Nigeria Tracing Militant Pipeline

Nigerian oil officials are to start digging up an oil pipeline found at a militant's abandoned hideout to see if it runs to a refinery about 2km away.

The army claims the pipeline was used by Ateke Tom, the head of the Niger Delta Vigilantes, to steal oil.

A BBC reporter says the pipeline, found earlier this week, is visible for about 500m before disappearing underground.

Mr Tom is accused of being behind much of the lawless money-making schemes causing havoc in the oil-rich region.

He is wanted by the authorities for a string of bank robberies, incidents of piracy, stealing crude oil and kidnappings.

His present whereabouts is unclear, but contacted by the BBC by phone Mr Tom denied laying the pipeline to his former base near Okochiri about 20km-30km from the regional capital, Port Harcourt.

Instability and violence in the Niger Delta region over the past few years have led to a significant drop in Nigeria's oil exports.

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Ateke Tom, the head of the Niger Delta Vigilantes, has been stealing oil from a pipeline that runs near his former hideout. His group is the major cause of violence and terrorism in the Niger Delta region. He is wanted for stealing oil, kidnapping, and several bank robberies. His present whereabouts are unknown, but the government is searching for him. Capturing Ateke Tom for good could help put an end to some of the unrest in the Niger Delta region for good.

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Ali, Ciroma Clash over PDP Aspirants

THE controversy over the national convention of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) fixed this Saturday is yet to abate as the National Chairman of the party, Ahmadu Ali and the chairman of the Electoral Panel of the Convention, Malam Adamu Ciroma are divided over the control of screening of aspirants for national offices of the party.

Unrelated though, is the clash of supporters of the Enugu State Governor, Sullivan Chime and his predecessor, Chimaroke Nnamani yesterday at the PDP secretariat, Abuja. The clash sent workers of the secretariat and national officers of the PDP, including Ali, scampering for safety.

Ciroma had written to Ali that the panel raised an eight-man committee to handle the screening of aspirants after consultation among members. He further said that the essence of the exercise was to add value and to restore confidence of party faithful in the process.

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This article addresses the recent controversy that has arisen between two key leaders of the People's Democratic Party of Nigeria. According to the article, National Chairman of the party Ahmadu Ali and chairman of the Electoral Panel of the Convention Malam Adamu Ciroma have disagreed about the process that should be taken to screen potential candidates for the national offices of the party. This shows the dissent that can arise between a single political party; the steps taken to resolve this disagreement will show the power that the government and its leaders have especially in resolving conflict. According to Ciroma, the screening of potential leaders is necessary to insure that the best job will be done. This article also addresses the recent disagreement that arose between supporters of Enugu State Governor, Sullivan Chime and his predecessor, Chimaroke Nnamani. This "clash" sent many individuals running for safety as many people were held hostage. This shows the violence that consumes many people in Nigeria including the leaders of the country.

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Yar’Adua’s victory: Military warns troublemakers

The flag of the Nigerian Defence Forces

The Defence Headquarters on Wednesday warned anyone contemplating to protest the affirmation of President Umaru Yar’Adua’s election by the Presidential Election Tribunal to have a rethink.

It said the warning was necessitated by information that there were plots by some people to breach the peace in the country because of the Tuesday verdict by the tribunal.

The DHQ said in a statement by the Director of Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Yusuf, that the military would do anything to defend the rule of law in the country.

The statement which was signed by Yusuf for the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Owoye Azazi, said the disruption of the public peace would not be the best way to react to Tuesday’s judgment by the tribunal.

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Apparently, the military believes that there is some chance of violent protest in response to the recent tribunal. The article makes it seem that the chance is relatively high. It is good that the military at least claims it will stick with the president, given the history of military rule in Nigeria.

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Captors Demand N50m for Odili's Nephew

GUNMEN again struck in the early hours of yesterday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, killing a man in his car in front of the Federal High Court Complex.

The Guardian learnt that two men stopped the driver of the car while leaving the court premises on a motorcycle, and ordered him to bring out the money in the boot of his car. He allegedly replied that he did not have any money, a response believed to have provoked the gunmen, who shot him twice and sped off.

Also yesterday, the kidnappers of Mr. Eni Odili, the nephew of the former Governor of the state, Peter Odili, demanded N50 million as ransom from the family.

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This article addresses the recent kidnapping of former Governor of state Peter Odili's nephew. The kidnappers have demanded N50m ransom for the release of the boy. According to the article, this is not the first case of kidnapping, and the kidnappings are solely for economic gains. Also according to the article there has been an outrageous number of "hostage-taking, oil theft and militancy." This shows the corruption that has filled Nigeria for so many years. This article also addresses the recent murder of a man who was in his car in front of the Federal High Court Complex. These acts show the violence that consumes many of the Nigerian people. Because of these two incidents, the government is being called upon to make changes that will lower the amount of violence and prevalence of anger in the Nigerian people. The power of the government will be shown through what they can do to ease the tension and violence in Nigeria.

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