By Nangayi Guyson – Lagos -BBC- Nigeria’s government plans over mass evictions in the oil-rich Niger Delta has been criticized by the rights group Amnesty International warning that continued development may leave as many as 200,000 people homeless. In 2009, the Rivers State government began plans to rebuild parts of the city. They are demolishing slums on the waterfront as part of the “Greater Port Harcourt master plan”. But Amnesty says Plans for urban development and slum demolition have been a violently contested issue in Port Harcourt. Forced evictions regularly spark demonstrations there and police have even fired live rounds... Continue Reading
Publish Date: Friday, October 29th 2010 |
By Own Correspondent – Nigerian State Security Service (SSS) Tuesday seized an illegal arms shipment containing “rocket launchers, grenades and other explosives,” thought to be headed for Gambia. According to the Nigerian media, the shipment, containing 13 containers, is being held at the country’s largest shipping port, in Lagos. Security was immediately tightened at the Apapa Wharf last night as SSS, Police, Customs and naval officials condoned off the area where the ship was being detained and its contents examined, leading Nigerian daily, This Day, reported. The paper quoted state security officials as confirming the seizure, but said while they... Continue Reading
Publish Date: Thursday, October 28th 2010 |
By Own Correspondent – The Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, M.Abdullahi, yesterday told the special crime court presided over by Justice Ikpala that the state may file more charges against six Nigerians and a Gambian accomplice currently facing trial. DDPP M. Abdullahi was responding to a bail application filed on behalf of the accused persons by their defence counsel, Sagarr Jahateh. The accused persons: Joseph Okeke, Nonso Mbosah, Anuwa Ibiam, Arinze Izuchukwu, Pius Patrick, all Nigerians, and Awa Touray, a Gambian, are on trial for alleged multiple offences ranging from conspiracy to commit a felony, abduction, obtaining money by false... Continue Reading
Publish Date: Tuesday, October 26th 2010 |
Henry Okah denied his faction carried out the Abuja bombings Oil militant Henry Okah has been charged in South Africa in connection with Friday’s bomb attack in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja. Mr Okah, who was arrested in Johannesburg on Saturday, has denied links to the blasts. At least 12 people were killed in the car bombings which came as Nigeria marked 50 years of independence. Mr Okah is believed to lead a militant faction opposed to a government amnesty for the oil-producing Niger Delta. He told the BBC on Friday that his group was not responsible for the car bombings. He... Continue Reading
Publish Date: Tuesday, October 5th 2010 |
By Guyson Nanagayi – ABUJA- (Reuters) – At least eight people have been killed and three others injured in car bomb explosions near a parade in Nigeria’s capital on Friday during the marking of 50th anniversary of the country’s independence from Britain , police said. Two blasts, which also destroyed three cars, came an hour after the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), Nigeria’s biggest rebel militia, warned it had planted several bombs and told people to evacuate the area. “Two car bombs exploded and eight people are confirmed dead,” Abuja police spokesman Jimoh Moshood told Reuters. “Several... Continue Reading
Publish Date: Sunday, October 3rd 2010 |
