Villeworth Security Services Ltd

week 21

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PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

Security Agents Clash with Pipeline Vandals, Arrests 18

Operatives of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have clashed with suspected pipeline vandals in Uruan LGA of Akwa Ibom state. The suspected vandals numbering about 20, who initially took to their heels, later re-enforced with lethal weapons to attack the team. The security agents had to flee for their lives. Meanwhile the NSCDC in Cross River state arrested 18 persons for vandalising Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) installations and water pipelines in the state. It also impounded two tankers for diversion of petroleum products in the state.

Four Feared Dead in UNIPORT Cult Clash

No fewer than four persons were feared dead and three others seriously injured following a cult-related clash at the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), River State. The clash was between the Black Axe and Vikings gangs. But the authorities are yet to ascertain if the victims were its students or not.

Assassins Arrested

The Akwa Ibom State police command has arrested some men suspected to be assassins, robbers and dealers in illegal arms. One of the suspects, Edikan Ekuk, was alleged to have been behind the assassination of the Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Ikono, Mr. Benjamin Udoh.

Attack on Flow Station: JTF Kills Two Gunmen

Two gunmen were killed by men of the JTF on Thursday in Alakiri, Okrika LGA of Rivers State, during an attack on an oil flow station belonging to Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC). The gunmen had allegedly gone to the station in the early hours of the day to bomb it.

Vigilante Group Kills Man

It was double tragedy, Monday, for the Nnadi family in Owerri North LGA of Imo State, as one of their own, Mr Isaac Nnadi was accidentally shot dead in the early hours of the day by an overzealous member of the vigilante group at Agbala Community. The slain man was killed while returning from the Mortuary where he in company of his five children and relatives had gone to deposit the remains of his late wife. The case is being investigated

Police Kill Two Armed Robbers in Owerri

As residents of Owerri, and its environs continue to live in fear over the activities of criminals in the city, two hapless armed robbers suspected to be among the bandits terrorizing the neighbourhood were shot dead by men of the Imo State Police. The duo met their waterloo in the early hours of Wednesday during an exchange of fire with the police.

Ahoada Oil Spillage: SPDC Disregards Compensation Claim

Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) has insisted it had no obligation to pay N1billion being demanded by the people of Ahoada-West Community of Rivers State, for an oil spillage caused by vandals in Ekerema area of Bayelsa State.

Govt Raises Security Over MASSOB Protest

Apparently to forestall break down of law and order, the Federal Government beefed up security across the country following plans by members of Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) to protest alleged killings and harassment.

Bayelsa Peace Panel Meets MEND Leader, Faults Threat

The Bayelsa State chapter of the Niger Delta Peace and Conflict Resolution Committee on Wednesday, described the threat issued by the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) to attack oil pipelines in the state as misplaced.

Amaechi Blames N’Delta Crisis On NNPC, Multinational Oil Firms

The Rivers State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi on Monday attributed the crisis in the Niger Delta to unfair treatment of the people by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and the multinational oil firms operating in the area. He also cautioned them against creating security crisis through unfriendly and unpopular contractual decisions. He said the absence of the people on their payroll was capable of creating restiveness.

Abia Sets Up Committee On Excess Crude Oil

Abia State local government and chieftaincy affairs ministry has set up committee to ensure better usage of excess crude oil revenue to the local government councils.

NDLEA Arrests 33 Drug Offenders

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) arrested 33 suspected drug offenders between January and April in Cross River state. They made seizures including Indian hemp, cocaine and heroin. 16 of those arrested have been convicted, while the other cases were at various stages of prosecution.

Elf Signs Agreement With Host Communities

Elf Petroleum Nigeria Limited on Monday signed a development pact with six communities in River state. The Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Mr. Magnus Abe the communities to be resourceful and hardworking.  Abe said government and oil companies could not generate development alone, hence the communities are required to generate enterprise development and sustainable projects that would boost development.

Bandits Kill Soldier In Rivers

The Joint Task Force (JTF), in Rivers State has confirmed the death of a soldier and destruction of a naval gunboat by armed bandits who stormed Bonny Island on Monday night. One of the naval personnel on duty when the incident occurred has been missing. Following the attack, the JTF spokesperson has decried the poor attitude of Bonny residents to security as the assailants, allegedly held a meeting in the island before the attack. He called on them to always inform the authorities of such clandestine activities.

Police Raid MASSOB Hideouts In Enugu

Policemen have raided the base of members of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) in Enugu to thwart their protest planned for the week. MASSOB members are gearing up for a march over the killing of 2,000 of their colleagues by security agencies across Nigeria. The peaceful protest was planned to hold between May 22 and May 31 in major cities in the South East.

Mobil Spends N8.6bn on Host Communities

Mobil Producing Nigeria (MPN), a subsidiary of ExxonMobil and operator of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation NNPC/MPN joint venture, has spent the sum of N8.6bn on Community Assistance Programs in Akwa Ibom and Rivers State as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility for its host communities.

MEND Threatens To Blow Up More Oil Pipelines

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) in Bayelsa State has threatened to destroy oil pipelines in the state and called on multinationals in the state to leave in their own interest. MEND has accused the FG of enriching some individuals and groups in the name of peace initiatives.

Gunmen Abduct Expatriate In A’Ibom

Unknown gunmen stormed Ikot Ekpene LGA of Akwa Ibom State penulitmate Saturday and kidnapped an expatriate working for STEMCO Construction Company. The expatriate; a Lebanese, was said to have been dragged out of his company‘s vehicle and whisked away.

Army Ready For Tinapa's Security

To ensure maximum safety, the Nigerian Army appealed to the Cross River state governor to allow the Army Brigade in Calabar take over the security of Tinapa Business Resort.  The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division, Nigerian Army, Enugu, Major-General Adamu T. Ibrahim, said the military's take-over of the security arrangement in Tinapa was necessary because of its location and business relevance to the West African sub-region.

Objection By Chevron Stalls JTF’s Attack on Hijacked Vessel

The tracking system of Chevron located its vessel which was earlier hijacked, around Fouche Island from where the hijackers had demanded N30 million ransom. However, when the Navy moved to the location, they allegedly discovered that the vessel had been moved, a situation which led to the State Security component of the Joint Task Force to wade into the matter.  Chevron had allegedly objected the attack by JTF on the vessel.

Man Nabbed For Kidnapping In Port Harcourt

A 70-year-old man has been arrested for kidnapping in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.  The man, who is currently being detained, would soon be paraded and prosecuted for his involvement in the dastardly act of kidnapping of children and women in the state.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

Militants Threaten To Continue Armed Struggle In Niger Delta

The Joint Revolutionary Council (JFC), a group comprising the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, The Reformed Niger Delta People's Volunteer Force and The Martyrs Brigade, has threatened to continue armed struggle in the Niger Delta. The group said it has decided to continue the agitation because of what it called 'insincerity of the Nigerian state and its attempt to undermine the Ijaw and Niger Delta territory".

MASSOB Hoists Biafran Flags in Asaba

In continuation of the ongoing remembrance of their dead colleagues, members of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State Of Biafra (MASSOB) adorned the streets of Asaba with Biafran flags.  When security operatives became aware of the flags, they swung into action to pull them away, while the members of the group went underground for fear of being arrested.

Benin Chief Nabbed for Robbery

Edo State Police command, Wednesday, paraded a Benin Chief, Chief Smart Ehiorobo, the Eholo of Oghobaghase, over aiding and abating robbery in the state. The Commissioner of police, Edo State Command, Mr Chris Dega, said   Ehiorobo was arrested when he was named by one of the arrested robbers as the one that buys stolen goods from them.

Delta To Set Up Peace Ministry For Development

Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State has said his administration's peace and security strategy would be further deepened with the creation of a Ministry of Peace Development in the state. He also added that the success of the state government's security strategy made it possible for the Warri refinery to be reopened after being shut down for years.

Okah’s Brother Confesses to Gunrunning

Younger brother of detained MEND leader, Henry Okah, Sonnie Bowei Okah, has told the court martial set up, by Army authorities, to try some of its officers and soldiers, involved in the illegal sale of arms and ammunition, of how he used to buy military weapons from one Major Akuboh, who is also the prime suspect but had to stop after he discovered that buying from the officer was expensive.

Kidnappers Abduct Mother, Daughter In Asaba

Barely a month after the kidnapping of a final year student of Delta State University (DELSU) Abraka, the dare-devil kidnappers have struck again by abducting a mother and a daughter in Asaba. They were picked from the front of their house at about 7pm. The latest kidnap caused a lot of stir as residents are now gripped with fears. No contact has been made with the kidnappers.

Anarchy Looms in Delta As Group Issues 14-Days Ultimatum

Following what has been described as a sham local government election in Delta state, political tension is seriously building up in and around the state, as a youth group, has issued a 14 -day ultimatum to government to respond to their demands or expose Delta state to the incidence of "stray bullets"

Man Beheads Brother's Wife

A woman, Rute Obada, was allegedly beheaded by her brother-in-law, Oyibode Phahor. The incident which occurred last week in Udu LGA of Delta state leaves many in shock. Oyibode was immediately apprehended by the villagers as he tried to wash off the machete and has been handed over to the police.

Man Allegedly Kills Parents After Deportation From Europe

Men of the Edo State Police Command are on the hunt for a young man for allegedly killing his parents at the weekend in Benin City. The man, who was said to have been recently deported from Europe, has fled. It was learnt that the man had been having running battles with his parents since he was deported from Europe with alleged mental imbalance.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

Rainstorm Destroys Schools, Others In Kwara

Many people were at the weekend rendered homeless in Kwara State following rainstorm which wreaked havoc at the State College of Education at a border town in Baruteen Local Council of the state. The torrential rain, which lasted for six hours, blew off roofs, pulled down walls and inflicted injuries on children.

Woman Stabs Friend to Steal Baby

One Mrs. Onyinye Oboyibo, was alleged to have stabbed her friend, Mrs. Janet Monday in an attempt to steal her new-born baby. Janet was rescued by the staff of the hotel where both women lodged after she had her baby in Lagos, before they could proceed to Ogun state where they resided. While the victim is responding to treatment, the accused is being detained at the Kirikiri prison.

Police Probe Alleged Murder In Lagos

The police in Lagos State have begun investigations into the circumstances surrounding the death of a woman, who was allegedly beaten to death by her relatives over a yet to be ascertained matter. The police have arrested prime suspects in the alleged murder, while the remains of the deceased had been deposited at the mortuary for autopsy.

13 Minors Arraigned Over Alleged Criminal Activities

Thirteen minors were last week arraigned in Lagos for alleged involvement in criminal activities. They are all boys of ages 13 to 17 years. They faced a four-count charge of conspiracy, unlawful assembly and breach of public peace. The children were picked up during raids carried out by the police in different parts of Lagos Island.

Fresh Explosion Scare At Ijegun, Residents Flee Over Spillage

A week after the pipeline explosion which claimed several lives in the Ijegun-Ikotun area of Lagos State, residents of the community are once again on the run for fear of another explosion, which was triggered by a pervading smell of fuel, that was reportedly gushing out from the damaged but repaired pipeline.

3 Meet Waterloo Over Robbery

Three suspected armed robbers, who allegedly connived to rob a man are now regretting their action at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, Yaba, Lagos. Emeka Eze, Emeka Onyebuchi and Osas were arrested at Ojuelegba recently as they were about to rob their victim at gun point. One of the members of the gang identified as Jerry is said to be at large.

Suspected Armed Robber Confesses To Killing 3 Cops In Lagos

A suspected armed robber, Oladele Alabi, Thursday in Abeokuta, confessed to have killed three policemen at different locations in Lagos before the police in Ogun State arrested him and two other members of his gang.

GENERAL

Pipeline Explosion: Reps Indict NNPC, PPMC

The House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum (down- stream) has blamed the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation for being responsible for the pipeline explosion that killed several lives last Thursday in Lagos, saying the corporation has failed Nigerians.

Nigeria’s Participation In Oil, Gas Industry Low—Ajumogobia

The Minister of State for Energy (Petroleum), Mr Odein Ajumogobia (SAN) has said that Nigeria’s participation was as low as between eight percent and 12 percent before the recent government intervention. He said that oil and gas activities are getting more complex, diversified and highly challenging.

Unions Kick against Sale of Texaco to Foreign Firms

As Chevron Nigeria Ltd prepares to divest its 60 per cent stake in Texaco Nigeria Plc, valued at N70 billion, opposition is mounting against attempts by the company to sell its stake to a foreign company. Prominent operators in the sector such as Petroleum and Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), National Union of Petroleum and Gas Workers (NUPENG) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the House of Representatives are kicking against the move.

46 Nigerian Soldiers Burnt To Death

Forty-six soldiers who were returning from peacekeeping operation in Darfur, Sudan, were killed in an auto crash on Wednesday along Kari-Potiskum-Maiduguri road. The tragic incident occurred when two of the trucks conveying the returning soldiers, collided with a petrol tanker and exploded in flames. They were given mass burial at Abuja, amidst tears.

N5m Dud Cheque Lands Man In Court

One Chief Emmanuel Uzodike of NSITF Plaza, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja, has been arraigned before an Abuja magistrate’s court for an alleged issuance of dud cheque contrary to section 1 of the Dishonoured Cheque Act of 1990 law of the Federal Government of Nigeria. The accused had issued the complainant with three alleged dud cheques at three different times.

Modibbo Doles Out N2m To Police Officers

Two officers of the Nigeria police were on Thursday rewarded with the sum of N2 million for their gallantry in leading the recovery of 42 stolen vehicles in the Federal Capital Territory.

Fuel: Daily Consumption May Rise to 40m Litres

Local consumption of refined petroleum products is expected to jump from the current level of 27 million litres per day to 40 million litres per day by 2010, the Minister of State for Petroleum, Mr Odein Ajumogobia, has said. Ajumogobia stressed the need to increase the nation's refining capacity in anticipation of the expected surge in the domestic consumption of petroleum products."

FG Needs N117 bn to Process Upstream Gas –Adviser

The Federal Government on Thursday in Abuja said it would need N117 billion to establish three central processing facilities for gas production. The facilities to be located in the Niger Delta, would process upstream gas, extract liquefied petroleum gas and transmit dry gas to the domestic market.

House C’ttee Wants Texaco Sold to Local Firms

House of Representatives Committee on Capital Market on Thursday advised Chevron Nigeria Ltd. to sell its 60 per cent shareholding in Texaco oil to indigenous oil companies. Chairman of the Committee, Alhaji Aliyu Wadada said that by selling its holdings to indigenous oil company, Chevron would boost the privatisation and local content policies of the federal government.

50 Years after, NNPC Begins Crude Oil Lifting

After five decades of its involvement in crude oil and gas exploration, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has begun crude oil lifting through NIDAS International Enterprise Ltd.  Already, the company has shipped its first cargo of crude from Nigeria to Brofjorden, Sweden.

Presidential C’ttee Seeks N4tr for Police Reforms
•Senate to set up police tax fund

Presidential Committee on  reformation of the Nigeria Police, has recommended that  N4 trillion should be pumped into the Force to bring it into conformity with modern requirements. Chairman of the Senate Committee on Marine Transport also sponsored a Bill for an Act to establish a Tax Fund, arguing that statutory budgeting alone cannot bring the Police to the 21st Century where it is able to tackle crime.

FG Secures $180m World Bank Loan

The World Bank has granted the Federal Government a hundred and eighty million dollars ($180m) towards the execution of the Science and Technology Education Post Basic (STEP-B) project as well as enhance capacity building  of Nigerian universities in the development  of entrepreneurship  education.

British Airways, Rights Group Meet Over Maltreatment Of Nigerians

British Airways (BA) officials and a human rights organisation, Respect Nigerians Coalition (RNC), have held talks over the maltreatment of some Nigerians aboard a London-Lagos flight on March 27. RNC, which launched a "Boycott British Airways" campaign on Tuesday at the airline's Lagos offices, accused the company of employing high-handed colonial methods to abort the protest through the police. The BA, however, denied the allegation, saying that it implored the police to show restraint in dealing with the protesters.

Kenyan Coy Acquires Nigerian Firm For $5 Million

White Nile Limited, Kenya-based oil and gas exploration company, has agreed to acquire PA Energy Africa Limited (PAEA), which operates in Nigeria, for a consideration of $1.839 million in cash and 3,132,688 new ordinary shares in the company. The acquisition is part of White Nile's strategies of gaining exposure to additional projects and expanding its geographical reach.

Cameroun Seeks Economic Partnership With Nigeria

The Republic of Cameroun has called on Nigeria for an economic partnership geared towards enhancing the standard of living of  citizens of both countries.

Yar’Adua Orders IG, Others To Check Crime In Varsities

President Yar’Adua has directed the Inspector-General of Police and heads of other security outfits to check criminal activities in the nation’s tertiary institutions.

Vandalism: FG Set to Hire N’Delta Militants

A major policy thrust of Federal Government’s “constructive engagement” with the Niger Delta militants was revealed, Tuesday, by the Minister of Defence, Yayale Ahmed, who said that the FG was considering engaging the militants in policing the oil installations to check vandalism, on the condition that these groups form Limited Liability Companies.
Meanwhile, MEND and has dismissed the proposal as 'laughable', while the Action Congress (AC) said it is not workable.

Yar’Adua Orders Shell, ExxonMobil to Refund N236bn

President Yar’Adua has ordered the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to immediately recover outstanding payments of $1.91 billion (N236 billion) due to the Federal Government from Shell and ExxonMobil on the Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs) for the Bonga and Erha oil fields.

NNPC Reviews Operations, Floats Shipping Firms

In line with the Federal Government's directive that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) should be self-sustaining and a key player in the global oil industry, the corporation has overhauled its operations and diversified into the maritime sector and has floated two shipping firms with vessels to lift crude oil for its customers.

Nigeria Now Piracy 'Hotspot,' Says Maritime Bureau

Against the backdrop of recurrent piracy in Nigeria, the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) has identified it as the world piracy "hotspot." According to the IMB, Nigeria accounted for 10 of the 49 attacks registered worldwide in the first quarter of 2008, which is more than 20 per cent.

S’Africa Riots: I Was Paid to Kill Foreigners –Sowetan Resident

A Soweto hostel resident has told the police that he was paid to attack foreigners in the township. The xenophobic attacks have led to the death of more than 23 persons. The Federal Government of Nigeria, however, said on Tuesday that no Nigerian was killed. The South African authorities are discussing using the army to help stop these attacks.

NNPC, Mobil, Elf Sign N354b Funding Pact

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and two oil multi-nationals have signed a financing agreement to the tune of $3 billion (about N354 billion) to finance their upstream Joint Venture (JV) projects. The companies are Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited and Elf Petroleum Nigeria Limited. Meanwhile, it is alleged that loans obtained by the NNPC was carried out without approval from the National Assembly.

Group Condemns IG over Al Qaeda Threat

An Islamic group, the Muslim Watch, has described the recent alarm, credited to the Inspector General of Police, over an Al Qaeda threat in Nigeria as a ploy to subject Muslims to suspicion. The group said the alarm will also expose Muslims to arrest and brutality in the hands of overzealous security operatives.

U.S. House Passes Bill To Sue OPEC Over Oil Prices

The United States House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved legislation on Tuesday allowing its Justice Department to sue OPEC members for limiting oil supplies and working together to set crude prices. But the White House threatened to veto the measure. The bill would subject OPEC members to the same antitrust laws that U.S. companies must follow. The legislation also creates a Justice Department task force to aggressively investigate gasoline price gouging and energy market manipulation.

NNPC To Be Fully Integrated Next Year, -Yar'adua

President Yar'Adua has raised hope on the restructuring process of the NNPC, giving assurance that the corporation would be transformed from an  impenetrable bureaucratic giant into a real privately run company when restructuring is completed next year.

Lamorde, 9 ACPs Redeployed

Former acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde is among 10 Assistant Commissioners of Police redeployed by the Inspector General of Police on Tuesday. The redeployment which takes immediate effect saw Lamorde moving to Bauchi State as Area Commander, Ningi Police Command.

U.S. Energy Dept To Halt Further Deliveries To Oil Reserves

The U.S. Department of Energy has said that it is considering putting a stop to the delivery of crude oil into the nation's Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) in anticipation of upcoming legislation that would temporarily halt such shipments.

Analysts See Oil Price At $141 Per Barrel By July

With oil prices maintaining a steady climb at the international market, close watchers of market tends said at the weekend that there are strong indications that a barrel of the commodity could reach an average of $141 over the second half of the year, a further 10 percent or so above current record highs.

Businesses Face Serious Setback As Diesel Runs Dry At The Pumps

Businesses and manufacturing concerns are facing the prospects of collapse as diesel, the fuel for powering their generators in the face of failed electricity supply from the national grid, has disappeared from the market. Price has since hit over N124 per litre.

EFCC: Senate Committee Faults Waziri’s Appointment

The Senate Committee on Drugs, Narcotics, Financial Crimes and Anti-Corruption, has faulted the appointment of Mrs. Farida Waziri as the acting Chairman, of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.  The committee explained that the appointment of Waziri was as acting EFCC chairman breached the EFCC act.

NNPC May Review Rules For Laying Pipelines

Modalities for laying petroleum products pipelines in the country are to be reviewed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).  When the exercise is completed, the corporation will ensure that pipelines are deeply buried and covered by concrete to prevent easy access to the facilities.

Immigration Repatriates 1,200 Refugees To Chad

The Nigeria Immigration Services (NIS) has repatriated over 1,200 refugees from the Nigeria-Ngala border in Borno State following their influx from Chad Republic.  The repatriated refugees migrated into Nigeria and occupied six border villages in Borno state.

15 Die In Auto Crash

More than 15 persons were feared dead in a car crash on Abuja-Lokoja Road on Sunday. Eight other persons were seriously wounded in the crash. The accident involved a Peace Mass Transit commuter bus, heading for Port Harcourt, a tanker and a Volkswagen Golf car. The tanker crushed the bus and the car.

Army Raises Alarm On Arms Spread

The authorities of the Nigerian Army have expressed concern over the proliferation of small and light arms, which they warn is threatening peaceful co-existence and security in the country, particularly in the Niger Delta area. Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Luka Yusuf, said the ugly trend, if not curtailed, might eventually lead to anarchy. This is just as the US military expressed concern over the crisis in the Niger Delta.

Nigeria Orders N40bn Rice From U.S., India, Thailand

Nigeria has secured the support of the United States (U.S.), India and Thailand to import 500,000 metric tonnes of rice to ease the high cost of the food item. The importation, which is estimated to cost N40 billion, is to be carried out by commercial rice importers. The importers will enjoy 100 per cent duty waiver between now and the end of October.

Police Arrests Officers Over Extortion

Three police officers serving with Zamfara State Police Command have been arrested for illegal duties such as extortion of money from members of the Abubakar said that they will be tried in accordance with the provision of the Police Act and regulations.

Indigenous Firm Debuts With New Gas Distribution Network

An indigenous firm, Gas Distribution Services Limited (GDSL), has unveiled plans to take gas distribution package to a new height through the virtual pipeline haulage technology.  The system would reduce the spate of pipeline vandalism in the country and provide easy means for natural gas services expansion through a flexible deployment system.

NNPC Loses 66256mt Of Products To Vandalisation In First Quarter

The Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC), a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has disclosed that a total of 66256 metric tons of petroleum products was lost to pipeline vandalisation in the first quarter of 2008. This figures, according to the company, is higher when compared with about 39452m3 recorded in the first quarter of 2007.

JV Funding: FG Signs $3bn Deal With Mobil, Total

Determined to tackle the funding challenges of the Joint Venture (JV) operations, the Federal Government, on Monday, signed a financial deal with Mobil Producing Nigeria (MPN) to the tune of $2 billion for the financing of upstream joint venture projects. This is coming on the heels of a $1 billion deal between the NNPC and Total Elf at the weekend.

Yar’Adua to Meet Mbeki over Attack on Nigerians

President Umaru Yar'Adua will meet South Africa's President Thabo Mbeki in Arusha, Tanzania, on Thursday to discuss the attack on Nigerians in South Africa amongst other issues, even as the wave of xenophobic violence continued to sweep across the former apartheid country, claiming more than 22 lives. Hundreds of Nigerians were forced to flee to the Nigerian Consulate for safety.

ECOWAS: N’Delta Crisis, Threat to Regional Security

Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has decried the continuing armed attacks in the Niger Delta region, observing that the crisis “is threat to the regional peace and security.” President of ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas described it as a major regional concern.

Police Apprehend Robbers, Recover 40 Vehicles

The Federal Capital Territory police commissioner, CP Haruna John, on Monday said the command has recovered a total of 40 vehicles within the last 14 days that were reported to have been stolen from different parts of the FCT and its environs. The police also arrested one Abubakar Abdulkarim, who confessed to stealing vehicles with master keys.