Villeworth Security Services Ltd

week 25

PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

CAN Issues Threaten Retaliation on Bomb Attacks

Christians in the Southeast have threatened to attack mosques and palaces of Islamic leaders in the zone in retaliation of incessant bombings on Christians and churches in the North by Boko Haram. They made this resolution yesterday in Enugu through the zonal Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Chairman and Bishop of Enugu Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev. Emmanuel Chukwuma, following the bombing of the churches in Plateau and Borno States. Bishop Chukwuma lamented that attacks on Christians in the North every Sunday had become a weekly ritual, saying that it was giving Christian leaders a lot of concern as it was increasingly militating against the security of Christians in their worship places. The bishop said they were giving the Islamist sect last warning, saying that if they continued in the act against their Christian brethren in the North, they would retaliate.

Community Calls for Sanction on Mobil over Gas Flaring

Ibeno Community of Akwa Ibom state has expressed concern on the latest figure on gas flaring released by the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). The community, the operational base of Mobil Producing Nigeria (MPN), lamented that the company had flared 9.85 billion standard cubic feet of gas in January 2012, the highest in the industry. The latest edition of the NNPC’s monthly “Petroleum Information Bulletin” showed that Mobil’s gas flaring data was the highest in the industry, during the period. It was followed by Chevron and Shell, according to the publication. One of the community leaders, Chief Williams Mkpa, said that the figure had corroborated the community’s agitation against the company for its violation of oil industry regulations. He urged the NNPC and other oil industry regulatory agencies to invoke necessary sanctions against Mobil for violating standard safety regulations.

JTF Arrests 33 Suspected Oil Thieves in Rivers

The Joint Military Task Force (JTF) has announced the arrest of 33 suspected oil thieves in Rivers State in five different raids between June 1 and 10. The acting spokesman of the JTF, Captain Sunny Samuel, disclosed this Tuesday in Port Harcourt. He said the 32 suspects have been handed over to the Civil Defense Corps for possible prosecution while the corpse of one of the suspects, who died after exchange of gunfire, has been handed over to the police. Samuel explained that 17 suspects were arrested when men of the JTF raided the area and facilities of oil thieves along Borokiri shoreline in Port Harcourt, while 16 others were arrested in Bonny area of the state.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

2 Kidnappers Killed, Victims Rescued in Delta

Two members of a kidnap squad were killed, last weekend, in a gun battle with men of the Delta State Police Command in Sapele.  The gang had successfully carried out an operation at Kpogho Street in Sapele, where they abducted one Timiagi Onoriode whom they tucked inside the boot of a Car without a number plate. But witnesses quickly informed the police, who trailed and intercepted the hoodlums at Oghara Road. The hoodlums, on seeing the police, opened fire and the response from the police team resulted in the death of the two suspects while other members of the gang escaped, abandoning the car and their victim. Police spokesman, Charles Muka, said the victim was rescued unhurt, adding that two cars, one AK47 rifle and two magazines loaded with ammunition were recovered.  Muka also disclosed that the police had also rescued a 69-year-old woman, Madam Janny Ogbaide who was kidnapped last month at Ozoro.

Gunmen Abduct Septuagenarian Cousin
…Demand N50m as Ransom

Gunmen, Wednesday, abducted Septuagenarian Sam Uduaghan, a cousin to Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta state. According to eyewitnesses, Pa Uduaghan was forced into his car at the gate of his house in Asaba, by the hoodlums. Family sources, on Friday, said the kidnappers had demanded N50m as ransom for his release. This occurred as the Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Abubakar, was addressing journalists on the efforts of the force to curb crime in the state. The IGP, who was glad at the arrest of six persons in connection with the abduction of footballer, Christian Obodo, decried the development. One AK 47 rifle and 59 rounds of ammunition were recovered from the suspects.

Ex-Militants Demand N3bn Compensation for Slain Leader

Fresh violence may erupt in the crisis-prone Niger Delta following threats from ex-militants to return to the creeks and resume hostilities in two weeks. The ex-militants are demanding a total of N3bn compensation from the Federal Government for the killing one of their leaders, John Togo, and allegedly destroying two coastal communities in Delta State. Togo and some of his ‘soldiers’ were killed in May 2011 by the Joint Task Force. The Niger Delta Liberation Force (NDLF), led by the late Togo, said it had decided to give the Federal Government June 21 deadline to pay the compensation following its N100m compensation to the family of the late Boko Haram leader, Mohammed Yusuf. Spokesman for the NDLF, Mark Anthony, and lawyer for the group, Casely Omo-Irabor, in the petitions to the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, warned the government against treating their petitions with levity.

Delta Lawmakers Oppose Return of Indicted Police Chief

President Goodluck Jonathan has been urged to order the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, to properly look into the alleged involvement of top police officers in criminal activities in Delta State. The state House of Assembly made the call and demanded the re-arrest and prosecution of Mr. Dickson Adeyemi, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), who was accused of colluding with kidnappers. Adeyemi, the officer-in-charge of the Delta Police Anti-Kidnapping Unit, was recently released after his detention on the orders of Abubakar, for allegedly aiding kidnappers. Adeyemi was arrested with some of his men as a result of the sudden upsurge in kidnappings in the state.

FG to Curb Illegal Oil Bunkering

The Federal Government on Tuesday moved to check illegal crude oil bunkering and importation of contraband goods through the nation’s waterways. The move is coming on a day the Federal Government also said it had taken a more proactive step to stem the escalating theft of the nation’s crude as the newly drafted Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) would provide for the establishment of a Special Investigation Unit (SIU) to maintain surveillance on critical oil and gas installations, premises and vessels. The Federal Government announced that it had set up an Inter-Agency Maritime Operations Coordination Committee (IMOCC) to coordinate operations of all maritime agencies in the country.

63-Year-Old Rescued after Suicide Attempt

A 63 year-old woman who allegedly escaped from hospital to attempt suicide has been rescued alive, and arrested. Mrs. Alimeke Cecilia, a mother of six, allegedly escaped from the hospital and ran to the Ikpoba River, in Benin City, pulled off her rapper and jumped into the river. It was gathered that the quick intervention of some youths who witnessed the scene, rescued her. Mrs. Alimeke alleged that she was accused of witchcraft and saw no reason to live. Confirming the incident, the spokesman, Edo State Police Command, DSP Airhuoyo Anthony stated that the woman was initially taken into police custody but later handed over to her family for proper attention.

IGP Cautions against Punishment of Suspects without Evidence

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Abubakar, has said that no suspects should be punished without preponderance of evidence. Reacting to the release of the Delta State anti-kidnapping squad, Dickson Adeyemi Osamwonyi, Abubakar said the officer had been posted out of the state even as investigation was still in progress. The man was arrested after suspects implicated him in the serial kidnapping in the state. Temper rose, on Tuesday, at the plenary when members of the state House of Assembly were unanimous in condemning the release of DSP Osamwonyi.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

NSCDC Official Hacked to Death

Suspected cult members, last weekend, in Abeokuta killed an official of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC). The NSCDC official, Sheriff Elegbede, was allegedly hacked to death with machetes and axes. Sources said that the deceased had a scuffle with an unidentified man after a long-drawn argument over a girlfriend. One suspect, Adetayo Adeyinka, has been arrested and detained in police custody in connection with the crime. The Police Public Relations Officer in Ogun State, Muyiwa Adejobi, confirmed the death of the NSCDC official. Adejobi said that the arrested suspect was already assisting the police in their investigations.

Police Rescue Three Women from Traffickers

Three women have been rescued by men of the Osun State Police Command from a Cote d’Ivoire-based Nigerian prostitution ring. The Commissioner of Police, Mrs. Kalafite Adeyemi, who paraded four members of the prostitution ring in Osogbo on Wednesday, said the three women were on the verge of being transported to Cote d’Ivoire for prostitution when they were rescued. The police commissioner said that investigations had revealed that the victims did not tell their parents about their plans to travel to Cote d’Ivoire. She urged parents to give their children proper upbringing and ensure that they did not keep bad company. One of the victims, Jackson, said she did not know that she was being taken to Cote d’Ivoire for prostitution.

Lagos Police gets New Spokesperson

The Lagos State Police Command has appointed Mrs. Ngozi Braide as its spokesperson. Braide, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), who joined the Force in 1996 as a Cadet Inspector, holds a Bachelor’s degree in English Language from Lagos State University (LASU). She attended different professional courses both within and outside the country. Before her appointment as the spokesman of the command, she was with the Inspector General of Police Monitoring Unit, Force Headquarters, Abuja.

Court Convicts Lawyer for Fraud

The Lagos division of the Court of Appeal, Wednesday, convicted a lawyer, Mrs. Moji Olamolu, for forgery and stealing $100,000. The decision was in tandem with the verdict handed down to the convict at the Lagos High Court. Olamolu was accused of forging a Power of Attorney to enable her collect compensation on behalf of Alhaji Mutiu Ogunbanjo, who died in the ill-fated Kenya Airways plane, which crashed off the Cote d’Ivoire coast on Sunday, January 30, 2000. The lower court had on February 1, 2008, sentenced Olamolu to two years’ imprisonment. Dissatisfied, Olamolu filed an appeal against the judgment and prayed the court to set aside the judgment. But the appellate court, in its judgment delivered by Justice John Inyang Okoro, dismissed her application on the grounds that it lacked merit and is an abuse of court process.

Man Kills Two Brothers in Osun

Tragedy struck in Ipetumodu town of Osun State on Wednesday as a middle-aged man, Deji Oloyede, allegedly hacked two brothers Ajani Awodele (54) and his elder brother, Julius, to death. Their assailant, who was said to have acted under the influence of alcohol and marijuana, allegedly used a cutlass and an axe to kill his friends. Oloyede was said to have visited the victims about three days ago and the trio went out together until the early hours of the day when their friend suddenly turned against them. According to those in the neighborhood, the suspect made an attempt to run away, but was apprehended by people in the neighborhood. The District Police Officer, Ipetumodu, Musa Okene, said the suspect has been transferred to the state command.

Flood Sacks Ilorin Community

Flood caused by a downpour, on Tuesday, destroyed property worth millions of naira along Ajase-Ipo road, Royal Shekina Hotel area in Ilorin, Kwara State. It was gathered that the rain, which lasted about one hour, destroyed furniture, food items, office equipment and other materials, while erosion submerged some residential and business buildings. The residents, who lamented the incident, appealed to the government to find a lasting solution to the problem in the area. The special adviser to the state governor on infrastructure, Taiye Afolabi, said the state government would find a lasting solution to the perennial problems of floods in the area, while he implored the residents to remain calm.

Police Arraign Couple over N2.2m Fraud

The police have arraigned Alhaji Muftau Alausa and his wife Bola, of Lugbe at an Abuja Magistrates’ Court charged with defrauding Mr Afolabi Odesanya, a contractor of N2.2 million. The accused are also standing trial for joint act, criminal breach of trust, misappropriation and cheating. The police prosecutor, Sgt. Opanachi Abu told the court on Tuesday that Odesanya wrote a petition on the matter to the police on March 16, 2011. Abu said that Odesanya was introduced to Muftau as a businessman with connections in the presidency and a reputation to secure contracts. Abu said that none of the promises was fulfilled, adding that during investigation, police discovered that the couple conspired and dishonestly collected the money under false pretense.

Two Found Dead in Ilorin Bush

Lifeless bodies of two men were discovered on Thursday at Sango area of Ilorin, Kwara State. According to the state Police Public Relations Officer, Fabode Olufemi, two rival cult groups, allegedly from Kwara State Polytechnic, clashed on Wednesday night. Olufemi said when the police were informed about the clash, they intervened. He stated that surprisingly two dead men were discovered in a nearby bush. According to him, one of them was beheaded. He stated that the corpses had been deposited at a mortuary, adding that investigations into the matter had begun.

Robbers Raid Bureau de Change

Armed robbers stormed the Sabo area of Osogbo, Osun State, on Thursday, carting away unspecified sum of money. After the robbery, the robbers headed towards Olaiya-Ogo-Oluwa area of the metropolis, which houses no fewer than 10 banks, where they were confronted by the police guarding one of the banks. But the robbers engaged the policemen, shooting a corporal in the leg. The police mobilised, deploying more men to confront the hoodlums. The robbers were said to have fled when they realised that the police were determined to arrest them. Commissioner of Police, Mrs. Kalafite Adeyemi, confirmed the incident.

Car Thieves Invade Polytechnic, Steal 6 Cars

There was confusion at the North campus of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, Oyo State, on Thursday, as no fewer than six cars were stolen before dawn.  The robbers, numbering about 12, were suspected to have arrived on the campus on Wednesday evening and waited till all the car owners had parked and left before carrying out their operation. The stolen vehicles were said to belong to residents of Apete community, who had chosen to park their vehicles inside the polytechnic campus. The institution's Public Relations Officer, Alhaji Soladoye Adewole, confirmed the car theft but said that the stolen vehicles did not belong to any staff of the institution.

14 Soldiers Face Court-Martial for Rape, Murder, Kidnapping

The 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Adekunle Fajuyi Cantonment, Ibadan, has set up a seven-man court martial to look into allegations preferred against 14 soldiers. The soldiers were alleged to have been involved in offences ranging from rape, murder, manslaughter, stealing, burglary, kidnapping and stealing. Among the soldiers was one who allegedly beat his wife to death. The court martial was inaugurated by the General Officer Commanding, GOC, Major-General Mohammed Abubakar.

Container Crushes Five in Lagos

No fewer than five persons were crushed to death at Pako in Isolo area of Lagos on Saturday and several others severely injured as a container loaded with goods fell off a truck at the Plank market in the area. According to reports, the truck which was heading to Okota area of the state from Ikotun, was descending the Oke-afa bridge when the driver suddenly lost control of the brakes and fell at the sideway. Eyewitness account said desperate attempts by the driver to control the truck proved abortive and in the process.

GENERAL

Bomber, Gunmen Hit Churches in Plateau, Borno

A suicide bomber and some gunmen, last weekend, struck at two churches in Plateau and Borno states. While the suicide bomber struck at the Christ Chosen Church, Jos, Plateau State; the gunmen launched an attack on Ekilisiyan Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN) Church, Biu Borno State. Three people were killed in the Jos church suicide bombing, while forty-one worshippers were injured. The incident triggered a reprisal attack carried out by some youths in the area, as they killed eight commercial motorcycle riders by setting them ablaze. Spokesman of the Plateau State Police Command, Emmanuel Abuh, confirmed the incident.

Drug Offences: 6000 Nigerians in Foreign Jails

Director-General, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Femi Ajayi, has disclosed that over 6,000 Nigerians were serving various jail terms across the globe for drug related offences. Ajayi said that Nigeria has more of its nationals in prisons outside the country than any other African country. He said the bulk of those caught for drug related offences outside the country were from the South-East with majority coming from Anambra State. Ajayi further said the agency had been facing many challenges hindering the optimal performance of its duties as an enforcement agency on drug related matters. He listed these challenges to include poor funding, lack of necessary equipment, uncooperative attitude of some collaborative agencies, lack of capacity building for staff and difficulty in tracking down drug barons.

Nigerian Army Ill-Equipped to Fight Terrorism

Participants at the Commanding Officers’ Workshop 2012 have identified ill-equipped and lack of adequately trained personnel for counter terrorism as reasons for increase in terrorism and Boko Haram insurgency in the country. The participants, drawn from the Nigerian Army formations across the country, stressed the need for focused training to effectively combat and subdue the Boko Haram menace since it had been identified as "a threat the Nigerian Army was not adequately trained and equipped to handle." They urged authorities of the Nigerian Army to focus on combined inter-agency training on internal security operations.

Two Killed as STF Battle Commercial Bike Riders in Jos

Two people were killed in Bukuru and no fewer than 150 motorcycles impounded on the streets of Jos and Bukuru metropolis on Wednesday as security agents tried to disperse commercial motorcycle operators, popularly known as Okada riders who defied government ban on their operations. Since Monday when the ban was announced, Okada riders had indicated their intention to continue with their business just as they had done after a previous ban. Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Emmanuel Ayeni, assured residents that “the situation is firmly under control.

Gunmen Kill Four Policemen in Borno, Taraba

Gunmen, on Tuesday, ambushed a six-man police patrol team on the Maiduguri-Bama Road in Borno state and killed three of them. They injured three others, including the driver of the vehicle. An eyewitness said that the gunmen ambushed the policemen, who were in a Golf Volkswagen vehicle near the Dalori Quarters. He said men of the Joint Task Force (JTF) at the Dalori military post, rushed to the scene, but the gunmen had fled in the unmarked vehicle towards Konduga. The Police Public Relations Officer, Gideon Jibrin, who confirmed the attack, said the policemen were returning from a patrol on the Maiduguri-Bama Road, when the gunmen struck. In Taraba state, gunmen also killed a police sergeant, identified as Ishaya Mishel, at his duty post in Jalingo. The Taraba state police spokesman, Amos Olaoye, said the command would track down the suspects.

Abolurin Warns NSCDC Personnel over Use of Fire Arms

The Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Dr Ade Abolurin, has warned the NSCDC personnel against the misuse of firearms, saying that there will be no excuse but summary dismissal and prosecution for any offender. He handed down this warning in Abuja, last weekend, at a meeting with state commandants and other top officials of the corps. The Federal Government had recently approved arms bearing for the corps, in order to strengthen the capacity of members in protection of life and property in the nation. Dr Abolurin, however, warned that only those who were properly trained and with professional skills should be exposed to the use of arms. He said the warning became necessary to guard against any form of accidental discharge and killing of innocent Nigerians who the corps was meant to protect.

Man Pleads Guilty to Rape of Minor, Jailed 9 Months

An Upper Area Court in Gwagwalada, on Friday, sentenced a 23-year-old man, Sule Adamu to nine months imprisonment for raping a seven-year-old girl.  The Judge, Alhaji Babangida Hassan, ordered that the convict should, however, serve the first six month in jail, but gave him an option of N15000 fine for the last three months. The police Prosecutor, Martha Paul, had told the court that the convict was a neighbour to the victim and that the incident happened on June 8. The convict was arraigned on one count charge of rape of a minor and the convict pleaded guilty to the charge. Adamu had begged the court for leniency adding that the offence had already been committed.

JTF Kills 5 Suspected Gunmen in Kano

The Joint Security Task Force (JTF) on Friday killed five suspected gunmen and arrested seven others at Naibawa Kwanar Masallaci quarters in Kano metropolis. An eyewitness disclosed that the incident happened during a morning operation carried out by the JTF. The eyewitness said that there was an exchange of fire between the JTF operatives and suspected gunmen for more than three hours. It was gathered that the JTF operatives had also raided Darmanawa area behind Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital in the metropolis. The area was suspected to be the hideout of suspected gunmen. When contacted, the JTF spokesman, Lt. Ikedichi Iweha confirmed the incident.

Govt Imposes Curfew in Kaduna as Bomb Attacks Kill Several

The Kaduna state government has imposed a 24 hour curfew on the entire state to forestall a total breakdown of law and order, as multiple bomb explosions rocked churches in Zaria and Kaduna cities and irate youths carried out reprisal attacks. No fewer than 20 people were feared killed in the morning explosions which were targeted at two churches in Wusasa and Sabon Gari suburbs in Zaria. Reprisal attacks by youths in Sabon Tasha area of Kaduna metropolis were carried out soon afterwards, leaving about five dead as youths set vehicles and motorcycles ablaze indiscriminately. The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Dikko Abujakar, has deployed policemen in order to sustain the 24-hours curfew. Boko Haram claimed responsibility for the attack, according to reports.

Gunmen Kill Yobe Lawmaker

Gunmen suspected in Potiskum, Yobe state, on Tuesday, killed a lawmaker, Adamu Degubi at his Anguwan Tandari residence in the presence of his wife and children. Degubi represents Nanngeri constituency in the state Assembly. The spokesman of Yobe State Police Command, Gbadegeshi Toyin, confirmed the attack. He said no arrests had been made, adding that the Anguwan Tandari had been condoned off by the police and Joint Task Force (JTF) to prevent further attacks in the area.

JNI Seeks Probe of Customs Chief over Bombing in Jos

Apex Islamic body in the North, Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) has urged the Federal Government to thoroughly investigate the alleged involvement of a Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) officer in the supply of weapons used in last Sunday’s bomb attack in Jos, Plateau State. The JNI said it received the news of the suicide bombing and attack on worshippers at a church in Jos with shock. JNI Secretary-General, Dr. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, urged the government to investigate the case of a Customs comptroller accused of supplying weapons to his tribesmen in Jos because “he is one among many that have been causing havoc in the nation.

NIS Arrests Five for Stealing Cables

Officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) have arrested five syndicates that stole the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NITEL) and close circuit television (CCTV) camera cables near the home of NIS Comptroller-General, Mrs Rose Uzoma, in Abuja. The NIS said the suspects were forced out of a tunnel, where they were hiding, when Immigration operatives fired warning shots and pepper sprays at them. The Assistant Comptroller of Immigration and Public Relations Officer, Joachim Olumba, said after interrogation, five Immigration workers on guard duty were implicated as accomplices of the gang members. The suspects would be handed over to the police for further investigation and prosecution.

Gunmen Strike in Borno, Gombe

A suspected Boko Haram child-soldier was said to have gunned down two military personnel of the Joint Task Force on Operation Restore Order in Borno State on Monday. Meanwhile, the Gombe State director of the State Security Service (SSS), Mr Bitrus Asher, announced on Tuesday that unknown gunmen had killed a retired officer of the SSS, Malam Aliyu Abubakar, in Gombe. The director said the deceased was shot in the back and was immediately taken to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Gombe, where he died.

Two Students Killed, Four Wounded in Kano Robbery Attack

Authorities of the Federal Government College (FGC), Kano on Tuesday confirmed killing of two of its students by unknown gunmen but they said the attack was carried out outside the school premises, at a shopping area in Na’ibawa Quarters. It was gathered that the killings might be as a result of robbery attack that occurred around the area at the time. It was gathered that while two students were killed, four others were wounded in the attack. The Vice- Principal (Admin), Mrs Elizabeth Kasuwa confirmed the incident and said that the students have been de-boarded from the school after completing their final examinations.

NDLEA Nabs Bauchi Councillor for Drug Trafficking

Officials of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Bauchi State have arrested a serving councilor in Darazo LGA of the state, for drug trafficking. Julius Parah, the state Commander of the agency, said that the suspect was arrested on June 6, at Kwankiyal in Darazo council along with his collaborators with 29 kilogrammes of Cannabis Sativa, popularly called Indian Hemp. Parah noted that the agency had been achieving results in its fight against drug trafficking and abuse in the state, with the arrest of 34 suspects with a total of 15.055 kilogrammes of hemp and Psychotropic substances. He said 22 of them had been charged to court while others were referred for counselling.

Robbers Invade Villages in Zamfara, Kill 27

In what appeared to be a reprisal, a group of armed robbers on Monday stormed two villages in Dansadau emirate, in Maru LGA of Zamfara State and killed 25 people and a policeman. A month ago, the police, in conjunction with other security outfits, stormed the robbers’ hideout in the thick forest of Dansadau which led to the arrest of several of their members and some of their members were killed. A survivor of Monday’s attack believed that the hoodlums were on a revenge mission, as they stormed the villages with dangerous weapons like AK47 rifles. Meanwhile, the acting governor of Zamfara State, Mallam Ibrahim Wakkala, left Gusau the state capital for Dansadau to condole with the Emir of Dansadau, Alhaji Hussein Umar over the unfortunate incident.

ICAO to Audit Aircrafts in Nigeria

The Federal Government has invited the International Civil Aviation Authority (ICAO) to audit aircraft flying in the nation’s airspace. Minister of Aviation Princess Stella Oduah said this in Abuja while inaugurating the technical/administrative panel to investigate the June 3 Dana Air plane crash. The ICAO is the international body governing aviation activities worldwide. The panel, headed by Group Capt. John Obakpolor (rtd), has six weeks to submit its report. The minister said that the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) will assisted by Price Waterhouse Cooper (PWC) to audit all domestic airlines. The auditing will be done in line with NCCA Act of 2006 and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulation.

Over 215 Million Children in Forced Labour -ILO

The International Labour Organisation (ILO), on Monday, warned that there is no room for complacency when 215 million children are still labouring to survive and more than half of these are exposed to the worst forms of child labour, slavery and armed conflict. According to the ILO, new estimates released on June 1 showed that some five million children were caught in forced labour, which included conditions such as commercial sexual exploitation and debt bondage. The ILO Director-General, Juan Somavia, stressed the need for concerted efforts to address forced labour. The ILO also lamented that sanctions for violations of the law were often too weak for those who exploited the children.

INTERNATIONAL

US Threatens Sanctions on Somalis Blocking Peace Plan

The United States has threatened to impose sanctions on Somalis who stand in the way of a UN-supervised roadmap for peace in Somalia. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Johnnie Carson, was speaking after making the first visit by a top US official in two decades. He said his trip to Mogadishu was to acknowledge "significant progress" made against al-Shabaab militants. However, the al-Qaeda group still controls much of the country. Carson said the US would impose sanctions on anyone standing in the way of the political process now under way. Mr Carson said the US would consider stationing officials in the capital permanently "when we believe that it is both appropriate and safe".

Bomb Kills in Pakistani Province

A bomb blast struck a bus in the Pakistani province of Balochistan on Monday, killing six people and wounding 50 others. The device, planted on a motorbike parked by the side of the road, went off as the bus drove past, said Irfan Shah Gharsheen, an official from Mastung District in Balochistan. The target of the attack was a convoy of vehicles carrying Shiite Muslims, according to Gharsheen. The explosion took place in the area of Gen in Mastung, 90 kilometers southeast of the provincial capital of Quetta. Shiites have suffered frequent attacks in Balochistan in recent years.

NATO to Limit Airstrikes in Afghanistan

NATO forces in Afghanistan will no longer use airstrikes against insurgent targets in civilian homes if "other means" to deal with the targets are available, a spokesman said Monday. Forces "will continue to conduct operations against insurgents who use civilian dwellings, but when there is concern over the presence of civilians; air delivered munitions will not be employed while other means are available," Lt. Col. Jimmie Cummings said. The shift comes after an airstrike last week in Logar province that killed 18 people, including women and children. It was the latest of several such strikes that have upset relations between Afghanistan and the United States.

Bomb Attacks Kill 84 in Iraq

A wave of bombings across Iraq has killed 84 people and wounded nearly 300, Iraqi police say. Many of the dead in the Iraqi capital were Shia pilgrims gathering for a religious festival. In Hilla, two car bombs exploded near a restaurant, killing at least 21 people. There has been a wave of attacks on the Shia community in recent days, as it marks the anniversary of the death of Shia imam Moussa al-Kadhim.  In Baghdad, policemen and Shia pilgrims - many who had come on foot from across the country - bore the brunt of the assaults, while an employee of a private university was also targeted when his house was bombed. Soon after the attacks, websites of local political parties critical of Shia Prime Minister Nouri Maliki blamed the political crisis in which Iraq has been embroiled for the past few months.

Firefighters Battle Huge Blazes in US

Hundreds more firefighters were ordered to fight the biggest wildfire in a decade in Colorado, as agencies scrambled to help tackle blazes in several western US states. More than 500 firefighters were attacking the blaze. The fire, dubbed the High Park Fire, broke out last weekend near Fort Collins and had mushroomed to 43,000 acres (17,200 hectares), making it the third largest in Colorado history, having more than doubled to 39,000 acres from Sunday to Monday alone. The fire has claimed one life, a 62-year-old woman whose remains were found in the ashes of her burnt-out cabin. The cause of the fire has been confirmed as lightning.

Syria in Civil War
…as Opposition Accuse Govt of Using Human Shields

The UN peacekeeping chief, Herve Ladsous, has said that Syria is now in a full-scale civil war with a "massive increase in the level of violence". President Bashar al-Assad's military continues to battle opposition forces around the country. Angry crowds also blocked UN observers from reaching the rebel-held town of Haffa. They were met with gunfire and their vehicles were hurled with stones and metal rods. Opposition groups have alleged that civilians are being used as human shields by the government forces. Meanwhile, the opposition Syrian National Council elected minority Kurdish activist, Abdul Basit Sieda, to unite dissidents aimed at ousting President Assad. Meanwhile, the US has accused Russia of sending attack helicopters to Syria to aid Assad.

Dozens Killed as Yemen Army Attacks Islamist Stronghold

Yemeni warplanes and troops bombarded the Islamist militant stronghold of Jaar on Monday, officials and witnesses said, part of a U.S.-backed offensive in a country Washington sees as a front line in its war against al Qaeda. At least 44 soldiers and militants were killed as the army launched its most serious assault on Jaar to date and also attacked positions near Shaqra, a coastal town on a major shipping route, and other areas, a Yemeni military official told Reuters. Yemen is battling to retake towns and territory in the southern province of Abyan that were seized by militants linked to al Qaeda last year during a popular uprising against President Ali Abdullah Saleh.

Curfew in Tunisia as Violent Protest Erupt

The Tunisian government declared a curfew, on Tuesday, in eight governorates, including the capital city of Tunis, in an attempt to quell violence after protests that included radical Islamists, erupted. The curfew was announced by the Interior Ministry and the Defense Ministry "in the wake of violence carried out by criminal groups against establishments of sovereignty and public and private property," a prime ministry communique said. Medical and night-shift workers are exempted. The Salafists have in recent weeks intensified their violence in Tunisia. Moderate Tunisians express deep concern over the rising power of the radicals since the ouster of the regime of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and subsequent elections ushered in a new Islamist government.

Liberia Shuts Borders with Cote d’Ivoire after Attack on Peace Keepers

Liberia has closed its border with Cote d’Ivoire but did not confirm the claim by Abidjan that gunmen who killed seven United Nations peacekeepers, eight civilians and a soldier came from its territory. Cote d’Ivoire’s Defense Minister Paul Koffi Koffi said the raid on Friday afternoon highlighted the need for Ivoirian troops to carry out cross-border operations in Liberia to improve security but Monrovia’s government said no such plans were in place. The United Nations said it was reshuffling some of its several thousand troops deployed in the zone to protect civilians in the border area. The attack highlights simmering tensions and security threats in the west of the world’s top cocoa grower despite a year of progress that stabilised much of the rest of the country after months of post-election violence last year.

Kenyan Minister, Four others Killed in Helicopter Crash

George Saitoti, Kenya’s internal security minister, who was closely involved in the fight against Somali militant group, al Shabaab, was killed when the police helicopter he was travelling in crashed into a forest on Tuesday. Saitoti, his deputy, Orwa Ojode, two pilots and two bodyguards were killed when the aircraft came down outside the capital, Nairobi, and burst into flames, the government said. A prospective candidate in next March’s presidential election, Saitoti was one of the most outspoken government politicians on the threat from Somali militants, often visiting scenes of al Shabaab’s attacks and vowing to crush the group. Prime Minister Raila Odinga said investigations into the cause of the crash had started.

70 Dead in Afghan Quakes

No fewer than 70 people were feared to have been killed in Afghanistan after a landslide triggered by a double earthquake buried homes under earth and rock, according to government officials. Two shallow quakes less than half an hour apart shook the mountainous Hindu Kush region on Monday, starting a slide of debris that smashed into a remote village, burying mud brick houses to a depth of up to 100 metres. In Burka district, the worst-hit area in the province of Baghlan, people in the village of Mullah Jan said 71 people had been trapped. An official who asked not to be named described the chances of survival as “very slim”. A bulldozer was at work digging through the rubble at Mullah Jan, according to Rafiullah Rasoolzai, spokesman for the disaster response agency, who said emergency supplies had been brought in.

Pro-Gaddafi Men Attack Military Vehicles in Libya
…23 People Killed in Tribal Conflicts

The death toll arising from two days of clashes between members of Libya’s Toubou minority and government forces reportedly hit 23 on Tuesday just as a gunfight during the night between two feuding tribes in Egypt’s south has killed 12 people, making a total of 35 lives lost in the two different clashes. A group of the late Muammar Gaddafi’s loyalists reportedly attacked military vehicles and assaulted people in Libya on Tuesday. Security situation in Libya, about eight months after the civil war that ended the life of former leader Muammar Gaddafi, is still unstable. On Monday, a convoy of British diplomat mission was targeted by armed men in eastern Libyan city of Benghazi, with a security escort “severely wounded.”