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Latest News: Training and recruitment is ongoing - Wednesday, 02 March 2011 22:54

week 13

PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

Shell Ordered to pay Five Imo Communities N4b

A Federal High Court in Port Harcourt has awarded N4 billion as general damages against Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), in favour of five communities in Imo State for a 2007 crude oil spill after a Shell pipeline ruptured along the Egbema-Assa delivery line, affecting the communities. Prior to the suit, N900 million as ex-gratia was given by Shell to the communities, for which they were compelled to sign an undertaking that the full and final settlement for the oil spill had been made. Justice Gladys Olotu, in her judgement, observed that the word ex-gratia means favour and not right. She said the agreement with the communities cannot act as estoppel on their rights to claim adequate compensation.

Bayelsa gets Naval Command

The Federal Government has announced the establishment of a new naval base known as the Central Naval Command in Brass LLGA of Bayelsa State to tackle issues of illegal oil bunkering and piracy along the waterways and creeks of the Niger Delta region. The Central Naval Command is expected to operate in close cooperation with the existing Western and Eastern Naval Commands in Lagos and Cross River states. The Flag Officer of the new Command, Rear Admiral Johnson Olutoyin, said there was an urgent need for increased naval presence in the creeks and waterways of the country. The new command would cover Bayelsa, Kogi, Delta, Edo and Anambra states.

Ex-Militants Blow-up Agip Flow Station

Gunmen, suspected to be disarmed militants, last weekend, blew up an Agip Flow Station in Bayelsa State. They claimed it was in protest against the gross underdevelopment in Niger Delta. The leader of the group, “General” Cairo, alleged that the Federal Government had not done anything tangible to develop the region. Cairo, who is the leader of the Movement for the Survival of Niger Delta Disarmed Youths (MOSODY), said though he and his men had surrendered their arms, they were not included in the post-amnesty programme. He said nobody was killed in the attack on the Agip flow station and the group would continue the attack until President Jonathan shifts his attention to the development of the region.

Police Arrest Robbery/Kidnap Kingpin

Detectives from the Police command in Rivers have arrested a suspected armed robbery/kidnap syndicate leader alleged to have been involved in the kidnap of a woman in 2011. The state police spokesman, Ben Ugwuegbulam, said the suspect was arrested by a combined team of Anti-Kidnap Unit (AKU) and Egbeda Police Division. The police spokesman said the suspect and other members of his gang were allegedly involved in the abduction of one Eunice on November 21, 2011. Ugwuegbulam stated that Eunice was successfully rescued four days after she was abducted. The spokesman said apart from their alleged involvement in the kidnap of Eunice, the gang had also been terrorising travellers on Egbeda—Omoku road in the state.

1 Killed, 2 Shot as Robbers Attack Onitsha

Three persons were on Monday shot and one killed when armed robbers attacked a wholesale shop in Onitsha. The armed robbers numbering about five stormed the warehouse of the victim, shooting sporadically in the air and killed the victim in the process. Some eyewitness account said the victim was shot when he refused to part with the money in his office. Similarly a policeman and one other person were also shot in another robbery attack at Okpoko also within Onitsha. The Anambra state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Emeka Chukwuemeka, confirmed the incident and said there is serious man-haunt for the armed robbers.

Timber Market Gutted By Fire

The multi-million naira Enugu timber market was again gutted by a mysterious fire, penultimate Sunday, destroying property worth over N50 million. The incident came barely three months after a similar inferno engulfed the market, destroying property worth over N300 million. It was learnt that men of Enugu State Fire Service were alerted when the inferno was noticed but before they could arrive, shops in the affected line had been burnt beyond redemption. An eyewitness, however, said but for the effort of the fire service men, the entire market would have been gutted because of the intensity of the raging fire. The state government had stationed a fire fighting machine in the markets, but the officials could not respond to the incident as the equipment was said to be faulty.

Enugu Police Arrests 2 Armed Robbery Suspects

The Enugu State Police Command has arrested two armed robbery suspects. The command's spokesman, Mr Ebere Amaraizu, on Wednesday, said that the men were caught with a locally-made pistol. He said the suspects were arrested, while they were in the process of snatching a motorcycle. He said the armed men were apprehended following a distress call to the police from members of the public.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

JTF Kills 4 Kidnappers in Delta

Luck ran out of four suspected kidnappers, last weekend in Isele-Kpetime, Delta State as they were killed by men of the Joint Task Force (JTF). On seeing the patrol team, the gunmen opened fire on the team and in the ensuing gun battle four of them were killed. The suspects, who wore charms of various shapes, rode in two cars. Other items recovered from them include three AK 47 rifles, one pump action, 15 AK 47 magazines, 341 round of live ammunition, six live cartridges and six phones. A kidnapped victim had identified one of the hoodlums as member of the gang that kidnapped him recently. He was released at the weekend just when the kidnapped wife of the state commissioner for basic education regained her freedom after her family was said to have parted with undisclosed sum of money.

Gunmen Kill Banker, 7 Others in Sapele

Gunmen, last weekend, killed a bank manager and seven others in Sapele, Delta State. A source said that the killers, who claimed to be unemployed and hungry, were incensed that their victims were busy drinking and eating, while they (killers) were starving. But another source claimed that the husband of one of the women, who was killed, hired cultists to invade the beer parlour, alleging that his wife was cheating on him. The Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, Charles Muka, said that only five persons were confirmed dead, while two were rushed to the hospital.

Robbers Raid Banks in Edo, Kill Beautician

Dare devil armed robbers, in a raid in Ekpoma, Edo State, on Thursday, killed a beautician and carted away undisclosed amount of money. The robbers, numbering about 10, operated in two banks for about 30 minutes. The fierce looking robbers stormed the banks which exist few meters from each other, with sophisticated weapons, shooting sporadically, causing residents to scamper for safety in terror. It was learnt that the robbers killed a female hair beautician, popularly called “hair dresser”. It was gathered that efforts made by the men of the Operation Thunder Storm and regular police men, were futile as the robbers operated successfully and exited through the Sabongida- Ifon Road.

DELSU Lecturers Protest Abduction of Colleagues

Academic activities at the Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, were, on Monday, disrupted, following a protest by lecturers over the abduction of their colleagues. A lecturer and another staff, who is married to a commissioner, were allegedly taken away by unidentified gunmen recently. The lecturers condemned in strong terms the spate of kidnappings in the state. The Police Public Relations Officers (PPRO), Charles Muka, however, said that the command had not received the report of the kidnapped lecturer, since the report of the commissioner’s wife. The state’s commissioner of police, Ikechukwu Aduba, agreed that the state was under the siege of criminals. He declared war on kidnappers, with the killing of four suspected kidnappers in Aniocha North, penultimate Sunday.

Kidnapped Journalist Escapes from Kidnappers Den

A journalist and former staff of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Prince Monday Whiskey, kidnapped during the week in Warri, successfully escaped from his captors by climbing through a window, police said on Wednesday. Delta state police spokesman, Charles Muka, however would not give details. The Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) state chairman, Norbert Chiazor, said Whiskey was kidnapped in front of his house on Monday night and taken to another location outside Warri, and that the kidnappers had demanded a ransom of 10 million naira. Chiazor said Whiskey escaped when the guard looking after him left the building. The police said no arrest had been made.

Lebanese Abducted, Released in Edo

An Edo State-based Lebanese businessman, whose name was given as Sarkis, was on Tuesday, abducted by men suspected to be kidnappers. Sarkis, who is the Managing Director of Reality Nigeria, was reportedly abducted from his residence in Auchi. Sources said the gunmen scaled the fence of Sarkis residence to gain access after which he was taken away to an undisclosed destination. But the director general of the Department of Immigrants at the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Haitham Jomaa, announced on Friday that Sarkis has been released. Jomaa said the motive behind the kidnapping was related to family conflicts rather than part of organized crime. He also said that Lebanon’s Consul to Nigeria, Shawqi Abu Naser, had informed him of the release and that Sarkis was in good condition

Gunmen Kidnap Mother of Monarch

Gunmen, numbering about six, on Wednesday, kidnapped Mrs. Okpa Omene, a 102-year-old mother of the Ovie of Mosogar Kingdom, Ethiope West LGA of Delta State, HRM Samson Omene, Udurhie I. The kidnappers have reportedly demanded N100 million as ransom for her release. She was kidnapped from her Ugbomoya waterside village at about 7pm. The Mosogar Monarch, Samuel Omene; President-General of Mosogar community, Chief Joseph Omene and former chairman of Ethiope West Local Government, Dr. Wilson Omene, who are all sons of the victim, pleaded with the kidnappers to free their mother. The kidnappers have reportedly demanded for a ransom of N50 million for her release. Hoodlums have also burgled the Mosogar country home of a former Commissioner for Housing in the state, Chief Abraham Bobor.

Lawmakers Call for Investigation into Sapele Killing

Delta State House of Assembly has called for investigation into the killing of nine persons at a relaxation spot in Sapele, last weekend. The assembly called on the state governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, to direct the police and, as well, establish a joint task force in the area and Ukwuani LGA, where cult attacks had left innocent citizens dead or wounded. Former speaker, Honourable Martin Okonta and Honourable Joan Amechi, believed that a pragmatic law empowering local vigilance groups to fight crime was imperative as they made it clear that security challenges could not be checked without addressing the root causes of the problems, which, she said, included unemployment

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

Two Killed In Lagos Violence, as Police Avert Bloody Clash

The Lagos State Police Command, Monday, averted a bloody clash between factions of hoodlums in Mile 12 area. The clash was said to have been triggered by the death of a member of one of the factions in the area who allegedly stole a motorcycle belonging to the other faction. Area Commander in charge of Area ‘H’ Command, Ojota, said that policemen had been dispatched to maintain peace in the area. He added that two persons were arrested over the matter. In another incident, a gunman, penultimate Sunday, in Shomolu area of Lagos allegedly opened fire on a middle-aged businessman and killed him on the spot. Lagos State Police spokesman, Joseph Jaiyeoba, confirmed the incident.

Egba Chief Found Dead in Lake

An Egba Chief, Apagun Oluwole Olumide, allegedly committed suicide, penultimate Friday in Abeokuta, Ogun State. Olumide allegedly took his own life after he plunged into an artificial lake located within the beach, which he had managed along with others for over two decades as a business venture. Emerging facts have raised doubts over reports Olumide committed suicide. This is as an official of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) disclosed that Olumide had requested for the release of his Nigerian passport because he wanted to travel out of the country. Son of the deceased, Seyi, also said that his father was not troubled in anyway to have warranted committing suicide. Olumide was interrogated for four days, during which he was said to have cooperated fully with the EFCC over the investigation. Olumide’s remains were buried on Monday, even as the state government insisted on an autopsy.

EFCC Arrests Chairman of Ondo Oil Agency

The chairman of the Ondo State Oil-Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC), Debo Ajimuda, was, on Tuesday, arrested by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Ajimuda, who was said to have been on the watch list of the anti-graft body for two weeks, was picked up in a bush by the about 20 operatives near his palatial home at the highbrow Alagbaka quarters of the metropolis. The operatives had laid a six-hour siege at the residence. But the anti-graft agents were said to have been convinced that the man was hiding somewhere when they saw his glasses and phones on a table in his study. Armed with a search warrant, the operatives searched the building for documents and had to break the door of Ajimuda’s private study when the wife allegedly refused to hand over the keys. The EFCC is believed to be acting on a petition written by a group against the operations of the commission.

Oyo Labour Leaders Arrested, 7 Injured

The caretaker committee chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Oyo State, Bayo Akande and four other officials have been arrested for their alleged roles in the ongoing face-off between the workers and the state government, over the non-implementation of the N18,000 minimum wage. It was learnt that the NLC officials were picked up in the early hours of the day, at the NLC secretariat. Workers in the state had commenced strike on Monday, following the release of a salary table by the state government which they had since rejected. The state Commissioner of Police, Muhammed Tambari Yabo, who confirmed the arrest of the unionist, said the NLC boss assaulted some school principals, saying that his action was capable of causing disturbance. But the union, promptly appointed an interim head, saying that the arrest of their leader would not deter them.

Kidnappers Killed in Failed Abduction of Bank Manager

A gang of eight kidnappers abducted the Osogbo branch manager of GTBank on Wednesday. The incident was immediately reported at the Moremi Police Station and frantic efforts were made by policemen and members of the community to rescue him. Luck ran against the kidnappers when the first vehicle they used to kidnap him developed fault, while another vehicle snatched at gun point to ferry him suffered the same fate. They were trailed by the police to a point where the kidnappers were engaged in gun duel which subsequently led to the death of two of the kidnappers, while six were arrested. Commissioner of Police, Mrs. Helen Kalafite Adeyemi, who confirmed the incident, said it took men of her command several hours to rescue the victim from the kidnappers. The police boss equally confirmed that two of the gang members were killed in the shootout while the rest were apprehended.

Drug Suspect Arrested with 2 Travel Documents

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have apprehended a suspected drug trafficker with two travel documents in a bid to evade arrest. The suspect, Ogbobe Franklin, 43, tested positive for drug ingestion at the International Wing of the Murtalla Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos. According to Mr Hamza Umar, the NDLEA Commander at MMIA, luck ran out on the suspect, when officers detected another travel document in his pants -a Nigerian passport with an Emirate ticket to Malaysia. Both flights were boarding simultaneously,” Hamza stated. Preliminary investigation revealed that his plan was to be screened as a Togo-bound passenger only to board an Emirate flight to Kaula, Lumpur International Airport, Malaysia. While under observation, he excreted 58 wraps of the substances.

One Killed in NITEL Building Collapse

A labourer, Matthew Adesuyi, was crushed to death while four others sustained varying degrees of injuries after a building being refurbished, collapsed on the premises of the Nigerian Telecommunications Limited in Oshodi, Lagos. One of the labourers, who identified himself simply as Sodiq, said three others were trapped in the rubble but a team of rescuers were able to rescue two while one other person remained trapped for hours. A combined team of, firefighters, officials of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps tried for hours to rescue the last victim, but he later died.

Hausa/Yoruba Bike Riders Clash in Ekiti

No fewer than 15 persons were, on Wednesday, wounded in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State during a clash between Yoruba and Hausa commercial bike “okada” riders. The matter, which started as mere intra-union squabble, nearly resulted into a full blown ethnic clash, but for quick intervention of the policemen. The development paralyzed commercial activities in the State capital, as okada riders, market men and women as well as some banks hurriedly closed their shops and stopped work for the day. The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Maishanu, who said nobody has been arrested in connection with the mayhem, stated that the matter started when a Hausa okada rider refused to pay his due, which enraged his Yoruba counterpart. The Police Commissioner said he instructed his men not to make any arrest in order not to escalate the violence.

GENERAL

Gunmen Kill 10 in Kaduna Village

Gunmen, last weekend, attacked three villages in Chikun LGA of Kaduna, searching homes and shooting specific people one by one. According to witnesses, the attackers were young men, wearing civilian clothes and camouflage-like uniform. They promised to come back to unleash more terror, an eyewitness said. The state’s police spokesman Aminu Lawal said an investigation was ongoing and promised to bring the perpetrators to justice. Boko Haram denied responsibility for the attack. The state Commissioner of Police, Mohammed J. Abubakar said the attack was in connection to the last April post general election crisis. Identifying the gunmen as Fulani herdsmen, he pointed out that they were probably revenging the killing and loss of their kinsmen, cows and vehicles during the post-election crisis. It was learnt that victims in the three villages of Dayi, Dukunu and Kufara could not get any help because of the remote nature of the areas.

Nigeria, UK Partner to Battle Drug Cartels, Couriers

In a renewed effort to tackle illicit drug trafficking, the United Kingdom and Nigeria are to beam their searchlights on assets and finances of drug cartels and couriers. This was the accord reached during a visit by the Director of Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA), Britain, David Armond and other senior security experts at the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). The Director-General of NDLEA, Mr. Femi Ajayi, who received the SOCA delegation, expressed optimism that the visit would further deepen the working relationship between both countries. Responding, Mr Armond said Britain is interested in partnering Nigeria on tracing the illicit proceeds of drug traffickers, particularly assets of Nigerians convicted in the UK for drug trafficking.

Senate Warns Oil Operators over Spills

The Senate, on Monday, warned oil operators, that reckless operations that result to oil will no longer be accepted. Committee Chairman on Environment and Ecology, Bukola Saraki said the Senate would amend where necessary legislation to secure and preserve “our environment from oil spill related pollution. Saraki said the upper chamber had started this through the process of amending the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) Bill with deterrent penalties, which, he said, would also strengthen oil operators to improve their internal maintenance and safety measures. He stated further that the Senate would make sure that all necessary legislations aimed at tackling all environmental problems in the country including desert encroachment, gully erosion, and coaster erosion would be enacted in the life of the current Assembly.

Soldiers Kill Boko Haram Members in Kano

The Joint Military Task Force (JTF), on Wednesday, killed nine and arrested two suspected Boko Haram members who attacked Tudun Wada LGA of Kano State. The gunmen were said to be making attempts to escape after they used explosives to attack a police headquarters, the Divisional Police Officer and set fire to a nearby bank, when soldiers struck. The General Officer Commanding, 3rd Brigade Nigeria Army, Brig-Gen. Iliyasu Abba, said the JTF raced to the area to confront the hoodlums, stopping them from carting away money from the bank. He paraded the suspects and weapons recovered. The weapons included several pistols and AK-47 assault rifles, ammunition and police body armour. Abba advised the residents to always maintain safe distance during combat operation to avoid being hit by stray bullets. He assured them that the JTF would respond to any distress call and restore peace to troubled areas.

Freed Emirati Hostage Returns Home

Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister, Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, received an Emirati citizen, Mohammed Khamis Majid, who was sent home after he was freed from his kidnappers in Nigeria. Sheikh Saif expressed appreciation to the family of Khamis for their cooperation with the special police team tasked with the operation. Khamis was kidnapped while on a business trip in Nigeria in January.

Fire Razes Katsina Governor’s Office

An inferno, on Wednesday, razed the office of Katsina State Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema, destroying vital documents and property. Deputy Governor Abdullahi Garba Faskari said the fire started at about 2pm and lasted for one hour. He said the inferno was caused by an electrical fault but noted that the government would set up an investigative panel to find out the cause and recommend measures to prevent future occurrence. It was also gathered that the office was locked when the fire started as Shema was in Kaduna State for the PDP zonal congress. Fire service officials and other government staff had to remove part of the roofing sheets to be able to put off the fire. The office was razed in 2010 when the governor was also out of the state.

Suspected Sect Members Attempt Jailbreak

At least 10 prison officials escaped death on Monday, when some prisoners attempting jailbreak started a riot at the Jimeta prisons. The prisoners, suspected to be members of Boko Haram, had attacked some officials of the prison immediately after the morning roll call. The officer in charge of the prison, Mohammed Gwami, inmates threw stones and sticks at him and other officials and refused to go back to their cells. He stated that he had to send a distress call to the state comptroller of prison and the police and that the prompt arrival of the riot police men saved the situation from degenerating completely. About 20 prison inmates believed to be Boko Haram members were recently transferred from Maiduguri Prisons to the Jimeta facility. Two prisoners who assisted the prison officials from being lynched were held in protective custody at the Jimeta police station.

NAMA Calls for Installation of Military Radar for Surveillance

The managing director of Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Nnamdi Udoh, has stressed the need for the installation of a military radar system at the nation’s airports to enhance surveillance and security of the airspace. The NAMA boss, who said this while receiving the Commander, Quick Response Force (QRS), Air Commodore Ben Chiobi, at the Agency’s headquarters in Lagos, also urged the Nigerian Air Force to pursue the installation of military radar in the country. According to him, with the successful operation of the Total Radar Coverage of Nigeria (TRACON), the country should now desire the military version of the system to secure the airspace for defence purposes.

Gunmen Attack Police Staff College

Two policemen were, on Monday, wounded in a shootout with gunmen at the Police Staff College, Jos. The injured policemen were among the policemen by the gate when the gunmen arrived at about 11:30 pm. A police officer said before the gunmen began to attack the policemen from both sides of the gate, they first destroyed security lights. The residents living close to the area said the gunmen had arrived in a vehicle and parked a distance away from the school. The two wounded policemen were rushed to Bingham University Teaching Hospital (BUTH) where they are presently receiving treatment.

2 Killed in Kano, as Boko Haram Denies Dialogue with FG

The violent Islamist sect, Boko Haram, killed two civilians and injured one person in Kano on Tuesday. The Kano state Police spokesman, Magaji Musa Majiya, said the gunmen came on motorcycles and shot the two people. He, however, stated that before the police team arrived at the scene, the gunmen had fled. He also said investigation into the incident had commenced. Meanwhile, the sect has said there will be no negotiation between it and government, until their initial request is met. The request is the unconditional release of all their members.

Gunmen, Cop Killed in Katsina

Four persons were shot dead at Dankama in Kaita LGA of Katsina on Wednesday when about 15 gunmen opened fire sporadically at the cattle market in the village. Investigations revealed that one of the gunmen, who stormed the market was however, gunned down by the police. The spokesman of the state police command, Shehu Koko Mohammed, who confirmed the incident said the police arrived the scene after the suspected robbers fired several rounds into the air sporadically, robbed and fled but the police gave the bandit a hot chase and killed one of them. Mohammed, who attributed the response of the police to a new patrol system launched by the new Commissioner of Police in Katsina, Abdullahi Magaji, said about 16 suspected armed robbers had been nabbed in the state since the launch of the patrol system.

Bauchi gets New CP

The out-going Police Commissioner in Bauchi State, Mr. Ikechukwu Aduba, has disclosed that for the period of eight months he served in the state, the journey was not easy for him. He lamented that instead of assisting the police whenever hoodlums attacked some of his outpost stations, the people praised the hoodlums. Aduba spoke on Wednesday while handing over to his successor, Mallam Mohammed Ladan, who was transferred from Oyo State. He, however, disclosed that the rate of crimes and terrorist activities have drastically reduced in the state due to the security measures put in place such as the formation of the Special Anti-Robbery Squads (SARS), which, according to him, brought relative peace to the state. Ladan asked the general public to report to the command whenever they notice any unlawful acts by a policeman in the state, and vowed to deal with corrupt officers in the Police who tarnish the reputation of the command.

Boko Haram Factional Leader Killed

There was a reported excitement in the camp of Boko Haram leader, Sheikh Abubakar Shekau, over the reported death of a factional militant leader, Abu Mohammed. It is believed that that the Shekau group indirectly helped with the information that led to the location of the hostages held by the Mohammed group in Sokoto, although the rescue operation failed as the two foreigners were killed by their captors. The Shekau faction of the Boko Haram might have inadvertently given the intelligence that led to the arrests of Mohammed and his cohorts.

JTF Raids Suspected Boko Haram Hideout

A raid carried out by the Joint Task Force on suspected members of the Boko Haram sect resulted in the killing of undisclosed number of the sect members on Saturday, while several others were injured. Some of the weapons seized from them, are two AK47, 81 rounds of 7.2MM ammunition, 36 rounds of 5.56, ammunition, two magazines, one pistol, with several other items. Several bodies were shattered following a heavy explosion from a bomb-laden car parked at the premises of the suspected house. Brigade Commandant of the 3 Brigade Command Kano, Brigadier-General Illiyasu Abba, confirmed the raid. Abba said authorities arrested four wives and eight children at the compound after the blast, which left broken glass, blood and part of the home destroyed.

Abducted Sailors Released

Two Russian and one Filipino Seamen from the ship "Breeze Clipper", kidnapped by suspected pirates in February, were released Saturday, according to reports from the inspector of the International Federation of Transport Workers, Piotr Osichansky. According to him, the sailors are doing well. On February 28th pirates had carried out an attack on the vessel and captured the sailors. They approached the ship on a small boat, opened fire upon it, and then searched the crew, seizing all their valuables.

2 Killed by Gunmen in Borno

Authorities say suspected members of a radical Islamist sect have shot and killed an Islamic cleric and another man. They also planted a bomb at a local primary school in Borno state on Friday morning, but nobody was wounded in the blast. Borno state police spokesman, Samuel Tizhie, said the cleric and a shoe cobbler died in a Thursday night shooting. Meanwhile, the spokesman of JTF in Borno State, Lt Col Sagir Musa, has confirmed that, some Boko Haram members, at the weekend, attacked a JTF operation location along Abbaganaram and Railway quarters, but the attack was repelled. Three Boko Haram members were killed, while an AK-47 rifle with 200 rounds of .722mm special ammunition recovered.

AQIM Claims Kidnap of German in Nigeria

Al-Qaeda's North Africa branch, Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) on Wednesday, said it was holding a German engineer, Edgar Fritz Raupach, kidnapped in Nigeria in January. The group added that it wanted to swap him for a jailed Muslim woman, Felis Lowitz. Lowitz, whose Muslim name was given as Um Seiv Al-Islam-Al-Ansariya, was said to be detained in Germany where she was being "tortured". AQIM warned that any attempt to rescue Raupach will lead to his death. The kidnap of Raupach has led to a manhunt mounted by a combined team of security operatives in the country. The police said they had no immediate "clear suspicions" as to who were behind the kidnap.

Defence Minister Tasks Experts on ICT Solution

Minister of Defence, Dr. Bello Mohammed, has called on experts in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) to develop software solution that will address the state of insecurity in the country. The minister described the current national challenges facing the country in the area of security, as a call for all ICT stakeholders to task themselves to come up with novel solutions to meet the challenges of the time.

INTERNATIONAL

Soldiers Seize Power in Mali,
…World Leaders Condemn Military Takeover

Rebel troops have seized control of Mali after attacking the presidential palace. The rebels said that a nationwide curfew was in force and that the constitution had been suspended. The mutineers say the government is not giving them enough arms to tackle a rebellion by ethnic Tuaregs. A spokesperson for the rebels, identified as Lt Amadou Konare, said they had ended the "incompetent regime" of President Amadou Toumani Toure. There has not yet been any reaction from President Toure and his whereabout is not known. World leaders have condemned the military action, which had been one of the most stable democracies in Africa in the last 20 years. While the United States urged the "immediate restoration" of constitutional rule, President Goodluck Jonathan insisted that Nigeria would not recognise the rebels. The Chairman of the African Union Commission, Jean Ping, condemned the rebellion, saying it has “no justification whatsoever”.

Afghan Shooting: Soldier Faces 17 Counts of Murder

Army Staff Sgt. Robert Bales faces 17 counts of murder and six counts of assault and attempted murder when he is charged Friday for his alleged role in the killings of Afghan villagers, a senior U.S. official said. Bales, 38, stands accused of leaving a remote outpost in Kandahar province's Panjwai district on March 11 and going on a deadly house to house rampage. U.S. and Afghan officials initially said 16 people, including nine children, were killed. The official could not explain why the count is now 17, when 16 were reportedly killed. Afghan government officials in Kabul said the death toll remained at 16, and that they did not have record of another death.

Australia Arrest Fugitive Murder Suspect

Malcolm Naden, who evaded a seven-year manhunt in Australia, is finally caught by police and has been charged with murder, among other offences. The 38-year-old former abattoir worker was arrested in a midnight raid after 20 officers with a dog squad surrounded a house in New South Wales. Australia's most wanted man had been on the run since 2005 after allegedly killing a woman.

Gunman Dead as Toulouse Siege Ends

An al Qaeda-inspired gunman who killed seven people in France is dead after police stormed his apartment in the southern city of Toulouse on Thursday. Mohamed Merah, a 23-year-old French citizen of Algerian origin, who has confessed to killing three Jewish children and four adults, was dead, but there was no official confirmation. President Nicolas Sarkozy's office had no immediate comment. The media reports said three police commandos were wounded in a shootout with the suspect. Gunfire rang out for around four minutes as Special Forces entered the five-storey building where Merah had been hiding out since early on Wednesday, but the shooting later ceased.

Bombings Kill 10 in Iraq

A spate of car bombings rocked Iraq on Tuesday, on the ninth anniversary of the US-led invasion. The violence left at least 10 dead and 59 injured in Baghdad, Hilla and Kirkuk. In central Baghdad, a suicide car explosion killed at least two people, police said. In Kirkuk, three separate car bombings killed eight people, while in Hilla another car explosion injured seven people. Iraqi officials have expressed concern that the continuing violence could cast a shadow as Iraq prepares to host the next Arab summit on March 29. The government said last month that logistical and security arrangements had been agreed upon for the event. The attacks on Tuesday come nine years to the day that a U.S.-led army invaded Iraq on March 20, 2003, toppling longtime dictator Saddam Hussein.

North Korea Invites Nuclear Inspectors

North Korea has invited the International Atomic Energy Agency to return, nearly three years after it kicked U.N. nuclear inspectors out of the country, the IAEA said on Monday. IAEA officials are considering the offer, which was sent Friday, agency spokeswoman, Gill Tudor, said. No details of the invitation were released. North Korea threw IAEA inspectors out of its Yongbyon nuclear complex in April 2009, about a month before it conducted its second nuclear weapons test. The invitation comes as the North plans to launch a satellite atop a long-range rocket -a move the United States warned would jeopardize a food-aid agreement reached in early March. The launch has been condemned as a back-door missile test, something long-impoverished North Korea agreed to forgo in exchange for food. U.S. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said last week that planning for the food shipments was "relatively far advanced," but the deal could be put on hold if Pyongyang went ahead with its rocket launch