₦airaland Forum

AM FROM THE SOUTH SOUTH AND AM A CHRISTIAN. THIS KILLINGS AND ALL IS NOT BECAUSE OF ISLAM. I THINK JONATHAN AND HIS VICE SHOULD RESIGN SINCE HE CAN NOT DEFEND AND PROTECT US AS STATED IN HIS OATH. I SEE MORE BLOODSHED BEFORE 2015

AMERICANS ALREADY SAW NIGERIA DIVIDING BY 2015. THIS KILLINGS IS AIMING TOWARDS 2015 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION. LET STOP BLAMING ISLAM. ASK YOURSELF WHY WAS ISLAM NOT KILLING FOR MINI SKIRT, WESTERN EDUCATION, BOMBING OF CHURCHES AND ALL IN THE 80s AND 90s.

I REMAIN A CHRISTIAN BUT I WILL NEVER BLAME ISLAM FOR ALL THIS BUT OUR EVIL LEADERS WHO PAY THE UNEMPLOYED YOUTHS TO KILL FOR THEIR SELFISH INTEREST AND TAGGED IT A RELIGION OR ISLAM.

BY THE TIME THE FULL NAMES OF THE PEOPLE KILLED IS OUT THEN YOU WILL UNDERSTAND THAT THIS PROBLEM IS NOT ISLAM OR RELIGION.

THIS PROBLEM IS VERY FROM RELIGION BUT 100% POLITICAL.

THEY ARE THINKING OF HOW TO CREAT NEW STATES AND AM ALEADY FOR-SEEN SERIOUS TRIBAL CRISIS AHEAD.

THIS KILLINGS IS AIMING TOWARDS 2015. NIGERIANS PLEASE THINK.

NIGERIANS HAVE BEEN BRIAN WASHED TO BELIEVE EVERY EVIL ACT IS ISLAM, THIS IS A COMPLETE POLITICAL PROBLEM. AM A FULL TIME CHRISTIAN AND I LIVE NEXT DOOR TO SEVERAL MUSLIM HERE..... THIS PROBLEM IS POLITICAL. I GUESS THE LARGER PART OF THE YORUBAS ARE MUSLIM AND WHY ARE WE NOT HEARING THEM KILLINGS FOR MINI SKIRT N ALL.

NIGERIA IS A FAILED COUNTRY.

AM A CHRISTIAN AND I STRONGLY CONDEMN THIS ACT BUT REFUSED TO BE FOOLED TO BELIEVE THIS ACT IS PERPETRATED BECAUSE OF ISLAM.


THIS IS A POLITICAL PROBLEM AIMING THEIR GOAL TOWARDS 2015. BELIEVE IT OR NOT.

STOP BLAMING ISLAM.

WHAT IF JONATHAN'S BROTHER WHO DIED EARLY THIS WEEK WAS KILLED THIS WAY DO YOU THINK HE WILL SEAT DOWN AND FOLD HIS HANDS........ I CALLED THIS A POLITICAL CRISIS AND NOT RELIGION OR BOKO HARAM....... ISRAELIS WENT TO WAR WITH THE HAMAS LAST WEEK COS FEW PEOPLE WERE KILLED AND JONATHAN IS THERE ASKING FOR MORE MONEY TO BUY FOOD. HE TOOK AN OATH TO DEFEND AND PROTECT US AND YET HE FOLDS HIS HANDS AND ASKING FOR MORE MONEY TO BUY MORE FOOD FOR HIS FAMILY.......... FAILED LEADERS LEADING A FAILED COUNTRY TO A FAILED DESTINATION .

THIS IS A POLITICAL PROBLEM AND NOT RELIGION, NIGERIA IS A FAILED STATE PERIOD.

ASK YOURSELF WHY WERE BOKO HARAM NOT DOING ALL THIS SH1T YEARS BACK IN NIGERIA...... JONATHAN AND HIS FRIENDS KNOWS THE ROOT AND SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM.

JONATHAN IS SENDING NIGERIAN TROOPS TO MALI AND MINE WHILE THE PEOPLE WHO ARE DYING IN NIGERIA EVERYDAY ARE MORE THANK THE CRISIS IN MALI........ FAILED COUNTRY

PLEASE FELLOW NIGERIANS, LET STOP BLAMING ANY RELIGION HERE. THIS IS A FULL EXAMPLE OF WHAT A FAILD COUNTRY IS.

NIGERIA IS A FAILED COUNTRY.

THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE KILLING OF 40 MOBI STUDENTS TILL TODAY HAVE NOT BEEN BROUGHT TO BOOK. WHEN LAST DID YOU HEAR OF THE ALUU 4 KILLERS.

JONATHAN'S TENURE WILL SOON EXPIRE AND UP TILL THIS MOMENT THE PRESIDENT FAILED TO TAKE A SINGLE ACTION AGAINST THIS FOOLISH KILLINGS IN NIGERIA, YET THEY ARE CRYING FOR MORE MONEY TO BUY FOOD IN ASO ROCK.

LET FIGHT FOR A REVOLUTION AND NOT BOKO HARAM...... JONATHAN AND HIS FELLOW LEADERS ARE BOKO HARAM LIKE IT OR NOT.

I sold human parts to churches and ritual killers – Joshua
2
November 23, 2012 | 7:35 pm
News

By DONALD ARJI

November 21st will ever remain indelible in the heart of Oloko villagers as members of the palace guard to the community leader of Ajara Topa community in collaboration with a vigilante group operating in the area arrested a man who allegedly eats and sells human parts to ritualists, operating from a hole he dug under the Gbaji bridge along the Badagry-Seme border.

Joshua Akindele,56, who hails from Etokia Local Government in Ogun State was spotted by one Anthony Amos who watched him crawl into a hole under the Gbaji bridge, confessed that he had been into cannibalism and ritual killing for the past 15 years, after being introduced to the business by a friend who convinced him to stop driving popular motor cycle known as “Okada” which he claimed profited him a little, but could not sustain him.

He further said that he had been earlier sent to prison for 5 years after raping a 17-year old girl.

Speaking with Crime Guard, Akindele confessed that he was the brain behind the incessant killing within the village using ply woods to hit his human prey, and dragging them into the holes before splitting their parts for food and business… with ritual buyers.


*Joshua caught with some human skeletons
In his statement “I have been in this business for the past 15 years after my friend advised me to stop riding okada and to join him in ritual killing and cannibalism”

When asked how he carried out his activities, he confessed “Whenever I see somebody walking alone without being conscious of who is watching, I walk slowing up to them and hit them with a big ply wood on their heads after which they fall unconscious, I then drag them into the hole and use a knife to cut them into parts which I sell to some churches and some ready buyers who indulge in ritual killing for easy money, and some times when I feel hungry late in the night, I eat some parts for food.

He confessed further that he sells the parts as follows: Heads 7,500, breast 1,500, penis 1000, hands and legs for 3,500.

Amos who is a member of a vigilante group in the area alerted other members of the group and palace guards of the Baale of Ajara Topa community to monitor the movements of Joshua.

He told Crime Guard that at about 1 a.m on 21st of November, he was on his normal routine watch when he noticed him (Joshua) crawling into the hole with a rice bag, he quickly alerted other members who confronted him with a gun and ordered him to drop and open what he was carrying. When he did, they discovered rotten human parts; skulls, legs, hands, breasts e.t.c.

Crime Guard visited the palace of the Baale of Ajara Topa community, Chief Samuel Amosu Owolabi, who after confirming the incident told Crime Guard that he was sleeping in his palace when an emergency call woke him with the caller informing him that a man had been arrested by members of his palace guards in collaboration with members of the vigilante group with human parts.

Chief Samuel said he quickly called Chief Patifo, Baale of Iyafin whom his community shared the bridge with to accompany him to the scene. When he got there, he noticed a mob had begun beating the suspect and only stopped after he begged them to let him live so that proper investigations will be carried out by the police.

Crime Guard confirmed the suspect was in the custody of the Badagry police division from a police source who pleaded anonymity.


SOURCE..... VANGUARD NEWS

NA E GOOD FOR THAT ABOKI........... YOU UNA DEY PITY FOR NA. DEM SAY DEM WANT SHARIA N NA D SHARIA LAW BE DAT NA........HAPPY ONE HAND. [color=#990000][/color]

Death in hotel swimming pool: Manager, four others arrested
2
November 22, 2012 | 12:40 am
Metro

By Johnbosco Agbakwuru, Calabar

CONTROVERSY now surrounds the alleged murder of master Wisdom Felix Edu, who until his death was a staff of Treasureland Hotels, Ediba Road, in Calabar Municipal Council of Cross River State. Curiously, the tree beside the swimming pool where his body was discovered was said to have ‘mysteriously’ withered within 24 hours after his death.

About five persons, including the manager of the hotel had been quizzed by the police over the incident but some of them were said to have been released after making their statements. Wisdom, as he was popularly known, was 19 years and a native of Adadama in Abi Local Government Area of the State. He lived at 4 Calabar Road, before his untimely and alleged gruesome murder on November 9, 2012.

Wisdom left for work on that fateful Friday without any inkling that it was going to be his final day on earth. A family source claimed that the corpse of the deceased was discovered early morning the next day by some naval officers who had lodged at the hotel.

It had a deep cut on the head. Mr. Icha Mbotor, a relation to the deceased, said he got the information about the death of Wisdom on Sunday morning when his sister, Ghada Francis Ekun, called him to break the sad news, informing that the corpse had been deposited at the Calabar General Hospital mortuary.

He said that when he got to the State Housing Police Station where the matter was reported, the story of Wisdom’s death was confirmed and that the picture taken by the police showed that the deceased had a deep cut on the head and a swollen mouth.


*Wisdom Felix Edu…found dead in swimming pool
Mbotor said that Wisdom was wearing a wrist watch, his jean trousers and boxer, but minus his shirt and shoes. He added that Wisdom’s flat stomach in the ‘shallow’ swimming pool which was about eight meters deep did not suggest he drowned.

Real picture

He said: “Reaching the mortuary, we discovered that what we saw on the picture were real. The hotel staff claimed that he drowned, but from our observation, he was killed and thrown into the pool.” He also alleged that when the navy personnel, who allegedly saw Wisdom’s corpse, drew attention to it, the hotel management allegedly claimed not to know the person and alerted the police.

“When we went to see the management, we were dismissed and they told us that the Police were waiting for us. But getting to the State Housing Police Station, the DPO was not around and nobody connected to the case was seen, so we called the DPO who later came around 3pm on that Sunday; we got there about 8am.

Our suspicion is that he was killed. If he had gone to swim, there should not have been cuts on his head and his hands would not have folded. He was killed and thrown into the pool. He had complained the week before he died that he was no longer comfortable working there.

“The fact that they did not deem it necessary to contact the family of the deceased is suspicious and we strongly feel that the management have something to hide and given the standard of the hotel, there should be security officers around the hotel. A staff told us that there is a tree by the swimming pool of the hotel, but on the evening of the Sunday, the tree withered.”

The manager of the hotel, Mr. Mendie Udoh, described what happened as a natural death and that police were still investigating it to know exactly what led to the death of the staff. He said: “The incident that happened is just a natural death. Police are still investigating it. I may not know the cause but police have gone for autopsy.”

On the tree that allegedly withered a day after the incident, he said: “That incident happened and the leaves all fell down”. When asked what could have caused it, he said that he was not a spiritualist to know, adding, however, that the development did not scare other staff as work was going on smoothly.

He alleged that even the staff knew that the deceased caused what happened to him, as he was on morning shift that particular day while the incident took place in the night. He said: “When I saw him in the night, I asked why he was still around.

Celebration of friend’s birthday

“He said that his friend was celebrating his birthday and that he was called to come and play music for them with the celebrant’s laptop. The event finished about 2am without any untoward incident. Three staff are being held. I went and reported the matter to the police who came and took the corpse to the mortuary. I was detained and later released.”

Meanwhile it was gathered that the autopsy carried out by the police showed the deceased had a deep cut which allegedly indicated that he may have been murdered.

But the State Police Public Relations Officer of the, DSP John Umoh, said that investigations were ongoing and that it was not proper to release information on the autopsy, adding that giving out the result of the autopsy was a way of drawing conclusion on the matter.

THE CARS SHOULD BE MADE OFFICIAL CAR FOR NIGERIA PUBLIC OFFICE HOLDERS TO INCREASE DEMAND AND THEREBY CREATING MORE JOBS FOR NIGERIANS.......

I HOPE THE DRONE STRIKES WILL START FROM THE SENATE HOUSE

TIME FOR SESI FANS TO START CALCULATING MATHEMATICS ON THIER CHANCES. NOISE MAKERS

SESI WAKE UP NA.......HAND DON MEET UNA TODAY

AWKA—A SEVEN – MONTH old baby boy, Uchenna Nwoye, his parents and two others were allegedly arrested and detained by the police in Onitsha over N20 000 debt owed by the parents.

They were arrested at Ifitedunu in Dunukofia local government area of Anambra State by policemen from Fegge Police Stattion, Onitsha, for failure to pay the N20,000 to a woman Uchenna’s father allegedly did business with.

Narrating the incident to newsmen, yesterday, in Onitsha, mother of the boy, 23-year-old Mrs. Ukamaka Nwoye, said they were whisked away by the policemen without any reason, adding that they were fast asleep when heavily armed policemen numbering over 20 forced open their door and arrested all the occupants, including the 7-months-old boy.

She said: “On November 7, at about 2.30am, we were all asleep when suddenly, some policemen came into our compound and forced their way into our house and arrested us, including my 7-month-old baby.They took us to their bus and whisked us away to a place we later found out was Fegge Police Station, Onitsha.

“They denied us the opportunity to call any of our relations. It was one of the policemen who saw how my child was almost suffocating inside the cell that secretly helped me to call one of my brothers and I told him where we were being detained. We spent over seven days in detention.”

SOURCE: VANGUARD

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/11/police-detain-7-month-old-baby-parents-over-n20000-debt/

Hamzat shot in front of his woman friend – Police
6
November 20, 2012 | 1:00 am
News

By Our Reporters
THE former Chairman of Ikeja Local Government, Lagos State, and ex Special Adviser to Governor Babatunde Fashola on Health during his first term in office, Oluwatoyin Hamzat, has been assassinated by unknown gunmen.

He was reportedly shot in the head at Sabo, Sagamu, Ogun State, at about 9p.m. on Sunday.

He was said to have left Sagamu Town Club where he went for a meeting and was heading for his country home when he met his fate.


Toyin Hamzat…killed by unknown gunmen
The killers, it was learnt, blocked his car wiith an Ogun painted taxi. They emerged and shot him at point blank. They reportedly left the scene without taking anything from his car.

His nephew who was in the car with him when the incident occurred, told Vangaurd that his remains had been taken to Ijebu Aiyepe, Odogbolu Local Government, for burial this afternoon, according to Islamic rites.

He said they were on their way to his country home, where the former chairman did his housewarming on October 1 when they were ambushed by the gunmen.

The colourful politician was spotted at Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola’s 2000 days in office celebration, held at LTV 8, Ikeja and Chief Kamoru Danjuma’s colourful party held in Abeokuta, on Sunday.

He was said to be preparing for Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s chieftaincy ceremony in Abeokuta yesterday before the incident occurred.

Also confirming Hamzat’s death, Keye Abiodun Banjo, Secretary of Bobakeye age group of Ijebu-land of which the deceased was a member, told Vanguard that he received a call last night informing him that Toyin was dead.

“I received a call last night from someone that Toyin was killed in Shagamu around 9.30 p.m. He was a member of Bobakeye of which I am the scribe of the group. He will be buried today in Aiyepe in Odogbolu Local Government Area of Ogun State.

“He was not at the meeting we held last week but he sent his apologies. We will all miss him. May his soul rest in peace,” he said.

Fashola, Ashafa, lawmakers, express shock

Governor Babatunde Fashola and Senator Gbenga Ashafa, representing Lagos East Senatorial District and members of the state House of Assembly, in a prompt reaction, expressed sadness over the death, describing it as “shocking.”

In a condolence message to the family of the deceased, through his Special Adviser on Media, Mr. Hakeem Bello, the governor described it as most unfortunate, shocking and heart rending, the fatal attack on his former Special Adviser.

According to the governor, it was a supreme irony of life that such a man of peace who gave so much in the service of his nation and community could come to such a violent end.

While condoling with his Ogun state counterpart, the government and people of Ogun State as well as the immediate family of the deceased, Fashola, said Hamzat’s death was a personal loss to him, Lagos State and the entire South West family of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN. The governor therefore, prayed the Almighty Allah to grant the soul of the departed Al-Janah Firdaus and imbue the widow and family members with the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

Unassuming public officer

Also, in his short message, Ashafa expressed shock at the sudden demise of Hamzat, he described as a gentle, unassuming public officer with high integrity.

Ashafa condemned the dastardly act and called on the authority of the Nigerian Police to as a matter of urgency unravel the people behind the act and bring them to book, to serve as deterrent to others.

“This killing must not go down as another mystery death in this country. Enough is enough. The killers must be brought to book.” Ashafa stated.

Also, members of the state House of Assembly, during it plenary session yesterday, commiserated with the family of the deceased. The Chief Whip of the House, Dr. Abdulrrazaq Balogun who brought the issue up said his death was so sudden.

He recounted their last meeting after Toyin Hamzat was made the Otunba in Ijebu-Ode.

Balogun said “Once a Special Adviser for four years in the Ministry of Health, he had a cordial relationship with his Commissioner and performed his role deligently as expected of him.

Similarly, Omowunmi Olatunji-Edet, informed the sitting that she had a good working relationship with him as the Chairman of the Sport Council. She described him as a party faithful that is committed to the progress of the ACN government.

Ogun Police give account of the killing

REACTING to the killing of Hamzat, police spokesman in Ogun State, ASP Muyiwa Adejobi, described the killing as a case of assassination as nothing was taken away from the car.

He said: “Truly, the man was killed yesterday. It was a case of assassination. Noting was taken away from him. He was shot in front of his woman friend’s house. Five suspects have been arrested and they are in our custody at the state police headquarters, Eleweran, Abeokuta.”

The five suspects are the deceased’s woman friend, her husband and three taxi drivers.

It was gathered that the woman’s husband and the late Toyin Hamzat once met at the woman’s residence at Sagamu where they engaged in a brawl.

Vanguard also gathered that one the taxis impounded has been identified as the one used during the operation. A police source also confirmed the arrest of the man who allegedly fired the shot that killed Hamzat.

Hamzat’s profile

Hamzat, a Pharmacist, was a pioneer member of the Alliance for Democracy, AD, Action Congress, AC and Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN.

He was the Chairman of Ikeja Local Government between 1999 and 2002 and later became a Special Adviser on Local Government Affairs to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He also served as Special Adviser to Governor Babatunde Fashola on Health during his first term in office

He was born 1 October, 1960. He attended Adeola Odutola College Ijebu Ode for his ‘A’ Level and the University of Lagos, Idi Araba, for his Pharmacy degree.

Late Oluwatoyin Hamzat, was a member of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, (PSN), Honorary fellow, West Africa Postgraduate College of Pharmacist, Member, Ikoyi Club 1938, Member, Yoruba tennis Club.


SOURCE: VANGUARD NEWS

The event of November 13 in Idjerhe (Jesse) in Ethiope-West Local Government Area of Delta State proved tragic.

It was an innocuous case of a suspected ritualist arrested by some villagers. The suspect was dragged to the palace of the town’s monarch, His Royal Majesty, HRM, Erhikevwe 1, by his accusers, who wanted jungle justice.

The monarch, an enlightened man, knowing what the law stipulates, pleaded with his people to allow him call security agents to interrogate the suspect, establish his culpability and scope of operation, before taking the next line of action, but they refused to hear him.

Apparently dipping into his bag of wisdom, he devised a plan to keep the mob waiting and, furtively, invited soldiers to the palace to whisk away the suspect for interrogation, as it was obvious that the mob was not prepared to accept his counsel.

6 dead, 25 injured

In the eyes of the law, he did the right thing, but, in the eyes of the people, his cup was full.

*Charred remains of the Idjerhe monarch’s palace

Soldiers came quite all right, but, before they could leave the palace with the suspected ritualist, no fewer than six persons lay dead and 25 persons critically injured.

What happened? It was gathered that the mob not only stoned the soldiers, but also attacked and prevented them from taking away the suspect.

Incensed by the conduct of the villagers, who practically attempted to wrestle the ritualist from their possession, the soldiers opened fire. Hell was let loose. The mob, provoked by the bloodshed, descended on the palace of the monarch on the grounds that he was the person, who brought ant-infested maggot to the house. The palace was set ablaze and looted.

Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Charles Muka, who confirmed that 28 persons arrested in connection with arson and murder in the community were moved to the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, Asaba, Wednesday, disclosed that vehicles parked in the palace were also burnt.

At about 9.00 am when Sunday Vanguard visited Jesse, November 13, the palace was was still smoldering. A motorcyclist, who carried the reporter from the junction at Warri-Sapele-Benin expressway, told him, “ Jesse is on fire.Soldiers are everywhere; there is tension; nobody knows what is going to happen next.This is disastrous”.

The palace itself was a no-go area, as soldiers cordoned the bastion and refused access to everybody, including journalists.

Ritualists on the loose!

For some weeks running, a source said, “Ritualists have been on the rampage in Idjerhe, killing about nine persons, a development that made the monarch to set up a committee to probe the ugly development”.

It was gathered that the villagers mounted a search party and the efforts reportedly paid off when one of the suspected ritualists was nabbed in the bush and brought to the palace.

The monarch, however, resisted the pleadings of his people to lynch the suspect and correctly invited security agents to handle the matter. That was what led to the mayhem.

A source told Sunday Vanguard, “Is it not an irony that the decision of the monarch to set up to checkmate ritual killings in his domain is what led to the death of his subjects and burning of his palace”.

Lawmaker condemns attack

Member representing Ethiope-West in the House of Assembly, Hon. John Nani, condemned the the attack on the monarch’s palace, saying he brought the matter before the House under matters of urgent public importance, same day.

He called on the people of Jesse to stay off the streets to avoid being arrested by security agents, adding that soldiers whisked away the monarch to Koko to avoid being attacked.

Twenty-four hours after the incident, the monarch, who was rescued by soldiers with members of his family from the palace, was said to be taking refuge in Asaba, the state capital.

Calm returns

PPRO, Muka, however, told Sunday Vanguard,on Wednesday, that the community was calm, as people were going about their normal businesses.

He said, “The command warns youths not to resort to self help, as persons caught in such act will be made to face the full wrath of the law. People are urged to go about their business without fear.”

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/11/ritualist-brings-deaths-arson-to-jesse/

NICE IDEA BUT I KNOW D UNIVERSITY N POLY ARE NOT STANDARD BY ANY MEANS. HE SHOULD HAVE USE THE MONEY TO IMPROVE THE EDUCATIONAL SECTOR OF THE STATE TO MAKE IT BEST IN NIGERIA AND ONE TOP IN AFRICA....... I GUESS SOMEONE IS PLAYING POLITICS HERE.

HAMAS MILITARY COMMANDER KILLED BY ISRAELI AIRSTRIKE IN GAZA

SOURCE.... CNN BREAKING NEWS

HAMAS MILITARY COMMANDER KILLED BY ISRAELI AIRSTRIKE IN GAZA

SOURCE.... CNN BREAKING NEWS

Professor Julius Ihonvbere is the new Secretary to the Edo state government SSG. Hon. Patrick Obahiagbon is the new Chief of Staff COS to the Governor

Nice appointment

THANK YOU MR DANGOTE... AT LEAST THIS WILL TAKE CARE OF SOME UNEMPLOYMENT.

THE MEMBERS BOUGHT HIM A PRIVATE BIRTHDAY CAKE

P R I V A T E CAKE.....LOL

PRIVATE JET SYNDROME IN NIGERIA..

NOW I CAN SEE THOSE LOW KEYS ARE NOT SHOUTING FIRST TO COMMENT COS THIS IS A VERY INTERESTING THREAD WITH MATURED MINDS LIKE ( Niflheim and pastormustwacc). Please I need ur ID for more convo.

The United States will overtake Saudi Arabia and Russia as the world’s top oil producer by 2017, the West’s energy agency said on Monday, predicting Washington will come very close to achieving a previously unthinkable energy self-sufficiency.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) said it saw a continued fall in U.S. oil imports with North America becoming a net oil exporter by around 2030 and the United States becoming almost self-sufficient in energy by 2035.

“The United States, which currently imports around 20 percent of its total energy needs, becomes all but self-sufficient in net terms – a dramatic reversal of the trend seen in most other energy importing countries,” it said.

The forecasts by the IEA, which advises large industrialized nations on energy policy, were in sharp contrast to its previous reports, which saw Saudi Arabia remaining the top producer until 2035.

“Energy developments in the United States are profound and their effect will be felt well beyond North America – and the energy sector,” the IEA said in the annual long-term report, giving one of the most optimistic forecasts for U.S. energy production growth to date.

“The recent rebound in U.S. oil and gas production, driven by upstream technologies that are unlocking light tight oil and shale gas resources, is spurring economic activity – with less expensive gas and electricity prices giving industry a competitive edge,” it added.

IEA Chief Economist Fatih Birol told a news conference in London he believed the United States would overtake Russia as the biggest gas producer by a significant margin by 2015. By 2017, it would become the world’s largest oil producer, he said.

This could have significant geopolitical implications, if Washington feels its strategic interests are no longer as embedded in the Middle East and other volatile oil producing regions.

Analysts ask whether an energy independent United States would still be prepared to safeguard major trade routes around the world, such as the Strait of Hormuz in the Middle East.

The United States will rely more on natural gas than either oil or coal by 2035 as cheap domestic supply boosts demand among industry and power generators, the IEA said.

LIMITED KNOWLEDGE

Birol said he realized how optimistic the IEA forecasts were given that the shale oil boom was a relatively new phenomenon.

“Light, tight oil resources are poorly known … If no new resources are discovered (after 2020) and plus, if the prices are not as high as today, then we may see Saudi Arabia coming back and being the first producer again,” he said.

The IEA said it saw U.S. oil production rising to 10 million barrels per day (bpd) by 2015 and 11.1 million bpd in 2020 before slipping to 9.2 million bpd by 2035.

Saudi Arabian oil output would be 10.9 million bpd by 2015, the IEA said, 10.6 million bpd in 2020 but would rise to 12.3 million bpd by 2035.

That would see the world relying increasingly on OPEC after 2020 as, in addition to increases from Saudi Arabia, Iraq will account for 45 percent of the growth in global oil production to 2035 and become the second-largest exporter, overtaking Russia.

OPEC’s share of world oil production will rise to 48 percent from 42 percent now.

Russian oil output, which over the past decade has been steadily above Saudi Arabia, is predicted to stay flat at over 10 million bpd until 2020, when it will start to decline to reach just above 9 million bpd by 2035.

“Russia, which remains the largest individual energy exporter throughout the period, sees its revenues from oil, natural gas and coal exports rise from $380 billion in 2011 to $410 billion in 2035,” the IEA said.

The U.S. oil boom would accelerate a switch in the direction of international oil trade, the IEA said, predicting that by 2035 almost 90 percent of oil from the Middle East would be drawn to Asia.

ENERGY DEMAND GROWS BY THIRD

The report assumes a huge expansion in the Chinese economy, which it saw overtaking the United States in purchasing power parity soon after 2015 and by 2020 using market exchange rates. Chinese real gross domestic product is expected to increase by 5.7 percent annually between 2011 and 2035.

A rise of 1.8 billion in the world’s population to 8.6 billion would lead to a spike in global oil demand by more than a 10th to over 99 million bpd by 2035, keeping pressure on oil prices, the IEA said.

The agency’s central “New Policies” scenario, which assumes a range of measures are taken to curb oil consumption in Europe, the United States, China and elsewhere, sees the average import cost of oil rise to just over $215 per barrel by 2035 in nominal terms, or $125 in 2011 terms.

If fewer steps are taken to promote renewable energy and curb carbon dioxide emissions, oil was likely to exceed $250 per barrel in nominal terms by 2035 and reach $145 in real terms — almost level with the record highs seen four years ago.

The share of coal in primary energy demand will fall only slightly by 2035.

Fossil fuels in general will remain dominant in the global energy mix, supported by subsidies that, in 2011, jumped by almost 30 percent to $523 billion, due mainly to increases in the Middle East and North Africa.

http://www.channelstv.com/home/2012/11/12/us-to-overtake-saudi-as-top-oil-producer-iea/