May 17, 2006: The oil companies operating in the Delta region and off the coast, are increasing their own security forces, rather than depend on the police and armed forces. The police and military have been inept in going after the tribal rebels in the region. The oil companies are bringing in for foreign security experts to supervise their efforts.

May 14, 2006: President Obasanjo's attempt to get the constitution amended to allow him to run for a third term, has failed. Not enough members of parliament would vote for it, and an investigation has begun against politicians who were offering bribes to members of parliament if they would vote for the change. Obasanjo got elected as a reformer, but now he is trying to become "president for life," and using bribes to do it.

May 12, 2006: Some 200 civilians died when oil ignited, after thieves had cut a hole in an oil pipeline in order to steal it. Nearby villagers often rush in to collect whatever the thieves miss, or after the thieves have filled their tanker truck and left. Occasionally the fuel ignites and kills dozens, sometimes hundreds, of people scooping up the oil.

May 11, 2006: In the Delta region, three oil workers were kidnapped.

May 10, 2006: Delta region rebels denied responsibility for the killing of a oil company official. It is likely that the rebels didn't have anything to do with it. Criminal activity is high in the country, and especially in the Delta region.