December25, 2006:
Responding to the increased rebel violence in the Niger Delta, some
oil companies are evacuating the families of foreign workers. Rebels attacks
are, month by month, shutting down more production. MEND is getting more
skillful and better organized in their attacks. The use of cell phone triggered
car bombs, and the ability to get these vehicles into heavily guarded
compounds, are examples of this. MEND is also refraining from killing innocent
civilians, which means they remain popular, while still terrorizing the
government. The bombs destroy the luxurious cars and facilities of the government
and oil companies. Pictures of the bomb effects in the media make it
clear where the oil money is going. The Ijaw tribes that MEND represents live
in extreme poverty, amidst billions of dollars worth of oil production
facilities. The government has a hard time addressing this problem, because
local officials (often Ijaws) who get money for local projects, too often steal
it. Corruption is a major problem, and MEND is no paragon of virtue either. The
key people in MEND are leaders of criminal gangs (that steal oil) and
politicians who, in most cases, would be as corrupt as the others, if they got
into power. That's the real tragedy of Nigeria, the shortage of honest
politicians. At least more Nigerians recognize this problem now, but getting
enough honest politicians to show up and run the government efficiently, is
another matter. Currently, corrupt politicians think nothing of just switching
parties, or forming new ones, and running for office again, while they fight
off weak prosecutions for past crimes. Nationwide, however, there is growing
popular anger at the corruption and poverty, and the fact that, "we have
met the enemy, and it is us."
December
23, 2006: A car bomb went off outside the governors office in the Niger Delta.
There were no injuries, but this was the first time a government facility was
attacked by MEND. A second bomb malfunctioned, according to an email from
MEND.
December
22, 2006: MEND rebels will not accept ransom for the four foreign oil workers
they are holding. This time, MEND wants its political demands ( release of two
of their leaders, and aid projects for the Delta region) met. Negotiators are
confident they can eventually buy the freedom of the four captives, because the
government is very unlikely to release the imprisoned MEND leaders.
December
21, 2006: Three policemen died repulsing attacks on two oil facilities in the
Niger Delta. As a result, the oil company closed the facilities, halting 96,000
barrels of daily production (about two billion dollars a year in oil sales.)
December
18, 2006: Car bombs, triggered by cell phone, went off in two oil company
compounds in the Niger Delta region. There were no casualties, and that was on
purpose, as the MEND rebel group said they did want to kill anyone. MEND said
they called off a third bombing because of the possibility of fatalities. MEND
wants more oil money going to the people in the Niger Delta.