Govt Appoints Special Adviser on Niger Delta

 26th FEB 2007

President Olusegun Obasanjo has appointed a special adviser on the volatile oil-rich Niger delta, amid a spate of kidnappings of foreign oil workers in the region.  The new post will be taken by Godknows Boladei Igali, the secretary to the Bayelsa State government. "Igali was appointed because of his previous role in bringing about peace in the restive region," a senior presidency official said.

Earlier this month, Igali was involved in the successful negotiation of the release of nine Chinese oil workers who had been held captive by an unidentified gang for 11 days. Since January 1, 55 foreigners have been kidnapped by separatist groups and armed gangs in southern Nigeria , almost as many as for the whole of 2006. The kidnappers are a mixture of separatist groups fighting for a larger share of Nigeria 's oil revenue for local people and criminal gangs lured by the prospect of ransom money.

Back to Top
Post Your Feedback