Villeworth Security Services Ltd

week 4

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PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

NDLEA Arrests 244 Suspects in Bayelsa

No fewer than 244 suspected drug traffickers were arrested in Bayelsa State last year. The suspects were caught with 223.2kg of hard drugs during the period. Commander of the National Drug Law and Enforcement Agency in Bayelsa, Mr Frank Hanacho, while releasing this information to newsmen added that the suspects included 191 males and 53 females. He warned that the agency was all out to deal with individuals who chose to go contrary to the law as far as drug crime is concerned.

Onitsha Youths Riot over Alleged Killing of Agency Official

Simultaneous riots occurred at the Onitsha end of River Niger Bridge on Wednesday. The riots began when a dead body identified as an operative of the Anambra State Transport Agency (ASTA) was found in a trailer driven by a Northerner  presumed to be an Hausa man, as well as traders protesting against the high handedness of the leadership of old motor spare parts market in Onitsha popularly known as 'Mgbuka.' It was gathered that the dead ASTA operative found in the trailer was abducted by the trailer driver at Ihiala where the ASTA operative had waved him to stop for a check as he approached their check point but the trailer ignored them, prompting the ASTA operative to jump into the trailer directing the driver to pull by the road side to avoid causing an accident or traffic. It was gathered that instead of obeying the instruction to pull by the road side, the driver increased his acceleration towards Onitsha with the ASTA operative still in his vehicle. The Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, Emeka Chukwuemeka, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), confirmed the two incidents but said no life was lost during the riots.

Senate Committee Quizzes Rivers CP over Alleged Attack on Abe

Senate Committee on Police Affairs, last week, met with Rivers State Police Commissioner, Mr. Joseph Mbu, over last Sunday’s incident at the College of Arts and Science, Port Harcourt, where Senator Magnus Abe was allegedly shot by the Police with rubber bullets. Senator Abe was allegedly shot as the Police fired teargas to disperse those that had gathered for a rally organised by Save Rivers Movement. Meanwhile, some Ogoni Leaders have called for an investigation into what it termed the near assassination of Senator Abe by the Police on Sunday, in Port Harcourt. Describing the alleged action of the Police as an attempted murder, the Ogoni leaders, in a statement by Justice Peter Akere (rtd) and others, said that the Ogoni would not hesitate to demand the vacation of the Nigeria Police from its territory, if their alleged acts of impunity were not stopped. Meanwhile, Chairman of the Senate Committee, Senator Paulinus Igwe, emphasised that they were in the state on a fact finding mission, adding that his committee was not on a witch hunting exercise.

Navy Arrests 21 Persons, 2 Vessels over N2.4bn Oil Theft

The Nigerian Navy has arrested 21 persons over alleged involvement in crude oil theft along the waterways of Agbami Oilfield in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. Also two vessels allegedly involved in oil theft loaded with 2.111 million litres of crude oil valued at N2.4bn were seized. The vessels, MT Eli Tank and one other, were intercepted at separate points along the Ebi creeks and Agbami Oilfield between December 26, 2013 and January 13, 2014. According to the statement by the Flag Officer Commanding the Central Naval Command of the Navy, Rear Admiral Sidi-Ali Hassan Usman, the arrested oil thieves were all Nigerians. He said they lacked necessary permits for the lifting of crude oil. According to the Navy, the documents tendered were not the required ones. The navy also vowed to sustain the tempo of waterways and creek surveillance in the Niger Delta.

Women Protest against Poor Investigation into Killing of Youth

The women of Agudama-Epie in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State have protested what they described as the poor handling of the killing of their son, Mulai George, in the wake of a land dispute with their Akenfa neighbours. Agudama-Epie and Akenfa, both neighbouring communities, clashed last November resulting in the death of the youth while several others were injured. Both have continued to lay claims to the ownership of the disputed land parts of which had been sold to property developers. The aggrieved placard-carrying women, Monday, blocked the busy Agudama-Epie stretch of the Mbiama-Yenagoa road for over two hours, chanting solidarity songs thereby causing gridlock on the route linking the state capital. They lamented the poor handling of the land dispute between them and their Akenfa neighbours by the state government and security agencies. They urged the government to brace up before the misunderstanding degenerates into full blown crisis. The paramount ruler of Agudama-Epie, Chief Wisdom Franklin in an interview frowned at the manner the state government was handling the issue between both communities.

Ogoni Youths Protest Alleged Gun Attack on Abe

The violence that erupted penultimate Sunday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State following the shooting of Senator Magnus Abe, spread to his constituency in the Ogoni part of the state, last Sunday as his kinsmen took to the streets, damaging vehicles and disrupting traffic. Senator Abe, was on Sunday, allegedly wounded by rubber bullet the state government alleged was fired by members of the Nigeria Police, who had gone to disperse supporters of Governor Rotimi Amaechi in Obio/Akpor LGA of the state from holding a rally. The protesters made of youths, claimed that the shooting of senator Abe was an attempt to stop the Ogoni people from producing a governor for the state in 2015. The Senate had directed the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Mohammed Abubakar to investigate the attack on Senator Abe.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

Delta Community Demands Compensation over Oil Spill

The people of Otonyatsere community in Sapele Local Government Area of Delta State, have implored Seplat Petroleum Development Company Limited to dialogue with them with a view to compensating them over an oil spill in their community caused by the company’s equipment failure at its Ovhor line, on December 23, 2013. Chairman of Otonyatsere Community, Dr. Austin Arieja, said that the community was not at war with the company, although the spillage had caused economic hardship to the people of the area, who are mainly farmers. He said that the community was pleading with the company to urgently take steps to clean-up the spillage and send relief materials and cash compensation to the affected persons in order to rehabilitate them. He said that while awaiting report of the Joint Investigation Visit, JIV, carried out at the scene of the spillage by a team of officials of National Oil Spillage Detection and Response Agency, NOSDRA, Seplat Petroleum, Directorate of Petroleum Resources, DPR and other relevant agencies, it was necessary to ameliorate the suffering of the people without further delay as the spill had caused great economic losses to the people.

Ex-Militants to Partner FG in Fight against Oil Thieves

A group of Urhobo ex-militants has vowed to join forces with President Goodluck Jonathan and security agents to curb oil theft across waterways in Delta and Bayelsa states. The ex-militants operate on the platform of Urhobo Arms Struggle, UAS. National Chairman of UAS, Mr Israel Akpodoro , who gave the assurance during a courtesy visit on a former senatorial aspirant on the platform of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Delta State, Mr. Daniel Idonor, last weekend, applauded the move by President Goodluck Jonathan to provide adequate security for oil and gas installations in Urhoboland.

Delta Police Arrest Suspected Kidnappers of Magistrate

Men of the Delta State police command have arrested a kidnap gang that abducted a female magistrate in the state, just as the command also rescued another kidnap victim in Edo State. Parading the suspects in Asaba, acting state police spokesman, Mr. Charles Muka, disclosed that the State Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, at Ughelli arrested the four suspects at Otowodu junction. Also paraded at the police headquarters, were suspected cultists recently arrested in Ughelli and Ibusa, during a clamp-down on identified cultists’ hideouts. On the rescue of the kidnap victim, Muka disclosed that “the command has rescued one Chuks Ogbum at Ugoneki in Edo State after he was kidnapped on the sixth of this month at Kwale and taken to Ugoneki bush where his hands were tied.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

Cult Clash: Pregnant Woman, Student Killed in Abeokuta

Youths suspected to be members of a secret cult unleashed terror on residents of the Onikolobo area of Abeokuta, killing two persons. Those who lost their lives, according to an eyewitness, include a pregnant woman said to be a passer-by, and a student of a polytechnic in Abeokuta. It was gathered that several others sustained injuries when members of the secret cult invaded Onikolobo, combing houses in search of their targets. It was further gathered that members of a particular secret cult had been involved in a brawl with members of the outlawed Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) a few days before the recent attack. They allegedly made use of dangerous weapons, which include guns, cutlasses and broken bottles, among others. It took the intervention of officials of the Vigilante Services of Ogun State (VSO) before the rampaging cultists were dispersed. The state Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, said seven of the suspects were apprehended while smoking Indian hemp.

40 Arrested over Visa Racketeering

The Special Fraud Unit (SFU), of the police in Lagos, said it had arrested 40 Nigerians who allegedly attempted to secure Italian visa using fake documents. The documents ranged from forged statement of accounts, fake travelling documents and many others. The Commissioner of Police SFU, Tunde Ogunsakin, said the arrest of the suspects was made possible by a written request received from the Consulate General of Italy in Lagos to carry out investigations on the 40 suspects who submitted fake and forged documents to Italian Embassy in a bid to travel out of the country. Ogunsakin also said the network of crooks that specialised in travel document racketeering had been shattered and will soon face the courts.

Suspected Drug Syndicate Abandons Heroine at Airport

A suspected drug syndicate has abandoned 9.270kg of heroin originating from Pakistan at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos. Sources said that operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) discovered the drug inside an abandoned luggage on the conveyor belt during inward screening of passengers on an Emirate flight. This came as a 38-year-old auto parts dealer, Ohagwu Ernest Ifeanyi, who attempted to board a Qatar airline flight to China with 735 grammes of heroin which he swallowed was also arrested. The heroin weighing 10.005kg is valued at over N80 million. NDLEA Commander at the airport, Mr. Hamza Umar confirmed the arrest.

Police Rescue ATM Card Snatcher from Mob in Ilorin

A Mob, Wednesday, arrested an ATM card snatcher in Ilorin, Kwara State. It was revealed that it took the intervention of the police officers around the area for the suspect not to have been lynched. An eyewitness disclosed that the suspect, who was standing behind a woman on an ATM queue to withdraw money, spied and memorise the woman’s security PIN number. Immediately she left with her ATM, the suspect pursued her and later snatched the ATM card from her. The shout “thief, thief” by the woman prompted commercial motorcyclists to pursue and nab the suspect, who was quickly rescued by the police from being lynched. The suspect was immediately taken to the police station for interrogation.

Man Arraigned in Court for Defiling 8-Year-Old

A 25-year-old man, Joseph John, was arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court in Lagos on Wednesday for allegedly defiling an 8-year-old girl. John is facing a one-count charge of sexual assault by penetration. The Prosecutor, Cpl. Ishaku Babaje, told the court that John committed the offence on January 11 at Chisco Waterside off Kusenla Road, Ikate, Elegushi, Lekki, Lagos. He alleged that John had carnal knowledge of the under-aged victim. Babaje said the offence contravened Section 259 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2011. The section 259 prescribes life imprisonment for anyone found guilty of sexual assault by penetration. The alleged victim and her mother were present in court as prosecution witnesses. The Magistrate, Mrs Olu Oshin, granted the accused bail in the sum of N250, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

Kidnappers Release Abducted 83-Year-Old Mother of Hotelier

Mrs Theresa Akindeju, the mother of Mr Benson Akindeju, the Chief Executive Officer of Big Soul Hotel in Ondo State, who was kidnapped on January 8, has been released. The 83-year-old woman was released at about 9.00pm on Tuesday on the Irele-Okitpupa road in Okitipupa Local Government Area of the state. The victim Wednesday at her Igbotako home said that the kidnappers took good care of her for the seven days she was in their custody. Mr Akindeju said the kidnappers abducted her mother because they thought he was wealthy. Akindeju, a former Marketing Manager of Wale Adenuga Production, the production firm of the popular comedy series, “Papa Ajasco and Company, ’’ said  the kidnappers released his mother without any ransom.

Police Nab Mastermind of Lagos Airport Robberies, 4 Others

The police in Lagos State, said they have arrested a 29-year-old man, Samuel Mayegun, aka, Asiwaju, who masterminded the 2012 and 2013 robberies at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos. More than N750 million was carted away from Bureau de Change operators by Asiwaju and his gang in the two operations while two policemen were killed. Operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, led by Superintendent of Police, SP, Abba Kyari, in March 2013, rounded up eight members of the gang, remaining Asiwaju, who went into hiding. The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Umar Manko, who paraded Asiwaju and four others at the state command headquarters, Ikeja, said he received an intelligence report that Asiwaju and some of his new recruits were about to strike at Ikorodu area of the state and he sent his men to apprehend them. According to him, “one General Purpose Machine Gun, GPMG; one AK-47 rifle, 10 fully-loaded GPMG magazines, two double barrel locally made pistols and a Volkswagon Sharon car were recovered from them.” Meanwhile, Asiwaju, who is from neighbouring Ogun State and a resident of Ijebu-Ode, confessed to the crime and begged for a second chance.

Army Rewards Woman for Returning N54,000 to Soldier

The 2 Division of Nigerian Army, Odogbo, Ibadan, Monday, rewarded Mrs Bimbola Makinde for returning the N54,000 she found to the owner, who was a soldier in the division, Lance Corporal Mohammed Suleiman. Makinde is a member of staff of Jericho Nursing Home in Jericho area of Ibadan, Oyo State. The General Officer Commanding (GOC) the Division, Maj.-Gen Ahmed Jibrin, disclosed that the command was moved by the humanitarian gesture demonstrated by Makinde and he felt a need to reward such gesture. According to him, the gesture will let the public know that there are still very good people in the country. Suleiman said that in spite of the N5,000 reward he gave to Makinde, she still turned it down, adding that she did not return the money because she wanted to be rewarded. Responding, Makinde thanked the GOC for inviting her to the division and for the reward.

GENERAL

Dozens Killed in Sallah Day Suicide Bombing

Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, was thrown into pandemonium on Tuesday when a suicide bomber detonated a massive bomb in the centre of the town which led to the death of about 30 persons, with 50 others injured. The bomb blast was greeted by protests by some aggrieved youths who alleged that the latest ordeal was traceable to the immediate past governor, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, who had stayed away from the state for a long time. Tension had risen in the state which degenerated when supporters with alleged ties to Sheriff pelted the state governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, with stones at the weekend. On Monday, Sheriff got a taste of his own medicine when alleged supporters of Shettima got their revenge when they pelted the former governor with stones at the Shehu of Borno’s palace. Immediately the bomb went off, the youths took to the empty streets to protest the incident. The irate youths also destroyed the political office of the former governor. Hospital sources revealed that 30 corpses were deposited at the morgue with over 50 persons brought in injured.

13 Boko Haram Suspects Killed in Adamawa

The Commanding Officer of a special operative battalion situated in Mubi, Adamawa State, Lt. Col. Beyidi Martins, has revealed that the military in the city has killed 13 suspected members of the dreaded Boko Haram during a battle in December last year. He revealed that two notorious members of the dreaded sect who had been on the wanted list of the military were among those killed, adding that they have been terrorising the ancient town and its environs. Martins disclosed that the 13 Boko Haram suspects were killed during a raid at a Mubi Bureau De Change on the 18th of December, last year. The commanding officer, while handing over N20 million to the chairman of Mubi Bureau De Change, Alhaji  Mohamed Nuru Dahiru, which was also recovered from the insurgents, further disclosed that during the exchange of fire with the insurgents his command lost a soldier.

President Replaces Service Chiefs

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan replaced his entire military leadership. The presidency, Thursday, announced the removal of the chiefs of defence, army, navy and air force and named their successors. All the four newly appointed chiefs of staff are experienced military officials in their mid-50s. Air Marshal Alex Badeh - who is from Adamawa state, takes over from Admiral Ola Sa'ad Ibrahim as Chief of Defence staff, the presidency said in a statement. Among the other appointments, Major-General Kenneth Tobiah Jacob Minimah has replaced Lieutenant-General Azubike Ihejirika as Chief of Army Staff. Rear Admiral Usman O. Jibrin is the new Chief of Naval Staff and Air Vice Marshal Adesola Nunayon Amosu has become the Chief of Air Staff.

EU Commits Funds to Tackle Insecurity in Nigeria

The European Union (EU) said it had donated €10 million to help Nigeria fight insecurity. EU Representative in Nigeria, Dr Nicholas Wescot, disclosed that the money would also be used to tackle such problems as the Boko Haram sect and piracy in the Gulf of Guinea. He disclosed that the EU was keen to provide support and has agreed an additional 10 million Euros to help support the Nigeria security apparatus to develop its capability of solving some of these challenges,” he said. Wescot also revealed that EU had approved €500 million developmental fund to support the country's economy from 2014 to 2020. The sum shows a decline from EU previous budgetary support sum which stood at €677 million between 2008 and 2013. Wescot said the fund was approved under the 11th European Union Development Fund (EDF) from 2014 to 2020. He said the sum would be used in the next seven years to reduce poverty particularly in the northern part of the country.

Nigeria Customs Gets New DCGs, ACGs

The Nigeria Customs Service, on Wednesday, announced the appointment of six Deputy Comptrollers-General (DCG) and 11 Assistant Comptrollers-General (ACG) as part of ongoing restructuring in the service. In a statement signed by Wale Adeniyi, its spokesperson, NCS said the new appointments were approved by Customs Board in a meeting presided over by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. He added that the new appointments were carried out in tune with Federal Character Principle of representation in public service. Hence each of the new DCGs was appointed from each of the six geo-political zones. The statement said that the five DCGs would join John Atte, a serving Deputy Comptroller-General from Bayelsa (South-South), who was already on the Management Board.

Photojournalist Shot by Gunmen

A journalist with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Callistus Ewelike, was on Monday night shot by unknown gunmen in front of his house in Nyanya, Abuja. Ewelike is a photographer attached to the State House, Abuja. The journalist was shot shortly after at he arrived from an assignment attended by the president. According to the eyewitness account, the victim’s attackers were two men, who rode on a motorbike. The eyewitness said Ewelike on alighting from his car, was approached by one of the gunmen who shot him in the neck at close range. The gunshot was said to have attracted residents of the area, but the attackers immediately sped off on their motorbike. No personal item was stolen from the victim, fuelling speculations that it may not be armed robbery attack. Ewelike who was rushed to the National Hospital, Abuja was in a stable condition. The Police Public Relations Officer, FCT Command, DSP Altine Daniel, confirmed the attack.

Jonathan Signs Bill against Same-sex Unions

President Goodluck Jonathan has assented to a bill banning gay marriage and same-sex partnerships in Nigeria, despite international pressure not to do so. Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the president, Dr. Reuben Abati, on Monday confirmed the signing of the bill, whose passage had triggered international outrage over Nigeria’s bid to criminalise homosexuality. Abati said Jonathan signed off on the Same-sex Marriage (Prohibition) Bill 2013 because it was consistent with the attitudes of most Nigerians towards homosexuality. More than 90 per cent of Nigerians are opposed to same-sex marriage. Under the terms of the law, anyone who enters into a same-sex marriage or civil union can be sentenced to 14 years in prison, while any such partnerships entered into abroad are deemed “void.”

Rights Commission to Investigate State Murders

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has constituted a five-man panel to investigate every incidence of state-sponsored killings from 1995 to date. The governing council of the commission headed by Dr. Chidi Odinkalu said the committee would also investigate the allegation contained in the letter written by former President Olusegun Obasanjo to President Goodluck Jonathan wherein he accused Jonathan of training snipers and placing 1,000 political opponents on a watch list. To this effect, the council has directed the Executive Secretary of the commission, Professor Bem Angwe, to call for a memorandum from Nigerians on state-sponsored killings from 1995 to date. The panel, according to a statement issued after the emergency meeting, would be headed by Odinkalu. The commission also set up a three-man committee to investigate the continued crisis in Rivers State.

Jonathan, Sambo, Others Honour Fallen Heroes

President Goodluck Jonathan, Wednesday, led top government officials from both the executive, legislative and judiciary arms to lay wreaths in celebration of the grand finale of the 2014 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration in Abuja. The event also held in the 36 states of the federation. Jonathan, accompanied by Vice-President Namadi Sambo, Senate President David Mark; Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, supervising Minister of Defence, Labaran Maku and service chiefs, amongst others, proceeded to lay wreaths at the cenotaph. Maku assured legionnaires of the federal government’s commitment to their welfare and that of the families of departed soldiers. Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Sa’ad Ola Ibrahim, said a many initiatives had been put in place by the Defence Headquarters to cater for the legionnaires and families of dead soldiers.

TUC Raises Alarm over Proliferation of Arms

The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has expressed concern over the violent clashes that have occurred in Rivers State in recent months, accusing politicians of orchestrating the violence in order to intimidate and emasculate perceived opponents ahead of the 2015 general election. The congress in a statement jointly issued by its President and Secretary, Bobboi Kaigama and Musa Lawal, respectively said it was disturbed by the reports of proliferation of arms and ammunition in the country, stating that if left unchecked, it could disrupt the nation’s hard-earned democracy. The congress called on the presidency and security agencies to take pro-active steps to re-establish total peace and security in the country.

Northern Leaders, NSA Meet Over Security Challenges

The Northern Elders Forum (NEF), the Northern Traditional Rulers Council (NTRC) and a representative of the National Security Adviser (NSA), to the President, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd) on Wednesday held a closed door meeting in Kaduna for several hours. Although the agenda for the meeting was not made public, it was learnt that the meeting was part of efforts to find solution to the problems of insecurity in the North, especially the Boko Haram insurgency in some parts of the North. The Chairman of the Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) and governor of Niger State Dr. Babangida Aliyu and his Kaduna state counterpart were also at the meeting which held at the Lugard House (House of Assembly), Kaduna.

Teenager Flogged for Theft

An Abuja Magistrates’ court has ordered that a 19-year-old boy, Isaiah Sunday, be flogged 12 strokes of the cane for theft. The Senior Magistrate, Shafa Aliyu, ordered that the convict be flogged after he pleaded guilty on a one-count charge of stealing. Aliyu said the punishment would serve as deterrent to others, adding: “Besides, he is a young boy and the complainant has forgiven him.” Earlier, Prosecutor Udeh David told the court that Ntibuka Linda had reported the case at Wuse Police Station. David said the complainant came back from a journey on January 5 to discover that the convict had entered her apartment. He said the convict stole N18,000, one curve 4 BlackBerry phone, amongst other items. Sunday pleaded guilty to the charge and begged for forgiveness.

NDLEA Arrests 143 Suspects, Seizes 2, 157.48kg of Drugs in Niger

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Niger said it arrested 143 drug suspects and seized 2,157.48kg of drugs in 2013. The NDLEA Commander in the state, Alhaji Abdullahi Abdul, made the disclosure when he briefed newsmen on the activities of the agency in 2013 in Minna on Wednesday. Abdul said the suspects comprising 140 males and three females were arrested in Minna, Suleja, Mokwa, Kontagora, Kainji, Kagara and Babanna Areas of the state. He said that of the seized drugs 2,148 kg were Indian hemp, 8.5 kg were other psychotropic substances and 18 pinches of substance suspected to be cocaine. The commander said that out of the 143 suspects, 20 drug dependent people were treated by the agency. He said 242 others were arrested by the NDLEA and other security agencies were counselled and released to their relations. Abdul said other seizure made during the year included 600 grammes of marijuana seeds seized in Babana Border Area of the state. He said the command also seized one locally-made pistol and two single barrel guns with 10 live cartridges. The commander added that the three persons arrested in connection with the arms and ammunition was transferred to the police.

Man Jailed 10 Years for Raping Toddler

A Minna Chief Magistrates’ Court, Monday, sentenced a 26-year-old labourer, Salisu Umar, to 10 years imprisonment for raping a minor. The convict was arraigned on a count charge of raping a four-year-old girl. The Police prosecutor, Inspector Ahmed Saidu, told the court that one Ayuba Tanimu of Abdulsalam Quarters reported the case at the police station on January 8. Saidu said the convict, a resident of Peter Sarki Road, Minna, took the complainant’s daughter to an uncompleted building and had sexual intercourse with her. He said the little girl sustained serious injuries in her genitals as a result of the intercourse. When the charge was read to the accused, he pleaded guilty and begged the court for leniency. The prosecutor urged the court to try him summarily in line with Section 157 of the criminal Procedure Code. In his ruling, Magistrate Abdullahi Usman sentenced the labourer to 10 years imprisonment without an option of fine. He also ordered that the convict should pay a compensation of N50,000 to the parents of the minor.

INTERNATIONAL

US Appeal Court Affirms Life Sentence for Christmas Day Bomber

Christmas Day underwear bomber Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab Monday at a US appeal court in Detroit Michigan lost his defence against a life sentence. The convict who was represented by Travis Rossman, had on Christmas Day 2009 attempted to detonate an explosive device on a Northwest Atlantic Airlines Flight 253 operated by Delta Airlines  flying from Amsterdam to Detroit, months after he had travelled to Yemen where he was radicalised by a violent jihadist group with links to al-Qaeda. Abdulmutallab who was part of the 289 passengers on board had tried to ignite the explosives concealed in his underwear as the aircraft made its final approach to Detroit Metropolitan Airport. Against all expectations, the explosives failed to detonate injuring only the bomber before pilots landed the plane, while the convict was escorted into custody. He was later tried for attempted murder, conspiracy to commit an act of terrorism, attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction and other charges.

Australian Heat Wave to Worsen as Fires Rage

Australians sweltering through a severe heat wave were warned, on Thursday, that the worst was yet to come, with hundreds of fires raging in several states and temperatures nearing record highs. Most of southeast Australia has been sizzling in a heat wave that triggered a devastating wildfire on the west coast, razing 55 homes and claiming one life on Sunday. The mercury has soared above 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) for successive days in South Australia and there is a total ban on recreational fires in neighbouring Victoria where players at the Australian Open fainted and vomited in blistering conditions. Play was halted on Thursday afternoon due to the extreme heat, and a Melbourne school gardener, aged 76, died after collapsing on Wednesday in the grounds. Commuters were urged to leave work early to ease peak-hour pressure on trains and trams, with the heat expected to cause significant delays. Health officials in South Australia said 129 people had presented to hospital in the past three days with heat exhaustion and dehydration. The Climate Council think-tank said new research had showed that heat waves were becoming longer and more frequent in Australia, with heat records toppling three times as often as cold records and the number of hot days more than doubling.

16 Dead in China Shoe Factory Fire

Sixteen people died Tuesday in a fire at a shoe factory in eastern China, state media reported, a blaze which highlights poor workplace safety standards in the country. A total of 20 people were rescued from the fire at the Dadong Shoes factory in Taizhou, Zhejiang province, China Central Television said in a post on its site on Sina Weibo, a Chinese version of Twitter. The blaze, which started in the afternoon engulfed an area of 800 square metres, said the report, which did not give details on what caused the fire. Workplace safety standards can be poor in China, where fatal accidents happen regularly at mines and factories, with some blaming lax enforcement of rules. A fire at a poultry plant in the northeastern province of Jilin in June killed 120 and injured at least 70, in China’s deadliest blaze in over a decade.