Weekly Security Report Weekly Report week 18 week 18
GENERAL
Workers, Leaders Task Govt On Food, Jobs
The Labour movement and an eminent cleric, on Wednesday tasked the Federal Government on infrastructure development and employment. The Labour movement called for massive investment in railway, food and power sector.
Newspaper Owners Decry Reps' Failure To Pass FOI bill
The Newspaper Proprietors' Association of Nigeria (NPAN) has condemned the failure of the House of Representatives to pass the Freedom Of Information (FOI) Bill which has been before the National Assembly since last year. The President of NPAN, Chief Ajibola Ogunshola, noted the trivial manner with which House members treated the FOI Bill at their sitting on April 29, 2008.
West African Leaders Adopt N990b Plan on Niger River
A twenty-year rescue plan of about N990 billion ($8.6 billion) to save the Niger River that would guarantee the future of 110 million people, has been adopted by West African heads of state.
Workers In Europe, Asia Protest High Food Price
Spots of demonstrations and rallies sprang up in various European and Asian cities as workers marked the May Day with protests over the soaring food prices.
National Safety Policy To be Unveiled
A national policy document on occupational safety and health, aimed at implementing measures that would promote safe and healthy workplaces for the enhancement of sustained economic growth and development, was unveiled Tuesday. Some provisions of the policy would compel companies’ and all employers of labour to ensure that a minimum standard of safety and health practice exists in their establishment, as well as to have their workers insured against workplace accidents.
Invest Foreign Reserves in Offshore Oil Refineries’
Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Export Promotion Commission (NIPC), Engr. Mustafa Bello, has called for the investment of substantial part Nigeria’s hefty in key sectors of the economy where the nation has a comparative advantage in order to unleash the full potentials of the Nigerian economy. Nigeria's foreign reserve is currently estimated at $43 billion.
Armed Robbery Suspect Chops Off Police Officer’s Hand
A police Sergeant who on Wednesday led a team to the hide out of a suspected armed bandit in Bali LGA of Taraba State to had his right arm chopped off by the suspect. The suspect, who used a machete to carry out the act, was later shot dead by the police. The sergeant is now receiving treatment.
500 Rendered Homeless In Benue Rainstorm Disaster
Over 500 persons were rendered homeless while property, worth over N900m including electricity poles were destroyed in Makurdi, at the weekend as a nine-hour rainstorm wreaked havoc on the Benue state capital. The state Governor, Gabriel Suswam who went round the state capital to monitor the extent of damage, ordered that immediate measures be taken to mitigate the agony of victims.
Army Reabsorbs 22 Soldiers Dismissed Over Protests
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Luka Yusuf, has ordered the immediate re-absorption of 22 soldiers dismissed in 1999 for unruly behaviour in Egypt while on medical treatment. The army boss said his directive followed a recent court judgment that the soldiers be reinstated and all arrears of their salaries paid.
Nigeria Halliburton Probe: US Expands Probe To Shell EA Project
The Nigeria Halliburton probe has added a new dimension. Halliburton has said that an investigation into alleged bribes paid in relation to a Nigerian liquefied natural gas facility also may involve a Royal Dutch Shell PLC project. The probe began in 2004 following alleged payments to Nigerian officials in respect of the building of the Bonny Island Liquified Natural Gas Facility.
FCT, Army Partnership Cuts Down Crime –Modibbo
Collaboration with the Nigerian Army has drastically reduced crime rate in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), says the Minister of the FCT, Aliyu Modibbo.
Nigeria’s Oil Production Shrinks To Less Than 1m Bpd
Nigeria’s daily crude production has shrunk to less than one million barrels per day as a result of shut downs at ExxonMobil and Shell, the country’s biggest oil producers. Striking senior workers at ExxonMobil completely shut down the 860,000 bpd facilities, while Shell was forced to cut back 169,000 bpd after militants broke its export pipelines at the Bonny Export Terminal. Both incidents have resulted in combined losses of 1.03million bpd, against the 2.02million bpd.
Britain, FG Dialogue on Niger Delta
The British High Commissioner to Nigeria Mr. Bob Dewar has said that his country has been dialoguing with the Federal Government and states of the Niger Delta on how to tackle insecurity in the Niger Delta.
Violence, Crime In Niger Delta Now Un-Acceptable – IMO
The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) on Monday declared as totally unacceptable the increasing wave of kidnapping for ransom of seafarers and ships in the Niger Delta and tasked the Federal Government to take urgent steps to address it.
Widow Arrested Over Son’s Alleged Crime
A widow, whose 20 year-old son was alleged to have absconded with his master’s money, was on Thursday arrested by the police in Nasarawa State. They accused her of conspiring with her son to steal his master’s money and she was detained for two days. She denies knowing anything about the money.
Court Lambasts Police For Long Detention Of Suspect
Magistrate Mabel Segun Bello, Monday, criticised the police for detaining a suspect for two months without charging him to court. The law states that an accused person should be arraigned in court within 24 hours to take his plea. The accused and one Frank Agomo (now at large), were alleged to have fraudulently collected N1.5m from one Sam Uzoukwu on the pretext of investing in a $2.5m business.
NNPC, Other Oil Companies Weak In Revenue Transparency
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has been adjudged weak on three of the four indices for measuring transparency among national and international oil companies by Transparency International (TI). Only the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) fared worse than the NNPC in the report, which covered 42 leading oil and gas companies in 21 countries.
VP Raises The Alarm Over Poor Response To Disasters
Vice-President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan on Monday raised the alarm over the inability of national emergency response agencies to effectively deal with disasters. He promised that “government would ensure that all action plans on disaster risk reduction are implemented” to avert the security threat by the recurring disasters.
Oando Signs PSC, GMoU on OPL 236
In line with its commitment to fast-track the development of it’s upstream assets, Oando Exploration and Production (OEPL), operating in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, has formally signed a Global Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ukana South 1 communities, within block OPL 236 to in order to expand its business in the area. With the signing of the PSC and GMOU, Oando said it has displayed its readiness to commence activities on the predominantly gas block.
Gas Producers to Form OPEC-Like Organisation
World’s major gas producers have commenced moves towards the setting up of an Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC-style organisation, which will enable the exporters to have a free hand to set prices. The gas exporters said the need to set up the organization became necessary because in the next 20 years, oil’s share of fossil fuels will decrease while gas’ share will increase.
Gas Flaring: ‘Nigeria Incurs $28bn Losses’
Between 1986 and 1998, Nigeria incurred huge financial losses of $28billion due to gas flaring in the country, the current Editor of the Nigerian Journal of Economic and Social Studies on the governing council of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaira, Professor Abdul-Ganiyu Garba, has said.
Renewable Energy: Experts to Meet on New Technologies
In a bid to explore the enormous potentials abound in the renewable energy, with a view to developing the oil and gas industry in Nigeria, stakeholders in Nigeria and the entire West Africa have concluded plans to have a national workshop on the new technologies needed for conversion of the most promising feedstock types.
Be Safety Concious, Total Tells Drivers
As part of activities to ensure Quality Health, Safety and Environment (QHSE) in its downstream operations, Total Nigeria Plc has stressed the need for drivers to be safety conscious. The company recently collaborated with Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) to re-launch its annual safety campaign.
ECOWAS Demands Enabling Law To Secure WAGP
Executive Secretary of the Economic Community Of West Africa States (ECOWAS), Ibn Chambas, has called for the provision of an enabling law to give legal backing to the regional gas pipeline, the West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP) Project. The pipeline, which is designed to convey Nigeria's gas to Benin Republic, Togo and Ghana, is now about 70% completed. He urged the heads of government in the region to ensure that requisite legal structures are put in place to attract investors, especially on the need to turn to gas for their industrial and power needs.
ERHC Re-elects Two Nigerians, Former U.S. Envoy Board Members
Shareholders of ERHC Energy have approved the re-election of two Nigerians and a former U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria into the Board of Directors of the company. The two Nigerians are Clement Nwizubo and Dr. Andrew Uzoigwe along with Ambassador (retired) Howard Jeter. Their respective terms will run through the company's next Annual Shareholders Meeting.
Oil Majors Say They Lack Power To Influence Oil Prices
Oil-consuming countries and international oil producers acknowledged at the weekend that they no longer have the capacity to influence oil prices. In the 1970s, international oil companies (IOCs) controlled nearly 75 percent of global oil reserves and 80 percent of oil production. Now, IOCs control only six percent of oil and 20 percent of gas reserves, and 24 percent of oil and 35 percent of gas production. The rest is in the hands of national oil companies.
Chevron Shareholders Get N7.50 Per Share
Chevron Oil Nigeria Plc has offered a dividend of N7.50 per share to its shareholders as the oil firm declared a profit of N2 billion against N1.3 billion in 2006. The audited result of the company for the year ended 31st December 2007 also shows a turnover of N72.6 billion as against N65.9 billion in the previous year.
OPEC Sees $200 A Barrel
President of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC, Chakib Khelil does not rule out oil prices reaching $200 a barrel, even though supply is adequate, because the market is driven by the dollar’s slide
Benue Senator Launches Free Medical Care
A novelty was added to May Day Celebration in Benue State yesterday as a senator, representing Benue North East Senatorial District, Dr. Joseph Akaagerger, launched a Workers Day Free Medical Scheme for the people of Vandeikya Local Council of his constituency. Tagged, "Senator Akaagerger Free Medical Care Programme (SAFEMCAP)," the scheme, he said, was meant to cater for the medical needs of members of his constituency who lacked opportunity to work.
PEF: Court Orders Kenny Martins’ arrest
An Abuja Magistrate Court has ordered the arrest of the Chief Executive of the Police Equipment Fund (PEF), Mr. Kenny Martins over allegations of fraud. Kenny Martins and Ibrahim Dumuje have allegedly refused to honour police invitation extended to them to answer questions regarding the alleged fraud in the fund.
MEND Attacks Cut Oil Export by 500,000 bpd
The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), has claimed that its Operation Cyclone meant to cripple Nigerian oil exports is recording success with the shutdown of 500,000 barrels per day in the combined attacks on oil installations. MEND said that the operation is targeted at crippling Nigerian oil exports in protest against the continued trial of its leader, Henry Okah.
British Airways Regrets Maltreatment Of Nigerians
British Airways has said it regrets the March 27 incident, which led to the maltreatment of over 130 Nigerians on-board its London-Lagos flight. The airline’s spokesman, Mr. Ademola Adedoyin, who said this in a statement on Thursday, said that the decision, which led to the incident, was taken in the interest of safety, and that it was not meant to maltreat the Nigerian passengers.
Armed Robbery, Piracy Blamed On Niger Delta Crisis
The Minister of State, Air Transport, Mr. John Okechukwu Emeka on Tuesday in Abuja blamed increased piracy and armed robbery at the waterways on the Niger Delta crisis. Emeka, who spoke at the International Conference on Piracy and Armed Robbery at Sea, urged the stakeholders to produce a blueprint to stem the menace.
Danjuma Loses Appeal To Recover Oil Prospecting Licence
South Atlantic Petroleum Limited (SAPETRO), owned by former Minister of Defence, General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma, Tuesday, lost its bid to recover a part of the Oil Prospecting Licence (OPL) 246, which the Federal Government recovered in 2006. Government had statutorily granted SAPETRO an Oil Mining Lease (OML) from the said OPL 246 after 10 years of operating the lease.
Nigeria Loses N960bn Annually To Capital Flight In Oil Sector
Nigeria’s economy loses about N960 billion ($8 billion) annually to non-implementation of local content by oil companies operating in the country, thus leading to lost opportunities for able-bodied Nigerians. Experts say that with an estimated annual spending of about N1.2 trillion going into the Nigerian oil and gas industry annually, only about 20 per cent of that amount is domiciled in Nigeria.
Senate Considers Bill On Private Detectives
Questions on the killers of former Minister of Justice, Chief Bola Ige and other assassinated politicians flared on Tuesday as the Senate considered a bill to enact a law permitting the operation of private detectives in the country. The bill titled “A bill for an act to provide for licensing and regulation of private detectives and investigators,” was sponsored by Senator Ike Ekweremadu.
Shell Resumes Retrenchment Of Workers
The management of Shell Petroleum Development Company has resumed the suspended restructuring in the Dutch oil firm after an agreement was struck with the Federal Government. Also, the Minister of Labour, Dr. Hassan Lawal, has urged Mobil Nigeria Plc to improve the welfare packages of its workers, in view of the enormous profit it is making from exploiting oil in the country.
Shell Oil, Gas Reserves Stagnate After Sakhalin, Nigeria Losses
Production output drop in Nigeria, prospects of FG’s demand for a more favourable production terms as well as the forced ceding of its controlling stakes in Russian venture to the national oil company have seen Royal Dutch Shell’s reserves stagnate for the second year running. Net reserves as of December 31, were 11.92 billion barrels, compared with 11.94 billion barrels at the end of 2006.
Varsity Student Stabbed To Death - 3 Robbers Killed, 11 Arrested In Taraba
The police in Gombe State have confirmed the tabbing to death of one Ibrahim Muhammad, an undergraduate of the University of Maiduguri at the Gandu quarters of the state capital by yet to be identified persons. No arrests have been made. In another development, a joint army/police patrol team in Taraba State on Tuesday killed three suspected armed robbers and arrested 11 others. Weapons such as AK 47 rifles, guns, charms, knives and arrows were recovered.
EFCC Begins Probe Of 'Missing' Plane
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has taken over the investigation into the circumstances under which the Beechcraft 1900D aircraft disappeared and was flown out of the country on March 15.
Okiro Redeploys 53 Senior Officers
The Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mike Okiro, on Wednesday announced the redeployment of 53 senior officers, an exercise which saw Mr. Onyinye Iroham as the new commissioner of police in charge of Lagos State command. Until his redeployment, Iroham was commissioner of police in charge of Imo State.
50 Ambassadors Stranded in Abuja
One hundred and eighty days after their confirmation by the Senate, only about 10 of the 61 ambassadors-designate have left for their countries. Most of them are still being delayed due to inability to get the necessary clearance document needed from their countries of destination.
Yar’Adua Asks Workers to Back 7-Point Agenda
President Yar’Adua, during the May day celebrations, called on Nigerians to do away with past negative practices and work positively towards building a better future. The President admonished organised labour to support his administration’s seven-point economic agenda.
Three Lawyers Arrested For Forging Sultan’s Signature
Three lawyers have been arrested by the Police in Abuja for allegedly forging the signatures of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III and Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, President, African Business Roundtable. The Police are investigating the forgery of the Sultan’s signature to register PEF Security and Communications Limited, a subsidiary of the troubled Police Equipment Foundation.
PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS
Abductors of Mrs Idisi Cease Communication with Family - Spokesman
The Public Relations officer of Lonestar Drilling Nigeria limited, Mr. Micheal Ugorji has confirmed that for a couple of days now, no meaningful contact was made by the abductors of Mrs. Margret Idisi to her family. The kidnappers had reduced their earlier demand of N1bn to N500m as ransom.
Govt Declares Emergency on Food Sector
Akwa Ibom State Government has declared emergency in the food sector as a preemptive measure to avert the imminent food crisis in the State. Consequently, the state government has taken delivery of 600 metric tonnes of maize worth N26 million to be sold at subsidized rate to the people.
ExxonMobil Workers Agree To Return To Work As Talks Continue
Striking senior workers at ExxonMobil upstream arm agreed to return to work on Wednesday, even as negotiations with management continued. The ExxonMobil branch of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, last week Thursday, downed tools to press home its demand for better welfare package commensurate with the market.
Police Give Rivers Residents Security Tips
The Rivers State Police Command has called on residents of the state to stop carrying bags and bulky items about on the streets as they are attraction to robbers on motor bikes.
UN Trains 5 Bayelsans to Man N/Delta Satellite Hub
The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) has dispatched five people from Bayelsa State to Geneva for training on how to man its satellite hub to be located in the State. The instrument is to be used in monitoring the volatile Niger Delta region. The scheme is a United Nations response to the insecurity and oil spills in the region.
Two Suspects Arrested Over Abduction Of Monarch
The police have arrested two of the five persons alleged to be behind the abduction of a monarch in Anambra state, His Royal Highness Patrick Mbamelu Okeke. The monarch and two others abducted have been rescued.
N60bn Wonder Lake: Imo Woos Chinese Investors
Imo State Governor, Chief Ikedi Ohakim has solicited for the partnership of Chinese investors in the development of the N60 billion Oguta Lake Resort, better known as the Wonder Lake Project and other projects in the state.
Imo House Summons Police Commissioner Over Robbery Incidents
The Imo State House of Assembly has summoned the state’s Commissioner of Police (CP) Donald Iroham, to appear before it and explain the role of the Imo State Police Command during the recent robbery incidents in the state.
Policemen Detain 19 Naval Officers
Policemen attached to the Ebonyi state government house, Tuesday, detained 19 newly commissioned personnel of the Nigerian Navy and indigenes of Ebonyi State, for “breach of security protocol.” The naval men had reported tried to force their way into the governor's office to seek his blessing.
Transporters Protest Brutality
Drivers of Abia State transport corporation, Abia Line, blocked the entrance to the Ebonyi state Government House, protesting “bulling by the state chapter of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) who invaded their pack, heavily armed with guns and other lethal weapons and carried away their tyres and jacks after dismissing their passengers.
Abia Police Probe Agwu's Murder
The Abia State Police command has launched aggressive investigation into the death of 34 year old Mr. Chukwudi Ike Agwu who was killed by unknown gunmen 20 days to his wedding. Agwu was killed by yet to be identified gunmen on Sunday, march 13, 2008. Meanwhile, the command said has it has made some breakthrough into breaking the robbery gang that has been attacking bullion vans in the state.
Imo Speaker Flays Oil Coys Over Neglect Of Host Communities
The Speaker, Imo State House of Assembly, Chief Goodluck Opiah, has expressed dismay over what he termed “the indifferent attitude of some oil companies to the plight of their host communities in the state.” Opiah made his feelings known when he received some traditional rulers who paid him a visit.
BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS
Govt Signs MoU with Firm to Boost Agriculture
The Delta State government and an agricultural outfit, Transformation Pishion Field Ltd, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote agriculture and turn the state into a formidable food basket. The State governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan, promised to donate ten thousand acres of land to the company.
Pipeline Vandalism: NNPC Suspends Production Of Diesel, Kerosene At WPRC
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation has suspended further production of diesel and kerosene at the Warri Refinery and Petrochemical Company. The unit producing kerosene and diesel in the pioneer refining plant has been shut down sequel to haulage problems occasioned by the suspension of supply of petroleum products through the pipelines from Warri to other parts of the country.
NDCC To Commission Burutu Electrification Project
The people of Burutu in Delta State will have a reason to celebrate as the Niger Delta Development Commission commissions the electrification project in the Ijaw community. The project was initiated and completed by the NDDC.
Robbers Storm Wedding In Asaba
A newly wedded couple in Asaba, Delta state, had their wedding reception disrupted by a gang of armed robbers, who stormed the reception venue and robbed guests of their phones and money. The robbers shot sporadically, while they searched the guests and those that resisted being searched were dealt with. The couple managed to escape unharmed but about ten persons were injured.
Police Kill 3 Robbery Suspects In Warri
Nemesis caught up with three notorious armed bandits who were gunned down by a patrol team of mobile policemen in the early hours of Wednesday in Warri, Delta State. They were killed during a hot exchange of fire with police.
3 Die In Factory
Three persons have been reportedly burnt to death in a factory inferno at the plant of the Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC), Eyaen, Edo state. Four other persons, who received various degrees of burns, are receiving medical attention. The fire broke out at the plant at about 2pm on Tuesday, but was later contained by the Edo Fire Service.
Delta Assembly Crisis: Protesters Take Over Warri-Asaba Expressway
Protesters, under the aegis of Ndokwa National Youth Movement, seized the Warri-Asaba Expressway on Monday in demonstration against the removal of Dr. Olisa Imegwu as the speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly. They gave the State Government and the state Assembly a 10-day ultimatum to reinstate Imegwu, alleging that the lawmakers did not follow due process in his removal. Imegwu was sacked by 20 out of the 29 members of the Assembly.
EFCC Swoops On Cyber Café: Arrests Over 15 Suspects
Confiscates Equipment Valued Millions Of Naira
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), swooped on a suspected popular cyber café in Asaba, "Titi Com Cyber Swift", arresting over 15 persons caught with scam letters. The unannounced arrival of the EFCC officials was as a result of authentic information received. Equipment worth millions of naira were also confiscated by the EFCC.
Edo To Implement 15 Per Cent Pay Rise
Governor Oserheimen Osunbor of Edo State on Thursday announced that civil servants in the state would have their salary raised by 15 per cent from July 1, 2008. The state government had been implementing 9.5 per cent of the 15 per cent recommended by the Federal Government in 2007.
LAGOS AND ENVIRONS
Police Arrest Couple For Selling Their Twins
Detectives at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, Lagos have arrested a couple who sold their twins to a syndicate who specialized in selling kids in London. Also arrested was the kingpin of the syndicate, Mrs Helen Woma, who personally paid the sum of N120, 000 each for the babies.
Land Feud Claims Two Lives
Thugs, believed to be working for some land speculators killed two people on Tuesday as they struck in Iyesi, Badagry. The feuding groups were said to have engaged themselves in bitter struggle over the control of some parcels of land.
Peddlers Conceal Indian Hemp In Bullion Van
The police in Lagos on Thursday paraded an Indian hemp seller who had concealed 50 bags of the product in a bullion van in order to escape suspicion from security agencies. The police arrested 38-year-old William Esuabo last week on the Third Mainland Bridge while transporting the illegal product to Lagos Island.
Lagos Takes Over 107 Bad Buildings
The Lagos State Government has seized 107 buildings which collapsed in the state in the last one year as penalty aimed at checking incessant collapse of buildings in the state.
NDLEA Arrests 29 Suspects, Convicts 7
The National Drug and Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Kwara State Command has arrested 39 suspected drug barons, convicted 7 and seized of 377 kilogrammes of mainly cannabis in the last few months. The state Commander of the NDLEA, Mr. Nse Jack Nna, who said this, also lamented the high rate involvement of teenagers, secondary school students and indeed primary school pupils in drug use in the state.
Magistrate Arraigned Over Osun Bomb Explosion
An Osogbo Magistrate, Ayo Oyebiyi, was on Tuesday arraigned in court over last year’s bomb blast at the Osun State secretariat. Oyebiyi was arraigned in camera along on a two- count charge of conspiracy and intent to commit felony. The June 14, 2007 blast has been a source of controversy between the state government and the opposition. One Taye who was injured in the blast later died.
NDLEA Arrests Varsity Graduates, Others For Drug Trafficking
A graduate of philosophy, Olutope Vincent Odewale and four others are currently being interrogated by officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, for drug trafficking. They were all alleged to have tested positive for cocaine ingestion last week while on their various destinations to Europe.
NURTW Factional Crisis Claims 2 Lives in Ondo
At least two persons were reportedly killed in a bloody clash over leadership between two rival members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Ipele/Iyere branch in Owo LGA of Ondo state on last Monday. Properties worth millions were destroyed.
Shell Ordered To Pay Lagos N182m Withheld Tax
The Anglo-Dutch oil firm, Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) has been ordered to pay the Lagos State government the sum of N182 million. The order was given by a Lagos High Court, which ruled that the company was liable to the payment of the money as an overdue personal income tax from its staff to the state government, covering from 1999 to 2001.
Robbers Raid Champion House
Champion House, the Lagos headquarters of the Champion Newspapers, was, Wednesday, raided by armed bandits, who carted away huge sums of money and documents worth several thousands of naira. The robbers, reportedly scaled the perimeter fence of the company's premises at about 1.30 a.m, rounded up the security men on duty, before gaining entrance into the main building. Workers on duty were molested, but no life was lost.
Court Stops Shell from Terminating Company’s Contract
A Lagos High Court has restrained Shell Nigeria from terminating a three-year contract between it and an indigenous auto engineering firm, Doyin Motors. The order was sequel to an ex-parte motion filed by the firm accusing Shell of some underhand dealings to frustrate the contract with the aim of re-awarding same to a firm with foreign