Nigeria: Eni SpA Pipeline Set Ablaze by Militants, MEND Claims Responsibility
A statement purportedly from the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta(MEND), one of Nigeria’s largest militant groups, claims to have “attacked and destroyed” a pipeline owned by a Nigerian subsidiary of Eni SpA. Eni has since stated that an incident disrupted its Nigeria output by some 4000 barrels a day, but has yet to officially confirm the attack. In a statement released to media outlets, MEND said that “this relatively insignificant attack is a reminder of our presence in the creeks of the Niger Delta and a sign of things to come.”
Nigeria Seizes $9,9m Worth of Heroin From Iran
Nigeria’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA Friday reportedly seized $9.9 million worth of heroin hidden in auto parts shipped from Iran. The West African country had recently reported Tehran to the U.N. over an illegal arms seizure.
Nigerian Independence Day Bombing Suspect Faces Tough Anti-Terrorism Laws in South Africa
Henry Okah, the Nigerian businessman accused of coordinating and financing the Nigeria Independence Day bombings, faces tough anti-terrorism laws in South Africa, where authorities say they have evidence that he was behind the deadly bombings, which left at least 12 people dead.
Car Bomb Rocks Abuja Amid 50th Anniversary Celebrations
A car exploded outside the Justice Ministry in the Nigerian capital on Friday as the nation was marking 50 years of independence, authorities said.
US$150 million Jets For Nigerian President, No Cash for 2011 Polls
Presidential luxury trumps democracy in Nigeria. The Nigerian government this week approved plans to buy two new generation Falcon 7X jets and one Gulfstream G550 for the presidential fleet at a cost of US$150 million amid efforts by the government to raise funding for elections.
LOCKED UP: Safe Haven Turns To Hell For African Asylum Seekers In Austria
VIENNA: Austrian government officials are up in arms over the issue of housing Nigerian and other African asylum seekers, with the government saying no village or city can be found to build a third asylum center for refugees.