Saturday, September 27, 2008

NIGERIA ARMY: Clean, Lean, Mean And On The Offensive

NIGERIA ARMY: Clean, Lean, Mean And On The Offensive (NSI News Source Info) September 28, 2008: Despite rebel protests (and their unilateral ceasefire), the military continues to seek out and attack rebels in the Niger Delta. Over 200 suspected rebels have been arrested, and several dozen killed or wounded. The new commanders of the army are under orders to shut down the rebel activities, and clean up the corruption and inefficiency in the military. September 21, 2008: Faced with a growing counteroffensive by the army, Niger Delta rebel group MEND has declared a unilateral ceasefire. The military said they would ignore the ceasefire. September 20, 2008: Rebels in the Niger Delta bombed another oil pipeline. The attacks in the last week have reduced oil shipments by 280,000, and only about 1.8 million barrels a day (from a potential max of 2.6 million barrels) are being shipped. The army has counterattacked, and at least ten rebels were killed today by these operations, along with three speedboats sunk. September 19, 2008: The new commander of the army has sent investigators to the Niger Delta, there being suspicions that some soldiers have been corrupted (paid off) by rebels (who have made a lot of money stealing oil.) September 18, 2008: A week of attacks by tribal rebels in the Niger Delta has halted shipment of 150,000 barrels of oil a day. The army has responded by sending five battalions of infantry into the delta, seeking out and attacking rebel bases and wanted individuals.

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