November 23, 2007: The former
(1999- May 2007) governor of River State (the Niger River Delta), James Ibori,
is under investigation in Britain, where bank auditors have found he had opened
bank accounts containing nearly $40 million. Nigerian governors are paid about
$25,000 a year. In Nigeria, corruption investigators have established a paper
trail between money intended for education and health care in River State,
being transferred to James Ibori, and thence to banks in Britain. This sort of
blatant theft has become less possible as corruption investigators have become
more active, and more resistant to bribes and intimidation.
November 22, 2007: Five
suspected al Qaeda terrorists arrested last month, were charged with belonging
to terrorist organizations. Three of the five Nigerian Moslems were accused of
receiving terrorist training in Algerian camps. The five are accused of being
sent to attack Nigerian oil production.
November 18, 2007: In the
Moslem north, fighting broke out in Kano, as gangs representing opposing
political parties fought over accusations of vote rigging in recent local
elections. At least six died before police, and a battalion of 500 soldiers, arrived and dispersed the crowds. This sort
of violence is common throughout the country.
November 17, 2007: No one has
taken responsibility for the November attack on the Cameroon border, that left
21 Cameroonian police dead. Locals insist the attackers were Nigerian soldiers.
Nigeria denies involvement, but Nigeria does not have control over all those
who wear Nigerian army uniforms.
November 16, 2007: The navy
has seized 260 ships and barges in its campaign to shut down oil theft and
smuggling. This criminal enterprise still goes on, although at reduced levels.
The navy did not mention how many sailors have been bribed by oil thieves, to
let the oil racket continue.
November 15, 2007: Another
pipe line was blown up in the Niger River Delta. Up to 50,000 barrels a day in
exports are halted until repairs can be made. The MEND rebels took credit for
the attack. Such attacks have cut production by nearly half a million barrels a
day.
