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By Jimitota ONOYUME OIL theft is not new in the Niger Delta, but its rising index in recent times is constituting serious worries to government, security agencies and other stakeholders in the oil and gas business in the country. The Chief of Army Staff, Lieut. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, met with his top officers in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, to critically look at  how to nip the crime effectively and tackle the problem. Ihejirika told  SWEETCRUDE before the meeting that he was in the state to, among other things, discuss with his men on how best they could achieve concrete success in the anti bunkering crusade. [caption id="attachment_251637" align="alignnone" width="412"] File Photo: Nigerian Navy[/caption] The Managing Director of Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC and Country Chair of Shell Companies in Nigeria, Mr Mutiu Sunmonu, has consistently lamented the negative impact of oil theft on the nation’s economy. At an interactive session with m...

By AbdulSalam Muhammad & Ben Agande KANO — The casualty fig-ures from the multiple blasts that rocked the predominantly Christian quarters in Kano, Monday evening, has increased to 45 dead, according to Ohanaeze Ndigbo , Kano. Briefing newsmen on the development in Kano, yesterday, Chairman, Kano chapter of the pan-Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Chief Tobias Idika, said: “We counted 45 dead bodies and they have all been deposited at the morgue for identification by relations.” “We have records and proof of what we are talking about. I participated in the rescue operations and I am best informed to tell the world what happened regarding the deaths and the injured.” [caption id="attachment_406796" align="alignnone" width="412"] SURVIVORS: Mr. Emeka Mba, Manager, New Tarzan Motors (left) and Mr. Emeka Ani, survivors of the Kano bomb blasts, in hospital.[/caption] He revealed that 15 people were injured during the blast, adding that the injured were on...

BY BALA AJIYA DAMATURU — Transporters and traders in Yobe State are lamenting alleged extortion by military personnel attached to the Joint Task Force, JTF, at check points in Damaturu. Buba Umar, a trader that normally transports his wares from Kano to Maiduguri, in an interview with  Vanguard , Monday alleged that they spend up to N20,000 to bribe  the JTF on every trip at more than 50 check points, saying the amount is outrageous. He said: “Prices of foodstuff in the market have risen as a result of the extra expenses we incur, like the bribe we give to JTF and the hours we spend on the road. "Some of these good are perishable, we have to deliver on time, but due to these numerous check points, they usually get spoiled. Many suppliers from Kano axis have stopped supplying food items to Damaturu because of this and it makes the prices of goods to go up.” Another transporter said they spent hours on the long queue that stretches up to three kilometres at times, and the JTF are no...

BY NDAHI MARAMA MAIDUGURI—The Joint Task Force, Operation Restore Order, in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital has reviewed the 6am to 7pm curfew earlier imposed on the state following alleged ‘’tremendous improvement in the security situation in the state.’’ [caption id="attachment_391326" align="alignnone" width="412"] Officers of the Joint Military Task Force (JTF) patrolling in Maiduguri in a sweeping offensive against Boko Haram militants. AFP PHOTO/[/caption] Henceforth, the curfew would now start from 11pm to 6am daily with effect from Tuesday July 16, 2013. In a statement, the JTF spokesman, Lt. Col. Sagir Musa, said: ”The JTF observed tremendous improvement in the security situation in the state, and for that reason and in the spirit of Ramadan fasting, we have find it expedient to review the curfew timings imposed in the state. ”The JTF hereby inform the general public that the curfew in the state is extended from 11pm to 6am daily with effect f...