Police Strike Imminent in Nigeria
With the general elections due to start on 14th April and Presidential elections on 21st April, the Nigerian Police Force are threatening strike action in support of their grievances, including non-implementation of the last salary review and poor conditions of service. Already violence is on the increase ahead of the elections, with some candidates being barred by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and doubts over the candidacy of the leading opposition candidate, Atiku Abubakar because of different court judgements as to his eligibility to stand.
In the Delta areas a group claiming to be part of the Movement for the Emancipation for the Niger Delta (MEND), has warned against would-be gubernatorial candidates trying to rig the polls by force. This, like the release of many of the remaining hostages may just be a cynical ploy being conducted by the politicians to make themselves and their parties look good in the eyes of those few who will actually vote freely. In the Delta states the EU is not sending electoral observers because of fear for their personal safety. Violence is most likely in Port Harcourt as rival armed gangs, one of which is led by the outlaw Ateke Tom and another by Soboma George. Those of you living in Port Harcourt may recall that he was recently freed from a police station by a gang of 50 of his supporters who arrived by boat from the creeks.
Whilst this should not have any direct impact on we pilots and engineers working in PH and Warri, questions should be asked of your companies as to what extra security precautions they are taking for you during the election period. Shell is rumoured to be moving all expat staff to the RA, with all road movement being banned for at least 2 weeks.