Cheat Sheet Week 16 2009

Monday 13 April 2009

Gunmen attack Nembe Creek: OOL sources reported an attack by gunmen in 18 boats on SPDC field logistics base, Nembe Creek, Baylesa at 00.30 hrs. Monday. At time of issuing CB confirmation of two fatalaties, at least 4 persons injured and one defender boat taken.

MEND, in a statement, denied direct involvement in this attack suggesting 3 naval ratings killed, 4 kidnapped.

Shell shuts flow stations after fire: SPDC said on Sunday it had shut down flow stations feeding into its Trans-Niger oil pipeline as a precautionary measure after a fire at the Bomu manifold, Ogoniland.

MEND ties fate of British hostages to Okah’s freedom: MEND, in a statement, declared that the alleged exclusion of Henry Okah from the amnesty list had further tied his fate to the two British hostages in its custody.

MEND allege approach to rig elections: MEND, in a statement on Friday, claimed that the PDP had offered them an amnesty and financial payments in exchange for their support in rigging the 2011 elections.

Group claim Agip security personnel kill 4: Oil producing communities in Ondo State alleged that security personnel attached to Agip killed four fishermen over the weekend.

Ransom demand for kidnapped Italian: News wires report that a one million dollar ransom had been demanded for the release of the Italian construction worker, Mr. Canova, kidnapped in Ebonyi State last week.

Tuesday 14 April 2009

Casualty count still unclear in Nembe clash: Different versions of events gave different casualty numbers in the face off between gunmen and the JTF in Bayelsa on Monday.

Background of the bad boys: The JTF blamed senior leaders of MEND Kitikata and Farah Dagogo for leading the assault. CB gave an overview of accusations against these men made by the JTF.

Repairs to Shell pipeline start: Fires that shut down flow stations feeding into Shell’s Trans-Niger pipeline were extinguished on Monday and repair work started on Tuesday according to a Shell spokesman.

Soku plant to reopen soon: Shell said it expected Soku liquefied natural gas plant to restart operations soon.

Muslim nurse sacked for violating dress code: A Muslim nurse was fired for violating the dress code for nurses at the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, by wearing an unapproved hijab.

Wednesday 15 April 2009

Reprisal Attack – Militants kill three: Newswires reported that the military deployed at least 30 gunboats to both Nembe and the Southern Ijaw local government areas of Bayelsa state.

MEND warn of ‘war’: MEND, in a statement, warned of a ‘civil war’ should any of their camps in the Niger Delta come under attack by security forces.

Total boss says security costs hit $50 mln a year: Total said on Wednesday its annual costs for securing its interest due to the Niger Delta’s unrest was estimated at 50 million dollars

Boat blast kills five Chinese in Lagos: The Chinese Consulate-General in Lagos said 5 Chinese crew members were killed and one injured in a fishing boat explosion on Monday night in Lagos.

Tanker trouble at Escravos: OOL sources reported an attack by 6 armed men on the tanker MY Adriatic offshore Escravos on 9 April,. The same vessel was attacked on 12 April, inbound Escravos by two gun boats.

Opposition says Minister hampers anti-corruption fight: AC asked Justice Minister and Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr.Michael Aondoakaa, to resign for allegedly hampering Nigeria’s fight against corruption.

Thursday 16 April 2009

Italian hostage freed: Mr. G. Canova, an Italian national, kidnapped on 6 April in Abakaliki, Ebonyi, regained freedom on Wednesday after escaping from his abductors.

Shell fined for oil spill: SPDC was fined N1 million ($6,800) for failing to clean up an oil spill from September 2008 in Bayelsa within reasonable time and ordered to compensate victims from the Peremabiri community.

Residents flee fearing reprisals from the army: Thousands of residents in Nembe, Bayelsa State, fled their homes fearing reprisal from the Army after Monday’s attack.

Nigeria seeks to prosecute Siemens bribe takers: EFCC, Farida Waziri, said Nigeria had requested Germany for formal acces in the 2007 Siemens bribery case judgement to prosecute Nigerian officials involved.

Panel to probe KBR bribery scandal: Nigeria has set up a panel to probe Halliburton, headed by National Police boss, Mike Okiro.

Shell faces court case over Saro-Wiwa hanging: Shell, is to face a US court next month to answer allegations that it was complicit in the death of Nigerian environmental activist, Ken Saro-Wiwa.

And then there’s this… 419 emails and the environment: According to a report issued by an environmental group, the greenhouse gas emitted from one 419 message is the same as driving a vehicle three feet.

Friday 17 April 2009

Police ‘disappear’ four in Port Harcourt: Thursday Amnesty International expressed concerns over the whereabouts of Chika Ibeku and three others who allegedly surrender arms for amnesty.

Niger Delta amnesty offer under review: The offer of amnesty for militants in the Niger Delta has been met with mixed reviews and prompted increased criticism of President Yar’Adua’s handling of the ongoing violence in the region.

Broker suspended in tycoon share case: The national stock market regulator slapped a one-year ban on a brokerage accused of manipulating shares but cleared billionaire tycoon Aliko Dangote of involvement.

Lagos runway still in darkness: Four months after it was re-opened for business by the Minister of Aviation, Mr. Babatunde Omotoba, the domestic runway of the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Ikeja, Lagos, has remained in total darkness.

Don’t change your internet provider yet…: There is no need to change internet provider for the problems caused by the break in the Sat-3 cable. If you were able to read Friday’s Chiefs Briefs his back up plans worked.

Hostage Watch:

Today marks day 222 in captivity for Matthew McGuire and Robin Hughes abducted from the HD Blue Ocean on on 9 Sept. 2008.

Also held: 4 foreign workers on the vessel, MV Seal Tide, attacked by pirates offshore Bakassi on 14.03.09

Also held: A Lebanese national, employed by Elite Construction Company, taken on 04.03.09 in Bayelsa state.

Also held: A Lebanese national, taken from the construction company site Samchase Construction Company, Ondo state, 11.02.09 .

Also held: A British national, employed by Ademac Ind. Ltd, taken on 06.04.09 in Port Harcourt, Rivers state.

And adding a Canadian woman who was kidnapped on Thursday 16 April in Kaduna.  Details in the next edition of Chief’s Briefs

This Chief’s Briefs Cheat Sheet was compiled for your review by OOL Member: homealonemum

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