Villeworth Security Services Ltd

week 14

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PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

Ex-Militants Blow-up Pipeline in Bayelsa

Suspected ex-militants, last weekend, blew-up a crude oil pipeline belonging to Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company, (SNEPCo), in Bayelsa State. It was reported that the penultimate Friday night bombing, Friday night, destroyed the SNEPCo oil pipeline, which supplies crude to Egbomoturu Flow Station. The bombers said they blew up the crude oil pipeline because of Federal Government’s refusal to create space for them (ex-militants) in the amnesty programme. Corporate Media Relations Manager at SNEPCo, Mr. Tony Okonedo, said there was no report of destruction of the company’s pipeline by those in the operations unit.

38 Die Awaiting Police Gratuity

In the last five years, payments of gratuity and pensions to retired public workers, which has become a probability in Nigeria, has claimed the lives of 38 retired police officers in Cross River State who died without enjoying their retirement benefits. Five or more years into their retirement, the affected police men and women waited in vain for their gratuity until they died. These facts were revealed in Calabar by the Cross River State chairman of the Association of Retired Police Officers of Nigeria [ARPON], Chief Effiong Orok. It would be recalled that it was Chief Orok whom last year opened a can of worms on the Police Pension Fund when he allegedly revealed that out of the N24billion released by the Federal Government to settle the arrears of retired police officers, only N7billion was expended with the balance of N17billion outstanding.

Poly Shut over Clash, Varsity Students Protest

The Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Orumba North Council, Anambra State, has been closed down following clashes between students and the host community, which left one person dead and many others injured. The school’s management said the students have been sent home for two weeks while security agencies have been drafted to the institution. Barely 24 hours later, another Anambra State community, Abagana was thrown into confusion following the killing of a 30-year-old native. Youths of the community took to the streets for reprisal attacks. An eyewitness said trouble started on Monday night when the victim, Ifeanyi Ikegbunam, had an argument with a Calabar man, who then stabbed him with a bottle. The State Police spokesman, Emeka Chukwuemeka said that the accused 38 year-old man and the woman that runs the beer parlour have been arrested.

Militants Claim Bombing of Oil Wells

Some ex-militants have claimed bombing of a pipeline belong to the National Agip Oil Company (NAOC), destroying five cluster oil wells between River Niger and Tailor creek in Bayelsa State. The ex-militant leader, “Commander” Cairo, who confirmed that he actually led the alleged operation, said they were protesting the underdevelopment of Niger Delta by the Federal Government. Cairo threatened that they would continue to bomb oil installations “until they realise that they have to come and develop our region.”

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

Kidnappers Release Centenarian Mother of Monarch

Mrs. Okpa Omene, the 102-year-old mother of the Ovie of Mosogar Kingdom in Delta State, HRM Samson Omene, who was kidnapped, penultimate Tuesday, was released after five days in captivity. Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, Charles Muka, confirmed her release, adding that no ransom was paid.

Gunmen Kidnap Poly Lecturer

A senior lecturer with Auchi Polytechnic in Edo, Mr Moses Egbape, has been abducted by gunmen at his residence in South Ibie of Etsako West LGA of the state. The incident occurred as the lecturer was driving into his compound after returning from work. The Auchi Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Abubakar Mohammed, confirmed the abduction of the lecturer in a telephone interview. He said that the abductors were yet to make any demand, and promised that the police would investigate the matter thoroughly.

Gunmen on Rampage in Delta

The brother of the Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, Chief Victor Ochei, and an expatriate worker were on Tuesday kidnapped in Asaba, Delta State. Two other persons, whose identities are still uncertain, were also whisked away by the kidnappers who raided the metropolis, wielding dangerous weapons. Also abducted is the Area Manager of the Petroleum Products Marketing Company (PPMC), Warri, Mr. William Enoh. The gunmen also killed his Mobile Police orderly, just as they invaded the Warri Central Hospital where they abducted a medical doctor. The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Charles Muka, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), who confirmed the incidents, said the command had spread its tentacles to arrest the hoodlums and free their captives.

Police Arrest 6 Students for Robbery

Six suspected Armed Robbers who are students of the Institute of Technology and Management, Usen, alleged to have been terrorizing the community, have been arrested by a combined team of Iguobazuwa police Division and Nigeria Vigilante Unit, Usen, branch. Also arrested in connection with the robbery incidents is Timmy David, a business man. The suspects had so far denied involvement in robbery incidents in the area. The chairman of the vigilante unit, Chief Julius Obaterio JP, said the gang struck at the home of one of the students, adding that the student was beaten to a state of coma as he could not explain which of the cults group he belonged to. He said the matter was promptly reported to the vigilante group and the Iguobazuwa Divisional police who kept a watch on the activities of the gang before they were eventually arrested.

Edo Lecturers Blame Govt over Death of Students

The Ambrose Ali University (AAU) Ekpoma, Edo State chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has blamed the state government for last week’s tragedy in the female hostel of the school where eight students collapsed into a well leading to the death of two while one was seriously injured. The union’s Chairman, Prof. Frederick Esumeh, also condemned the state of facilities in the university. The lecturers expressed their sympathy and condolences to the families of the affected students. The incident led to students embarking on protests in the university town while suspected hoodlums looted the co-operative office in the school where they were said to have carted away raw foodstuffs. The development has led to the closure of the school.

Edo Gets New CP

The newly deployed Edo State Commissioner of Police, Olayinka Babatunde Balogun, has pledged to flush out criminals in the state. Mr. Olayinka Balogun was deployed to Edo State a fortnight ago following the redeployment of his predecessor, Mr. Manko Umar, to Lagos State. Balogun disclosed that Divisional Police Officers (DPO) and other operations personnel in the state Police Command have been directed to carry out coordinated raids on identified flash points across the state. While calling on members of the public to cooperate with the police by providing useful information, he stated that phone numbers of key officers of the command would be made available to the public.

Delta Residents Protest Insecurity

Medical doctors in the service of Delta State Government, on Tuesday, declared an indefinite strike action in protest against the spate of insecurity in the state, following the increase in kidnap cases. They are also demanding the release of their colleague, Dr. Ngozi Chukwuebulim, who was kidnapped last weekend. Chairman of Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Delta State chapter, Dr. Chuks Ossai-Abaniwa, said it was not a strike action, but a withdrawal of services. A resident of the area, who spoke to Vanguard on condition of anonymity, blamed the spate of kidnapping on the Police, who according to him, had failed in their responsibility of providing security. He called on the Inspector General of Police to declare a state of emergency on the security situation in parts of the state.

Seven Die in Delta Auto Crash

Seven employees of a new hotel along the Ozoro-Asaba Expressway, Ellu, in Isoko North LGA of Delta State, were killed in a road accident on Wednesday. The hotel was deserted as the news of the death of the seven men, including the hotel manager, broke. The vehicle conveying the employees was said to be returning from a sensitisation rally organised by the management for the newly employed workers when it ran into a stationary lorry, killing seven out of the eight passengers in the bus. The Ozoro Divisional Police Officer, Godwin Dagbar, a Chief Superintendent of Police, confirmed the accident, saying the vehicles involved in the accident had been moved to the police station.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

Customs Impounds 74 Vehicles

No fewer than 74 vehicles have been impounded by men the Oyo/Osun Command of the Nigerian Customs Service between January and February, this year from the dare-devil smugglers. The Customs Area Controller in-charge of the command, Deputy-Controller Mogaji Dubue Mohammed, said that vehicles were seized from their owners for defaulting in the duty payment to customs and non-regularization of necessary customs papers. However, he said, owners of the affected vehicles could still come forward to reclaim them upon the payment of necessary duties and regularization of the said vehicle particulars.

SSS Parades 7 for Kidnapping UAE National

The department of State Security Service (SSS), Thursday, paraded six Nigerians, who allegedly kidnapped and kept a United Arab Emirate (UAE) national, Mohammed Khamis Majeed Ishmael Al-Ali, for 60 days in Ikoyi town, Isokan LGA of Osun State. However, the foreigner, who was a businessman was allegedly lured into the country for a phantom business deal by a fake company called, Finuche Investments and on arrival on January 20, he was abducted and taken hostage by his captors until March 19 when he was released by the collaborators to the crime who were guarding him and who dropped him off in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Octogenarian, Others Held for Pipeline Vandalism

An 80-year-old man, Amos Olojo and five others, arrested by the Ogun State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for alleged pipeline vandalism, were on Thursday paraded. According to the NSCDC Spokesman, Kareem Olanrewaju, the suspects were arrested during a raid on their hideout at Abule-Ojo, in Obafemi-Owode LGA of the state. He said the command was also on the trail of four other principal suspects who escaped during the raid. Kareem disclosed that items recovered from the suspects included a locally-made gun, one machete and a drum containing 250 litres of petroleum product, as well as 61 kegs of 25 litres filled with fuel. Kareem called on members of the public to assist the NSCDC with information to aid the arrest of vandals and other criminals.

Man Remanded in Prison for Alleged Importation of Fake Products

A Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered a businessman, Nnamdi Ogunna, to be remanded in prison custody for allegedly importing fake products into the country. The order by Justice Okechukwu Okeke, on Monday, followed the arraignment of the accused by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on a two-count charge. The products, allegedly imported by the accused, are fake Carveta 100 tablets and Sildenafil Citrate. The accused was alleged to have committed the offence on December 15, 2010. He was arrested on the same day at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport while trying to import the said drugs. He pleaded not guilty while his counsel, Bernard Udemba, moved an oral application for bail on behalf of his client.

Driver Gets Jailed in Lagos for Refusing to Pay Toll

For refusing to pay a toll of N120 at the toll plaza on Lekki-Epe Expressway, Lagos, a driver, Rozer Oladimeji, 39, has been sentenced to one week imprisonment by an Igbosere Magistrate’s Court. However, he was given an option of N5,000 as fine. The presiding magistrate, Mrs A. A. Famobiwo, convicted him after he pleaded guilty to a two-count charge of driving his vehicle in a reckless manner on the public highway and refusing to pay toll when it was demanded from him by toll collectors.

NULGE Boss, 5 Others Killed in Auto Crash

Ekiti State was, on Tuesday, thrown into mourning when the president of National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in Ekiti State, Mr Ayo Afolalu and three others were killed in a road accident, alongside two female corps members serving in the state. Afolalu and the others were on their way to Benin City, the Edo State capital when the incident occurred near Benin City. A truck carrying timber ran into the car they were travelling in, adding that they were all killed at the scene. The chairman of the Ekiti State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Ayodeji Aluko, said he had been informed of the incident, adding that the NULGE boss died in the auto crash.

Military Car Stickers Banned in Lagos

Security authorities in Lagos said that the ban on the use of military stickers in cars will henceforth be strictly enforced. This was disclosed by the Commandant of the Air force Base, Ikeja, Air Commodore Tony Omenyi, who said the ban follows the abuse of Nigeria Air force stickers. He said from now on, the Police have been empowered to remove the Air force car stickers on any car that it is affixed on; adding that all those who have it on their cars should remove them immediately. Also speaking on the same issue, the Nigerian Army Brigade Commander, Brigadier General Pat Aken gave an update on the ban by the Army on the use of its stickers, saying the ban is not restricted to stickers but anything that creates a false impression of belonging to the force.

Robbers Abduct Lecturer, Injure Students

A lecturer of Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, Babatunde Isamoko, was abducted, but later released in a midnight raid by a four-member armed robbery gang, which also injured four students. The robbers, who broke into Isamoko’s apartment on Monday, took his Volkswagen Passat car, a laptop, three phones and other valuables. A resident said the robbers also raided a popular residential hall of the polytechnic called New York Hall, where they attacked students with guns and machetes. They dispossessed several students of phones, money and clothes in the raid, which lasted about 40 minutes. Police Public Relations Officer for the state police command, Mr. Taiwo Olugbemileke, said the case was being investigated.

Police Uncover Ritualists, Fraudsters Shrine

Ogun State Police Command has uncovered a shrine which allegedly belongs to ritualists and fraudsters in Ewualase Village, Ogijo, in Sagamu LGA. The State’s Commissioner of Police, Ikemefuna Okoye, said the discovery was made on Monday. Okoye assured that the Command would do thorough investigations on the activities of the suspects, adding that the two suspects arrested would be charged to court after completion of the investigations.

GENERAL

63 Arrested Over Benue Communal Crisis

About 63 people allegedly involved in the communal conflict in Agboughoul, Benue State, have been arrested by the police. The state Police Public Relations Officer, Ejike Alaribe, who disclosed this, said 19 of the suspects had been denied bail because of the heinous nature of the offence they committed, which is burning of homes. The crisis, which has seen the destruction of property worth millions of naira, is between the Minda and the Kparev people. A gang of hoodlums suspected to be of Minda extraction, allegedly stormed the area and set ablaze a block of buildings containing eight classrooms belonging to Kings College located in the area.

JTF Begins House-to-House Search for Boko Haram

In a renewed offensive to end the Boko Haram insurgency in parts of Borno State, the Joint Task Force (JTF) has begun a house-to-house search operation to flush out members of the group from Maiduguri, the state capital. The JTF, explaining its latest modus operandi, said that the return of house-to-house search by its troops in some flash points of Boko Haram attacks was aimed at fishing out the sect’s members and providing adequate security for the people of the town, spokesman of the task force, Lt-Col Sagir Musa, said. The JTF reportedly killed two sect members on Wednesday while they were alleged attempting to escape from custody. Musa said items recovered in their hideouts included: a pump action gun, two pieces of bow and arrow, three machetes and a telephone hand set.

Boko Haram Kills Abu Qaqa’s Father

Gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram on revenge mission, on Tuesday in Maiduguri, Borno State, shot dead Alhaji Abdullahi Bello, father of the detained sect’s spokesman, Abu Darda (aka Abu Qaqa). Bello is a retired Deputy Comptroller of Prisons. Also killed was Bello’s friend. Abu Qaqa had been telling the State Security Service (SSS) all he knew about the Islamist sect since his detention this year. The Joint Task Force (JTF) also shot and killed the sect’s commander, one of his aides and two armed bandits who robbed Maiduguri residents same day. A source said Abdullahi Bello and his friend, also a retired prisons officer were performing ablution in preparation for prayers at Bello’s residence when the gunmen stormed the house.

Suspects Detained over Kidnap of German

Nigerian authorities have detained five men, including a Mauritanian, believed linked to Al-Qaeda’s North African branch over the January kidnapping of a German, two security sources said. Four of the suspects were arrested last Thursday in a raid on a supermarket in Kano owned by the Mauritanian, while the fifth was held in a separate raid, the sources said. Guns and a laptop were recovered in the store and the documents found in the computer, including an AQIM operation manual, showed that the suspects are linked to AQIM and were involved in the kidnap of the German engineer in January,” a source said. German engineer, Edgar Raupach, was kidnapped on the outskirts of Kano in January.  AQIM said last week it was holding the German and that it wanted to swap him for a jailed Muslim woman, a private news agency in Mauritania said.

Three Sect Members Killed in Shootout

Three suspected members of the Boko Haram sect were killed in Maiduguri in a shootout with soldiers, the army disclosed. Spokesman of the Joint Task Force (JTF) in Borno State, Lieutenant Colonel Sagir Musa, said militants attacked soldiers in a raid launched penultimate Saturday, triggering a fierce gun battle. A resident caught in the shootout said about 20 gunmen attacked a police station with rifles and explosives. In another attack last weekend, gunmen stormed the residence of a retired police inspector and killed him along with two of his friends in Maiduguri. A witness said that ex-police officer was chatting with friends when the gunmen fired shots at them. Musa confirmed this, adding that no culprit was arrested and no weapon was recovered.

FG Declares April 6, 9 as Holidays

The Federal Government has declared Friday and Monday April 6 and 9, 2012 as public holidays to mark this year’s Easter celebrations. Minister of Interior, Abba Moro, who announced this in Abuja, said the public holidays are in line with the Christian calendar and tradition which recognises the two days as “Good Friday” and “Easter Monday” respectively. While wishing all Nigerians a pleasant Easter celebration, Moro called on Christian faithful and all Nigerians to pray fervently for enduring peace, unity and progress of the country.

Boko Haram Attacks Police Stations, Military Base in Yobe

Gunmen suspected to be members of Boko Haram sect, Wednesday and Friday, attacked police stations and a makeshift military base in Yobe State. The gunmen first attacked a regional police station in Potiskum, but policemen repelled the attack and forced them to retreat. The attackers then moved to a police outpost on the outskirts of the town, which they subdued with explosives, and burnt it down, before moving to the town of Ningere to attack another regional police station, setting it on fire after a shootout with the police. As the attack on the police station was on, another detachment of the sect engaged the military in a gun battle at a makeshift base somewhere in the town. The numbers of casualties could not be ascertained last night. Police spokesman, Toyin Gbadegesin, confirmed the attacks. Meanwhile, the Borno State Police Command announced a N1 million reward for anyone with useful information on the sect members.

18 Killed as Drunken Driver Tips Truck

A truck that carrying dozens of passengers and driven by a drunken driver in Kaduna state tipped over, killing 18 people and seriously injuring 50 others on Friday. The accident occurred late on Thursday as the truck was headed for Lagos. According to the a Road Safety official, Muktar Maidabino, "the driver, who was under the influence of drugs and alcohol, lost control of the truck at Birnin Gwari town and the truck fell on its side, throwing out all the 119 passengers". Maidabino said that the driver was arrested.

4 Killed in Bank Robbery Attack

Suspected members of Nigerian Islamist sect Boko Haram killed four people on Friday when they robbed a bank and stormed a police station in Borno state. Gunmen killed two people during a raid on a UBA branch in Askira town before attacking the local police station, where an officer and a civilian were shot dead, local government spokesman Malam Yuthama said. The strikes come less than two days after suspected sect members freed 14 people in a prison break in neighbouring Yobe state and attacked a nearby police station.

Security Guard to Die for Killing Boss

The Supreme Court has confirmed the death sentenced passed on Stephen Haruna, a security guard with the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN)  (then NEPA), who killed the person he was paid to protect, Sussana Igwe, an Assistant General Manager, Legal with the PHCN nine years ago. Haruna, was attached to Igwe, but murdered her. Haruna admitted killing his boss and was found guilty and sentenced to death. Justice Suleiman Galadima who wrote the lead judgment with which four other justices concurred said that there was overwhelming evidence to uphold the conviction of Haruna.

FG Charges Private Guard Companies on National Security

The Federal Government has warned operators of private guard outfits against engaging in activities that could undermine national security. Minister of Interior, Comrade Abba Moro, spoke at an interactive session with the private guard operators on the security challenges facing the nation. The event, held at the Civil Defence Academy, Sauka, Abuja, also provided the minister opportunity to challenge all private security companies on the need to be proactive and collaborate with security agencies of government, Comrade Moro assured them that every piece of information made available to them would be treated with utmost confidentiality.

Police Hold Funeral Parade for Late DIG, John Haruna

The Nigeria Police, on Thursday, held a full Police funeral parade in honour of Late Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), Haruna John, who died recently in a helicopter crash, while on official duty in Jos, Plateau State. Acting Inspector General of Police (IG), Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, who received the body of the deceased officer alongside police management team, extolled late John. John who was recently promoted from Commissioner of Police (CP) to the rank of DIG died alongside three other officers in the crash.

65 Arrested as Military Raids Sect’s Hideouts in Kaduna

Nigerian Army has arrested no fewer than 65 suspects in Kaduna between Wednesday and Thursday in a renewed onslaught against the fundamentalist sect, Boko Haram. While the soldiers arrested 33 suspected sect’s members on Wednesday at the Barnawa Complex of the city, 32 more suspects were picked up on Thursday in different parts of Kaduna. Among those arrested were 19 nationals of Niger Republic. Meanwhile, three people were shot dead and five others wounded on Thursday when a soldier attached to the Special Task Force opened fire on a crowd at Tudun Wada area of Jos.

Suspects Remanded in Prison over N14.5bn Pension Scam

An Abuja High Court on Thursday remanded six persons in in prison custody for an alleged N14.5bn fraud in the administration of police pension funds. The suspects were arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on 16 counts of conspiracy and criminal breach of trust. At the two-hour court sitting, Justice Abubakar Talba ordered the suspects remanded in prison. Justifying the order, the judge said prison custody was the best place to keep persons undergoing trial. After the accused persons had taken their plea, the prosecution counsel, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs, sought for an adjournment for hearing of the suspects’ bail application.

STF Arrests Suspected Gun Fabricator

The Special Task Force (STF) maintaining peace in Plateau State, last weekend, paraded a man suspected to be fabricating guns in Jos. STF Media Officer, Capt. Markus Mdahyelya, said that the gun maker was arrested at Shen village in Bukuru area of the metropolis on March 24. The STF also arrested two car snatchers and two other suspects who allegedly stole Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NITEL) cables. The two persons, according to him, were apprehended by soldiers of 31 Artillery Brigade, at Babale village on the Plateau and Bauchi States’ border. He said the suspects had confessed that they snatched the car from one Mr Penni Vakkai in Rayfield, Jos at gun point.

Women Groups Campaign against Boko Haram

Christian and Muslim women groups have begun a joint effort to tackle the menace of the Boko Haram through public enlightenment and condemnation of the activities of the terrorist group with a view to persuading the sect members to take a peaceful course of seeking redress. The National President of the Federation of Muslim Women Society (FOMWAN), Maryam Idris Othman, who condemned the activities of the sect, noted that her group has reached out to others in curbing the insurgency. Othman said FOMWAN and the Catholic Women Organisation (CWO) pioneered the initiative, specifically targeting the youths in the country, who may want to go the way of the terrorist group.

NDLEA Impounds N31bn Worth of Drugs

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has presented its scorecard and said it seized narcotic drugs worth N31 billion and arrested 8,639 suspected drug traffickers in 2011. About 195,283.917kg of various calibres of drugs were equally traced and seized from drug peddlers across the country. Cannabis Sativa, otherwise known as Indian hemp, constitutes the largest seizure with 191,847.91kg. It added that psychotropic substances seized were 2,985.45kg; cocaine 410.805kg while heroin weighed 39.752kg was seized. Chairman of the anti-drug Agency, Alhaji Ahmadu Giade, said that the period under review was historic and challenging.

Bomb Factory Discovered in Kogi

A bomb making factory was discovered in an uncompleted building in Kabba, Kogi State and has been taken over by security men. The unit commander of the Anti-Bomb Squad Kogi State, ASP Cletus Nzeji, while showing newsmen what they had discovered, disclosed that the owner of the uncompleted building normally visited the place late in the night, according to their investigation. He stressed that five finished canisters of bombs, large quantity of wire and ropes and also several jackets and one military cap were found at the factory. At the bomb factory, a bank teller for N36,000 deposited in one of the banks in Okene was recovered, while finished locally made bombs were also recovered.

14 Die in Kaduna Road Accident

Fourteen passengers involved in an accident along the Kaduna-Abuja highway, on Wednesday, have died. The Public Enlightenment Officer of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) in Kaduna, Mr Olusogo Ogungbe, said that the incident involved a Toyota Hiace vehicle that was carrying 18 persons. He said that four others, including three males and one female sustained injuries. He attributed the accident to over-speeding, which he said made the driver to lose control of the vehicle. He said the vehicle skidded off the road into the bush before it burst into flames.

Tivs Urge Fulani to Sheathe the Sword

Worried by the on-going feud between the Tiv and Fulani communities in Takum LGA of Taraba State, the leadership of Tiv Cultural and Social Association (TCSA) has urged the Fulani community to sheathe sword to allow the state government fish out perpetrators of the crisis. President of the state chapter of TCSA, Mr. Philip Ihom, called on the Fulani to rather join hands with the Tiv communities and the state government to fish out the criminals to enable all live in peace.

Four Killed as Soldiers, Youths Clash in Jos

Four youths were reportedly shot and killed at Tudun Wada area of Jos North LGA of Plateau State on Thursday, when youths of the area engaged in a battle with the soldiers of the military Special Task Force (STF). Eye witnesses said the clash began when a fight broke out between two men at a drinking spot in the area. The Soldiers were said to have attempted to arrest the men after separating them, when the youths resisted the soldiers, saying it was the duty of the Police to arrest and not of the soldiers. But as the soldiers insisted on the arrest, they engaged the youths in serious fracas during which four of the youths were shot to death. Confirming the incident, the STF spokesman, Captain Markus Mdahyelya, however said it was only one person that was killed.

INTERNATIONAL

NATO Troops Killed by a Man Dressed in Military Uniform

A man wearing an Afghan army uniform has shot and killed two international service members, according to NATO.  The attack happened at a military base in the south of the country, a statement by the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) said. The attacker was killed by coalition troops, ISAF said. The nationalities of the soldiers have not been released. The incident comes after several Afghan civilians were killed in an attack for which a US soldier has been charged. An official in the Afghan defense ministry has told the BBC that the attack happened in Helmand province, and that the attacker was an Afghan soldier.

AU Suspends Mali over Coup

Following the coup in Mali on Thursday which toppled the government of Amadou Toumani Toure, the African Union (AU) has announced the suspension of Mali from the organization. Meanwhile, the leader of the coup, Captain Amadou Sanogo says he has no intention of staying in power for a long time. Sanogo said that he would stand down after making sure the army, which is fighting ethnic-Tuareg rebels in the north, was able to secure the country. He also said former leaders would be transferred to the justice system, but the president is not believed to be in the custody of the mutineers. After the election of a new president he said the mutineers would go back to their units. Meanwhile, Malian soldiers reportedly repelled a fresh attack by Tuareg rebels in the north. The Tuareg had said they were advancing on the key northern town of Kidal, but a military official in the town said the rebels had been pushed back.

Jonathan, Others Laud Senegal over Successful Polls

Nigeria’s President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, on Monday, congratulated the opposition candidate in last Sunday’s presidential election run-off in Senegal, Mr. Macky Sall, on his victory. Jonathan described the election of Sall as victory for democracy and just reward for all Senegalese people who kept faith in the democratic process and voted responsibly in what has proved to be a watershed election. Also, the Speaker of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has commended the people of Senegal over the successful conclusion of the polls. Ekweremadu congratulated President-elect Sall, and the incumbent President Wade for conceding defeat, describing his action as an invaluable asset to Senegal’s democracy and unity.

Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia Rank High in Executions -Amnesty International

Amnesty International has disclosed that a rising number of executions in Iran helped push the execution rate to about 676 in 2011. The rights group also claimed that China is still executing thousands of people every year, more than the rest of the world put together. But the number of countries using the ultimate penalty continued to fall and even China reduced the number of offences attracting it. Iran executed at least 360 people – three-quarters of them for drugs offences – Saudi Arabia, 82; Iraq, 68 and Yemen, 41, the report said. Amnesty said it had credible reports of at least a further 274 unconfirmed or even “secret” executions in Iran. At least three people killed by Tehran were under 18 when they committed their crimes.

Afghan Arrests 16 after Foiled Suicide Attack

Sixteen people have been arrested in the Afghan capital, Kabul, after plans for an apparent mass suicide attack were foiled. Intelligence officials disclosed that 11 suicide jackets were seized in the ministry of defence. They say the attacks would have caused significant loss of life if they had gone ahead. Some of those arrested are reported to be soldiers in the Afghan National Army.  The jackets were seized on Monday afternoon from three separate rooms around a ministry car park, less than a kilometre from the presidential palace. Six soldiers were arrested at the time - initial reports suggested they were armed and prepared to attack. It appears the jackets were intended to be detonated on buses transporting staff to and from work. Eleven buses carrying 1,100 personnel were due to set off just 45 minutes after the arrests were made.

Kenya Finds Oil in Northern Region

Kenya struck oil in its remote northwestern Turkana region after exploratory drilling by Anglo-Irish firm Tullow Oil, but has yet to establish commercial viability, President Mwai Kibaki said. The find is the first well in Kenya to be tested by the firm, which is exploring oil in several zones in Kenya and Ethiopia. It said it will drill the well further to explore its potential. Tullow Oil said the find had exceeded their expectations. In 2010, prospecting by China's National Offshore Oil Corporation in North-Eastern Kenyan yielded no commercially viable finds.

US Sanctions Companies with Iran Ties

The United States sanctioned two engineering firms on Wednesday for their ties to an elite Iranian military unit that has been branded a terrorist organization by the U.S. government. Iran Maritime Industrial Company, SADRA and its subsidiary, Deep Offshore Technology, PJS, are connected with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force, the U.S. Department of the Treasury said. SADRA has offices in Iran and Venezuela and is owned by Khatam al-Anbiya, which the office has designated as an engineering arm of the Quds Force, the statement said. The Treasury Department also announced sanctions against two shipping companies based in Malta and two shipping officials connected to the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines. The companies and individuals were sanctioned under an executive order freezing the assets of proliferators of weapons of mass destruction and their supporters, the department said.

Drone Strike Kills Four Militants

A US drone launched a missile attack on a militant compound in Pakistan's north-western tribal region near the Afghan border early Friday, killing four insurgents, security officials said. The missiles targeted a house in a market area of Miranshah, known as a stronghold of Taliban and Al-Qaeda-linked militants, they said. Witnesses said the attack triggered a fire which destroyed the building. An intelligence official also put the toll at four dead and said two people were wounded. He said local people, including Pakistani Taliban, were engaged in rescue work.

Japan Ready to Intercept North Korean Rocket

Japan says it will shoot down a North Korean rocket if necessary, as new satellite images appeared to show preparations for the launch. Japan’s Defence Minister, Naoki Tanaka issued the order to intercept the rocket if it threatened Japan's territory. Pyongyang said it is launching a satellite on a rocket between April 12th and 16th. Tanaka had issued an earlier order on Tuesday to the country's defense forces to prepare “destruction measures against ballistic missiles”. Tanaka said that he had received cabinet approval to shoot down the rocket if necessary. North Korea said it plans to fire a rocket to put a satellite into orbit to mark the centennial of the birth of founding leader, Kim Il-sung.

Junta Leader Announces New Constitution in Mali

Mali’s coup leaders have announced a new constitution with a pledge to allow elections in which they would be barred from standing. This comes as several thousand supporters rallied in the streets of the capital Bamako. The charter, which did not specify when the elections would be held, was announced after the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) threatened sanctions and the use of military force to reverse the coup that ousted President Amadou Toumani Toure. The new constitution guarantees the right to demonstrate or go on strike and grants immunity from prosecution for leaders of the coup. The coup, triggered by army anger at the government’s handling of a northern rebellion, has been condemned by the world leaders.

Sudan Begins Fresh Air Strikes on South

As their bilateral relations frayed despite United Nations’ (UN) chief, Ban Ki-moon, calling for calm, Sudanese warplanes, on Thursday, launched fresh air raids on oil-rich areas of South Sudan. Earlier, Sudan suspended an April 3 summit between President Omar al-Bashir and his southern counterpart, Salva Kiir, in Juba following border clashes on Monday, although Southern officials later said the invitation still stood. Gideon Gatpan, information minister for South Sudan’s Unity state, said he believed the air strikes targeted oil fields but there was no apparent damage. Sudanese foreign ministry spokesman, Al-Obeid Meruh, said the bombing was Khartoum’s response to an attack launched by the South with heavy weapons on an oil field “inside Sudanese territory.” The South’s Information Minister, Barnaba Marial Benjamin, said his country would not return to fighting despite the cross border attacks.

Syria Authorities Target Children -UN Rights Chief

Syrian authorities are systematically detaining and torturing children, the United Nations' human rights chief, Navi Pillay, has disclosed. She said she was deeply concerned about the fate of hundreds of children being held in detention. Pillay said President Bashar al-Assad could end the detentions and stop the killing of civilians immediately, simply by issuing an order. Syria has accepted a peace plan, amid scepticism about its intentions. The peace plan was put forward by UN and Arab League envoy Kofi Annan. Pillay said she believed that the UN Security Council had enough reliable information to warrant referring Syria to the International Criminal Court (ICC).  Earlier, a spokesman for Kofi Annan said he considered the Syrian acceptance of the six-point peace plan an "important initial step" but that implementation was vital.