Weekly Security Report Weekly Report week1 week1
GENERAL
Senate To Declare N’Delta A Disaster Area – Ekweremadu
Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, Thursday, said the Senate will declare the Niger Delta region a disaster area, saying that by declaring the area a disaster zone, government would pay “undiluted attention to its development.”
Sharing Of Excess Crude Is Abnormal, Says PENGASSAN Boss
The President of Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, (PENGASSAN), Comrade Peter Esele has decried the sharing of excess revenue on crude by the federal government. Esele opined that it should rather be set aside to cater for future challenges and unforeseen circumstances.
Pipeline Vandalism: NNPC To Embark On Grassroot Enlightenment
To control the spate of pipeline vandalism, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), has concluded plans to embark on enlightenment programme aimed at educating people on the terrible after effects of pipeline vandalisation.
Filipinos Barred From Working In Nigeria
The Philippines government has barred its citizens from seeking employment in Nigeria because of the rise hostage-taking in the Niger Delta. Most Filipinos work in Nigeria’s oil sector as crewmen onboard oil vessels that service oil rigs.
EFCC Swoops on Agric Ministry
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested a top official of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources for extorting money from contractors before they were paid for jobs done. The arrest followed a petition by the contractors, which prompted the EFCC to release marked money, which was handed over to the said official through the contractors.
UK To Investigate Bhutto’s Killing
Pakistan’s President Pervez Musharraf has said UK investigators are to assist in the inquiry into the assassination of opposition leader, Benazir Bhutto.
30 Kenyans Burnt To Death In Church, Death Toll Hit 300
About 30 Kenyans including children were burned to death in a church, in the wake of mounting violence over last week's elections. As the electoral crisis continue; the death toll, Thursday, hit 300.
Chevron Announces $22.9b Budget For 2008
Chevron Corporation has announced a $22.9bn capital and exploratory spending programme for 2008, a 15% increase from estimated outlays of $20bn in 2007. Included in the 2008 programme are $2.6bn of expenditures by affiliates, which do not require cash outlays by Chevron's consolidated companies.
Shell Outsources IT Jobs To Cut Cost
As part of its ongoing reorganisation plans, Anglo-Dutch Oil Giant Shell has concluded plans to outsource a "substantial" part of its information technology operations.
Petroleum Buyers Call for Sanity at Depots
The president of the All Petroleum Gas and Oil Buyers Association (APBA), Mr. Abdul Rasheed Momoh has called on the Federal Government to introduce a policy that would regulate activities in all depots in the country. Saying that if the policy is introduced it will curb the activities of dubious people operating in the depots.
Senate: Governors Spend Ecological Funds on Entertainment
The controversy over alleged mismanagement of ecological funds by state governors has been stoked again, with the Senate accusing governors of diverting the funds into official accounts for entertainment of guests, other than the purposes they were meant for.
Infrastructure: FG to Partner Communities
Finance Minister, Shamsudeen Usman has said that the Federal Government is currently considering the possibility of getting communities to be directly involved in various federal contracts. He said that that it would serve to check the situation whereby contractors abandon their contracts after collecting mobilization fees.
Hajj: NAHCON Fines 2 Airlines $200,000
National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has fined two airlines the sum of $200, 000 for breach of contract. Bellview and Meridien airlines were fined $100,000 each for failure to transport their pilgrims back home on schedule.
FG Pays Medically-unfit Ex-soldiers
Chairman, Military Pension Board (MPB), Brigadier-General Bitrus Kwaji, has confirmed that payment of pensions to medically-unfit ex-soldiers demobilised after the civil war would commence soon.
Fuel Scarcity Hits Kano
Scarcity of fuel has hit Kano metropolis and its environs with queues in virtually all the filling stations that are operating in the metropolis. Although the prices of the commodity have not been increased by the dealers, most filling stations are locked.
Ajibola Tasks Yar'Adua On Security
Former Judge of the World Court, Bola Ajibola, has expressed concern over the security situation in the country and urged the Federal Government to urgently arrest the decline.
Crude Oil Price Hits $100 Per Barrel
For the first time, oil price has hit $100 per barrel at the international market. According to a BBC report, the price increase was caused by violence in Nigeria, Algeria and Pakistan, the weak United States (U.S.) dollar and the threat of cold weather.
171 Journalists Killed In 2007
About 171 journalists were killed last year while pursuing their work, as against the 177 record of 2006. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) said that Iraq accounted for nearly a third of the deaths, with 65 journalists and media staff killed. Violence against journalists remains at extremely high levels for the third year in a row, IFJ President, Jim Boumelha, said.
Police Move Against Bank Robbery In Yobe
Yobe State Police Command has unfolded new security measures aimed at curtailing bank robbery in the state by stationing armed mobile policemen at strategic locations in Damaturu. The adopted measures would also involve the patrol of major streets where banks are located while responding to distress calls from banks and the general public.
Prisons Promotes 2,160 Officers
The Nigerian Prisons Service (NPS) has announced the elevation of 2,160 junior officers to their next ranks. Kayode Odeyemi, an assistant comptroller of prisons and public relations officer of the agency said that the promotion and upgrading to various ranks is part of the welfare package promised by the Comptroller General, when he assumed duty in 2006.
15 Perish In Motor Accident
About 15 people were reported to have lost their lives on Wednesday when a Toyota Hiace Bus had a head-on collision with a Jeep along the Gwagwalada express way, in Abuja. Ten others who were seriously injured in the accident were rushed to the General Hospital in Abaji, Abuja, while the dead were taken to the Gwagwalada Specialist Hospital.
NASS Tackles NNPC, Oil Companies Over Illegal Spending
The National Assembly may consider taking legal actions to compel both the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the oil companies operating in the Niger Delta region to henceforth make their budgets available to the National Assembly or face stiff sanctions. Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, who stated this in Abuja, also suggested the need to increase the 3 per cent paid by the oil companies.
NAPEP to Spend N2bn on Projects
The National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP), recently said that the implementation of its Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) project is expected to gulp over N2bn. The project is part of efforts to eradicate poverty in the country. Chairman of the Agency, Dr Magnus Kpakol, said that the CCT project was designed to transfer cash to poor families during emergency situations.
Minister Raises Hope On Nigeria's Bid For Security Council Seat
African countries have endorsed Nigeria's bid for permanent membership of the United Nations (UN) Security Council. Minister of State for External Affairs, Bagudu Hirse, said he believes that the seat would be secured.
Agwai Mobilises More Egyptian Troops For Darfur
Commander of the United Nations (UN)/African Union (AU) hybrid force, Gen. Martin Luther Agwai, is seeking for the deployment of some 1,200 additional Egyptian troops to Darfur. There are currently 9,000 troops on ground.
Yar'adua Okays Panel For Police Reform
President Umaru Yar'Adua has approved the setting up of a panel for the purpose of Police reformation and transformation. The panel is part of his determination to implement his seven-point agenda on the security of life and property as well as strengthen the capacity of the law enforcement agencies in the country in 2008.
42 UN Killed in 2007
Forty-Two United Nations (UN) workers were killed on duty in 2007. The UN Workers Union, while describing 2007 as "one of the deadliest years for the organization, called on member states to bolster prevention efforts as well as bring those behind "the heinous acts" to justice.
Vatican, Moslems To Meet
A meeting described as "historic" is to hold between Catholic and Moslem representatives in Rome in the first quarter of the year. The meeting is being planned as a dialogue between the faiths after relations were soured by Pope Benedict XVI's 2006 comments about Islam and holy war, Vatican officials said.
Police Arrest Two For Alleged N4.5m Fraud
Two persons have been arrested by the police in Minna, Niger State, for allegedly defrauding a commercial bank of N4.5 million while attempting to clear the sum of N4, 500, 009 from one of the suspect's account. The police are investigating the case.
Kutigi Vows To Sack Erring Judges
As the nation's judiciary braces up for new challenges, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Idris Kutigi, Thursday warned judicial officers nationwide about their conduct. According to Kutigi, any judicial officer who breaches the Code of Conduct would not only be shown the exit door, but also prosecuted for bringing the Judiciary to disrepute.
Cold Kills 47 In India
A biting cold wave sweeping across northern India has caused the death of no fewer than 47 people. The northern Uttar Pradesh State was the worst hit. No fewer than 38 had frozen to death there since the start of the chill in December 2007. Government and charities have set up more shelters for the homeless.
Constitution Review Kicks Off This Month – Mark
The National Assembly has concluded plans to begin the much talked about review of the 1999 constitution this month. As a prelude to the exercise, a seven- man committee is expected to be set up as soon as the Senate reconvenes on Tuesday.
Ribadu Agrees To Go To NIPSS
Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu agreed that government could send any public officer on training. Ribadu said he fully concurred with the decision to send him on a self-improvement course of study, accusing the commission’s foes of trying to cause disaffection between him, President Umaru Yar’Adua and the leadership of the Nigeria Police.
Aviation Expert Queries Disbursement Of N19.5bn Intervention Fund
An aviation consultant, Mr Sam Akerele has frowned at the infrastructural decay in the aviation sector despite the N19.5bn intervention reportedly approved for improving the sector. Akerele said it was bad that nobody is asking questions over the disbursement of the funds, stressing that accountability is very important.
Mark Gives Condition For Passage Of FOI Bill
The Senate President, David Mark, said on Thursday that the Senate was prepared to revisit the Freedom of Information Bill after a solution was found to the menace of quacks in journalism.
Niger Basin Authority Seeks N173bn Grant
The Executive Secretary, Niger Basin Authority, Mohammed Tuga-Bello, has said that the organisation is shopping for N173bn for its capital projects. Tuga-Bello added that the three major projects were the restoration of the ecological system, development of socio-economic infrastructure and capacity building.
FG Warned Against Military Operation In N’ Delta
Reactions on Thursday trailed the leakage of the report of the Joint Task Force in the Niger Delta, to militants in the region as the Ijaw ethnic nationality warned the FG not to launch any attack on its communities. The ethnic groups said the use of military action to dislodge the Niger Delta warlords would be counter-productive.
Ex-Gov Audu Survives Assassination Attempt
All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) governorship candidate in the nullified April 14, 2007, governorship elections in Kogi State, Prince Abubakar Audu, has cried to President Yar'Adua to fortify security around him, after he survived an assassination attempt by suspected political thugs in Kogi State, last Monday.
BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS
Death Toll Rises In Edo Clashes
The death toll in the communal clash between the Enwan and Akuku communities in Edo State which began on New Year eve, reached seven as fighting continued on Wednesday. The police command, which withdrew its men on Tuesday when the clash became very heated, is yet to send reinforcements to communities.
Communal Clash: Police Warn Communities' Leaders
The Edo state Police Commissioner, Mr Chris Dega, has visited the warring communities of Ewan and Akuku in Akoko Edo LGA of Edo state, urging elders and leaders of the areas to call the youths to order or they would be held responsible for the on-going destruction of lives and property in the areas.
Trailer Kill Six Persons
A container being conveyed by a Trailer fell off and killed six persons at PTI Junction Effurun. The incident occurred when the driver of the Trailer on top speed lost control.
Robbery Attack
A three man armed robbery gang on Monday, invaded Odibo residential estate along Effurun/Sapele road and shot one security guard on duty. The bandits who met resistance from the local security guards could not gain entry into the premises and later escaped leaving the guard with injuries. Police investigation is ongoing.
Police Kill Robbery Suspect
An armed robbery suspect in a gang of four last Thursday was in Udu LGA of Delta state shot dead by a police patrol team. Other members of the gang escaped with bullet wounds. Investigation is ongoing.
Arrest of Notorious Armed Robber
The leader of a notorious armed robbery gang terrorizing Ughelli-Patani road in Delta state identified as Ochuko Kpako has been arrested with a locally made pistol by the police. The suspect has made confessional statements and is helping police investigation.
Suspected Oil Vandals Kill Two Persons
Unidentified gunmen invaded the residence of an SPDC pipeline security contractor in Delta state on Saturday killing his thirteen-year-old daughter and a security guard. The father of the deceased girl was said to have been the target. The JTF have deployed two armoured Personnel Carriers to the community.
Car Hijack
Eleven vehicles were reportedly snatched at gunpoint at different locations in Warri and its environs during the week. Seven of the said vehicles have been recovered, while investigation to recover the rest is ongoing.
Edo Assembly Warns LG Bosses Against Illegal Appointments
The Edo State House of Assembly has warned the newly sworn-in council chairmen in the state against making appointments that are not in conformity with the Local Government Law passed by the House. The Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Mr. Zakawanu Garuba, disclosed that the House was already uncomfortable with the some of the appointments made by the chairmen.
South Africa To Train Edo State Farmers
South African farmers are to help train their Edo State counterparts in modern farming techniques. Counsellor to the South African High Commission in Lagos, Mr. Peter Malepe, disclosed this when the Special Assistant on Diplomatic Affairs, Mrs. Maranatha Obadan Chisuta, led officials of the state Liaison Office to the High Commission.
Army Officer, Wife, 3 Kids Die In Auto Crash
A serving military officer including his wife and three children were killed in a fatal motor accident along the busy Warri-Sapele highway during the yuletide celebration.
The officer, who was a captain in the Nigerian Army was said to be coming to Warri, Delta State during the Christmas celebration when the tyre of their vehicle burst and somersaulted. They died instantly.
Niger Delta: Shell recovers 115,000bpd
The Dutch oil major, Shell Petroleum Development Company, has recovered 115,000 barrels of crude oil per day from the production shut-in in the restive Niger Delta. The oil multinational suffered a production setback to the tune of 447,000 barrels of crude oil per day in its operations in the western Niger Delta due to the protracted crises.
Omon-Irabor Faults FG's Approach To N-Delta Peace Process
National chairman of the Human Rights Defenders Organization of Nigeria (HURDON), Mr. Casley Omon-Irabor has faulted the approach of the Federal Government to curb hostage taking in the Niger-Delta, saying that it is provocative and could make the militants more daring. He called for developmental projects to engage the youths positively and the opening up of the Niger Delta by massive road construction and communication projects.
PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS
Militants Threaten Attacks/Hostage-Taking Across The Country
Niger-Delta militants have threatened to renew attacks on oil installations and Hostage taking in cities across the country. In a statement issued by the Tom Ateke-led New Niger-Delta Revolutionary Army (NNDRA), they however, gave conditions for peace, explaining that they pulled-out of the peace talk because the peace committee as constituted by the FG was made up of insincere leaders.
14 Killed as Militants Resume Attacks
Militants on Tuesday in Port Harcourt attacked two police stations and other locations, leaving 14 persons dead. Leader of the Niger Delta Vigilante Movement, Tom Ateke, claims responsibility for the attacks. Meanwhile the State government has asked militants and cultists in the state to surrender their arms, while it declares Ateke wanted.
MEND Vows to Cripple Oil Exports…Promises Arms To Ateke
Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) on Thursday vowed to cripple oil exports from the Niger Delta region by providing arms including anti-aircraft gunships to Ateke Tom in what it said was a renewed bid to counter any possible offensive by the JTF. They warned that “Civilians in capital cities of the Niger Delta are advised to avoid milling around army check points as they have become targets for attacks.
Crime: 2008 Will Be More Peaceful In Rivers –CP
Mr Felix Ogbaudu, the commissioner of police in Rivers State, has called for the assistance of the public in efforts to rid the state of criminals, even as he promised that 2008 will witness a reduction in crime rate in the state.
15 Soldiers Killed In Bayelsa In 6 Months
At least, 15 soldiers attached to the JTF in Bayelsa State have been killed from June 2007 date in the cause of maintaining peace and security in the state, as disclosed by the state Commander, Lt. Col. Christopher Musa.
Poverty Alleviation: Igwe Buys Cars, Motorcycles For Natives
As part of efforts to alleviate poverty and youth unemployment among the people of Inyi Community in Oji River LGA of Enugu State, the traditional ruler of Obibi Kingdom, Igwe Mike Mberedeogu, has provided 310 motorcycles of different brands as well as cars for transport business to indigenes of the community.
Court Remands MASSOB Members
An Abakaliki Magistrate court on Thursday remanded 30 suspected members of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), facing charges of conspiracy and treason, in custody. The Magistrate, Mr Ukwa-Chinua, ruled that the court lacked jurisdiction in the matter as the second charge, treason, carried life sentence and no magistrate court could entertain it.
Family Of Slain Youth Demands N10m From Police
The family of late Chibuzor Ugwuani, 29, who was allegedly killed by the police on October 26, 2007 in Rivers State, has demanded ‘N10 million’ compensation from the police authorities. Late Chibuzor was said to have been gunned down by a trigger-happy police officer at a check point.
A’Ibom, Firm Sign MoU for $100m Refinery
Akwa Ibom State Government recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the management of the Amakpe refinery for the floating of a $100 million private refinery in the state. Furore created over alleged unresolved financial issues, had last October, halted the establishment of the industry.
Family, NPA Fault Police Killings of Suspected Militants
The cases of a 23-year old boy, Clement Eli, who was a computer analyst and two employees of the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), seem to contradict the police's claim that all killed on Tuesday’s battle with militants are culprits. The NPA said the victims were shot in their armpit, which means they had surrendered to whosoever might have killed them. The NPA and Clement’s family have therefore called for a full scale probe into the killings. The police have exhumed the bodies of six of the victims for investigation.
Brass LNG, Communities Sign Pact Over Project
An agreement has been signed between the Brass Liquefied Natural Gas Company and the impacted communities in Bayelsa State as project activities commence. The Commissioner for Energy, Chief Diekivie Ikiogha, expressed government's willingness to provide the enabling environment for the successful execution of the project.
Ex-LG boss, 3 Others Shot
A former chairman of Bonny LGA in Rivers State, Rutherford Long-John and three others escaped death, Wednesday night, when unidentified gun men invaded his home. The four wounded persons are receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital.
Sekibo Warns Amaechi, Amaechi Accuses Sekibo
Former transport minister, Dr. Abiye Sekibo has accused Governor Chibuike Amaechi of River State of playing to the gallery with security in State, and warned of the danger of playing politics while the state burns, He said this while reacting to the threat by Amaechi to black list Okrika and arrest political leaders if Ateke Tom, is not arrested. Meanwhile Amaechi accuses Sekibo of sponsoring the violence in the state.
LAGOS AND ENVIRONS
Lekki Free Zone To Host Petrochemical Plant
The Lagos State government has initiated plans to install a petrochemical plant to refine by-products of crude oil. The plant, according to Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, will be located in the Lekki Free Trade Zone.
Lagos Police Boss Gives Score Card
About 65 suspected armed robbers were killed by policemen in Lagos State from July 31, 2007 to date. The command declined to publish casualty figure of police officers.
30 Die In Accident
An accident involving a commercial bus and a fuel tanker has reportedly claimed 30 lives on the Sagamu - Benin expressway. According to reports, the bus ran into the tanker, which consequently exploded, leading to the deaths.
NDLEA Arrests Woman With 484 Grammes Of Cocaine
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a pregnant woman with 484 grammes of cocaine at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos. Another drug-trafficker, Kazeem Aremu Oladekun, 31, excreted 82 wraps of cocaine which he ingested weighing 1.159 kilogrammes.
Ekiti Offers Free HIV Test For Women
The Ekiti State government has called on pregnant women to come forward for free Human Immuno- deficiency Virus (HIV) test. Project Manager of the State Action Committee on AIDS (SACA), Pastor Bayo Adenigba, said that when it is discovered that any pregnant woman has HIV, the necessary medication would be given to such individual to ensure the safety of both mother and child during and after delivery.
Robbers Kill 2, Injure 5
Two persons died, while five others were injured in an early morning robbery in Festac Town, on Monday in Lagos. It was learnt that the robbers shot sporadically, while they held some vendors of foreign currencies hostage.
Lam Adesina’s Son Alleges Threat To Life
Adedapo, son of a former governor of Oyo State, Lam Adesina, has sent a message to the police and the State Security Service over alleged threats to his life. Since he had a face-off with the deputy governor of the state, Taofeek Arapaja, and Senator Kamoru Adedibu in December last year, he claimed that he had been receiving anonymous telephone calls.
Lagos Pilgrims Protest In Mecca
Lagos State pilgrims in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday protested against delay in moving them to Medina. They also faulted alleged plans to reduce their stay in Medina from a week to two days. The pilgrims said they had not been fairly treated.
Daniel Grants Amnesty To 27 Prisoners In Ogun
Governor Olugbenga Daniel of Ogun State has granted amnesty to 27 prisoners in the state in commemoration of the New Year celebration. Two of the 27 had their death sentences commuted to life imprisonment.
Teenager Drowns In Ocean On New Year’s Day
A seaside party outing to mark her 17th birthday anniversary on New Year’s day has ended in the death of a teenager. The tragic figure, Fatima Amodu, drowned in the ocean while swimming with friends during the picnic at Lekki beach, Lagos.
Fake Police Inspector Swindles Man N45,000
A suspected fraudster, Emmanuel Okafor, who was earlier arrested by the police for fraud, has again been nabbed for parading himself as a Police Inspector to defraud his victim of N45, 000.
Police Fraud Unit Recovers N435m, Files 90 Cases
The Police Special Fraud Units (SFU) has said that it has so far recovered N435 million in six months while it has also filed about 90 cases in various courts since its resuscitation by the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mike Okiro, in June 2007.