Al Jazeera is running Andrew Simmons report from the Delta, with an interview with Ateke Tom (who’s gang claimed responsibility for attacks on police stations in Port Harcourt last weekend, leaving 7 officers dead.):
Ateke Tom, known as the godfather of the vigilantes in the dangerous Niger Delta, has threatened war against Nigeria’s government and admitted to carrying out deadly attacks on two police stations.
In an interview with Al Jazeera, Tom said his group, the Niger Delta Vigilante (NDV), is responsible for vote-rigging and death squads.
Thanks to OpenDemocracy.net for the name check in their daily security brief.
Looking at the list of security flashpoints in the article, the common factor is vulnerable energy infrastructure. With instability in the Persian Gulf continuing, markets will be watching the Nigerian elections closely.
The general picture across the country seems to be one of confusion for voters, low turn outs in some areas, and the opposition calling foul.
21 are offically reported killed in the Niger Delta but local estimates are higher at around 40, including 7 police officers killed overnight in Port Harcourt on the 13th. There are around 10 other deaths reported throughout the country as of writing.
INEC in Port Harcourt, Rivers State reported a 90.09% result for the governing PDP with an 85% turn out.
These are from a set of images of the destruction following an attack on Elelenwo police station, Port Harcourt, Rivers State - reportedly by Ateke Tom’s Vikings gang - over night on 13th April. One police officer is reported killed. (Click for the set on flickr.)
In all, seven police officers were reported killed overnight on 13th April 2007, in this and another attack on Mini-Okoro police station.
The feeling on the street, at the end of a (very bloody) first election day.
We’re in the bottle neck of getting reports in from across the Delta - where the trouble nationally seems to be worst - but the general feeling seems to be that these elections are going very badly. (Both in terms of violence and the process itself.)
7 police officers are reported killed in two separate attacks by armed groups in Port Harcourt.
According to the Echo:
A community leader and human rights activist, Patrick Naagbanton, said three police died in the early-morning attack.
A spokesman for an armed gang in the region led by notorious gunman Ateke Tom claimed credit for the attack and said others had been launched in other regions of Nigeria’s vast southern wetlands. No details were available.
