No references to the seizure of an oil rig by Itsekiri youths in Escravos in 1999 could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate. However, a 15 December 1999 Amnesty International article states:

On May 25, 1998, about 120 unarmed youths from Ijaw community occupied the Chevron Parabe production platform, effectively taking about 200 employees of the Chevron subcontractor Globestar McDermott/EPTM hostage. The youths were demanding that Chevron make financial compensations for polluting the water and that the company re-invest in community development. Chevron requested the assistance of Nigerian security forces to stop the protest. On May 28, Chevron's head of security accompanied Nigerian naval and police officers to the platform in helicopters hired by the company. In a crackdown that ensued, two protesters were killed and security forces detained eleven youths.

A 16 September 2000 News article states that Globestar Engineering Company

Nigeria Limited is "a contracting and services firm to oil prospecting companies in the country."

No additional information on Globestar Engineering in Nigeria could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Amnesty International. 15 December 1999. "Nigeria: Chevron: Civil Unrest and Military Intervention." http://www.amnesty-usa.org/justearth/countries/nigeria2.html [Accessed 19 July 2001]

The News [Lagos]. 16 September 2000. "Nigeria; Two Firms Lock Horns in a Million Dollar Property Suit." (NEXIS)

Correspondence sent to three oral sources

IRB databases

NEXIS/LEXIS

Internet sites including:

Africa News Online - Nigeria

Amnesty International

BBC News Online

Chevron Website

Corporate Criminals

Corpwatch

Corporate Watch - UK

The Guardian - Lagos

Human Right Watch

Multinational Monitor

Project Underground

World News Connection