by Muslim youths that led to killing of Christians and burning down of Churches.
� Dutch police have arrested twelve (12) Nigerians in connection with an Internet scam that tricked people into investing in non-existent schemes. The Nigerians culprits were detained on suspicion of committing fraud or involvement in fraud in the scheme, which earned them a total $US2 million. They were arrested Tuesday February 21 2006 after raids on premises in Amsterdam and the central city of Zaandam during which police seized 25,000 ($45,000) in cash, computers and fake travel documents. Most of the victims of the scam were US citizens. Four of the men detained were arrested on the request of US authorities, who co-operated on the investigation. The gang sent some 100,000 emails to unsuspecting potential victims. Computer users across the world are regularly bombarded by emails from Nigerian crooks seeking to trick them into handing over bank details or making advance payments on non-existent moneymaking schemes. Experts say the so-called “419” fraudsters – named after the relevant section in Nigeria’s criminal code – steal hundreds of millions of dollars every year from unsuspecting targets.
� The Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) that kidnapped nine oil workers on February 18 2006 at Forcados Crude Landing Terminal (CLT) in Delta State has released photographs of seven of the nine foreign oil workers on February 23 2006. The pictures show men, believed to be the hostages, sitting on a bench with masked gunmen behind them. The foreign oil workers kidnapped by militants in the Niger Delta were envisaged to regain freedom from their captors within the week, but the captors vowed to hold on to them until their demands were met. Hostage takers warned that attacks on oil companies and their facilities, especially their pipelines, would be intensified. One of the hostages an American, Mr Macon Hawkins, 68, pleaded February 23 2006 for an end to their ordeal, according to militant e-mail. The militants in a statement attached to pictures of the hostages placed on a web-site informed that they were changing their modus operandi in the next phase of their offensive. They said henceforth, all their attacks on the oil companies and their employees would be carried out without prior warnings. The hostage-takers asked Nigerians and the international community to ignore statements by politicians to the effect that talks with them were yielding results and that the seized workers would soon be released. “This is a sick lie by politicians who are unwilling to face the truth,” the statement read. It added that the attacks on installations in Delta State were in retaliation for the Nigerian Army’s recent strikes on some Ijaw communities. The militants – who are campaigning for the rights of the local Ijaw people – have demanded more local control over the region’s oil revenues. Their attacks have led to a 20% drop in Nigeria’s oil exports. The foreign workers – three Americans, two Thais, two Egyptians, a Briton and a Filipino – were seized last Saturday February 18 2006 while laying a Shell pipeline.
� The Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State has upheld a resolution by the National Assembly ordering Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) to pay $1.5 billion to Ijaw Aborigines of Bayelsa State in a court judgment delivered on February 24 2006. A National Assembly’s joint committee had in 2004, ordered SPDC to pay $1.5 billion to the Ijaw communities under the aegis of Ijaw Aborigines as compensation for the devastation of their environment occasioned by oil exploitation and exploration since 1956. While delivering judgment in the case, which was brought before it by Shell to determine if the lawmakers had the right to order it to pay that amount to the Ijaw communities, the presiding judge, Justice Okechukwu Okeke ruled that the National Assembly had the right to make a resolution on any matter of interest to the nation and its people. Shell’s lawyer, Richard Akinjide sharply disagreed with the court’s decision and served notice that his client would appeal against court ruling. The counsel to the Ijaw Aborigines of Bayelsa State, Mr. Tayo Oyetibo lauded the court’s verdict which he described as a victory for the downtrodden people of Bayelsa State who had for decades battled to get justice for Shell’s ruination of their environment and their means of livelihood. Following the National Assembly order, Shell has been facing serious challenges in the Niger Delta due to a spate of attacks on its facilities since December 2005, and decided to go to court for it to decide if the lawmakers had the right to order it to pay the Ijaw $1.5 billion. Shell first struck crude oil in commercial quantity in Oloibiri, in the then Eastern Region of Nigeria, now in Bayelsa State in 1956.
East (Rivers & adjoining States)
2.1 On February 18 2006 at approximately 2035hrs, approximately six (06) criminals using a green Mercedes attacked residents in a building along Umuekem Street, Port Harcourt. They were engaged in a gunfight with a MOPOL guard (sergeant) who was shot dead and his rifle taken. The landlord sustained bullet wounds. Police investigation is ongoing.
2.2 On February 19 2006 at approximately 1010hrs, a middle aged woman, residing at Redeemed Avenue Abuloma, was robbed of valuables and one hundred thousand naira cash (N100,000.00) by two (02) armed men using a motor bike. The lady who was changing her punctured motor tyre at Ada Georges Road, linking Okujagu, was left with bruises and whip marks inflicted by the robbers who escaped on a motor bike (Okada).
2.3 On February 20 2006 properties worth millions of naira were gutted by fire, including drugs that were supplied recently by a German company, at a Comprehensive Health Center in Ahoada East Local Government. The cause of the fire was not immediately ascertained. Police investigation is ongoing.
2.4 On February 20 2006 a suspected GSM handset snatcher was burnt to death by an angry mob after attempting to forcefully snatch a hand set from a lady, along the popular Bonny Street in the old Port-Harcourt Township. Police is investigating the incident.
2.5 On February 22 2006 at approximately 0400hrs, residents at Warri Street, D/line Port Harcourt were attacked by six (06) robbers who gained entrance into a building through the kitchen window. Occupants were dispossessed of their cash, GSM phones, electrical appliances and other items. The robbery lasted approximately an hour, after which the robbers finally made away with the stolen items. Police investigation is ongoing.
2.6 On February 24 2006 over twenty (20) heavily armed robbers invaded Headquarters of Adoni local government in Rivers State in a broad daylight and robbed the council staff of the February 2006 salaries. After robbing the council, the suspects left in five waiting boats with which they came via the waterways. Police investigation is ongoing.
2.7 On February 25 2006 at approximately 0710hrs, a commercial motorcyclist a.k.a Okada was crushed to death by an oncoming trailer when the okada man was meandering along PHC-Aba Expressway opposite Intels quarters to evade police checkpoint. Other motorcyclists reacted by engaging police in a free for all fight. Normalcy returned to the area after police reinforcement arrived.
Car Jacking Five (05) vehicles were snatched at gun-point in the state capital and its environs during the week under review. Police investigation is ongoing to recover the vehicles.
West (Warri/Escravos and adjoining States)
2.08 On February 20 2006 at approximately 2300hrs, a five (05) man armed robbery gang invaded Oghenevoh estate, along PTI road, Effurun and robbed residents of various items including personal effects, money and other valuables. The armed robbers escaped unscathed. Police is investigating the incident.
2.09 On February 21 2006 at approximately 2000hrs, two notorious GSM thieves were apprehended by a vigilante group at Bazunu area of Warri. The suspects were later handed over to the police at ‘A’ division. Five GSM handsets and a toy gun were recovered from the suspects. Investigation is ongoing.
2.10 On February 22 2006 at approximately 1120hrs, there was pandemonium occasioned by Sporadic shooting at Uti street, off PTI road Effurun, when youths of Ugbolokposu community in a reprisal attack clashed with youths of Uvwie community both of Effurun over a development levy in a construction site. It took the intervention of mobile policemen of the Quick response team to bring the situation under control.
2.11 On February 23 2006 normal commercial flights to Osubi airport resumed, following assurance from the militia group (MEND) that they would not attack the airport. The airport was shut down by the management, following threats by MEND to blow up the airport for allowing the airstrip to be used by the military to launch an attack on Ijaw communities in Delta state.
2.12 On February 23 2006 a 48-hour ultimatum was given to Chevron-Texaco Nig Ltd by the Elders of Gbaramatu Kingdom in the Warri South-West local government council of Delta state to immediately reinstate the twelve (12) Ijaw workers who were allegedly sacked due to their alleged involvement in the 2003 Warri crisis or face the wrath of the people.
2.13 On February 23 2006 the Delta State Commissioner of Police Mr Udom Ekpoudom disbanded the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) patrol teams of the state command, following his observation of receding performance of the squad and their corrupt tendencies especially extortion on the highways. A new Intelligence-led squad has been put in place to checkmate the activities of the criminals.
2.14 On February 24 2006 about three persons suspected to be oil pipeline vandals were arrested by men of the Federal Task Force on Pipeline vandalisation at Sapele, while other members of the gang escaped with gun shot wounds following an exchange of gun fire between the two groups. The incident is being investigated.
2.15 On February 24 2006 at approximately 2000hrs, the police at ‘B’ Division Okumagba Avenue, Warri smashed a three man armed robbery gang specialized in snatching people’s bags and other valuables especially during weekends at Okere market area of Warri. Two locally made pistols were recovered from the suspects. They are assisting the police in their investigation.
Car-Jacking Five (5) vehicles were reportedly snatched at gunpoint at different locations in Warri and its environs during the week. Three (3) of the said vehicles have been recovered, while investigation to recover the rest is ongoing.
Lagos (and adjoining States)
2.16 On February 19 2006 at approximately 1905hrs, there was a fire out break in a popular restaurant at Mosafejo Oshodi main market. The cause of fire, which destroyed property worth millions of Naira, is yet to be ascertained. A team of combat policemen and members of the public brought the fire under control. No life was lost. Mosafejo Police Division is investigating.
2.17 On February 20 2006 a group of students of the Lagos state University took up arms against the State Government and the school authority following an increase in school fees with a vow to fight to the end unless the decision to hike the fees is rescinded. The rampaging students barricaded all the gates leading to the campus and setup bonfires on the roads, threw missiles of petrol bombs, bottles, cudgels and even fired gun shots sporadically to ward off the police. The anti-riot squad employed tear gas to disperse the students. One fatality was recorded in the skirmish. The state criminal investigation department Panti Yaba Lagos is investigating.
2.18 On February 20 2006 at approximately 2050hrs, men of the Maroko Police Division, along Lagos-Epe expressway arrested two armed robbery suspects out of a gang who opened fire on the police team in a bid to secure the release of arrested robbers. One locally made revolver with six rounds of 9mm ammunition was recovered from them. Panti Police is investigating.
2.19 On February 22 2006 at approximately 2521hrs, men of the Iponri police division while on patrol on Igammu bridge rescued passengers in a Volkswagen minibus whom were being attacked by hoodlums. The police gunned down one of the suspects while two others were arrested. Two firearms were recovered. SCID Panti Yaba is investigating.
2.20 On February 23 2006 at approximately 1410hrs, some students of Ishashai grammar school armed with cutlasses and charms went on rampage and disrupted the institutions inter-house sport meeting and damaged the windscreens of two cars parked on the school premises. A team of policemen drafted to the scene brought the situation under control. Ishashai Police Division is investigating.
2.21 On February 24 2006 three armed robbery suspects were arrested along Alimosho bus stop, Ipaja. The suspects were arrested while operating on a motorcycle from which they snatched a handbag containing a cash sum of N15, 000.00 from their victim. SCID Panti is investigating.
Car-Jacking Eight (08) vehicles were reportedly snatched at gunpoint at different locations in Lagos and its environs during the week. Three (03) of the vehicles have been recovered, while police investigation is ongoing to recover the rest.