Villeworth Security Services Ltd

Week 10

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PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

8 Soldiers Ambushed, Killed in Bayelsa

Gunmen, on Thursday, attacked a contingent of the Joint military Task Force (JTF) and Marine policemen along the waterways of Brass and Nembe LGAs of Bayelsa State, killing an army officer, two naval ratings and four policemen in two separate attacks. In both cases, the gunmen were said to have approached the Marine Police checkpoints and the boats conveying the military personnel and opened fire on them without provocation. The slain army officer, Lt-Col. A. Malik, was the Commanding Officer of the Brass Unit of the JTF. Also in Yenagoa, two bomb explosions on Wednesday night rocked Biogbolo and Opolo areas forcing residents to flee. The spokesman of the state Police Command, Mr. Emokpae Eguavoen, confirmed the incidents.

Ojukwu Laid to Rest

The remains of Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, the man who led his kinsmen in the Biafran war against Nigeria, were interred in his hometown of Nnewi, Anambra state, on Friday. The burial was witnessed by President Goodluck Jonathan, and other top government functionaries. Army Chief of Staff, Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, read a funeral oration, while the Catholic Bishop of Nnewi, Most Rev. Gregory Ochiagha, presided over a requiem mass. Ojukwu, an ex-soldier, was given a full military burial. He died in November 2011 after a protracted illness, at the age of 78.

MEND Dissociates from Mediation in Release of Kidnapped Sailors

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has said it will not mediate in the release of kidnapped crew members of a sea vessel. Pirates shot their way onto a Dutch-owned cargo vessel February 1 and kidnapped three hostages including the captain and its chief engineer. MEND, on Friday, said the kidnappers had offered to hand over the hostages, who were claimed to be in good health, but it would not mediate in the kidnapping and was unwilling to accept the prisoners. Recent pirate attacks have targeted vessels carrying petroleum products. The International Maritime Bureau has warned ships to steer clear of the Gulf of Guinea, an emerging hotspot for piracy. Since January 1, the bureau has recorded eight attacks in Nigeria's waters and one off the coast of its neighbour Benin.

Family of Slain Bus Driver Drags Police To Court

Widow of late 29-year-old Ignatius Agupugo, who was murdered by the Police on August 13, 2011 at a check point in Anaocha LGA of Anambra State, Chinenye Agupugo, has dragged the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), to court over the murder. Agupugo’s family is praying the court among other things to “declare that the extra judicial murder of Ignatius by the respondents was illegal, outrageous, unconstitutional and gross violation of the victim’s fundamental human rights as enshrined under Section 33 of the 1999 Constitution as amended.” Joined in the suit, which the plaintiffs are claiming N1 billion as damages are the Police Service Commission, Anambra State Commissioner of Police and one Elisha Peters, who allegedly shot the victim.

NSCDC Uncovers Illegal Refinery in Abia,
…Arrest Suspects

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), on Thursday, disclosed that it has uncovered an illegal refinery in Abia State. Commandant-General of the NSCDC, Ade Abolurin, said that his men had also arrested some illegal oil bunkerers and vandals in Rivers State. Abolurin promised that the corps would not relent on its oars, adding that perpetrators of illegal businesses would be made to face the wrath of the law. While commending the efforts of his personnel in discharging their duties, he, however, advised them to adhere strictly to the nation’s democratic ideals and values, by respecting the fundamental human rights of citizens.

Police Hunt for Bank Robbers

The Police in Rivers State said that it have begun a manhunt for armed robbers who raided a bank on Wednesday in Choba. It was leant that hoodlums used explosives to open the door leading to the bank safe and carted away an undisclosed amount of money. It was also learnt that an employee of the financial institution was shot dead. It was gathered that the armed robbers operated for about 40 minutes without any form of challenge from security operatives. The State Police Public Relations Officer PPRO), Ben Ugwuegbulam, said the state police command has spread its dragnet with a view to apprehending the suspects.

Two Killed in Anambra Building Collapse

Two bodies were pulled out of the debris of a 2-storey building under construction that collapsed in Awka, the Anambra State, on Thursday. Five other people were rescued with injuries. The victims were mainly workers, who were working on the decking of the second floor when the building collapsed. The prompt arrival of men and equipment of the Consolidated Construction Company Limited, who were later joined by officials of the Anambra State Emergency Management Agency, and government security agencies, aided the rescue operation. The director of the state emergency management agency, Dr. Justin Ijezie, confirmed the incident. The Police spokesman, Emeka Chukwuemeka, said alleged that the materials being used in the construction were substandard.

Youths Protest Against Oil Company in A/Ibom

Members of the Mbo Youths Development Association have forced oil workers out of the Stubb Creek Marginal Oil Field in Unyenge in Mbo LGA of Akwa Ibom state. The youths disrupted operations in the field, which is being operated by Universal Energy Resources Ltd. It took a police team to disperse the angry protesters. The police later invited representatives of both sides to a meeting at the Area Command Headquarters in Oron.  Mr. Eteka Etim, Youth President of the Mbo youth association, explained that the communities were protesting the refusal of the oil firm operating in the area to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with them.

Doctors Call Off Year-Long Strike

The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Anambra State chapter, has called off its year- long strike. NMA State Chairman, Emma Ekwesianya, said the strike was called off, following an agreement with the government on Monday. Chief Medical Director of Anambra State University Teaching Hospital (ASUTH), Dr. Lawrence Ikeakor, confirmed that the strike had been suspended. It was gathered that the agreement was signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Sir Paul Odenigbo, and Ekwesianya.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

Police Arraign Six for Killing Policemen

The Delta State Police Command, Wednesday, arraigned six suspects for killing six policemen and carting away their service rifles.  The police prosecutor said the police officers were allegedly killed by the suspects in separate operations in in the Warri axis of the state. The suspects were arraigned before the Magistrate Court I in Warri and were remanded at the prison custody by Magistrate E.O Odjugo Esq, pending when the case would be called for mentioning on 26th March 2012.

Wife Kills Husband over Child’s School Fees

A woman, Mrs. Stella Imagbe, in Sapele, Delta State, beat her husband, Andrew Imagbe, to death over his refusal to pay their son’s school fees. The argument, according to report, was started after Andrew, bluntly told his wife that he had no money for the school fees of his child following an allegation of infidelity against the woman. This got the woman infuriated and she threw a punch at him, and later hit him with a broken wood. He slumped and died instantly before medical attention could be provided for him. Stella attempted to escape when she observed that her husband was bleeding through the nostrils and mouth but was overpowered by neighbours who were attracted to the scene by the alarm raised by the child.  Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, Charles Muka said investigation on the incident had commenced.

Ibori Admits Corruption in UK Court

Former Delta State governor, James Onanefe Ibori, Monday, pleaded guilty before a London Court to 10-count charges of money laundering and conspiracy to defraud. He pleaded not guilty to further 13 counts. He is due to be sentenced in April and remains in custody. Ibori’s guilty plea has closed a chapter to a long judicial and political saga pertaining to his massive money laundering in his eight years as governor of oil-rich Delta State. British police accused him of stealing £250million ($400million) during his 8 years as governor of Delta state. Ibori faces up to 10 years in United Kingdom prison during sentencing. Judge Anthony Pitts ordered that the remaining charges would remain on file.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

Robbers Lay Siege on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway

Armed bandits, last weekend, laid siege to Lagos/Ibadan Expressway and carted away cash and valuables worth millions of naira. Reports said the bandits, who were dressed in Police uniform, blocked the ever-busy expressway by Isara area around 10.15 am and subjected unsuspecting motorists and their passengers to hours of grueling torture and harassment. Some of the lucky motorists were said to have ran into the bush to escape the attack.  Their abandoned vehicles were, however, ransacked while all their valuables were carted away. Some of the bandits were identified as Fulani herdsmen, who used bows, arrows, knives and other weapons to rob travellers. It was gathered that the herdsmen unleashed some animals on the road, which slowed down traffic and enabled them to rob their victims. The herdsmen were dislodged from the road by Police patrol team from the Ogun State Command, Police spokesman Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said.

Woman, 10 Others Paraded Over Armed Robbery

A 32-year-old woman, Biodun Bamgbose, was on Monday, paraded alongside ten suspects by the Ogun State Police Command for alleged armed robbery. The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Muyiwa Adejobi, said the woman was a member of a six-man syndicate that specialised in car snatching in the state. She was an alleged informant for a robbery gang. He said that all the suspects were arrested for robbery and cars snatching among other crimes in the state. He attributed the arrest of the suspects to combined efforts of the Police and various communities. Adejobi added that the police recovered five vehicles and two motorcycles from them.

NDLEA Arrests Pakistani with Heroin

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a 35-year-old Pakistani with 13 kilogrammes of heroin with an estimated street value of about N120m. The agency said the suspect, Syed Ahmed-Bukhari, was arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, shortly after arriving aboard a Qatar Airways flight from Doha. A statement by the Head, Public Affairs, Mr. Mitchell Ofoyeju, said Ahmed-Bukhari’s arrest had aborted the entry of a perilous Pakistani drug cartel into the country. Ahmed-Bukhari, an electrical engineer is believed to be working for a Pakistan-based drug cartel.

Robbers Attack Banks in Babcock University

Armed robbers, on Wednesday, invaded Babcock University, in Ogun State and attacked two commercial banks located within the premises. The bandits, numbering seven, shot sporadically into the air to scare away people. The robbers were said to have succeeded in gaining entrance into the Bank and eventually carted away undisclosed huge sums of money from the vaults.  The robbers reportedly attacked another bank and vandalised the facility as they could not gain entrance. The Vice-Chancellor commended the police commissioner for his prompt response to the distress calls.

Lagos Speaker, Aide Arraigned for Alleged Money Laundering

The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Adeyemi Ikuforiji, was, on Thursday arraigned in court alongside his Personal Assistant, Mr. Oyebode Atoyebi by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on an amended 20 count charge of money laundering. The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges and were admitted to bail on self-recognition while the Clark of the Lagos Assembly, Segun Habiru stood as surety for Atoyebi. The matter was consequently adjourned till March 26 and 27 for trial. The charge alleged that Ikuforiji and Atoyebi conspired among themselves between April 2010 and July 2011 to do an illegal act by accepting various cash payments amounting in the aggregate of N273 million from the Assembly without going through a financial institution.

Truck Crushes 5 in Ondo

At least five persons, including two brothers, were crushed to death when a trailer driver lost control of the vehicle, penultimate Sunday, on the Ikare-Okeagbe Road in Ondo state. Three young men died on the spot while two others, who were rushed to a hospital, died later. The accident involved a lorry and three commercial motorcycles. The Police Public Relation Officer, Mr. Aremu Adeniran, confirmed the development and said the driver was careless to have run into a junction and hit three commercial motorcycles.

Six Killed in OPC Factional Clash

At least six people were killed in a violent clash between rival groups of hoodlums at Mafoluku in Oshodi, Ajao Estate and Ejigbo areas of Lagos. The fight, it was gathered, started on Monday evening. It was learnt that the clash was triggered off by one of the deceased, simply identified as Jamiu. It was said that the deceased, who was one of those issuing tickets to ferry operators at Ajao Estate, had an argument with another group of urchins issuing same tickets to ferry operators at the Ejigbo end. The argument, however, turned bloody and resulted to the killing of Jamiu and two other ferry operators. There was a reprisal attack, leading to 3 more deaths.

Activist Slams N1bn Suit on Lagos CP over Halt in Protest

A N1 billion suit has been slammed on the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Alkali and a deputy police commissioner, Tunde Sobulo, by a Lagos-based lawyer and human rights activist, Wale Ogunade, over their alleged roles in the disruption of protests that followed the deployment of soldiers to the streets of Lagos by the Federal Government, in the aftermath of the civil disturbances that greeted the removal of fuel subsidy, in January. The lawyer asked for a declaration of the court that the use of tear gas and other harmful substances by the officers of the Nigerian Police, led by Sobulo, to terrorise, brutally interfere with and stop him and other concerned Nigerians to publicly protest and express their grievances over the deployment of soldiers to Lagos State, on January 19, 2012, constituted a flagrant violation of his right to freedom of expression.

Trailer Crushes Female Graduate to Death

The back of a moving trailer detached and crushed a 27-year-old graduate in Ekiti state. The lady, Busayo Akogun, was said to be assisting her mother at a roadside kiosk when the accident occurred.  Her mother was also said to have been crushed against the wall of a filling station and sustained a serious injury. Policemen and officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) quickly evacuated the victims to a hospital. In another accident, two trailers collided, and the impact affected a car. The Police Public Relations Officer in Ekiti State, Mohammed Jimoh, who confirmed the accidents, said nobody was injured.

Cultist Dump Body of Slain Victim at Health Centre

Suspected cultists in Ondo State besieged Epinmi Akoko, killed one Niyi Arohunmolase and dumped his badly cut body behind the health centre in the town, penultimate Saturday. Arohunmolase, son of a popular teacher, was said to have been invited by a friend for a video coverage job in the town. He left but never returned. His remains were dumped behind the health centre where his mother works. The friend who invited him for the video coverage job has been arrested and he is helping the police in unraveling those behind the act.

GENERAL

Suicide Bombers Hit Church in Jos

Suspected members of Boko Haram stormed a church in Jos, Plateau State. Four persons, including a suspected accomplice of the attackers were killed. Four people also lost their lives in the reprisal attack, while several others were injured, including the state Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mr. Hiljab Abraham and former Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Ezekiel Gomos. Bok Haram claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it was part of their resolve to avenge the killings and dehumanization of Muslims in Jos in the last 10 years. Three suicide bombers had driven into the church with explosives-laden car, but were prevented from getting into the service area. The bomb, however, went off at the church premises, killing a member of the church and the suicide bomber instantly and destroying about 30 vehicles. Meanwhile, in a reprisal attack, at least four people were killed.

Boko Haram Attacks in Maiduguri

Boko Haram attacked a primary school in Maiduguri, Borno State on Tuesday, setting ablaze classrooms and the headmaster’s office. The sect recently attempted to bomb a Primary School in the outskirt of Maiduguri. Spokesman to the sect, Abul Qaqa, said the group had attacked the schools as a reprisal for the “unjust raiding of our local Islamiyya Quranic schools by the JTF members,” alleging that copies of Qur’an were mutilated. JTF spokesman, Lt-Col. Hassan Mohammed, said the fire consumed two blocks of classrooms at the primary school, but was not caused by explosion. Also, the Police command’s spokesman, Samuel Tizhe, an Assistant Superintendent, confirmed the attack.

4 Boko Haram Suspects Killed

The Joint Task Force (JTF), Thursday, claimed its men gunned down four suspected members of Boko Haram on Wednesday in Maiduguri, Borno State. The Boko Haram sect, however, set five more schools on fire in the state. JTF's spokesman, Lt Col Hassan Mohammed, said the sect members might have been out for a deadly operation going by the heavy arms in their possession. Their refusal to stop at checkpoints, he said, prompted soldiers to trail them “and as they made an attempt to escape, our men did not waste chance to bring him down”.

33 Convicted over Human Trafficking, Child Abuse

Kano Zonal office of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons and Other Related Matters, (NAPTIP) has disclosed that 33 persons have been convicted for various human trafficking and child abuse offences over the past six years. The Zonal Director of the Agency, Khadeejah Bello said the agency is ready to address the scourge of Human Trafficking and its attendant human abuses and was licensed under the law to arrest, investigate, and prosecute human trafficking offenders. She also disclosed that over 1120 victims have been rehabilitated by the agency. Khadeejah Bello explained that 90 percent of the rehabilitated victims were female and minors.

Nigerian Gets 30 Years Jail Term for Drug Trafficking

A Nigerian, Adegboyega Adeniji, resident in the UK, has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for attempting to smuggle hard drugs worth about N1 billion into the United Kingdom. According to officers at the Heathrow Airport, the 48-year-old Nigerian was stopped and searched when he arrived in the UK on a flight from Amsterdam on 4 April 2011. Searches of his two suitcases revealed they contained 31 kilos of cocaine, 5 kilos of heroin and 2 kilos of methamphetamine all estimated to have a street value of over N1 billion [£4million]. A search of Adeniji’s flat in Regent’s Plaza, Kilburn, revealed 23 suitcases, many of which tested positive for traces of drugs. Jim Jarvie, Deputy Director of the UK Border Agency’s Criminal and Financial Investigation, said the true amount of drugs smuggled by the Nigerian will never be known. Adeniji admitted importation charges, but denied conspiring to import class-A drugs.

Soldier Shot Dead in Kano

Two gunmen on motorcycle shot dead a soldier outside the home of a senior military officer in Kano state. Gunmen suspected to be members of Boko Haram sect have in recent days resorted to drive-by shootings targeting security agents and residents they suspect are supplying information on the group to security personnel. Last week, five people including the head of a local vigilante group, were shot dead in a city mosque by two motorcycle-riding suspected Boko Haram gunmen.

Bomb Factory Blasts Kill 3

Officials in northern Nigeria said 3 men were killed on Friday when explosions went off at a secret bomb factory in Maiduguri. Commander of the Joint Task Force (JTF), Colonel Victor Ebhaleme, disclosed that the men were members of the radical Islamic sect Boko Haram. Joint Task Force members rushed to the area after the blasts destroyed a house in the residential Kaleri neighborhood. There, they discovered the mangled bodies of the men and a stash of homemade bombs.

Mob Protests Army Killing of Motorcyclist

Over 100 persons marched through the city of Kano to protest the alleged shooting to death of a motorcyclist on Sunday by government troops. Mustapha Sani, 25, was shot in the head and chest by soldiers at a checkpoint outside a bus terminus, witnesses said. The protesters called for the dismantling of military checkpoints in the city. The soldiers made no attempt to stop the protesters. The soldiers manning the checkpoints drove off in two military vans to avoid clashes. Residents have complained of harassment and extortion by security personnel at checkpoints that dot the city following the January 20 coordinated Boko Haram bomb and gun attacks that killed 185 people.

Boko Haram Declares “War” on Christians

A Nigerian spokesman for the violent Islamic militant sect, Boko Haram, on Sunday said that the group is planning a “war” on Christians in the next few weeks and will launch a number of attacks, coordinated and part of the plan to eradicate Christians from certain parts of the country. Boko Haram have taken responsibility for a number of bomb attacks on Christian churches across the country since a Christmas Day bombing left dozens of people killed. On Friday, the group reportedly killed three of its own members late on Friday in Maiduguri. The explosion in the Kaleri suburb of the northern city on Friday destroyed a house and dismembered the three Islamist sect members, Lieutenant Colonel Hassan Mohammed of the Joint Military Task Force (JTF), said. Other items recovered at the scene included remote control devices, wrist watch timers, metallic drums and copies of the Qur’an, he said.

Gunmen Kill 6 Police in Bank, Police Station Raids

Three policemen were killed in Bauchi when gunmen attacked a bank and a police station in Jama’a LGA. A resident, Muktar Dan-Abba, said that he saw bodies of two policemen being taken away. A third body was discovered under the rubble of the burnt-out station. The Caretaker Chairman of Jama’a LGA, Alhaji Adamu Aliyu Suleman, said he had gone round the affected areas to assess the situation, saying a police station and old generation bank were blown up by the gunmen. He said police bomb experts detonated 12 explosives at the premises of the affected bank. Similarly, Gunmen attacked the Shuwa Divisional Police Station in Madagali LGA of Adamawa State, penultimate Sunday night, killing three policemen. Report also indicated that some improvised explosive devices were used by the attackers. The state’s Police spokesman, Altine Daniel, confirmed the incident, and added that the deceased were of the rank of corporal.

NHRC Re-Strategises to Check Rights Violation

To stem the tide of multiplicity of human rights abuses in the country, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is to create a Human Rights and Atrocity Unit with the mandate of bringing violators to book. Chairperson of the commission’s Governing Council, Dr. Chidi Anselem Odinkalu, disclosed this after a two-day national dialogue on the state of human rights in Nigeria. Odinkalu said the workers in the new unit would be skilled to determine which kind of human rights case needs to be prosecuted, as well as to monitor proceedings on cases going on in the courts. The unit will, after proper examination of human rights abuses, demand fiat from the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice or other relevant government bodies for the prosecution of human rights violators, especially in cases of rape and sexual violence.

Army Cautions Motorists against Evading Checkpoints

The Nigerian Army has warned against the attitude of some members of the society who are in the habit of evading military checkpoints as well as joining official convoys on the highways. A statement signed by the director of army public relations, said the consequence of this practice is not only a breach of public security but posing grave danger and risk of attacks on security personnel. He advised the general public to note that criminals and attackers do employ ways and means to bluff their way through security checks in order to carry out their nefarious activities or evade arrest. Members of the public are advised to desist from joining official convoys illegally as it is dangerous to do so.

NIMET Alerts on Violent Storms

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) has warned that Nigerians should expect violent thunderstorms at the onset and cessation of this year’s rainy season. It stated that people should expect an upsurge in the frequency and intensity of the extreme weather in the coastal areas, which might cause flooding and landslides. However, the agency predicted that there might be normal rainfall pattern in the country, with the seasonal rainfall expected to vary from 300-1100mm in the north and 1200-2700mm in the South, leading to high surface runoff and flash flooding. Minister of Aviation, Mrs. Stella Oduah, warned that the severe rainstorms and strong winds in some isolated areas might lead to flight delay or cancellation. She charged airlines to obtain relevant details from NIMET before operating flights.

Properties Destroyed as Boko Haram, JTF, Engage in Shoot-Out

Boko Haram, Thursday, went on the rampage in Maiduguri, Borno State when members engaged Joint Task Force (JTF) soldiers in a shoot-out at a primary School. Properties estimated at millions of Naira were razed in the ensuing inferno. While the sect and soldiers engaged in gun fight, an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) believably planted within the Budum Primary School by Boko Haram went off. The JTF maintained that no life was lost in the incident. JTF spokesman, advised the people to report any threat to public property in their areas to security agents. This occurred as gunmen in Adamawa State on Tuesday, killed a police corporal. The gunmen killed a corporal, identified as Lukman Abdullahi, while police equally killed one of the attackers.

33 Houses Razed in Jigawa Inferno

No fewer than 33 houses have been destroyed in Tukuikwi village in Guri LGA of Jigawa State in a fire outbreak which started from a kitchen. The fire had resulted in the complete burning down of the entire neighbourhood while un- quantifiable valuables mostly farm produce and domestic animals were also lost. An eyewitness said the fire could have been put under control if fire service officials had been around early enough. The chairman of Guri Local Government Area, Alhaji Abdullahi Zugo, said the local government had constituted a committee that would assess the incident and proffer solution.

FG Deports 7,000 Illegal Immigrants

To curtail the terrorism acts of the violent Islamic sect, Boko Haram, the Federal Government has deported a total of 7,000 illegal immigrants, mainly from neighbouring Chad and Niger republics. Government officials had recently said the activities of the sect had been aided by illegal immigrants from these neighbouring countries. The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) confirmed the deportation, while threatening to prosecute the employers of illegal aliens. The NIS Public Relations Officer, Mr. Joachim Olumba, confirmed this. Nigeria had at the Council of Ministers of Economic Community of West African States meeting on February 15, in Abuja, cautioned member states to tighten their borders as Boko Haram had gone international.

FG Decentralises Power Distribution to States

Electricity distribution in Nigeria has been decentralized, giving states the right to build independent electricity distribution networks within areas not currently served by the Federal Government. To this effect, the National Council on Privatisation (NCP), chaired by Vice-President Namadi Sambo, has approved that 60 per cent of the shares of a distribution company be sold to core investors to allow state governments participate in the bidding consortia. It, however, restricted the overall federal and state government shares in such companies to 49 per cent, insisting government would not play any role in the management of the privatised successor companies.

Senate Halts Issuance of New Number Plates, Licenses by FRSC

The Senate has directed the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) to suspend immediately the implementation of the new driving license and vehicle number plates, giving reason that the innovation is creating hardship for Nigerians. The resolutions were reached after members debated the motion on the new FRSC scheme brought by Senator Aweisu Kuta. Moving the motion, Kuta said the Federal Road Safety Act empowered the commission to prevent and minimise accidents on the federal highways and not as a revenue generating agency for the government. According to him, the commission is likely to generate about N2bn annually as its own share of the new scheme, following the increase in the cost of production of licenses and number plates. He said the scheme was generating a public outrage at the moment, given that Nigerians are generally financially incapable of meeting the requirements of the new scheme due.

Police Arrest Two Suspected Rapists in Zamfara

Two suspected rapists have been arrested by the police in Zamfara State and they are now helping the police in their investigations. Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Sanusi Amiru, said that the two suspected rapists were Amiru Musa and Chukwuma Obi, who both committed the offences at different locations within the Gusau metropolis. Amiru, who lives at Hayin Dan Hausa quarters, was alleged to have raped two minor girls, whose ages were given as 3 years old, while Chukwuma, who lives at Sabon Hayan, entered a house and raped a 16 year old girl and stole a mobile phone. The police statement maintained that both cases were still under investigation.

INTERNATIONAL

Afghan Airport Hit by Car Bombing

A Taliban suicide car bomber killed at least nine people and wounded 10 others in a bomb attack at Jalalabad airport in Afghanistan.  The insurgents said the bombing was in revenge for a Koran-burning incident at a US air base. The burning, which the US says was unintentional, has sparked violent protests across the country. The airport serves both civilian and international military aircraft. Afghan President, Hamid Karzai, has appealed for calm amid anger at the incident at Bagram air base near Kabul, while US President, Barack Obama has tendered unreserved apology over the Koran burning. More than 30 people have been killed in the past five days, and further violence broke out on Sunday.

Yemen Gets New President

Yemen's new president, Abdurabu Mansur Hadi, penultimate Saturday, promised to continue the fight against al Qaeda, calling it "a religious and national duty" for citizens of his restive nation. Abdurabu Mansur Hadi was sworn-in penultimate Saturday in a ceremony that cements a power transfer deal reached in November to end months of protests and violence over outgoing leader Ali Abdullah Saleh's longtime rule. Hadi served as Saleh's vice president and became acting president in November. US President, Barack Obama, in a congratulatory message, said that the United States "will stand with the people of Yemen as they continue their efforts to forge a brighter future for their country". The 65-year-old Hadi is a British-, Egyptian- and Soviet-trained army officer, recently promoted to field marshal.

20 Killed in Yemeni Attack

As Yemen, penultimate Saturday, swore-in their new president, Abdurabu Mansur Hadi, in the capital, Sanaa, a deadly car bomb killed more than 20 security force members in another part of the nation. The explosion occurred in Hadramout province, near the presidential palace in Mukalla, a senior security official and an eyewitness said. No one has yet claimed responsibility. Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula is one of al Qaeda's strongest branches.

Activists Demand Release of Journalist Held by Libyan Militia

A militia in Libya is illegally holding two British journalists, refusing to turn them over to transitional government authorities, Human Rights Watch (HRW) has disclosed. The Saraya Swehli militia detained Nicholas Davies and Gareth Montgomery-Johnson in Tripoli since February 21, along with Libyans who accompanied them, HRW consultant Sidney Kwiram, said. A Saraya Swehli militia official said they detained the journalists and their Libyan colleagues because they found it suspicious that they were driving late at night and taking photos, and that both journalists did not have proper immigration papers.

North Korea Agree on Nuclear Halt

North Korea's new leadership said on Wednesday that it would suspend nuclear and missile tests and its uranium enrichment programme as part of a deal that also include US food aid. A North Korean foreign ministry spokesman said the US had promised 240,000 tonnes of "nutritional assistance", with the prospect of additional food aid for the North, which has suffered severe food shortages since a famine in the 1990s. The North said it would allow the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), to monitor the moratorium on uranium enrichment.

Al Qaeda Claims Responsibility for Yemen Attack

Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula has claimed responsibility for the presidential palace attack in Yemen's southern province of Hadramout. The attack resulted in the death of 21 guards and the injury of nine others. The attack occurred just after President Abdu Rabu Hadi was sworn in as Yemen's president. The attack was one of the deadliest terror attacks against security forces in recent years. Ali Saeed Obaid, spokesperson for the military committee, the highest security authority in the country, assured that the attack will not affect the security of the country.

Karzai Condemns Fatal Bombing at Military Airfield

Afghan President, Hamid Karzai, has condemned a suicide bombing Monday at a military airfield. This is the latest incident in a spike in violence after the unintentional burning of Qurans by NATO troops recently. At least nine people were killed and 12 wounded in the explosion near the front gate of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) base at Jalalabad airport, according to Gen. Abdulla Hazim Stanikzai, the provincial police chief. There were no NATO casualties. The Taliban insurgency said the attack was in retaliation for the Quran burning and said it hoped the attacks will continue.

Mexican Soldiers Kill 13 in Battle with Gunmen

Mexican troops killed 13 gunmen in a shootout in the border town of Nuevo Laredo, officials said. After the clash, soldiers seized several weapons, including 12 rifles and a grenade launcher, as well as drugs, the statement said. Mexico's northern border region has been the scene of intense gangland-style violence in recent years as powerful drug cartels have battled over lucrative trade routes to the north. Some 50,000 people are believed to have been killed since Mexico launched a massive military crackdown on the gangs in late 2006. Earlier on Thursday, seven decapitated bodies were dumped on a busy street in another northern Mexican town, along with messages attributed to a drug gang, officials said.

Injured Journalist Evacuated from Syria

Two journalists, Edith Bouvier and William Daniels, have managed to get out of Syria and are now safely in Lebanon, French President Nicolas Sarkozy has said. They both work for French newspaper, Le Figaro. Bouvier suffered serious leg injuries in the same blast that killed Sunday Times reporter, Marie Colvin and the French photographer, Remi Ochlik on February 22. The journalists were in a building housing a rebel press centre in the district of Baba Amr when it was shelled. British photographer, Paul Conroy was also wounded in the attack. Sarkozy refused to give any details about the extraction because he said there are still other journalists still trying to get to safety.

11 Dead as Tornadoes Hit US Cities

A deadly string of tornadoes caused destruction across the US, killing at least 11 people and destroying homes and properties. The town of Harrisburg, Illinois was the hardest hit after it was ripped apart by a deadly twister. At least six people were killed and more than 100 injured in this southern Illinois town of 9,000. Rescue crews were digging through the rubble to search for survivors.