Villeworth Security Services Ltd

week 41

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PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

MEND Frees 19 Hostages, Holds Two Britons, One Ukrainian

In a queer sense of justice, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), Sunday, said it had freed 19 Nigerians who were kidnapped in September by some people it referred to as pirates. MEND also said it had continued to hold two Britons and a Ukrainian “for security reasons.” The 19 Nigerians were part of a group of 27 hostages kidnapped from a vessel along the Bonny River.

Another Vessel Attacked, Six Kidnapped

Six Filipinos were kidnapped penultimate Saturday by armed men who attacked their vessel near the key Bonny oil terminal. According to a security source, the MV Avero crew had been warned against taking the Bonny route, but chose to ignore the warning. But the spokesman of the Joint Military Task Force (JTF), Lt. Col. Sagir Musa said on Saturday that he could not confirm the incident.

Police Raid Enugu Child Trafficking Hospital

Two medical doctors and a matron at a private hospital in Enugu are on the run, after police stormed the maternity home, where babies were allegedly being bred for child traffickers. Seven expectant mothers, who had been confined in Dennis Memorial Hospital at Udi, in Enugu metropolis named the doctors and the matron as collaborators, when the police held them alongside three others for operating an illegal baby’s factory.

We Are Curbing Crude Oil Theft - Military

Nigeria’s military assured, last Monday, that it was making significant progress in curbing crude oil theft in the country. Nigeria and its partners, including international oil firms like Royal Dutch Shell and Chevron, lose a sizeable portion of potential revenues each year to oil theft, known locally as "bunkering". Brigadier-General Wuyep Rimtip, commander of the military taskforce in the Niger Delta, said the military had destroyed more than 100 illegal bunkering locations within the last month. As a result, he had received death threats from aggrieved oil thieves.

Widow, 70, Escapes Ritualists Attack

Providence was at its full glare in the life of a woman in her mid 70s as she narrowly escaped being be-headed by assailants suspected to be members of a syndicate which specialises in ritual killing in Enugu state. Police gave the name of the woman as Mrs. Grace Nnadi-Ogaraku a native of Okigwe. The woman, a petty trader, was on her way to her farm when she was attacked.  A suspected member of the group has been arrested by the police. Sources said a commercial motor cyclist who was attracted by the groans of the woman raced to alert the nearby villagers about her plight.

EFCC Nabs Rivers SSG, CoS

Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Mr. Magnus Abe and the Chief of Staff in the state Government House, Mr. Nelson Wike, are being interrogated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the controversial N300m said to have been misappropriated in the state. A source said following the EFCC’s threat to declare them wanted if they failed to show up for interrogation, both officers showed turned up at the EFCC’s office and were interrogated.

CLO Makes Case for N1bn Compensation to Victims over Military Invasion

The Ebonyi state chapter of the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) has demanded N1bn as compensation for the families who lost their relations or property during last year’s military invasion of a community in Afikpo South LGA of Ebonyi State over the case of kidnap of two Chinese Nationals and a Nigerian is still causing ripples among the residents. The victims were brought by the kidnappers, to Ebonyi state where the gang had their hideout, before the military invasion. As a result, members of the Ekoli-Edda community were subjected to great ordeal and torture by the soldiers.

Orua Community Denies Hosting Militants

The people of Bulu-Orua community in Sagbama LGA of Bayelsa State have debunked claims that a militant camp was located in the area. Speaking on behalf of the community, the Commissioner for Housing Development, Chief Ayakeme Whisky, described the claim as malicious and calculated to discredit the community. Whisky noted that what led to the invasion of Bulu-Orua community in the early hours of Monday, Sept. 23, was that a man suspected to have had a hand in the kidnap saga of last December was sighted in the town.

$12bn LNG Plant for A'Ibom

A $12billion Liquefied Natural Gas, (LNG) investment deal in the gas sub-sector and a N35bn gas to gasoline project are being worked out for Akwa Ibom State by of Exxon/Mobil.

Oil Spillage: A-Ibom Fishermen Demand N824m Compensation

Akwa Ibom State branch of the Artisan Fishermen Association of Nigeria is demanding N824 million as compensation for damages caused by the February 28 oil spill at Qua Iboe oil fields. Mr Samuel Ayadi, State Chairman of the association, said that the spill had polluted the waters and scared the fishes deeper into the Atlantic Ocean. He said that the compensation would cover damages and losses incurred by fishermen. The spill was traced to a ruptured pipeline operated by Mobil.

Agip Threatened

There is tension between Ogbeibiri community in the Southern Ijaw LGA of Bayelsa State and Nigeria Agip Oil Company (NAOC) over an alleged disrespect for a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the two over local content issues. The community is said to have informed the Joint Military Task Force (JTF) of a possible breakdown of law and order over the development. The community said that they ready for a showdown if the company or its contractors continue to employ local content personnel without honouring the MoU.

Channel Oil Raises N1 Billion for Expansion

Channel Oil and Petroleum Limited is raising N1 billion to finance its expansion programme in the downstream sector of the Nigerian oil and gas industry. The amount, which is to be raised through private placement, would assist the company to play a role in the sector, four years after it was deregulated by the Federal Government.

Shell Records 112 Illegal Bunkering Activities in Niger Delta

Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) said it recorded a total of 112 incidents of illegal bunkering of crude oil in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. According to Mr. Tony Okonedo the corporate media Relations Manager of the company these incidents which took place in 2007 saw the company losing over 200,000 barrel of the product during the year. This is aside from about 18,500 barrels lost to 221 incidents of sabotage and vandalization of pipelines, flow lines and manifolds of the company in the area the same year.

EFCC Probe: MEND Threatens Rivers Govt

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has threatened to make River State ungovernable if the outcome of the ongoing investigation against some government officials was not satisfactory.

Shell to Face Trial in US over Saro-Wiwa

Royal Dutch Shell will go on trial in the United States on February 9, 2009 for alleged complicity in human rights abuses in the Niger Delta, sources reveal. The case entitled Wiwa V. Royal Dutch Shell and Wiwa V Anderson concerns the November 10, 1995 hangings of Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight other members of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) known as “Ogoni Nine” and the shooting of a woman protesting the bulldozing of her farm by Shell in preparation for a pipeline project. After several years of litigation, Judge Kimba Wood ruled that the trial would be held next year. According to documents made available by Earth Rights International, Shell was engaged in “acts of oppression” against peaceful opposition to the company's environmental damage and human rights abuses in the Ogoni area.

Intels Manager Freed as JTF Kills Kidnapper

The Joint Task Force in Rivers State, Wednesday, rescued two ladies from kidnappers in Tai LGA of the State after a prolonged shoot out with the suspects one of whom died in the shoot out. The rescue of the two ladies came on the heels of the release of the Finance Manager of Intels Logistics Company, Mr. Bertrand Ajoku, who was kidnapped in September. Meanwhile a bill seeking life imprisonment for hostage takers has presented to the Rivers State House of Assembly by Hon Chidi Lloyd the house leader.

Brass LNG, OKLNG Take-Off Date Shaky

Hopes that the Brass Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and the Olokola LNG (OKLNG) projects would come on stream latest by 2011 may have been dashed following Government’s decision to place priority on gas for domestic power supply.  Investigations also revealed that the signing of Final Investment Decision (FID) on the 8.5 million metric ton per annum Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG) Train 7, earlier scheduled for 2009, may no longer be feasible. President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua has vowed to place pre-eminence on meeting domestic gas demand to fire the nation’s power plants that are lying fallow for years before consideration can be given to exports.

Police Arrest Constable, 17 Suspected Robbers

Imo State Police Command has arrested no fewer than 18 suspected armed robbers, including a police constable, while varying arms and ammunition was recovered from the hoodlums.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

Niger Delta Crisis Threatens Peace, Stability — FG

The Federal Government said on Thursday, that it was worried by the threat to the peace and stability of the country following the increase in activities of several armed groups in the Niger Delta, whose activities are fuelling inter communal clashes among age-long neighbours.  Minister of State for Defence, Mrs. Fidelia Akuabata Njeze, expressed regret that these groups have access to these dangerous arms with which they terrorize innocent citizens as well as economic assets with ease.

JTF Denies Deployment of Northern Soldiers in N-Delta

The Commander of the Joint Task Force, JTF, Brig-General Wuyep Rimtip has denied that Northern soldiers had been deployed to kill Southerners in the Niger Delta. He noted that the rumour was designed by militants to further blackmail the JTF to enable them continue with their criminal activities. Rimtip disclosed that the “rule of engagement” has not changed explaining that their mandate remains internal security where minimal use of force is applied.

Niger Delta Crisis JTF, not Occupation Force – Dike

Chief of Defense Staff, Air Marshal Paul Dike, has said that the Joint Military Task Force (JTF) in the Niger Delta region was not an army of occupation but a “child of necessity”. Air Marshal Dike said this during the week as he paid a courtesy call on Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan. He expressed the military's readiness to ensure that peace and security returns to the Niger Delta region, pledging to sustain the standing relationship between Delta State Government and the military.

JTF, Ijaw Community Trade Blames over Attacks

Tempers flared between the Joint Task Force (JTF) and the Ijaw of Okerenkoko Community in Warri South West LGA, Delta State, over claims by the JTF that militants from the community launched attack on its troops. JTF, in a statement, said the attack was carried out by militants from the community to free barges seized from illegal bunkerers. But the Okerenkoko Community, Monday, denied the reports, describing it as an attempt by the military to incite its troops against the people. Meanwhile, the JTF said it has its troops on ‘red alert’ over the purported attack and plot by the community to attack soldiers and oil installations.

JTF Alerts N’Delta Governors of Plans to Make Region Ungovernable

Niger Delta governors were on Monday put on the red alert by the Joint Military Task Force (JTF) that militants want to make the region ungovernable. In that regard, the JTF said that it has strengthen its intelligence unit to ensure that men and officers of the task force clamp down on suspected criminals in Delta and Bayelsa states as the ‘ember’ months approach. The Commander of the JTF, Brig-Gen Rimtip Wuyep, warned militant groups in the Niger Delta region to drop weapons and embrace peace in the interest of all.

Edo Judge’s House Bombed

The residence of a Benin High Court judge, Justice Roland Amaize, was blown up by suspected arsonist on Monday night. Justice Amaize chaired the Local Government Appeal Tribunal which judgements swept away the chairmen of Egor, Ikpoba Okha and Esan Central LGAs on August 1, this year. Moments after the blast, Justice Amaize and members of his family were moved to the Government House for protection.

Militants Threaten Uduaghan over CDC

The alleged attempt by the Delta State Governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan, to reappoint the former members of the Community Development Committee (CDC) whose tenure expired early this year is threatening the fragile peace in the state as the Deadly Underdogs, a militant group in Egbema Kingdom is kicking against the move. The group said that they would not guarantee the current peace in Egbema Kingdom, Warri North LGA if the state government went ahead to reappoint the former CDC members accusing them of non-performance. The group complained that there was no single presence of government in Egbema Kingdom while they were criminally marginalized both in the State and Warri North Local Governments.

NGC Applauded over Campaign against Pipeline Vandalism

Ijaws in Delta State have pledged their support to the Nigerian Gas Company (NGC) for her role in leading the campaign against pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta region as the company- community enlightenment workshop train continues to visit creeks and oil-bearing communities in Delta State.

Delta Community Threatens Chevron over Unpaid Compensation

Residents of Kokodiagbene community in Warri South-West Local Council of Delta State have vowed to invade the facilities of Chevron Nigeria Limited for the firms’ refusal to pay compensation on the crude oil spill that occurred in the area. The spill was said to have occurred from Chevron’s Jacket 8D of Otunana and Abiteye flow station. Chevron had earlier been given a seven-day ultimatum to begin paying compensation.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

Motorists, Commuters Want Police to Check Robbery in Traffic Snarls

Motorists and commuters in Lagos have called on the Police to rescue them from incessant robbery attacks during traffic congestion on major highways. They identified Ojo-Volkswagen/ Iba Road, Tin-can Island/Coconut Expressway, Mile 2 and Toyota bus-stops, as well as Ojota and Ketu as some prevalent areas, noting that the incidents usually occur between the 7.30 and 9.30 pm when traffic hold-ups are at their peak.

Four Undergraduates Nabbed over Robbery

The Ondo police command has arrested four University undergraduates for allegedly belonging to an armed robbery gang, which had been terrorizing residents of Akure and its environs. The suspects were arrested following a tip-off that the bandits were operating at a popular layout “Abafuta” in Akure metropolis.

Man Caught with 9 Skulls

A grave digger in Lagos was arrested recently for being in possession of 9 human heads. Tunde Adenuga, had been exhuming corpses from the Atan Cemetery, Yaba, chopping off the heads and other vital parts for sale to ritualists, before he was nabbed by the police. After his arrest, the suspect mentioned the name of Suleiman Ogunyemi, 31, an herbalist, as his accomplice, who buys each of the heads for N3, 000. Ogunyemi uses the human parts to prepare charms for his customers, who wanted to make quick money.

Pipeline Vandal Nabbed

A suspected petroleum pipeline vandal, Mr. Tajudeen Muraina, operating at Imoore town in Oriade Local Council Development Area (LCDA) has been arrested by the police. The suspect was arrested at the residence of one of the community leaders in Lagos. Investigations revealed that residents of the community were happy over the arrest of the man they described as a “terror.”

NDLEA Arrest Five Trans-border Drug Traffickers

The Seme Border Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), arrested five suspected trans-border drug traffickers who attempted to smuggle 3.5 kg of cocaine into Nigeria. A statement by Mr. Ofoyeju Mitchel, NDLEA's spokesman, said two of the suspects concealed the drug in the sole of their shoes, while the others ingested theirs.

Robbers Raid 14 Houses in Ikenne

Dare-devil armed bandits, during the week, stormed Irolu-Remo in the Ikenne LGA of Ogun State, raiding about 14 houses and carting away properties and valuable worth of millions of naira in the process. The invading robbers, who were said to have been heavily armed and numbering about 10, were said to have struck at exactly mid-night. No arrest has yet been made, as the robbers had a field day before fleeing with their loots. The State Commissioner of Police said investigation on the matter is still in progress.

Boy, 20, Arrested For Robbery

A 20-year-old boy, Kadiri Pius, has been arrested by officers of Lagos State Special Anti-Robbery Squad. Investigation revealed that the suspect had escaped twice from the police on cases bordering on robbery, while his colleagues had died in different gun duels with the police. Also arrested for robbery is a 19-year-old boy, Thank God James.

SARS Promotes Six Officers

The Inspector-General of Police, Mike Okiro, has rewarded six gallant police officers attached to Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Adeniji Adele Annex with promotions. The six gallant police officers were described as a thorn in the flesh of the men of the underworld.

Guard Stabbed To Death over Unpaid Loan

A middle-aged security guard was stabbed to death for failure to settle a 30,000 naira loan he collected from his friend. The deceased, Tafa Abandi had owed one Musa Abdulahi a debt of N30, 000 for over six months. Abdulahi had gone for his money following the agreement they earlier reached, but Abandi, we gathered did not keep to the agreement which lead to a sharp quarrel and a fight between them. Abdulahi pulled his dagger and stabbed Abandi. The suspect has been arrested by the police.

Jilted Man Bathes Girlfriend with Acid

A man, Segun Adegbose, said to be an official of a Lagos state sanitation body, KAI, gave his 23-year-old girlfriend, Miss Kafaya Dauda, an acid bath when he suspected that she wanted to leave him. Kafaya and Segun had a little misunderstanding over her refusal to pick his calls when he stormed out of the room and returned with the acid. He is still on the run, while Kafaya is receiving treatment at LASUTH.

Man, 28, Stabs Friend to Death over Drink

Taofeek Hassan, 28, a driver, stabbed his friend, Mukaila Azeez, 33, after a disagreement following the refusal of Mukaila to buy a beer for him at a beer parlour in Osogbo, Osun State. The suspect is being detained at Oja Oba Police Station, Osogbo.

Suspected Human Trafficker Arraigned in Court

Victoria Robert, 24- year old Akwa-Ibom businesswoman was recently arraigned in Court for human trafficking. Her ordeal started when one of her victims reported to the police that she was being maltreated, along with others by Victoria. Police detectives promptly stormed her house at Ibadan and rescued three other girls. The suspect had persuaded the girls’ parents to release them to her, promising to sponsor their education in Ibadan. Though the suspect was alleged to have registered the girls in school, she was however accused of maltreating them and using them for child labour, to the detriment of their schooling.

Multiple Bank Robberies in Lagos

Some banks on Victoria Island and the heart of Lagos hurriedly closed shop on Tuesday as armed robbers went on the rampage. The robbers attacked several banks simultaneously, sending panic through the industry. Two of the suspected robbers were, however, shot by policemen, while fleeing on motorbikes after allegedly killing two bank customers.

Robbers Attack Bank with Grenade

Armed robbers, Monday, attacked the Ketu, Lagos branch of Equitorial Trust Bank (ETB), blew up the strong room with a grenade, killed the manager and a customers’ child and swept the vaults clean. Police spokesman, Frank Mba said the robbers escaped in speedboats stationed at a waterside close to the bank. Mba said the police authorities were not happy with the way bankers locate their business premises without involving the police at the planning stage.

Army Arraigns Officers for ‘Mutiny’

Four officers of the Nigerian Army were, Monday, arraigned at a military court sitting in Akure, Ondo State. The military officers were among the 28, who allegedly protested against their unpaid foreign mission allowances. Meanwhile, the accused soldiers through their counsel have asked the court presided over by Brigadier Ishaya Bauka to disqualify himself and others from hearing the case over a comment credited to him (Bauka) that “the accused would not go unpunished”. They claim that the statement portrays him as biased, thus he cannot grant fair hearing in the case.

GENERAL

NNPC Fails to Remit N374b

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) risks sanctions from the Federal Government and the National Assembly for not observing the three months credit period for the payment into the Federation Account of N373, 966,188,214 crude oil proceeds for the year ended December 31, 2007.  The corporation is warned "to pay the back log and observe the three months approved credit period for cost of crude.

FG Nets N60.74bn from Sale of Oil Companies

The Federal Government made a total of N60.73bn from the sale of its equity in downstream oil companies; a document from the Bureau of Public Enterprises has shown.  The biggest privatisation transactions in the oil industry, which were conducted towards the end of the tenure of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, have, however, been reversed on allegations of lack of transparency and failure to follow due process.

Gunman Gets 28 Years for Nigerian Boxer’s Murder

A gunman has been sentenced to 28 years imprisonment for the murder of a former boxing champion who had asked a group of men to stop smoking in a bar. Kanyanta Mulenga, 23, was given a life sentence at the Old Bailey after being found guilty of killing James Oyebola, 46, in Fulham, west London, in July last year.

NSCDC Boss Seeks Death Penalty for Vandals

Pipeline vandals deserve the capital punishment, Ade Abolurin, Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) has said. Abolurin argues that the current jail term penalty for the crime is “too mild” to deter the vandals.

Indigenous Firm Collaborates with Falck Nutec on Safety Training

In its bid to contribute its quota to ensuring that safety measures are adhered to in the nation's oil and gas sector, Prime Atlantic, in conjunction with Falck Nutec, a global safety provider, has concluded plans to open a safety training centre in Nigeria. The centre is expected to commence operations before the end of October.

Police Declare War on Airport Touts

The Joint Task Force operatives at the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos, have declared war on undesirable elements as the operatives have begun to carry out raids at the domestic wing of the airport. The Airport Police Commissioner, Hashimu Argungu, said the task force arrested nine persons last Thursday for loitering and posing as protocol officials without formal accreditation and authorisation from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

Nigerian UN Peacekeeper killed in Darfur

A Nigerian UN peacekeeper was killed when up to 60 gunmen ambushed a patrol in Sudan's war-torn western region of Darfur, a UN spokesman said yesterday. His death brings to 10 the number of UN peacekeepers killed in hostile incidents since the launch of the joint mission on December 31. The ambush came on the same day that the new head of UN peacekeeping arrived in Sudan, the biggest country in Africa, for a week-long tour.

Oil, Gas Privatisation not Now -BPE

Whereas oil and gas sector is included in the medium term strategy of the National Council on Privatisation (NCP), actual implementation would not commence until around 2011, the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) said during the week. BPE’s Head of Public Communication, Mr Chigbo Anichebe, said that only the residual shares of the Eleme Petrochemical Company Limited (EPCL) meant for disposal to workers and surrounding communities are to be disposed immediately and not the other two.

Adekeye, ex-Naval Boss, Pulls Out

Former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ganiyu Adekeye (rtd), on Tuesday formally pulled out from the Navy after 36 years of active service. The event took place at the NNS Quorra parade ground and the NNS Becroft in Apapa. Vice Admiral Adekeye, served as the 15th indigenous Chief of Naval Staff.

Nigeria Has Gas to Last 100 Years

Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE) has revealed that the nation's gas reserves could last for the next 100 years and was enough to sustain ongoing domestic and regional projects. The President, NAPE, Dr. Kingsley Ejoh, said Nigeria's gas reserves are about 180 trillion cubic feet.

Another Air Mishap at Aviation College Zaria

An aircraft owned by Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria crashed on Monday while on training, the second in three months. The accident occurred when some student pilots onboard the aircraft lost control and crash landed at the college training ground. The condition of the students and level of damage to the aircraft was yet to be ascertained at the time of filling this report.

NDLEA Intercepts 9 Suspected Drug Traffickers

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has nabbed nine suspected drug traffickers at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) Abuja, as they attempted to smuggle narcotic substances weighing 12.75 kilogrammes to Europe. The estimated street value of the seized drugs in Nigeria is about N51 million.

Navy Takes Delivery of New Weapons

The Nigerian Navy said it has commenced taking delivery of arms and ammunition from a foreign firm to enable it meet up its security challenges, particularly in the Niger Delta.

Hoodlums Invade Jimeta Prison

Hoodlums, Monday night, invaded the Jimeta Prison in Yola, Adamawa State and carted away items worth thousand of naira, including the tyres of the van used in conveying suspects to court, while some vital components in the vehicle were equally vandalized. Confirming the incident to newsmen in Yola yesterday, the State Comptroller of Prisons, Alhaji Ado Mohammed said he is yet to receive detailed report of the incident.

Senate Moves to Shut down Gas Flaring Companies after December 31

The Senate on Tuesday concluded debate on a bill for the shutting down of any oil and gas company involved in gas flaring after the December 31 deadline. The Senate, however, referred the bill to its Committee on Gas for further legislative work before its final passage. The bill further said that no License or Lease for the production of Oil and Gas would be granted to any applicant without a comprehensive programme for the utilization of natural gas.

Two Nigerians Jailed in UK for Possessing Fake Passports

Two Nigerians Kazeem Fasanya and Adey Senaike were recently jailed in London for possessing fake passports. A newly- wed bride, in her wedding dress, was also arrested. The 21-year-old, Portuguese woman is suspected of aiding an illegal immigrant to enter Britain. Her 37-year-old Nigerian husband was also arrested.

Govt to Set Up Training Scheme to Curb Pipeline Explosion

Concerned by the high rate of pipeline explosions in the country, the Federal Government has unveiled plans to put introduce a new training scheme for welders and inspectors towards ensuring a safer pipeline network. This move may not be unconnected with a recent study, which revealed that some of the explosions occurred as a result of illegal tapping of pipes while many were caused by poor welding practices.

Nigeria, Others Float Idea of Oil Supply Cut

Nigeria has joined Libya, Iran and Iraq, fellow members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), in expressing concern about the impact of the financial crisis on the oil market. They have floated the prospect of supply curbs as they want OPEC to intervene to balance the oil market if prices fall further. Oil prices hit a 10-month low of $86.05 a barrel on Wednesday as expectations mounted that the credit crisis would slow global demand for oil, the main source of income for OPEC members.

Contempt: Martins, Dumuje ask Court to Jail IG

The National Coordinator of the Police Equipment Foundation, Chief Kenny Martins, and his deputy, Mr. Ibrahim Dumuje, have asked an Abuja Chief Magistrate’s Court to commit the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mike Okiro, to prison for disobeying its order. The court had, in August, ordered Okiro to allow Martins and Dumuje access to vehicles belonging to PEF. But the IG had since then not allowed them access to the vehicles. The court had fixed November 4 for the hearing of the matter.

Gunman Attacks Nigerian over Obama T-shirt

An unidentified gunman has shot a Nigerian, Dube Egwuatu, in London for wearing a shirt with the image of United States Democratic presidential candidate, Senator Barack Obama. Egwuatu, 36, was shot on Tuesday by the white gunman, who had threatened to kill him.

INTERNATIONAL

ECOWAS to Implement Convention on Small Arms

Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Monday, said it is on the threshold of implementing the legally binding instrument aimed at checking the continued proliferation of small arms within the sub-region. Executive Secretary of ECOWAS, Dr Mohammed Ibn Chambas, said all but one country has so far ratified the convention since 1998. According to him, the  Commission is working hard and is determined to ensure that all member states ratifies the convention as soon as possible, so that its implementation can take -off in earnest.

African Standby Force: AU Signs MoU for Training

The African Union (AU) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Association of Peace Support Training Centre (APSTA), for the training of African military personnel. Commandant of the Nigerian Defence College (NDC) and President of APSTA, Rear Admiral John Jonah, said it was a pragmatic step aimed at realising its dream of having a stand-by force for peace-keeping operations in the continent.

Olmert Arrives in Russia for Security, Peace Talks

Outgoing Israeli Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert, has begun a trip to Moscow to focus on Russian arms sales to the Jewish State enemies. Olmert said on Sunday that he would emphasise Israel's security concerns, including the supply of arms to groups whose activities worry them. He also said he would press for work to resolve "the Iranian problem". Iran plans to buy from Russia advanced S-300 anti-aircraft missiles that could detect aircraft sent to destroy its nuclear facilities. Syria, which backs Hezbollah guerrillas who battled Israel in Lebanon in 2006, reportedly has asked to buy them, too.

42 Face Trials over Angola Arms Deal in France

Forty-two people in France have gone on trial over a vast "arms-to-Angola" scandal. The long-running affair has cast a shadow over a raft of senior government officials in France, including many who served from 1981 to 1995. It revolves around the trafficking of 790 million dollars in arms to Angola from 1993 to 1998, at the height of a bloody civil war that left half a million dead.

Nigerian Conflict a Warning for Big Oil in Iraq

Representatives of 35 international oil companies will meet with Iraqi government officials in London on Monday to discuss the bidding process for eight enormous oil and gas fields. If the contracts are approved, they could lead to the biggest foreign stake in Iraq since the industry was nationalized more than 30 years ago. But experts have advised that the recurrent violence in oil-rich parts of Nigeria should provide a lesson for the oil companies hoping to work in Iraq that is much more dangerous despite the fact that attacks are at their lowest level in more than four years.

Algerian Officials: Baby Found Alive after Floods

A baby was found alive by rescuers after spending four days in a pool of mud following flash floods caused by torrential rains this week in this usually arid region that killed at least 41 people in central Algeria last week. The four-month-old baby appeared in good health after being discovered and had been handed to a family while authorities looked for its parents.

Russia Moves to Assert Oil Influence on Market

Russia Energy Minister, Sergei Shmatko, has said that Russia would try to assert its global relevance in the crude oil market by making visible efforts to control export prices of the commodity as the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) members have been doing. Shmatko said Russia would develop its own approach to the issue, especially given the latest fluctuations in oil prices on international markets. Shmatko insisted, however, that although Russia was aiming to develop its proposals by OPEC’s December 17 meeting in Oran, Algeria, "these will not be joint actions with OPEC."

China Slams U.S. Arms Sale to Taiwan

A planned multi-billion dollar United States (U.S.) arms sale to Taiwan threatens China's national security and has cast a pall over military relations between China and the US. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, Qin Gang, said the sale "undermines years of efforts to improve military ties between China and the United States." The U.S. Defense Security Co-operation Agency announced on Friday that it had notified the U.S. Congress of plans to sell $6.5 billion in advanced weaponry to Taiwan, including guided missiles and attack helicopters.

Russia Completes Georgia Buffer Zone Withdrawal

Russian forces have completely withdrawn from buffer zones around Georgia's rebel regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, according to the Georgian interior ministry. The forces pulled back from positions outside South Ossetia, bulldozing a camp at a key checkpoint and withdrawing into the separatist region as European Union (EU) monitors and relieved Georgian residents looked on.

Colombia, Ecuador's Row Deepens over Rebels' Activities

Colombian President, Alvaro Uribe, said he has information showing that Marxist Colombian guerrillas have camps on Ecuador's side of the border that are also being used to produce cocaine, keep Colombian hostages and launch attacks. Ecuador broke diplomatic relations with Colombia in March after a Colombian raid carried out on Ecuador's side of the border killed Raul Reyes, a top commander of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC. Uribe has called for "effective" cooperation from Ecuador in combating the FARC, which has been fighting the state since 1964.

Somali Pirates' Activities Raise Global Shipping Costs

Pirates plying the Gulf of Aden have launched what the maritime industry calls the biggest surge of piracy in modern times. Their activities have reportedly sent shipping costs soaring and the world's navies scrambling to protect the main water route from Asia and the Middle East to Europe. However, momentum is growing for coordinated international action to back up the sharp response after the stunning seizure late last month of a Ukrainian cargo ship laden with tanks and heavy weaponry, as the pirates quickly found themselves encircled by U.S. warships. Several European countries are planning to launch an anti-piracy patrol, and Russia announced Friday it would co-operate with the West on fighting the pirates.

Israel Blames North Korea for Middle East Arms Proliferation

Israel has accused North Korea of covertly supplying at least half a dozen Middle East countries with nuclear technology or conventional arms. French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner urged Israel not to launch a military strike against Iran's nuclear programme. France believes Iran may be able to produce one atomic weapon within two to four years. North Korea's catalogue has included ballistic missiles and related components, conventional weapons such as mobile rocket launchers, and nuclear technology.