President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered the immediate ban of 113 crude oil vessels from doing business in any of the 27 oil terminals within the length and breadth of the Nigerian territorial waters.
The ban followed a directive contained in a memo dated July 15, 2015 by the Group General Manager, Crude Oil Marketing Division, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Gbenga Komolafe, to all terminal operators.
Copies of the memo were also sent the Director of the Department of Petroleum Resources; Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration & Safety Agency, and the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service.
No reason was stated in the memo why the ban was imposed on the affected vessels.
However, industry sources familiar with the development said the ban may not be unconnected with certain discrepancies between the volume of crude oil lifted by the affected vessels from various Nigerian terminals and the volume eventually discharged abroad to buyers.
The source, who pleaded not to be named, as he was not authorised to speak officially on the issue, said the NNPC had faced the challenge of explaining huge differences between the volume of crude oil lifted from Nigeria by these vessels and what they actually delivered to customers abroad.
Considering the huge volumes involved, the source said it was difficult to rule out high level connivance to steal the country’s crude oil using the affected vessels, a development that costs the Nigerian government huge losses in revenue.
Since his assumption of office, President Buhari, himself a former Minister of Petroleum, has met the top hierarchy of NNPC management and the Ministry of Petroleum Resources to express his concern over the huge impact of crude oil theft on the country’s economy.
The President has also met with the leadership of the Nigeria Customs Service and the Navy to emphasise the need for them to step up their processes to ensure close scrutiny of all NNPC’s operations at all terminals within the country’s territorial waters.
Some of the affected vessels include MV Eliza, with international maritime organisation registration, IMO, No. 9387578 with MV Happines, with IMO No. 9212905; MV Progress, with IMO No. 9180152; MV New Harmony (No. 963207); MV Cosgrace Lake (No. 9294587) and MV Plata Glory (No. 9172674).
Others include MV Humanity (No. 9180281); MV Scf Shanghai (No. 9325968); MV Tenyo (No. 9222443); MV Astro Challenge (No. 9237072); MV Maran Thetis (No. 94214427); MV BW Bauhinia (No. 9315070); MV Dream (No.9356893); MV Xin Dan Yag (No. 96140048) and MV Desim (No. 9395305).
Premium Times
Monday, July 20, 2015
Friday, July 17, 2015
10 year old girl and erderly woman carry out suicide bombings in Nigeria - 49 dead
A 10-year-old girl and an elderly woman carried out two suicide bombings Friday targeting Muslim prayer grounds in Nigeria's northeastern Yobe state, an army spokesman said.
They detonated their devices at screening areas set up by security forces outside two sites where worshippers were gathering for prayers in the town of Damaturu, said Col. Sani Kukasheka Usman, killing nine people and injuring 18.
Police spokesman Gbadegesin Joshua Toyin had earlier said at least 12 people were killed in the blasts as well as the two attackers.
A day earlier, two simultaneous bombings ripped through a market in the city of Gombe, capital of neighboring Gombe state, killing at least 48 people and injuring 58 others, a Red Cross official said.
One of the blasts was caused by a female suicide bomber, the other by a bomb hidden at the market, the official said.
The deadly attacks struck a region where violence blamed on the Islamic militant group Boko Haram has killed hundreds of people in recent weeks.
Highway barricaded
No group has so far claimed responsibility for the latest attacks. But Boko Haram terrorists have previously carried out suicide and bombing attacks on bus stations and markets in Gombe and other northern cities.
Damaturu, which is about 185 kilometers (115 miles) northeast of Gombe, has repeatedly found itself the target of attacks tied to Boko Haram in the past.
Earlier this week, gunmen barricaded a highway that links Damaturu to another town and killed more than 20 motorists, a lawmaker said.
Security forces responded immediately to Friday's blasts in Damaturu, and the situation is "currently under control," an army statement said.
"The Yobe State Governor, Ibrahim Geidam and the Chief of Army Staff, Major General Tukur Yusuf Buratai have (sympathized) with the victims and the people of the state and urged residents to stay calm and be security conscious at all times," it said.
CNN
They detonated their devices at screening areas set up by security forces outside two sites where worshippers were gathering for prayers in the town of Damaturu, said Col. Sani Kukasheka Usman, killing nine people and injuring 18.
Police spokesman Gbadegesin Joshua Toyin had earlier said at least 12 people were killed in the blasts as well as the two attackers.
A day earlier, two simultaneous bombings ripped through a market in the city of Gombe, capital of neighboring Gombe state, killing at least 48 people and injuring 58 others, a Red Cross official said.
One of the blasts was caused by a female suicide bomber, the other by a bomb hidden at the market, the official said.
The deadly attacks struck a region where violence blamed on the Islamic militant group Boko Haram has killed hundreds of people in recent weeks.
Highway barricaded
No group has so far claimed responsibility for the latest attacks. But Boko Haram terrorists have previously carried out suicide and bombing attacks on bus stations and markets in Gombe and other northern cities.
Damaturu, which is about 185 kilometers (115 miles) northeast of Gombe, has repeatedly found itself the target of attacks tied to Boko Haram in the past.
Earlier this week, gunmen barricaded a highway that links Damaturu to another town and killed more than 20 motorists, a lawmaker said.
Security forces responded immediately to Friday's blasts in Damaturu, and the situation is "currently under control," an army statement said.
"The Yobe State Governor, Ibrahim Geidam and the Chief of Army Staff, Major General Tukur Yusuf Buratai have (sympathized) with the victims and the people of the state and urged residents to stay calm and be security conscious at all times," it said.
CNN
Thursday, July 16, 2015
Nigeria govenment to shut down pirate signal of Radio Biafra
Nigeria's government has vowed to shut down an illegal radio station operated by people sympathetic to the breakaway state of Biafra.
The ministry of information said it has "successfully jammed the signals" of the station.
However, the BBC's Abdussalam Ahmed in Enugu says Radio Biafara is still broadcasting.
It is not clear where it is based but it mainly broadcasts to the Igbo-speaking south-east of the country.
The first republic of Biafra declared its independence from Nigeria in May 1967, but was eventually defeated after a three-year civil war that cost more than one million lives.
Our correspondent says the station hosts phone-in programmes with listeners calling to talk about issues affecting their region and their desire to break away from Nigeria.
It also attacks and ridicules President Muhammadu Buhari and other government officials.
Although the Biafra uprising was quelled by the military, a group called the Movement for the Actualisation of a Sovereign State of Biafra (Massob) has attracted the support many young people in the region.
They feel they have been discriminated against by those in power in Abuja and demand independence.Several of their leaders and sympathisers have been detained by authorities and accused of treason.
BBC
The ministry of information said it has "successfully jammed the signals" of the station.
However, the BBC's Abdussalam Ahmed in Enugu says Radio Biafara is still broadcasting.
It is not clear where it is based but it mainly broadcasts to the Igbo-speaking south-east of the country.
The first republic of Biafra declared its independence from Nigeria in May 1967, but was eventually defeated after a three-year civil war that cost more than one million lives.
Our correspondent says the station hosts phone-in programmes with listeners calling to talk about issues affecting their region and their desire to break away from Nigeria.
It also attacks and ridicules President Muhammadu Buhari and other government officials.
Although the Biafra uprising was quelled by the military, a group called the Movement for the Actualisation of a Sovereign State of Biafra (Massob) has attracted the support many young people in the region.
They feel they have been discriminated against by those in power in Abuja and demand independence.Several of their leaders and sympathisers have been detained by authorities and accused of treason.
BBC
Video - Former Super Eagle Sunday Oliseh confirmed as new Nigeria football coach
Nigeria have appointed former Super Eagles midfielder and captain Sunday Oliseh as their new coach.
The 40-year-old has signed a three-year deal and succeeds Stephen Keshi, who was sacked at the start of July.
"We have the talent to change our fortunes, to regain the respect we once had and match that with results," Oliseh told BBC Sport.
"This is the biggest job in African football. With everyone's support we can get the Super Eagles flying again."
Oliseh, who earned 63 caps for Nigeria and helped his country win the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations and Olympic gold in 1996, takes the helm at a time when Nigeria are struggling on and off the field.
Political fighting within the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and poor results on the pitch - culminating in the Super Eagles failing to qualify to defend their 2013 Nations Cup title this year - have left Nigerian football in a mess.
The former Borussia Dortmund, Ajax and Juventus player is well aware of the size of the task he faces.
"I am here today because I believe in the NFF and the big project before us. We had a passionate discussion and the result is the mandate to manage Nigeria," he said.
"The job doesn't start tomorrow, it starts now, we need the support of everyone because together we can make our country great."
A member of the 'golden generation' of Nigerian football stars - alongside Jay-Jay Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu and Finidi George - Oliseh has been working as a pundit, sport consultant and Fifa Technical committee member.
He becomes the fourth player from the class of 1994 to manage the Super Eagles after Austin Eguavoen, Samson Siasia and Keshi.
While Oliseh has little management experience, having coached only Belgian lower league side Vervietois between 2008 and 2009, he does hold the Uefa Pro Licence and the NFF have every faith he can handle the challenge of coaching the Super Eagles.
"Oliseh has all the necessary knowledge and exposure we're looking for to take the country's football to a great height," said NFF president Amaju Pinnick.
"He shares our vision, received the approval of our sports ministry, the blessings of the NFF technical committee and executive board."
Oliseh, who will be assisted by Belgian coach Jean Francois Losciuto, will immediately begin the task of preparing the Super Eagles for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier away to Tanzania in the first week of September, as well as an international friendly days later.
"There is no time to waste. The team has important matches in the next few weeks and it is imperative that Oliseh starts work immediately," NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi said.
Nigeria beat Chad 2-0 in their Group G opener in June and are second in the table behind Egypt on goal difference.
BBC
30 dead in Boko Haram triple attack in Nigeria
Militants believed to be with Boko Haram killed at least 33 people in three separate attacks in northeastern Nigeria, a lawmaker, residents and civilian vigilantes who oppose the Islamist terror group said Wednesday.
All the attacks took place in Borno state, which has been among the areas most targeted in recent years by Boko Haram.
The deadliest happened around 5 p.m. (noon ET) Tuesday, when gunmen barricaded a highway linking Maiduguri, the Borno state capital, and Damaturu, the capital of neighboring Yobe state, and killed more than 20 motorists, federal lawmaker Mohammed Sanda said.
These attackers -- who Sanda said were Boko Haram militants -- then stormed the village of Ngamdu, setting homes on fire and spurring residents to flee, said the lawmaker said.
Boko Haram gunmen also ambushed and killed eight people traveling on a lorry, or large truck, from Maiduguri to the town of Baga, which is on the shore of Lake Chad, local vigilantes said.
Those on the vehicle had fled Baga due to the militant group's bloody advance and were heading home after Nigeria's military reclaimed their hometown. They were about 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) away when gunmen attacked around 4 p.m. Tuesday, shot the eight passengers in the head, then fled into the nearby bush, according to the vigilantes.
And in Damasak -- a town taken by Boko Haram last November that's just a few miles away from Niger -- dozens of militants burned structures and killed at least five people, residents said. This attack came shortly after Chadian troops, which had warned people to evacuate, pulled out of Damasak.
CNN
All the attacks took place in Borno state, which has been among the areas most targeted in recent years by Boko Haram.
The deadliest happened around 5 p.m. (noon ET) Tuesday, when gunmen barricaded a highway linking Maiduguri, the Borno state capital, and Damaturu, the capital of neighboring Yobe state, and killed more than 20 motorists, federal lawmaker Mohammed Sanda said.
These attackers -- who Sanda said were Boko Haram militants -- then stormed the village of Ngamdu, setting homes on fire and spurring residents to flee, said the lawmaker said.
Boko Haram gunmen also ambushed and killed eight people traveling on a lorry, or large truck, from Maiduguri to the town of Baga, which is on the shore of Lake Chad, local vigilantes said.
Those on the vehicle had fled Baga due to the militant group's bloody advance and were heading home after Nigeria's military reclaimed their hometown. They were about 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) away when gunmen attacked around 4 p.m. Tuesday, shot the eight passengers in the head, then fled into the nearby bush, according to the vigilantes.
And in Damasak -- a town taken by Boko Haram last November that's just a few miles away from Niger -- dozens of militants burned structures and killed at least five people, residents said. This attack came shortly after Chadian troops, which had warned people to evacuate, pulled out of Damasak.
CNN
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