Cheat Sheet Week 7 2009

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Monday 09 February 2009

MEND claim attack on Shell Facility:

MEND, in a statement, claimed the attack on Shell’s Utorogu Gas Plant, Delta State, Saturday 7 February, approx. 03.30 hrs. The military claimed to have repelled the attack which left one soldier injured and 3 militants dead. Shell confirmed the attack saying one employee and two contractors were wounded.

Related: Three arrested over attack:

JTF, Col. Rabe Abubakar, said Sunday it had arrested one militant, captured injured during attack, and two community leaders incl., Chief David Ikolo, traditional ruler of Utorogu.

MEND allege hostage ill after five months in captivity:

  MEND, in a statement, said one of the British hostages was seriously ill adding it would seek for local treatment like FG does for Henry Okah.

Portuguese expat kidnapped in Ondo:

Over the weekend approx. 50 gunmen in 5 speed boats invaded the site of construction company Picolo, Ajagba, Irelel, Ondo state kidnapping a Portuguese national, Mr. Luis Jose Rentad. Ondo State Police Command confirmed the kidnap, ransom demand, no disclosure of the amount.

Unions delay strike against kidnappings:

Sunday Pengassan announced to delay the strike, against insecurity in the Niger Delta, to discuss a common strategy with fellow unions.

Related: Minister’s wife freed:

Former Energy Minister Edmund Daukoru’s wife was released unharmed. MEND, in a statement, claimed a ransom of $2.5 million had been paid. The family denied this claim.

Dutch Govt re-opens Consulate in PH:

 Dutch Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Ariel Van der Wiel,re-opened the consulate office of the Netherlands in Port Harcourt following “alleged” improvement in security in Rivers State.

Seven die as customs and smugglers clash:

Five smugglers and two customs officials died following a clash over an attempt to smuggle rice from Niger Republic to Nigeria through the border in northern Katsina state.

Chevron seeks reimbursement from villagers:

 Chevron seeks nearly $500,000 in legal costs from the Nigerian villagers who unsuccessfully sued over a shooting at an offshore platform in 1998 that left two protesters dead and two wounded.

Tuesday 10 February 2009

Portuguese hostage still held:

5 days after the kidnap of Mr. J.L. Rentad, Portuguese employee of Picolo Construction Company in Ajagba, Ondo state, the kidnappers have not yet established contact over demands.

Total workers protest over kidnappings:

 Monday workers of Total staged a protest in Port Harcourt over the kidnapping of local and expatriate workers in the Niger Delta locking up the the company’s gate.

Kidnappers to face death sentence:

 Gov. Rotimi Amaechi announced that Rivers is to pass a bill into law making kidnapping a capital offence and thus making the Niger Delta safer for operators in the oil/gas industry.

President back at work:

President Umaru Yar’Adua resumed work yesterday after a two-week vacation.

Key Rate stays at 9.75% as inflation quickens:

The central bank left its key interest rate unchanged at 9.75% after a weaker naira pushed the inflation rate to the highest in five years.

Wednesday 11 February 2009

Shell set to evacuate?:

Management of SPDC said logistics were in place to evacuate staff latest Friday February 13, ahead of the expiration of the ultimation of 14 February given by Ateke Tom’s NDVPF.

Workers end protest over security:

Workers of Total today were to end a 2-day warning strike over insecurity in the Niger Delta, after management promised to tighten security.

Italy pledges patrol boats to deter militant attacks:

Tuesday, taly’s foreign minister Franco Frattini pledged to send two boats from the fleet of the country’s tax police, exclusive crews, to help patrol the Niger Delta.

Gunmen free kidnapped electoral official:

Police said Dr. Asinkiya Igoni, Commissioner at the Rivers state independent electoral commission was released unharmed without disclosing if ransom had been paid.

President plans pay cut for officials:

Tuesday President YRD said he planned a pay cut in salaries and allowances of senior government officials as the global financial crunch takes a toll on the country.

Thursday 12 February 2009

Italy to aid security in Niger Delta:

Foreign minister Franco Frattini said in Abuja Italy is ready to contribute reconnaissance aircraft and patrols to enhance security in the Niger Delta.

MEND threaten Agip, Italian firms:

MEND, in a statement on Wednesday, threatened attacks against Italian companies, incl. Agip, because of what it said was an Italian offer of equipment to the Nigerian military.

Related:

MEND who still holds two British oil workers in the past accused the British government too of offering military support to help Nigeria fight militant groups.

Company pays ransom for kidnapped expatriate:

A national newpaper said payment of N2 million ransom to secure the release of Portuguese national, Luis Jose Rentad, kidnapped Friday 6 February in Ondo State had been paid. The man is yet to be released.

JTF arrests illegal oil barges in Niger Delta:

 Spokesman of the JTF, Lt. Rabe Abubakar said that 25 barges loaded with illegal crude oil were seized by the task force on Tuesday evening at a small creek in the Delta.

12 arrested over killer teething drug:

According to NAFDAC director-general Paul Orhii twelve suspects have been arrested and will soon be prosecuted over the killer teething drug, Mr. Pikin

Currency control fears:

Nigeria’s Central Bank for 2 days in a row restricted sales of dollars to companies with a transaction requiring them.

Friday 13 February 2009

4 kidnappers arrested in Ondo:

4 militant were arrested after collecting the ransom money paid to secure the release of the Portuguese national, Luis Jose Rentad in Ondo State. Mr Rentad is still being held captive.

Lebanese man kidnapped in Ondo:

Wednesday Lebanese national Jimmi Rahjah, Manager of Samchase Construction Company working on the Oloto road, Okitipupa, Ondo state was kidnapped from the company site.

Rep’s daughter kidnapped in Abuja:

Theresa Berewari, daughter of member of the House of Reps., Christopher Berewari was kidnapped Wednesday from University of Abuja. Ransom demand of N100 million.

Child kidnapped in Asaba:

 Tare Isiaye, 8-year old daughter of the Chief Accountant of Delta State Ministry of Lands, Surveys and Urban Development, Charles Isiaye, was abducted in Asaba.

Militants abduct another cleric:

Rev Dr. Mike Ifijeh, General Overseer, Covenant Faith Assembly was abducted from his residence at Okocha Road, Mgbuoshimini, Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt at about 22: 35hrs on Tuesday. Ransom demand of N8M.

Family told one Brit hostage ill:

The families of the two British still held hostage by MEND, have been told that Mr. McGuire is in need of medical attention.

Matthew McGuire and Robin Hughes were abducted on 9 September 2008 from the HD Blue Ocean. Today marks Day 159 in captivity for these men.

Also held:

Two Russian nationals:

 Two Russian nationals abducted from their residential compound in Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom on 20 december 2008 are still being held. Today marks the 57th day in captivity for this pair.

Chief In Brief:

Italian government offered support in stamping out militancy in Nigeria by giving air support and patrols. French government said they would give military assistance, citing specifically their Special Forces’ ‘experience’ in moving in swamp locations. British government have also pledged support for President Yar’Adua in the past but… Is it now too late?
The abduction incidents detailed in Friday’s edition of Chief’s Briefs are only a few of the ones reported over the last few days. Kidnapping has spread into everyday culture, the big question – why have they waited so long and done so little?
This Cheat Sheet was compiled from the daily editions of Chief’s Briefs for your review by OOL Member: homealonemum

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