Villeworth Security Services Ltd

week 1

PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

JTF Quizzes Four Suspected Militants

Detectives of the Joint Task Force (JTF) in the Niger Delta have begun the interrogation of four suspected members of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), who were captured in the Christmas Day attack on a National Agip Oil Company (NAOC) facility in Bayelsa State. They are the first suspected militants to be taken alive by the task force since the outbreak of violence. The Coordinator, Joint Media Campaign Centre, Lt.-Col. Rabe Abubakar, confirmed the report but declined comment on the whereabouts of the suspects.

Yar’Adua Charges Navy on Niger Delta, Assures of Support

President Umaru Yar'Adua has identified militancy in the Niger Delta and the protection of the Gulf of Guinea as some of the major challenges the nation's navy should tackle. Yar'Adua charged the Navy to see its role beyond routine naval operations and assured them of the Federal Government's maximum support for the effective discharge of their responsibilities.

Explosions in Rivers State

At least four persons have been hospitalized following severe burns they suffered in one of the fire outbreaks reported in two-oil installation in Rivers State. The fire incidents were recorded in K-Dere oil well 44 and the Bomu flowstation owned by Shell Petroleum. Preliminary investigation of the K-Dere incident revealed that unknown persons had attempted to steal oil from the installation, when the explosion occurred. The cause of the inferno at the Bomu facility was not immediately known.

Mother of Security Manager Abducted

The mother of the security manager of the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC), Mr. Bari Nwibani, was kidnapped by unknown gunmen in Ogoniland, Rivers state. The armed gang was said to have invaded Madam Nwibanis village home in Luebara in Khana LGA and dragged her away amidst gunshots. No group has claimed responsibility.

JTF Gives Conditions to Scale Down Operations in 2009

The Commander of the Joint Task Force (JTF) in the Niger Delta, Brig.-Gen. Wuyep Rimtip, Tuesday, hinted of a possible demilitarisation of the region next year. But he said genuine peace must return to the region for the task force to report to the Defence Headquarters on the need to scale down military presence.

Suspected Militant Leader, Soboma Japkri, Arrested

Soldiers of the Joint Task Force (JTF), penultimate Sunday, arrested a suspected militant leader, Soboma Japkri, at Buguma in Asari-Toru LGA of Rivers State. It was gathered that Soboma (a.k.a Ebiere Papa) was arrested from the Palace of the Amayanabo of Kalabari Kingdom, Prof. TJT Princewill. But the JTF spokesperson, Lt-Col. Musa Sagir, described the report as untrue. But same report was confirmed to be true by Alhaji Mujaheed Dokubo-Asari, a one-time militant leader.

Kidnappers of Expatriates Explain Reasons for Kidnap

Militants under the aegis of the Niger Delta Militants Force Squad (NDMFS) have claimed responsibility for last weekend’s attack on the Aluminium Smelter Company of Nigeria (ALSCON), at Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom State. Two Russian expatriates working for the firm were abducted in the incident. Although no ransom was demanded by the militants, the group said the attack resulted from the non-payment of severance benefits to former workers after the company was acquired by UC RUSAL of Russia.

MEND gives Ultimatum for Release of Its Members

Members of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has given both the police and the River State government a two-week ultimatum to produce one of their members allegedly arrested at the wake of a fresh violence in the state last year. They allege the member, Frederick Ogiesebo, was taken away along with several others by soldiers attached to the Joint Task Force (JTF).

Five Feared Killed in New Year’s Day Clash in Rivers

About five persons were feared killed in a clash in Asarama Community in Andoni LGA of Rivers State on January 1. It was gathered that the clash followed tension over renewed chieftaincy and political crises gripping the area. Spokesperson of the State Police Command, Mrs. Rita Inoma-Abbey, confirmed the incident and said that the police authorities deployed a detachment of mobile police to the area to contain the situation.

Anambra to Enact Law against Kidnapping

The Anambra State government is to enact a law that would provide for capital punishment as penalty for kidnapping, the governor, Mr. Peter Obi has said.  The governor said that he would send an executive bill to the state House of Assembly on the issue and explained that a directive has already been given to the state police command to redouble its efforts in combating the crime of kidnapping and murder.

Generator Fume Kills 12

Twelve people, Wednesday, suffocated to death from a generator fume at Obile in Ohaji district of Ohaji/Egbema LGA of Imo state. Reports said that the victims of the generator fume died when a power generating was placed at the passage of the house, with the front door of the house shut.

Three Suspected Robbers, Kidnappers Held in Bayelsa

Banks and the customers in Yenagoa, at the weekend breathed a sigh of relief as police arrested three armed robbers who were caught by angry mob in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. One of the robbers allegedly died after he received two gunshots on his knee, when the police tried to disarm him. The robbers had trailed a customer from a Bank to the Sanni Abacha Express way and robbed him at gunpoint.  But luck ran against them when a stand-by vehicle immediately chased and brushed them down in front of another Bank, on same Road, while they were trying to escape with two bikes.  An angry mob immediately gathered, throwing missiles and hitting them with various instruments, ready to burn the suspects alive before police intervened.

Akwa Ibom to Fight Militants with Helicopters

Worried by the recent upsurge in militants’ activities, the Akwa Ibom State government is set to battle the scourge in the New Year. According to Governor Godswill Akpabio, if the 2009 Appropriation Bill of N195.3 billion is approved by the House of Assembly, the government would acquire helicopters for aerial monitoring of the state. He said the security network on both water and land would be boosted with manpower and infrastructure to contain the menace.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

Edo Police Apprehend Car Snatcher

Edo State Police Command has apprehended a middle-aged man believed to be a member of a notorious armed syndicate, which specialised in snatching exotic vehicles in Delta State. The suspect, Adekunle Komolafe, was arrested at Ehor town in Uhunmwonde LG Council, Edo State, while driving a 2008 model Toyota Camry car earlier snatched at gun point in Warri, Delta State, to Kano State.

Five Ghanaians, Nigerian Arrested for Alleged Illegal Oil Bunkering

Five Ghanaians and a Nigerian were on Monday arrested by the Joint Task Force (JTF) for alleged illegal bunkering in Warri, Delta State. The foreigners and their Nigerian counterparts were arrested aboard a tanker, which bore a Nigerian flag. The Joint Media Campaign Coordinator, Lt.-Col. Rabe Abubakar, said the suspects were arrested around the Chanomi Creek with substances suspected to be crude oil. Abubakar also said that the JTF troops on Saturday arrested a barge laden with over 350 barrels of liquid substance suspected to be crude oil at Abiteye, Warri South West LGA.

Delta Moves to Check Illegal Bunkering, Kidnapping

Delta State government, Monday, announced a new strategy to tackle illegal crude oil bunkering, kidnapping and pipeline vandalism, among other criminal activities in the riverside communities. Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan announced the plan during the inauguration of 12 Community Development Committees (CDCs) in the Warri Federal Constituency. The governor said the community-based approach would be executed through the 106 members in the oil-rich communities.

Oshiomhole Orders Arrest of 10 Petroleum Marketers

Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, during the week ordered the arrest of 10 petroleum marketers in Benin who were selling fuel above the official pump price of N70 per litre. It was discovered during his visit to some filling station, after he got reports of their activities; that the 10 petrol stations were selling between N75 and N100.

NLC, Women, TUC Others Protest Deplorable State of Benin-Ore Road

Thousands of youths and women, in collaboration with the Edo State chapters of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and Civil Society Organisations, on January 1st, protested the deplorable state of the Benin-Lagos express road and the Benin-Okene express road. The protest which was co- coordinated by a multi national organisation, One Love Foundation, paralyzed activities in Benin City and the state Government House as the protesters lamented the incessant loss of lives due to accidents at the two express roads and called on the Federal Government to take urgent steps in addressing the problem.

Edo Donates Bullet-Proof Vests, Crash Helmets to Police

The government of Edo State has donated 90 bullet-proof vests and 50 crash helmets to the police. Governor Adams Oshiomhole said the state’s economy cannot experience a boom, if crime is not checked. He also promised to ensure that council chairmen donate vehicles to assist the police as he promised to partner with the police to see that the welfare of its men and officers are taken care of.

Police in Edo Re-strategise to Fight Crime

Edo State Police Commissioner, Danlami Yar’Adua said hard times await criminals in the state as the command will re-strategise to sustain the current onslaught against crime in the State. Danlami Yar’Adua, at his maiden briefing, promised to reduce crime in the state as the experiences gathered as Police Commissioner in Borno and Cross River states would be brought to bear in Edo State.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

Six-Man Robbery Gang, Police in Gun Duel

A six-man robbery gang which specialised in attacking travellers, penultimate weekend, engaged a team of policemen in a gun battle in Ajangbadi area of Lagos. Three suspected members of the gang were arrested. Two short guns, sixteen live ammunition, assorted handbags, jewelries, mobile phones as well as wrist watches were recovered. The hoodlums, as gathered, had been attacking travellers at Sabo Oniba bus-stop lately until luck ran on them.

3 Killed, 10 Injured as PDP Factions Clash in Ogun State

The wrangling among factions in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State developed into violence on Monday, leaving three people dead and 10 seriously injured. The Ogun State PDP had been fictionalized, although the party’s leadership had repeatedly said all was well. Monday’s killing of PDP members suspected to be loyal to different factions was said to have been caused by attempts by the Chairman of the PDP in Ijebu North LGA, Alhaji Al Bashir Adebajo, to probe the incumbent Chairman of the Council, Chief Tele Ogunjobi.

Police Inspector Commits Suicide

A Police Inspector, Mr. Okigbochie Stephen, Wednesday, allegedly committed suicide by hanging in Okeho, Kajola LGA of Oyo State. In a suspected suicide note left behind, he claimed to have killed himself because of “poor condition of service.” Inspector Stephen was said to have taken his life after 31 years in service.  Confirming the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Ms. Olabisi Okuwobi, said the incident was being investigated.

Headless Body Dumped At Ijegun Market

Residents of Ewe Nla Street, Ijegun, a suburb of Lagos, were stunned, penultimate Saturday morning, to discover a headless male corpse in their market. Residents suspected that the corpse was dumped there by ritualists because the head, hand and genitals were removed from the body. The residents, it was learnt, contacted the police at Isheri Osun station, who raced to the scene and removed the corpse.

LASTMA Alerts Govts on Distressed Lagos Bridge

The Lagos State Transport Management Authority (LASTMA) has alerted both the Federal and Lagos State governments on the need to effect immediate rehabilitation on Liverpool Bridge in Apapa which has been identified to be distressed in order to avert avoidable disaster. Meanwhile, a law to provide for the establishment of traffic management office in each event centres in Lagos State is underway as part of efforts to eliminate chaotic traffic situation often witnessed during ceremonies in such places.

Police Recorver Three Guns Live Ammunitions

Two encounters with armed robbers in Lagos have given the police a yardstick to measure the success of their new strategies. In separate encounters, policemen from Amukoko Division, in Ajegunle and those from the Gowon Estate, in Ipaja area, who recovered three guns and over 15 live ammunitions, claim that the increased patrol strategy was responsible for the achievement. Although the two suspects involved in the Amukoko case were shot dead during the encounter with the police, the anti-robbery team was able to recover two Shotguns and ammunition.

Police Arrest Men Smuggling 19 Guns to Ondo

Men of the Ondo state police command recently arrested a 25-year-old man, Job Idowu, who as he was smuggling nine rifles across the border into the state. The 19 locally-made single-barrel guns were bought at a rate of N4000 each and they were meant for an operation in Ondo State.  Idowu, who said he bought the guns from Cotonou, in the Republic of Benin, had boarded a bus from Ilara, a border community between Nigeria and Republic of Benin in Yewa-North LGA of the State.

Lawyer Donates Vehicles to Police

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Yusuf Olaolu Ali is redefining relationship with the police among Nigerians as he handed over a Nissan Pick-Up Van to the police in Adewole Estate, Ilorin recently. He noted that infrastructure development should not be left in the hands of government alone and called on those who are in positions to help to come to the aid of the poor masses.

Investigations Link Militant With Bank Raids

About 46 persons were arrested at a jetty at Ikota, Lagos for not exposing robbers who berthed at the dock, penultimate Friday morning, with SMG rifles and locally-made explosives packed in Cans of Star Larger Beer. Policemen on patrol in the area were alerted by motorbike riders and they raced to the scene, where they engaged the bandits in a shootout. Two bank staff and two policemen were reportedly injured. The arrest of the suspect, who hails from the Niger Delta area and the recovery of the bombs and ammunition confirmed fears that those behind the series of bank robberies are militants looking for money to fund their struggle.

Ogun Police Arrests 195 Robbers in 2008, Recovers 157 Stolen Vehicles

Ogun state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Dipo Ayeni, has said his command between January and December 2008, arrested 195 armed robbery suspects while it recovered 157 stolen vehicles. He also disclosed that two suspected robbers were killed by the police at Owode area of the state on Wednesday, as he paraded seven pipeline vandals. He said the command also recovered 80 arms and 500 ammunitions, saying that out of the 90 cases charged to the law court, only 28 of such were decided in the year ended.

2 Feared Dead in Ibadan Building Collapse

Two occupants of a two- storey building in Ibadan died on Wednesday as the building which is under construction collapsed. The building, owned by the Nigerian Baptist Convention, Oke-Bola, was said to have collapsed trapping four other construction workers at the site. Two persons were rescued by hundreds of sympathisers at the scene. Among those on the rescue mission were men from the Oyo State Fire Service, police and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps.

Police Kill Five Robbery Suspects, Recover Six Guns

Men of the Lagos State Police Command in the first few hours of the New Year killed five robbery suspects in two separate robbery incidents in the metropolis, while they were allegedly attempting to rob unsuspecting persons of the belongings. A total of six guns were also recovered in five separate robbery attempts recorded in the state during the same period. Arms, ammunition and other dangerous weapons were recovered from the scenes and from Somolu, Ilupeju and Ojo where policemen also had encounters with robbery suspects in the early hours of the day. The command‘s Spokesman, Mr. Frank Mba, confirmed the incidents.

Fake Police Men Held For Fraud

Detectives attached to the Special Fraud Unit (SFU), Ikoyi, have held four men for allegedly parading themselves as policemen attached to the unit. But the men boldly denied the allegation, claiming it was a frame up. According to the Commissioner of Police (CP) at SFU, Mr. Mike Ehidiamen, the suspects were held for conspiracy, impersonation, forgery and extortion. He revealed that items recovered from the four suspects included complimentary cards, a police identity card, search warrants affixed with fake DIG "D' Department stamp and investigation activities letter, with fake stamp.

Teenager Arrested With Pistol, Cartridges

A teenage armed robbery suspect was arrested with a pistol and cartridges in Lagos on Monday. The suspect, it was learnt, was a member of a gang believed to be terrorising residents of Surulere. A team of anti-robbery policemen arrested the suspect while his gang members escaped. The policemen, it was learnt, were on a routine patrol, when they sighted some suspicious young men at about 9.30pm.

Husband Stabs Wife, Two-Month-Old Baby over Disagreement on Sex

The fate of a middle-aged housewife, Kafaya Saheed, is now hanging in the balance following the wounds she sustained after her husband stabbed her and their two-month-old baby for failing to yield to his request for sex. The injured wife explained that her husband had requested for sex, but she turned down the request on the grounds that she just had just delivered a baby two months ago. He allegedly got furious and picked a knife and stabbed the wife and the baby. The fate of the baby could not be ascertained immediately. The Police Public Relations Officer, Ogun State Command, Mr. Muyiwa Adejobi, who confirmed the incident on Monday, said the police had launched a manhunt for the fleeing suspect.

Woman, 2 Kids Die as Fire Razes Building

A woman and her two children were killed in a raging fire which completely razed a building at Satellite Town, Lagos, on Christmas day. The woman, Nkechi, was said to have slept off while heating some leftovers with a gas cooker. Frantic efforts were made by her husband, who had seen some friends off and neighbours to extinguish the fire, all to no avail.

GENERAL

Five Feared Killed in Taraba Communal Clash

An age-old rivalry was, penultimate weekend, rekindled between the Jukuns and the Kucebs in Taraba State, resulting in the death of five persons and the loss of properties. The crisis prompted military authorities to deploy soldiers to control the situation, who arrested more than 15 persons suspected to be fuelling the crisis.

DHQ to Review Military’s Condition of Service

Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Paul Dike, has confirmed the setting up of a panel by Defence Headquarters (DHQ), to review the Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service (HTACOS) of military personnel. He added that the review is aimed at bringing the terms and conditions of service in the three services, in line with the changes envisaged in the transformation and modernisation agenda for the Nigerian military.

ExxonMobil Technology Yields World’s Largest LNG Carrier

ExxonMobil  Corporation, the largest crude oil exploration and production company in the world by turn over and profits has invented a technology in Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) which has resulted in an industry breakthrough in carrier design and size, thereby enabling the more efficient transportation of natural gas to markets around the world. The company’s subsidiary in Nigeria, Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited (MPNU), recently invested about US$1 billion on Natural Gas Liquids (NGL11) in Nigeria, a project which also simplified the transportation of Natural Gas Liquids from offshore to the Bonny terminal. However the recent completion of the world’s first Q-Max LNG carrier, named ‘Mozah,’ marks a positive change in LNG shipping by reducing transportation cost.

Criminals Abound in Police - Minister says

Despite  government‘s efforts to improve service conditions of the officers and men of the Nigeria Police, many criminals are finding their way into the force and are helping to dent its image, new Minister of Police Affairs, Dr. Ibrahim Yakubu Lame said on Monday. He said that the Federal Government will review all policies relating to recruitment into the Force in order to ensure that bad eggs no longer get into the service. Lame said there is need to create an elite intelligence branch in the Force and decentralize authority in order to shift focus from crime control to crime prevention as obtained in developed countries of the world.

27 Death Row Prisoners Drag FG, Lagos Govt to Court

Twenty seven Nigerians on death row at the Kirikiri Maximum Prisons have dragged the Federal and Lagos State governments to court over their prolonged stay on death row. The plaintiffs are challenging the constitutionality of keeping them on death row for periods ranging from 10-24 years. The plaintiff are praying the court to convert their death sentences to terms of imprisonment as the government has lost the power to execute them having subjected them to mental and psychological trauma for several years while waiting in vain for the hangman.

Crime Analyst Tasks Government on Police Equipment

To check the menace of criminals operating on commercial motorbikes in areas where they have been banned, the Lagos and River States governments have been urged to properly equip the police. While speaking on the ripple effect of the ban and the challenges facing the police, a crime analyst, Mr Folorunsho Atta, warned that if jobs are not provided for youths and the police are not well equipped or taken care of, the war will end up as an exercise in futility.

26 Armed Mercenaries Arrested in Jos

Security agents on Friday arrested twenty six suspected mercenaries armed with 22 double barrelled guns in Jos, Plateau state and found eight cutlasses, army boots, tear gas, charms, army uniforms and fake identity cards bearing “Force Headquarters, Abuja” in the vehicle conveying them. Also found with the suspects were Bauchi State government letter heads, but the Bauchi State government denied knowledge of the suspects.

1,097 Okada Riders Arrested
*As FRSC enforces use of crash helmets

About 1,097 commercial motorcycle operators (Okada) were arrested nationwide as the law on the use of crash helmets by motorcyclists came into force on January 1. In Kano, Okada riders attacked the state headquarters of the FRSC, protesting the anticipated enforcement of use of crash helmets. The FRSC office was invaded by the motorcyclists who hauled stones at the building, sending the personnel scampering for safety. In the ensuing melee, an unspecified number of road marshals were said to have sustained injuries before a detachment of armed policemen took control of the situation. 25 of the protesters were arrested.

Foreign Reserves Fall by $6bn in One Month

As the global credit crisis takes its toll on the world economy, Nigeria’s foreign currency reserves fell by $6 billion or 8.2 per cent in December 2008 to $52.7 billion from $57.4 billion in November, the Central Bank of Nigeria said on Friday in its monthly report. Record oil prices had helped Nigeria to build the largest currency reserves in sub-Saharan Africa, which peaked at $63 billion in September 2008.

Jos Riot: Jang Sues FG

Plateau State Governor, Jonah Jang, has dragged the Federal Government to the Supreme Court for setting up a panel of inquiry to probe the November 28 sectarian riots that engulfed the state over the LG election in Jos North. Jang is asking the apex court for clarification on the power of President Yar’Adua to institute a probe into the causes of the riots. President Yar’Adua had, penultimate week, set up an Administrative Panel of Inquiry to probe the crisis.

Nigeria Earns over N31 Trillion in Nine Years
NNPC retains N6 trillion

In the nine years of democracy in Nigeria, the country has got more than N31 trillion from its revenue sources, but the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has retained N6 trillion of this amount, according to the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation, and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC). In a RMAFC paper made available in Abuja, the commission listed the NNPC, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), and the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) as the major sources of revenue into the Federation Account.

7 Burnt To Death in Auto Crash

Seven people, including a child, were on Tuesday burnt to death in Bauchi, while eight others escaped with serious injuries in a road accident along Bauchi-Jos Road. An eye witness, Abdulasalam Umaru, said that the incident occurred when the tyres of a bus heading for Jos suddenly burst, causing it to veer off its lane to hit two vehicles coming from Jos.

Minister Seeks Better Armed Forces

The Minister of Defence, Dr. Shetima Mustapha has advised the military to rededicate itself to the service of the nation. According to Mustapha, there is a need for the Armed Forces to justify the confidence reposed in it by Nigerians.

FRSC Arrests 1,050 Drivers at Xmas

The Lagos State Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Commission arrested 1,050 drivers for violating traffic laws during the last Christmas celebrations in the state. According to a statement on Monday, 25 accidents resulting in six deaths with 15 persons injured were also recorded. The Sector Commander, Mr. Kayode Olagunju, advised motorists to be safety conscious and warned against driving above the speed limits, one-way driving, dangerous driving, overloading, drunk driving and the use of non-road worthy vehicles.

NNPC Seeks to Reduce Contracting Cycle to Three Months

To enhance oil and gas investments in the country and stop the incidence of divestment, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) is seeking to reduce contracting cycle from the current two years to between two to three months. Nigeria has been criticised as having one of the longest contracting cycles in the world. The development had even cost the country some investments in the sector, which were diverted to neighbouring countries, particularly Angola, where the cycle is concluded within two months.

PEF Pays N17.4bn to 12,000 Marketers

The Petroleum Equalisation Fund has settled all outstanding allowances, totaling N17.4 billion, owed 12,000 marketers for transporting petroleum products. The Board's Head of Government and Public Relations, Mr Goddy Nnadi, said that the payment, which commenced before the Sallah and Christmas holidays, was completed with the clearance of all outstanding claims by the marketers through the board's e-banking operations.

FCT Police Nab Suspected Killers of Ex-Kwali Council Boss

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested a person suspected to be involved in the murder case of the former Kwali Area Council Chairman, Mr. Samuel Gwamna. According to the FCT Commissioner of Police, John Haruna, police detectives trailed the suspected assassins to a hideout somewhere in Kabba, Kogi State, and arrested the gang leader, Oni Kayode alias O9. The FCT police boss revealed that Kayode made useful statements to the police which helped the police to capture other members of his gang. The former Kwali Area Council Chairman was assassinated on January 28, 2008.

Reps Panel Wants Shell Probed Over Excess Reserve

The ad-hoc committee of the House of Representatives which investigated the operations of the nation's oil sector between 1999 and 2008 has called for the probe of Anglo-Dutch oil company, Shell, over reclassification of oil blocks. It wants a thorough investigation to be done to ascertain whether the oil company earned any Reserve Additional Bonus (RAB).  The panel also asked Shell Nigeria Exploration Company (SNEPCO) to pay into the Federal Government account the sum of N16.9 billion being the balance of signature bonus on an oil block (OPL 250) it acquired between 1999 and 2007.

Bauchi Donates Patrol Vehicles to Police

The Bauchi State Government has donated patrol vehicles and other logistic support as well as communication gadgets to the police in the state for the effective discharge of their duties. The governor also commended the police and other security agencies in the state for their efforts in ridding the state of youth restiveness.

Abuja CCTV Cameras to be Activated, says FCT Minister

The 25 Closed Circuit Television Cameras (CCTVC) installed in strategic parts of Abuja which have remained dormant for lack of maintenance will now be made functional, Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Mohammed Adamu Aliero, has said. Aliero said that the cameras, which are vital surveillance gadgets to the police in crime detection and will certainly help in monitoring the movement of suspects, would be refurbished by the FCT administration.

INTERNATIONAL

Israel Launches Aerial Attack on Gaza

Fresh airstrikes was launched on Gaza by Israel after 286 people died during a bloody clash. Hamas's main security complex was destroyed and Israeli tanks were prepared for a possible invasion of the enclave where 1.5 million Palestinians live. In retaliation, militants fired some 80 rockets into Israel. Around 700 people were wounded in the aerial attack. Hamas estimates at least 180 members of its security forces were killed, including police chief Tawfiq Jabber. The UN Security Council has called for an immediate halt to all violence in the region but Israel warns that operations will continue until attacks from Gaza cease. Israel demanded international monitors as a term of any truce with Gaza militants.

Bombs Kill Five In Afghanistan

Five people were killed and nearly 40 wounded in two bomb blasts in Afghanistan on Monday as a town mourned 14 children killed, penultimate weekend in a Taliban suicide attack. Two US soldiers and their interpreter were among about 20 people wounded in one of the attacks, officials said. There has been an upsurge in suicide car bombing in Afghanistan in the last week. Such attacks are regularly used by Taliban and other radical Islamists who are waging an insurgency against the country's US-backed government.

U.S. Goes Deeper into Recession

The United States has fallen deeper into recession, with the number of people filing unemployment claims reaching a 26-year high and consumers cutting spending for the fifth successive month. Japan's government approved an 88.5 trillion yen ($980.6 billion) budget to cover a 12 trillion yen fiscal stimulus program and Germany pegged its second spending package at 25 billion Euros ($34.97 billion). Some economists opine have said increased spending so far has failed to boost confidence among consumers and investors.

Ugandan LRA Rebels Kill 189 Congo Villagers

Ugandan Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) rebels killed 189 people during three days of raids on villages in northeast Democratic Republic of Congo last week, a U.N. agency said on Monday. The killings were reported to have been carried out in Faradje, Doruma and Gurba villages by LRA fighters fleeing a two-week-old multinational military offensive led by Uganda. At least 20 children and an unknown number of adults were abducted during the attacks. Uganda, Congo and South Sudan launched a joint assault on LRA bases in Congo's isolated Garamba National Park on December 14 after the rebels' leader, Joseph Kony, again failed to sign a peace deal to end his rebellion against the Ugandan government.

Pakistan Suspends NATO Supplies to Tackle Militants

Pakistan suspended supplies going to foreign forces in Afghanistan on Tuesday as security forces launched an operation against militants in the Khyber Pass region, a government official said. Militants have launched a string of attacks in recent months aimed at choking off supplies trucked to foreign forces in Afghanistan. Hayat said security forces, backed by helicopter gunships and artillery and tanks, began an offensive early on Tuesday.

OPEC Cut: Oil Prices Jump Back Above $40

Oil prices rose sharply on Monday to above 41 dollars in London on rising unrest in the Middle East and evidence that OPEC members have begun complying with agreed output cuts, traders said. Brent North Sea crude for delivery in February jumped 2.91 dollars to 41.28 dollars a barrel in late morning trade on London's InterContinental Exchange after rocketing almost five dollars earlier Monday.

African Union Bars Guinea on Coup

The African Union has suspended Guinea after the recent military coup until the return of constitutional order in the country. Junta leader, Captain Moussa Dadis Camara seized power after the death of long-serving President Lansana Conte, attracting international condemnation. But many Guineans back the army's move after many years of misrule.

Liberians Mourn 7 Killed in Philadelphia Fire

Dozens of Liberian immigrants, penultimate Saturday, mourned at a house where seven members of their community died in a fire, the previous day. A survivor, Harris Murphy, said started when a kerosene heater spilled fuel and exploded as it was being moved outdoors. Harris said those trapped in the blaze were part of the large Liberian enclave in southwest Philadelphia.

Malaysian Chopper Saves Indian Tanker from Somali Pirates

A Malaysian military helicopter saved an Indian tanker from being hijacked by Somali pirate on Thursday, foiling the New Year’s first attack in the Gulf of Aden off the coasts of Somalia, an official said. The rescue comes as more countries are sending warships to join a multinational naval force to protect commercial vessels passing through one of the world's most important sea routes. On Christmas Day, a German helicopter similarly saved an Egyptian ship off Somalia.

Israeli Govt Assures Pilgrims of Safety

The Israeli Government has said adequate security measures have been put in place for the safety of Nigerian pilgrims to Jerusalem. But their movements have been restricted to Jerusalem and Tel-Aviv. This is to guard against their being caught in terror-related violence. The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Commission (NPCP), John Opara, said that the air-lifting of pilgrims was going on as planned.

U.S. Troops under Iraq's Authority for First Time

United States (U.S.) forces came under an Iraqi mandate last Thursday for the first time since the 2003 invasion of Iraq, and handed control of the Green Zone in central Baghdad to Iraqi troops as a symbol of the dramatic change. The U.S. force in Iraq had operated under a U.N. Security Council resolution. But at midnight on New Year's Eve, the U.N. mandate expired and the troops were placed under a new mandate granted by the Iraqi government in a bilateral deal. The pact gives U.S. troops three years to leave Iraq, revokes their power to detain Iraqis without a warrant, and subjects contractors and U.S. troops in some cases to Iraqi law.

Bangkok Fire Kills About 59 New Year Clubbers

A blaze at a top Bangkok nightclub killed 59 people and injured more than 100 others as people celebrating the New Year stampeded out of the burning building, police said on Thursday. The cause of the fire was under investigation with witnesses saying it was caused by fireworks and media reporting it was due to an electrical fault.

Suspected U.S. Drone Kills 3 in Pakistan

A suspected U.S. drone fired two missiles on Thursday into Pakistan's South Waziristan region on the Afghan border, killing three foreign militants and wounding one, Pakistani intelligence agents said. United States (U.S.) forces in Afghanistan, frustrated by a spreading Taliban insurgency that is getting support from militant enclaves in northwest Pakistan, have stepped up strikes by pilotless drones despite Pakistani objections. Pakistan, under mounting international pressure to eliminate militants after November's attacks on the Indian city of Mumbai, says the U.S. strikes violate its sovereignty and undermine efforts to fight militancy by inflaming public anger.