Villeworth Security Services Ltd

week 19

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GENERAL

ExxonMobil, Shell Resume Production

After an eight-day strike, ExxonMobil has returned its oil production output in Nigeria to normal operating levels, while Shell plans to kick off a partial resumption of production after it  shut down operations following  militant attacks.

Militants Seek Role for Carter at N’Delta Summit

Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) on Tuesday said that the end of militancy was in sight with the acceptance of former American President, Mr. Jimmy Carter, to mediate in the crisis if invited by the federal government and other stakeholders.  MEND has claimed responsibility for increased attacks on oil pipelines in the region. But Carter says he is not too keen of wading into the issue.

Myanmar Cyclone: Death Toll Rises to 22,000

Aid began to trickle into cyclone-ravaged Myanmar (formerly Bur-ma) on Tuesday but the worst-hit Irrawaddy delta, where nearly 22,000 people perished, was largely cut off from the rest of the world four days after winds, floods and high tidal waves tore through the densely populated region. Commentators say the death toll may rise to 250, 000.

Piracy May Continue On Nigerian Waters

Experts, who attended the International Conference against Piracy and Armed Robbery on Seas was, brain stormed on how the menace could be curbed. The experts have discovered that the nation may have no solution in sight to curb piracy for the next 90 days.

Oil: FG Seeks British Assistance on Capacity Building

Minister of State for Energy (Petroleum), Mr Odein Ajumogobia, has solicited assistance from the United Kingdom in capacity building in the oil and gas industry. He said Nigerians need to acquire necessary skills to be gainfully engaged in various aspects of the industry.

DPR Sets New Deadline for Permits Renewal Application

The Department for Petroleum Resources (DPR) on Monday announced May 30 as the new deadline date for submission of applications for Permits/Registration renewal as against April 30 earlier announced. Government has also decided to address the issue of gas flaring by ensuring that the volume of flare by each company is included in the supply obligation such that it attracts a penalty fee of about $3.50 per MSCF for erring companies. According to the DPR, this would effectively solve the flare out issue instead of giving a flare out deadline.

Global Energy Forum Explores Microsoft Solutions In Oil, Gas Industry

Technology solutions and its empowerment of oil and gas activities in the Middle East and Africa were top on deliberations at the recently concluded Global Energy Forum held in Abu Dhabi, United Arabs Emirate. Besides, the forum also deliberated on how Microsoft Corporation could partner with operators to provide technology solutions to empower the industry.

Police Arrest Three Murder Suspects

The police in Gombe State have arrested three suspects in connection with the murder of a student, Ibrahim Mohammed, who was stabbed to death three weeks ago.  One of the suspects has confessed that he stabbed Mohammad.

Missing Plane: Committee Quizzes Aviation Chiefs

The interrogation of major stake-holders in the aviation industry began, Tuesday, over the missing Bee-chcraft 900D owned by Wings Aviation. The 11-member committee probing the disappearance of the plane was at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos to quiz officials of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) those of Wings Aviation.

Kaduna: Rapist and Robbers Arrested

The Kaduna State Police recently arrested six suspects for vandalising GSM sites; and recovered 69 solar powered batteries and one microwave equipment panel. The command also paraded 7 suspects who have either raped or defiled under aged girls in the state.

Police Commence e-Policing Training

The police in Niger have commenced e-policing training for officers and men in a bid to make them computer literate and improve their efficiency. The training of the officers and men would put them on a par with their counterparts world wide and in line with the inspector-general's nine-point agenda.

FRSC Introduces Compulsory Exam

The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has introduced compulsory promotion examination to all officers and marshals. Its Head, Public Education, Mr Wale Adeniran, said that the introduction of the promotion exam was in line with the directive of the Secretary of the Government of the Federation (SGF), who supervises the commission.

Federal Medical Centre Gutted By Fire; One Feared Dead

Investigations have revealed that at least one person died during the fire outbreak at the Federal Medical Center, Makurdi recently. According to our source, the patient who was being attended to when the incident happened, gave up at the peak of the operation following an electrical fault which sparked off fire at the theatre of the hospital causing confusion in the process, with even the doctors themselves running for their safety.

Schlumberger Introduces Multiphase Flow Metering For Heavy Oil

Schlumberger has introduced the first ever application of multiphase flow metering technology for steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) wells. Multiphase flow measurement is a new service for heavy oil and bitumen SAGD production. The multiphase flow meter uses Vx technology to measure the flow rate of each phase from the wellhead without the need for time-consuming separation tests.

Chevron Announces 12.1% Increase In Quarterly Dividend

The Board of Directors of Chevron Corporation declared a quarterly dividend of $0.65 cents per share, payable June 10, 2008, to stockholders of record as May 19, 2008. The amount represents a 12.1 per cent increase in the company's quarterly dividend and marks the 21st consecutive year Chevron has increased its annual dividend payment.

Fed Govt Initiates Plan To Boost Oil Production

To boost exploration, the Federal Government has initiated a programme called speculative survey aimed at encouraging oil companies to embark on aggressive exploration in deepwater terrain. The Director of the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Tony Chukwueke, who disclosed this during the department’s 2008 first quarter media briefing in Lagos, said only 58 per cent of oil fields are producing while the remaining 42 per cent are not.

DPR Digital Data Repository Takes Off

The process to digitalise the data management and operations of the nation's oil, gas and petroleum industry has taken off with the cut-over by the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) to the new digital National Data Repository (NDR) platform.

Addax Petroleum Explores Options In Ofrima North Oilfield

Canadian oil major, Addax Petroleum says it is currently weighing up a fast track stand alone subsea development tied back to a floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel for the Ofrima North oilfield, off Nigeria. The company also says it is targeting first oil to flow by the end of 2009.

Nigeria, US Demand Force Oil Above $120

Oil prices hit a record high of more than $120 a barrels, Monday, driven by fresh supply disruptions in Nigeria and a growing sense of optimism that the US economy might escape recession. Nymex June West Texas Intermediate reached $120.21 a barrel before easing back to trade $3.50 higher at $119.52, while ICE June Brent surged $3.39 to $117.95 a barrel after reaching a new peak of $118.50.

ExxonMobil To Pay Second Quarter Dividend By June

ExxonMobil Corporation has declared a cash dividend of 40 cents per share, payable on June 10, 2008, to ordinary shareholders whose names will appear in the company’s records at the close of business on May 13. The company paid a dividend of 35 cents per share in the first quarter of 2008.

NNPC Has No Record Of Oil Revenue In 40 Years – Bankole

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Dimeji Bankole, at the weekend alleged that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation does not have the exact record of what the country has earned from crude oil sales since 1968.

FG Orders Attack on Illegal Vessels on Nigerian Waters

The Federal Government has ordered the Nigerian Navy to attack any ship entering Nigerian territorial waters illegally to lift oil from the Niger Delta. The new directive will be communicated to the embassies and missions of countries resident in Nigeria by the Minister of External Affairs soon.

Robbers Raid Bank, Kill Police Inspector, 2 Others

Three people, including a police inspector, were killed on Wednesday at Ayingba, Kogi State, when armed robbers struck at a bank, carting away millions of naira. During the operation, a shoot out ensued between the police and the robber, but the robbers killed a police inspector, while stray bullets hit some unsuspecting passers-by, many of whom sustained serious injuries.  No arrest was made.

Meningitis kills 30 in Zamfara, 100 Hospitalised

No fewer than 30 people were reported to have died following the outbreak of Cerebral Spinal Meningitis (CSM) in Zamfara State. Over 100 others have been hospitalised in relation to the outbreak.

Polish Govt To Assist Nigeria Police

The Polish government has pledged to rebuild and computerise the Police Training College, Ikeja, Lagos. A team from Poland, who visited the police training college, was led by the President, International Police Association (IPA).

Tax Evaders To Face Prosecution, Says Tax Agency Boss

Henceforth there will be no more kid gloves for corporate organisations or individuals that evade tax payment as dire consequences await them, the Federal Inland Revenue service (FIRS) has warned.

Stop NNPC from Importing Ethanol, MAN Tells Govt

In order to encourage local producers, the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has called on government to stop the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to stop the importation of ethanol. MAN noted that the backward integration of using cassava/maize and sorghum as a feedback for ethanol production had become necessary especially as the NNPC now had a mandate for inclusion of 10 per cent ethanol.

NLC Storms N’Assembly
•Wants Yar'Adua to tackle corruption

The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and allies on Thursday undertook a protest march to the National Assembly where it submitted a letter urging President Yar'Adua to back-up the on-going corruption probe by the National Assembly with a judicial commission of inquiry to assuage the feelings of Nigerians.

Court Dismisses Charge against M. Schneider Director

The High Court of Federal Capital Territory has dismissed the attempted murder charge against the Director of M. Schneider GMbH, Austria, saying the charge has no basis in law.  The accused was charged for alleged attempt to poison one Prince Albert Awofisayo, the principal director of M. Schneider.

MASSOB Calls for Obasanjo’s Trial

Leader of the Movement for Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Chief Ralph Uwazurike has called for the trial of the former president Obasanjo, for what he called the genocide which he committed while in office.  Uwazuruike alleged that Obasanjo masterminded the killing of innocent MASSOB members and other Nigerians while in power.

Group Challenges President on Extra-Judicial Killings

A civil society organisation, Access to Justice, on Thursday decried the growing rate of extra-judicial killings and torture of Nigerians by law enforcement agencies. They have challenged the presidency to look into the issue.

Okah, MEND Leader, Appeals Court Ruling

The leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), Mr Henry Okah, has appealed the ruling of the Federal High Court in Jos. Okah is asking the court to set aside the ruling of the lower court delivered on May 2, 2008, and also set aside the plea of "Not Guilty" entered for the appellant by the learned trial judge. Okah is charged with treason amongst other offenses.

Obama Denies Speaking to MEND

United States (US) Presidential hopeful, Senator Barack Obama   denied pleading with the Movement of the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) to cease attacks on oil installations in the troubled Delta region. MEND earlier had claimed its decision to call a ceasefire was due to a plea from the senator.

Govt Assures Swiss Investors Of Support

Swiss investors willing to do business in transportation sector were, Thursday, assured of Government's assistance to make their plans succeed. Minister of Transportation, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, told a delegation of Swiss businessmen in Abuja that there was a whole array of areas in the aviation sub-sector that could benefit from the input of foreign investors.

Govt To Boost Revenue Collection, Tackle Multiple Taxation

President Yar'Adua on Thursday restated his commitment to blocking all leakages in Nigeria's revenue collection systems. He expressed belief that this would go a long way in creating a level playing field for all tax payers to operate. The President identified multiplicity of taxes as one of the biggest impediments to voluntary compliance by tax payers and vowed to tackle that.

Six Africans Get Grants From US Foundation

Six students across Africa have been named as beneficiaries of toxicology internship grants for three months from the Africa Education Initiative (a.k.a. NEF), a non-profit organisation based in the United States (U.S.)

FG Approves Tax Holiday For Rice Imports

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday approved a tax holiday for importers of rice for a period of six months in a bid to ameliorate the impact of the global food crisis on Nigerians.

FG Blames Under-Development Of N-Delta On Community, Political Leaders

The federal government says insincerity on the part of community and political leadership in the Niger Delta is also responsible for the underdevelopment of the area. Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Baba Gana Kingibe also blamed successive governments for the sad situation.

Police Honour 2 Cops Killed By Robbers

Kogi State police recently organised a ceremonial burial parade to honour two gallant officers felled by the robbers’ bullets.  Bandits, who attempted to rob two old generation banks in the area, killed the two cops.

N50bn Police Fund Okiro Forced Me To Pay N10m Bribe - Kenny Martins

National Co-ordinator of Police Equipment Foundation, Kenny Martins, has said that he was forced by the Inspector General of Police, Mike Okiro, to bribe some people involved in the case going on before an Abuja magistrate’s court with N10 million and a jeep. Okiro has denied this allegation.

Police Arrest Two Over Attack On School Teacher

The Police in Sokoto have arrested two suspects in connection with last month‘s attack on Malam Isa Musa, a teacher at Hafsat Ahmadu Bello Model Arabic Secondary School, Sokoto. The two suspects had confessed to committing the offence during police interrogation.

EFCC Arrests Ex-Sokoto Governor, Bafarawa

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Wednesday arrested a former Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa, on allegations of financial corruption and money laundering. Bafarawa “was invited to answer some questions over his conduct as Governor of his state from1999 to 2007 .''

Police Avert Bloody Clash

What would have resulted to a bloody political clash between members of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) was on Wednesday averted by the police in Ibadan.
Policemen who came along with an Armoured Personnel Carrier took over the office and discovered that the members of a faction had concealed over 24 bottles of substance suspected to be acid in the premises.

Gas Flaring: 2008 Deadline Not Achieveable — Shell

Oil giant, Shell, has said that as long as militants continue to attack its facilities and the situation goes unresolved, gas flaring will continue in the country. As a result of the insecurity in the Niger Delta, Shell said it can no longer meet the 2008 deadline to end gas- flaring.

Ex-NDLEA Boss, Lafiaji, Received N30.6m From Drug Suspect

The Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission has charged the former Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Bello Lafiagi for receiving £168,300 (N30.6m) from a suspected drug trafficker. The money was said to be an exhibit seized from the suspect.

PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

Mobil’s Host Communities Count Losses After Strike

Residents of Ibeno, near Eket, Akwa Ibom, the community hosting Mobil Producing Nigeria (MPN), have decried the effect of the nine-day strike by PENGASSAN on the community.  As a result of the strike, the Mobil power plant that supplies electricity to the Ibeno community was last week shut down, throwing the community into darkness for more than one week. Artisans and frozen fish sellers, who depended on electricity from the company's power plant, complained that there was no income throughout the strike period.

Thieves Break Into Bayelsa Govt House

Thieves Sunday night broke into the office that the deputy governor of Bayelsa State was occupying before the administration was sacked by the election tribunal. They removed at least a set of computer. Though the motive of the burglars could not be ascertained but sources say they might have been in search of vital documents.

Police Arrest Man For Kidnapping Boy In Church

Churches in the Niger Delta region have been advised to be more vigilant as kidnappers have started invading the children wing of churches during Sunday services for kids abduction. Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, Mr. Felix Ogbaudu gave this warning after an arrest of one Sunday Ogbu who allegedly abducted a six years old child, Ndmanze Chinda from the children section of Redeemed Christian Church of God, Port Harcourt on Sunday, April 27.

Women Protest Against Militants

Hundreds of women in Bayelsa State embarked on a protest rally against the engagement of youths and women in political violence and militancy in the Niger Delta states. Meanwhile, the wife of a notable Niger Delta militant, Mr Henry Okah, has accused the FG of a fresh plot to kill her husband who is currently facing a secret trial at the Federal High Court in Jos, Plateau State.

Shell Shuts Down Production After Militants Attack

Royal Dutch Shell over the weekend shut down more of its production following fresh attacks on its facilities.  Militants suspected to be members of the Henry Okah-led Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger (MEND) on Saturday attacked a flow station in Bayelsa State. They were said to be reacting to a ruling of a Federal High Court in Jos that Okah should be tried secretly.

Gunmen Abduct Ship Captain, Engineer On Rivers Waterways
…Release Margaret Idisi

Gunmen, penultimate Sunday, struck on the Bonny waterways and abducted the captain of a ship and its engineer. The captain is an expatriate while the engineer is a local. Meanwhile, kidnapped wife of oil magnate in Rivers State, Mrs. Margaret Idisi, regained her freedom in the early hours of Saturday.

Light Crude Oil Discovered In Imo

The Imo State Governor Chief Ikedi Ohakim, has been presented with a sample of Bonny light crude oil explored in the state. Sterling Global Oil Resources Limited, led by Mr Arvind Mahamuni, who has been in the state for the past one year, had completed seismic survey on two wells and struck oil.

Three Persons Beheaded In Nsukka

A curfew was penultimate Saturday imposed at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, following the death of three persons in cult clashes on Friday. Residents woke up to see a head on display at a junction with a note indicating where the rest of the body could be found. The note warned the public to beware of the Black Axe a dreaded cult group in the school. Two others were beheaded.

Tragedy: Car Plunges Into River Niger, Family Drowns

Tragedy struck in Onitsha when a family of three; husband and wife with their seven year old daughter got drowned in the River Niger. The incident according to eyewitness account happened on Sunday when their car plunged backward without control after they had parked it to buy some fresh fish at the marine road bank of the River Niger. It pushed them all into the River.

Explosion Rocks PDP Secretariat In Yenagoa

Unknown persons, Thursday, bombed the secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa state. The explosion sent residents and security operatives attached to the complex scampering for safety.

11 Killed In Ogoni, FG Deploys Troops

The Federal Government has deployed military troops to Ogoni land, River state following the recent killing of 11 persons by suspected cultists in the area. The Joint Task Force (JTF) has deployed two Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC) at the headquarters of Tai LGA while soldiers now patrol many parts of Ogoni land.

Imo Legislator Kidnapped, Freed For N4m

A member of Imo State House of Assembly, Honourable Celestine Ogobiwu, was on Wednesday kidnapped in Owerri. Ngobiwu was said to have driven alone in his car when he was abducted.  He regained his freedom after paying N4 million ransom and forfeiting his Toyota Camry saloon car, worth about N4.8 million.

N-Delta Peace Parley Wants Oil, Gas Laws Reviewed

The Niger Delta Peace Parley jointly organised by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) ended on Thursday in PortHarcourt with a call on the National Assembly to review laws regulating the oil/gas sector as well as land use.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

Group Calls on JTF to Mop up Illegal Arms from Niger Delta

Itsekiri Oil Producing Communities in Delta State have appealed to the Joint Military Task Force (JTF) to mop up the massive illegal weapons from the Niger Delta. They also called the JTF to look inward in order to check the activities of its men as some of them are alleged to be accomplices to the militant youths.

Delta To Criminalise Child Abandonment

The Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, has said that child abandonment will soon be an illegal act in the state. The governor said government was awaiting the passing of the Child Rights Bill to give legal bite to the decision. Uduaghan stated that with the passing of the bill which he would promptly give assent to, children would have an unquestionable right to life.

Red Cross Sets Up Committee To Checks Arms Proliferation In N/Delta

The Nigerian Red Cross has announced the setting up of a steering committee to control arms proliferation and kidnapping in the Niger Delta.

Court Dismisses Ibori’s Plea

The Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna on Thursday dismissed the application brought by the former governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori praying the court for a stay of proceedings in their trial. Ibori and five others are standing trial before Justice Lawal Shuaibu on a 129-count charge of money laundering.

Edo PDP Leader Dies In Hotel Room

A top member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, Mr. Justice Igunbor, was on Wednesday found dead in a hotel room in Benin City. This is the second PDP leader in the state to die in such circumstance within three months.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

Robbers Lay Siege On Ibadan

Investigations have revealed that armed bandits have made lives miserable for residents of Ibadan in recent times, with regular raids on hotels and restaurants. The state Deputy Commissioner of Police has ordered his men to fish out members of the robbery gang who were responsible for the robbery operations.

Osun Indigenes Declare War On Crime

Residents in major cities of Osun State have been subjected to incessant attacks of armed robbers. Though the State Commissioner of Police, John Moronike, maintained that the state is still one of the states with low crime rate, the recent attack equally rattled him. Residents have taxed themselves and engaged the services of security agents to curb the problem. These attacks have also forced the police to review its strategy.

3 Kids Of Same Parents Burnt To Death

A couple, Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Nwafor, lost their three children to a fire that burnt their house in Lagos. In a bid to protect her children, Blessing Nwafor allegedly locked them up in their flat and went to a nearby market to purchase some foodstuffs, when the incident occurred. Neighbours could not force the door open early enough to rescue the children. The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained.

Three Suspected Assassins Arrested In Osun

Five days after the police arrested two suspected assassins in Ilesa. Osun State, detectives have again arrested three other suspected assassins in Osogbo, the state capital. They have been charged to court for attempting to kill one Kayode Oyewole, after demanding a ransom of N500, 000 from him.

Man, 20, Baths Father With Acid

A 20-year-old man bathed his father with acid after he inflicted several cuts on him with a cutlass, before neighbours came to his rescue. At one breathe, the boy was said to have accused his father witchcraft, while at the same time complaining of the refusal of his father to allocate a portion of his farmland to him.

Six Re-Docked For Stealing N9.9m Cable Wires

Six persons have been re-arraigned before an Ikeja magistrate court for alleged stealing of six rolls of cable wire valued at N9.9million.  The accused persons who were granted bail for the same offence early this year were re-arrested by the police in the course of further investigations into the matter.

Tanker Fire Razes 4 Houses, 21 Vehicles in Lagos

No fewer than four houses and 21 vehicles were completely burnt on Sunday at Jibowu area of Lagos when a tanker said to be carrying  petroleum product went up in flames after it veered off the road and ran into another stationary vehicle. Though no life was lost in the inferno, sources said a yet to be ascertained number of persons sustained various degrees of burns.

Harvest Of Arrests In Lagos

The Lagos State police command has recorded another bountiful harvest of suspected criminals and recovery of large quantities of arms and ammunition. 874 ammunition, 17 guns, including AK 47 rifles, Beretta, revolver pistols and 27 AK 47 magazine were recovered.

Family Of Slain Trader Challenges Police To Prove Innocence

The family of the late Chinedu Nwakaeze, the trader who was allegedly shot dead by a mobile policeman during a prayer session at the Balogun market, Lagos, has challenged the Nigeria police to prove its innocence by conducting an autopsy on the deceased and making the result public.

Police Arrest 4 Suspects for Attempts on Mimiko's Aides

The Police have arrested four suspected gunmen in connection with alleged assassination attempts on two aides of Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, the LP governorship candidate in Ondo State. The vehicle used by the suspects to carry out their operation, was also been impounded by the police.

Navy Arrests 29 Fake Officers In Lagos

About 29 persons allegedly impersonating top officers of the Nigerian Navy have been arrested in Lagos. They are said to be operating as members of the "Nigerian Merchant Navy." The commander of the fake navy men who poses as Commodore Benson Edema is now at large. He was earlier arrested in December.

5 Burnt In Road Accident

Five people were reportedly burnt to death in multiple road accident in Uso along Akure /Owo road on Tuesday. The accident, reportedly involved a luxury bus, a Toyota Hiace, marked Kano AG76MUZ and a trailer marked XA928BY, loaded with pepper and allegedly occurred as a result of armed robbery attack.

NDLEA Nabs Carpenter, 3 Others With Cocaine

A 35-year-old carpenter and four other suspected drug traffickers have been arrested by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for testing positive to drug ingestion at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport MMIA Lagos.