October 19, 2007: The increased revenue (from oil theft and
kidnapping) of gangs in the Niger River Delta oil region, has led to a lot more
weapons, particularly cheap AK-47s, being available in the area. This has led
to an increase in tribal violence. All that firepower gives the weaker, but now
better armed, side in many of these ancient feuds, the attitude that they can
just blow away their opponents if they act decisively. The body count is
increasing, and there are not enough police to keep all this violence in check.
October 17, 2007: Kidnappers
in the Niger Delta have been put off by the increased security for foreigners,
and switched to taking parents and children of wealthy politicians. Many
politicians are corrupt, and rich, so the kidnappers have hundreds of wealthy
men to target. The security forces, however, are stretched thin, and this has
allowed criminal gangs to run wild. Common crimes, like robbery, piracy and
burglary, are rising. The pirates are particularly embarrassing, but the navy
was under tremendous pressure to crack down on oil theft and smuggling (aboard
small coastal tankers that moved the stuff to adjacent nations for sale to
brokers).
October 15, 2007: A defense treaty was signed with India. There
was not much to this deal, it was mostly for show, and to give Indian arms
manufacturers an edge when trying to sell to Nigeria. The treaty also
encourages more Nigerian officers to be sent to India for training, and more
cooperation in preparing for peacekeeping operations.
