Villeworth Security Services Ltd

week 50

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PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

JTF Kills 3, Recover Arms in Rivers

The Joint Task Force (JTF) in Rivers State at the weekend killed three suspected militants and recovered arms and ammunition during a gun fight at the Cawthorne Channel. Spokesman for the JTF, Lt. Col. Musa Sagir, who confirmed the incident, said three boats used by the militants were also destroyed while one AK 47rifle, two magazines of ammunition were recovered.  Lt. Col. Sagir said the shoot-out between the military and the militants occurred when men of the task force on routine patrol on the river encountered the militants in their boats.

JTF Rescues Five Hostages, Arrests Three Suspects

The Joint military Task Force (JTF) in Rivers State, Friday, rescued five hostages from locations in Bori and Khana areas of Ogoniland and arrested three suspected kidnappers. JTF rescued two adults and three children. JTF spokesman, Lt. Colonel Sagir Musa, who confirmed the incident, said one of the suspected kidnappers arrested tried to jump out of the vehicle conveying him to their office and was instantly shot dead.  This happened just as the Managing Director of Douglas Clinic, Chief M. D. Douglas was kidnapped from his clinic when some armed men stormed the clinic and took him to an undisclosed location.

Kidnappers to get Death Penalty in Enugu

In a resolute bid to prevent the rising wave of kidnapping for ransom from taking root within its territory, the Enugu state government, during the week declared that it would seek enactment of a law that would prescribe capital punishment for kidnappers in the state. The decision, which was taken at a meeting of the State Executive Council, came on the heels of the shock that trailed the abduction and rescue of the younger brother to the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof Dora Akunyili in Enugu between Monday and Thursday this week.

Plight of Bakassi Returnees Requires National Attention -Imoke

The plight of the displaced people of Bakassi has been described as a national issue that requires the commitment of all Nigerians to solve. Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State, who said this, also called on all Nigerians to join in alleviating their plight and making their lives better.

LG Chairman’s Mother Kidnapped as JTF Foils Militants Attack

About 16 unidentified gunmen in the early hours of Wednesday stormed the residence of Mrs. Victoria Mpigi, mother of Tai LGA Chairman, Barrister Barry Mpigi, and kidnapped her. The group, which carried out the attack in her village in Ogoniland made contacts with the family and are demanding N300 million to free her. Spokesman of the Joint Task Force (JTF), Lt. Colonel Sagir Musa, who said he heard of the kidnap of Mrs. Mpigi but lacked details, also confirmed a raid at Robertkiri where Chevron has one of its facilities and said the JTF put the militants to flight as they abandoned six speed boats, which the JTF perforated to avoid them being used for further illegal activities.

Militant's Attack: Mobil Threatens Shutdown

The management of Exxon Mobil has threatened to temporarily shut down operations in the oil rich offshore Ibeno terminal, where the MPN/NNPC Joint venture operation is producing about 1.6 million. This follows a recent militant attack on the company’s expatriate workers.  But for the assurance of the Akwa Ibom State Government to protect the expatriate staff, the company would have shut down operations. The government reassured the oil company of its determination to protect expatriates in the state.

Oil Producing Communities Threaten Legal War over Gas Flaring

Communities in the Niger Delta are bracing up for a sustained legal battle in 2009, with oil majors operating  in the country as the deadline for the stoppage of gas flaring expires this December.  Acting in collaboration with local environmental rights advocacy groups, oil producing communities in the region are being sensitized on the need for oil companies to adhere to the December 31, 2008, deadline on gas flaring. In the alternative, the advocacy groups are championing the institution of community suits against the oil companies, who then will be made to pay high punitive fines by the courts, an action they believe will make gas flaring prohibitively expensive and unattractive.

Oando Commences South-East Gas Pipeline Project

In line with its aspiration of building Africa's largest gas infrastructure in the country, Oando Gas and Power, has commenced construction work on its 128 kilometres South East gas pipeline project in Calabar, Cross Rivers State. The project, which will be executed by its subsidiary, East Horizon Gas Company Limited (EHGC), will connect to the existing Obigbo - ALSCON line at Ukanafun Local Government of Akwa Ibom State and will run about 128 km through Akwa Ibom State and Cross River State.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

Strike: 3 Feared Dead In NUPENG, Police Clash

The Warri Zonal Council of National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), penultimate Thursday, made good its threat to cripple the operations of Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL). But the strike reportedly turned bloody as the Union members were allegedly manhandled by security operatives.  Sources said that no fewer than three persons were feared dead in a confrontation with security operatives, while many others were reportedly injured. Comrade Williams Akporeha, Chairman, NUPENG, Warri Zonal Council, who was also beaten up by security operatives, said that vowed to pursue the case to a logical conclusion.

Police Intercept Arms, Ammunition

Police in Delta State have intercepted arms and ammunition from suspected armed robbers. The weapons were intercepted at various locations in the state. The State Commissioner of police, Mr. Jacob Oshiomogho, said the feat was achieved by Warri Area Command patrol team and a joint patrol team at Effurun. The joint patrol team at Effurun intercepted two Pump Action guns, 24 live cartridges, one iron cutter and a knife.  They also recovered one AK 47 rifle, two AK 47 rifle magazines, loaded with 37 rounds of live ammunition, one FNC rifle, one Pump Action rifle, 10 arrows, one Mercedes Benz 190 and a Honda car.

Court Remands Businessman over Murder

A Chief Magistrate's Court in Delta State has ordered that a Lagos businessman, Robert Amamize, be remanded in prison till January 8, for alleged murder. Amamize is standing trial for the murder of one James Nwabuaku Okonkwo. The suspect allegedly dragged the victim out of the venue of a reconciliatory meeting at Amachai Village, and took him to the village square where he shot him in the full glare of his kinsmen. It was gathered that there had been a protracted dispute in the Amachai community over leadership, which later became a source of litigation.

Robbers Strike in Sapele

Armed Robbers on Wednesday threw parts of Sapele in Delta state into panic as gun shots rent the air, killing one undergraduate student, Arubi Oritsejeh and leaving 3 other persons critically injured. The robbers who had gone to rob a man, were confronted by the local vigilante and decided to take a retreat when the undergraduate hearing the gun shot that rent the air opened the door and ran out thinking that the robbers are still in their compound but he ran into them and was shot at the head and waist. Angered by the resistance of the vigilante, the robbers went on rampage in the town shooting any one on sight thereby leaving three people with bullet wounds.

Residents Lament Armed Robbery

Residents of major towns and cities in Delta State now live in fear because of incessant attacks by armed robbers, who have killed about 10 people in the last week. A couple and a church worker were shot dead by hoodlums in Agbarho, Ughelli North Local Government at the weekend. They were on their way to a funeral ceremony in a nearby village when the hoodlums accosted them on the outskirts of the town and shot the three in presence of the couple’s children.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

Lagos Police Recover Six Choice Cars from Robbers

The police in Lagos during the week displayed six exotic cars recovered from armed robbery suspects across the metropolis. Five among the cars were recovered from the same gang, while one was from another gang. One of the suspects revealed that he and his colleagues used to assist people to park cars at Victoria Island, after which they would steal the cars immediately the owner had left for his business. A search of the suspect’s house led to the recovery of a pair of Navy Cadet uniform, which is ostensibly used by the suspect in facilitating his easy movement of stolen vehicles and beating police checks.

Police Kill Two Robbers, Arrest Two in Ondo

Two suspected armed robbers were during the week killed by police in Ijapo area of Akure, the Ondo State capital, while two others were apprehended at the scene of the operation. The robbers were said to have invaded the residence of a member of the state House of Assembly. It was further learnt that the robbers were carrying out their operations while the victim's son who was locked inside sneaked out and ran to Ijapo police station to alert the police. The arrival of the policemen at the scene of the robbery attack led to exchange of gun fire with the robbers while some of them tried to scale through the fence.

Death of 5 Kids: Police Parade Suspect

Ekiti State police command has paraded a suspect, one Mr Azeez Akeem, 31, in connection with the death of five kids, between the ages of 3 and 11, who were locked up inside the booth of their father's car. According to the Force Assistant Commissioner of Police, Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Mr Sunday Anjorin, while parading the suspects, the only survivor of the six children that were locked in the booth of the car, Rasidat, was able to recognise the suspect, Akeem, as one of the two men that invaded their compound on the said day. The suspect denied involvement in the dastardly act.

Okada Riders’ Officials Stab Soldier

Commercial bike riders, suspected to be officials of the Amalgamated Commercial Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association of Nigeria (ACOMORAN) in Akure, Ondo state last Monday reportedly attacked a soldier, Lance Corporal Suleiman Yakubu and stabbed him. Yakubu is one of the six soldiers said to have been attacked by civilians in the last three months with two of them seriously injured. The victim, said to be receiving medical attention, explained that he was on an errand from his superior when he was accosted by the men who asked him to buy tickets. He said he tried to explain to them that he was not a commercial bike rider but they did not listen to him. 13 suspects, including the principal suspect have been arrested by the police in connection with the assault.

Oyo Police Raid Suspected Bandits, Recover Arms, Charms, Others

The Oyo state Police Command, recently paraded some suspects arrested in connection with armed robbery in the state. According to the Oyo state police commissioner, Mr. Bshiru Azeez, the police also recovered locally made pistol, four cartridges and charms from a suspect. The CP explained that the suspect had already tortured their female victims and collected the sum of N53, 000, from them before policemen arrested him. He said a Mercedes Benz marked, BE 91 LSD was abandoned by the bandit.

GENERAL

Police Commissioner Dies in Fire Disaster

A Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr. James Mshelia, was, Monday, burnt to death in a fire disaster which razed the police central mess, Area 11 Barracks in Abuja. But for the swift intervention of Nigeria Fire Service that arrived at the scene, the effect would have been more devastating as the inferno which lasted for four hours would have extended to other buildings close to the cantonment. A senior police officer at the Force headquarters said that the police central mess Area 11 Cantonment just like a transit camp where every officer who comes into Abuja, lodged before securing permanent accommodation.

Nigeria, Third Best in Peacekeeping, COAS

Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General AbdulRahman Dambazzau, Friday, said the Nigerian Army has been ranked the third best peacekeeper in the world due to the military persistent contributions to peacekeeping in war-torn nations.  The COAS said the military authority was not ready to compromise the position to indiscipline and urged officers and soldiers to wake up to the challenges of professionalism in the military or face the consequences.

Jos Community Alleges Detention of 564

The Jos North Muslim community in Plateau State has alleged that 564 of its people were being detained illegally at the Jos Central Prison after their arrest in the wake of the sectarian crisis three weeks ago. The group in an open letter to the Comptroller General of Prisons in the state, signed by counsel to the community Barrister Lawal Ishaq, said that the suspects were being detained at the Jos prison at the instance of the police without order of any court. The community said the action of the prison service amounts to the abuse of prison services rules and regulation.

S/Court Upholds Yar’Adua’s Election

The Supreme Court of Nigeria in a split decision, on Friday, confirmed the election of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and Vice President Goodluck Jonathan in the April 2007 election. The court in the majority judgement said the appeals filed by Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the Action Congress (AC) and retired Major General Muhammadu Buhari of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) had failed and consequently dismissed them both. Four justices of the court affirmed the judgment of the court of appeal which upheld the election, while three others faulted the election for non-compliance with the electoral law and subsequently annulled it. The judgement was given amidst tight security. There were more than 15 “checkpoints” with bomb detectors frisking every item and person before allowing them into the chambers

DPR to Re-coup 16 Years Royalty Debt from Oil Firms

Oil companies that are indebted to the Federal Government may need to start preparing for the pay up time, following the pronouncement that the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) is reconciling its outstanding royalties with the oil producing companies. According to the department, the move was in compliance with a presidential directive, that the department should reconcile and recoup government royalty indebtedness with the producing companies from 1990-2006.

Territorial Ambition, Not Election Caused Jos Crisis, Says Plateau Forum

A fresh vista into the recent crisis in Jos was at the weekend opened as the Birom Parliamentary Forum said the mayhem had nothing to do with the November 27 2008 council polls but a plot by the Hausa/Fulani to control Jos North Council. In a petition to the Senate ad hoc Committee investigating the causes of the crisis, the forum, decried the reports that linked the mayhem to the council poll, saying they appeared to lack reliable information on the root of the crisis. The group traced the genesis of the crisis to the ancient method of alleged attempts to stifle Christian missionary activities in Northern Nigeria, noting that it "manifested and reared its ugly tri-headed monster in Jos, all in the name of council elections."

ExxonMobil Forecasts World's Energy Demand by 2030

American oil company, ExxonMobil has predicted that global energy demand, due to population growth and economic expansion, will increase by an average of 1.2 per cent per year. Even considering the significant strides the petroleum industry is taking to become more energy efficient and resourceful, the world's energy demand is expected to grow by 35 per cent or to the equivalent of 310 million barrels per day by 2030. Besides, the company said an integrated series of solutions would be required to manage increases in global energy demand and greenhouse gas emissions that will result from population growth and economic expansion. This position was disclosed in the company’s new publication, "Outlook for Energy: A View to 2030", released last weekend.

Naira Crash: Oil to Rake in Extra N530bn

The depreciation of the Nigerian currency, the naira, by N12 against the United States dollar may not to be entirely bad news for Nigerians after all. The country stands to earn additional N530.7 billion through the depreciation, The Ministry of Finance have revealed. Over a period of about two weeks, the naira, which had remained stable at the N118: $1 since the beginning of the year, has depreciated to N130:$1.

Drugs: 165 Nigerian Women in British Prisons

One hundred and sixty-five Nigerian women convicted of drug trafficking and other related offences are currently serving varied jail terms in different prisons in the United Kingdom (UK), according to reports. The Director of FPWP Hibiscus London, Ms Olga Heaven, put the total number of Nigerian women in all British prisons at 235; 70 per cent of whom were sentenced for drug importation and trafficking. She thus called on all tiers of government to take actions that would address social and economic miseries leading young men, women and mothers into drug business.

2009 May be Tough, Local Oil Contractors Warned

Managing Director of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), Mr. Mutiu Sumonu, has said local contractors in the oil and gas sector may find 2009 tough, as contracts will only be awarded on funded projects. Sumonu said despite the fact that some of the contractors were still being owed money for jobs already executed, SPDC was doing everything to ensure that they were paid.

House Wants Yar’Adua to Enforce Austerity Measures

The House of Representatives Committee on Finance has said it was prepared to ensure an early passage and full implementation of the 2009 Budget. But the committee said the austerity measures embedded in the document should be brought to bear on all facets of governance including the semi-autonomous revenue generating agencies.  In the 2009 Budget, President Umaru Yar’Adua had embraced measures aimed at drastically reducing government expenses such as putting a ceiling on buying new vehicles and cutting down on travels and duty tour allowances.

Naira: Senate Summons FG’s Economic Team

Worried by the continuing slide in the value of the naira against the US dollar, the Senate has summoned members of the Federal Government’s Economic Team to appear before it to explain the development. This is coming on the heels of the assurances by members of the team when they briefed the Senate on the global financial meltdown on October 21 that the development was not going to affect Nigeria adversely.  Specifically, the Senate wants members of the Economic team to explain the worsening devaluation of the nation’s currency, the naira, against the dollar.

Oil Price: FG Seeks Alternative Sources of Revenue

The Minister of State Energy (Petroleum) Odein Ajumogobia, has said the volatile oil price in the international market has reinforced  Federal Government’s determination to redirect its focus in seeking alternative sources of revenue to finance capital projects in the country. Ajumogobia said the volatile oil price in the international market had become a source of worry to the government hence the need to canvass alternative sources of revenue for the government.

IGP Opposes NHIS, Cautions Officers against Indiscipline

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Sir Mike Okiro, has kicked against the National Health Insurance Scheme approved by the Federal Government. According to him the NHIS funds are used to enrich these hospitals, but if the money can be used to upgrade the hospitals owned by the police, they would be able to render better services. The IGP also warned the police engaging in illegal job operations whereby individuals engage police men in accompanying them in their journeys. He stated that anyone caught in the act will be dealt with as well as the officers who approved such assignments. In addition, Mr. Okiro explained the importance of uniformity of badges in order to enable easy identification of their men.

Yar'Adua Launches Armed Forces Emblem

President Umaru Yar'Adua on Wednesday launched the Armed Forces and Remembrance Emblem appeal fund with a call on Nigerians to reflect on the debt of gratitude owed their fallen heroes and heroines. Yar’Adua, who was decorated with the emblem by the Secretary- General of the Nigerian Legion, Retired Capt. John Adole, also said Nigerians should remember the families left behind by the fallen heroes.

INTERNATIONAL

Two Killed as US Fighter Jet Crashes in San Diego

A United States (US) military fighter jet on Monday crashed into a residential area of San Diego, killing two people on the ground. The Federal Aviation Administration said the jet had crashed as it prepared to land at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar and that the pilot had ejected. The crash occurred two miles (3.2km) from the base, it added.

India Releases Details on Mumbai Gunmen

Police in India has released the names of nine suspected Islamic militants killed during the three-day siege of Mumbai. It was also reported that investigators had uncovered new details about them - including their hometowns in Pakistan. The chief police investigator also showed photos of eight of the men - some from identity cards, while others were gruesome shots of the dead attackers. The body of the ninth, he said, was too badly burned. India has blamed the Pakistani-based militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba for the attacks that left 171 people dead. Pakistan, in turn, has intensified its crackdown on Lashkar-e-Taiba by arresting 20 more people but said Tuesday it will not hand any of its citizens over to India.

EU Divided on Congo Troop Mission

European foreign ministers are divided over calls to send troops to the war-torn Democratic Republic of Congo. Belgium urged the deployment of a "bridging" force but other members of the bloc were lukewarm on the idea. The UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, called on the EU to send in troops until UN reinforcements arrive. The Brussels meeting came as the first direct talks between representatives of the Congolese government and CNDP rebels were held in Kenya.

Somali Pirates Fail in Hijack Attempt

Somali pirates armed with rocket-propelled grenades and automatic weapons attacked a Dutch-operated container ship off the coast of Tanzania but failed to hijack the vessel. The attack showed that the pirates are extending their reach further from their base in Somalia. Eight pirates in two speedboats reportedly chased and opened fire at the ship about 520 miles (840 kilometres) east of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, starting a fire on the vessel that was quickly doused by the crew. "The pirates used RPGs and automatic weapons to attack the ship but it managed to escape after the captain increased vessel speed". The ship, which has 19 crew members, flies a Hong Kong flag.

Militants Set Afghan Supplies on Fire

More than 90 Lorries supplying US forces in Afghanistan have been set on fire in a suspected militant attack in north-west Pakistan, police say. Police said at least one person was killed as about 300 gunmen using rockets overpowered the guards at a terminal near the city of Peshawar. A US spokesman, Lt. Col. Rumi Nielsen-Green, said the incident was "militarily insignificant". So far there hasn't been a significant loss or impact to our mission," she said.

Cholera is over in Zimbabwe -Mugabe

Zimbabwe President, Robert Mugabe, has said there is no cholera in his country - as the United Nations warned that the deadly epidemic was getting worse. He also claimed Western powers were plotting to use cholera as an excuse to invade Zimbabwe and overthrow him. The WHO has warned that the total number of cases could reach 60,000 unless the epidemic was stopped. Hundreds of Zimbabweans have crossed the border to seek medical treatment because Zimbabwe's health service and water supply infrastructure have virtually collapsed.

Somalia Backs U.S. Plan to Hunt Pirates

Somali government has welcomed a call by the United States for countries to have UN authority to hunt down Somali pirates on land as well as pursue them off the coast of the Horn of Africa nation. A surge in piracy this year in the busy Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean, off Somalia, has driven up insurance costs, brought the gangs tens of millions of dollars in ransoms, and prompted foreign navies to rush to the area to protect shipping. Diplomats at the United Nations (UN) said the U.S. delegation there had circulated a draft resolution on piracy for the Security Council to vote on this week. A draft text seen says countries with permission from Somalia's government "may take all necessary measures ashore in Somalia, including in its airspace" to capture those using Somali territory for piracy.

North Korea Talks Fail to Break Impasse

Multilateral talks with North Korea have failed to break an impasse on checking the country's nuclear declarations. Host China said in a statement at the end of four days of talks that the delegates had agreed to convene the next meeting as soon as possible, but offered few other details. United States (U.S.) Assistant Secretary of State added that the six parties would continue to try to set North Korea's verification commitments in writing. However, Japan's top nuclear negotiator, Akitaka Saiki, said the prospect for setting up the next round of six-party talks appeared "quite difficult". Having coaxed North Korea to partly disable its Yongbyon nuclear complex this year in a disarmament-for-aid deal, envoys from five states had been asking the wary and impoverished country to accept a protocol for checking its nuclear declaration.

Suicide Bomber Kills 55 in Iraq

A suicide bomber struck inside a popular restaurant near the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk on Friday, killing at least 55 people and wounding dozens more. Brig. Gen. Sarhad Qadir, commander of the Kirkuk police, who disclosed this, said about 45 others were wounded in the blast, which occurred at a restaurant about two miles (four kilometers) north of Kirkuk, the center of Iraq's northern oil fields. The Abdullah restaurant is located on the main road to Irbil and is popular with Kurdish officials traveling to and from the Kurdish self-ruled region. The restaurant had families celebrating the final day of the Eid al-Adha religious holiday.

Belgium Detains Al-Qaeda Suspects

Belgian police say they have detained 14 people suspected of being members of the al-Qaeda network. The suspects include a man believed to have wanted to launch a suicide attack, but the police did not know where the suspected suicide attack was to have targeted. The detentions came, as a two-day European Union leaders' summit was due to start in the Belgian capital, Brussels, Friday afternoon. A total of 242 police officers carried out 16 raids in Brussels, officials said. Police seized computers, data storage equipment and a pistol during the raids; while the men and women arrested are due to appear before anti-terrorism judges later. The man suspected of planning the suicide attack had reportedly "received the green light to carry out an operation from which he was not expected to come back".

Fresh Riots Erupt in Greek Cities

People protesting against the death of a teenager shot by Greek police have attacked banks and shops in Athens and the northern city of Thessaloniki. Demonstrators threw firebombs, rocks and other objects at the buildings and at police, who responded with tear gas. During the overnight violence, protesters hurled rocks and petrol bombs at the police and damaged dozens of buildings - one four-storey shop near the tourist area of Monastiraki was gutted. At least 70 cars were set on fire, while many businesses had been looted.