Villeworth Security Services Ltd

week 7

PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

Kidnappers Soon to Face Death Sentence in Rivers State

Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, has attributed the upsurge of hostage-taking in the state to the withdrawal of the military and police from checkpoints, and revealed that the crime would soon be made a capital offence punishable by death. But the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has cautioned against this move, maintaining that there was no justification in enlarging the scope of death. The 2nd Vice-President of the Association, Adekunle Ojo, warned that enacting a law that will make kidnapping a capital offence would not in anyway deter the abductors. He pointed out that the crisis in the Niger Delta was as a result of negligence and failure of Nigerian leaders. However, human rights lawyer, Fred Agbaje said there was nothing wrong in making kidnapping a capital offence.

Oil Companies Halt Deployment of Expatriates to N’Delta

Citing the heightened insecurity and threats by militants groups to launch “sweeping assault” on the Nigerian oil and gas industry, companies operating in the region may have suspended further deployment of expatriate workers in the area until security is enhanced. This also prompted Shell, Thursday, to declare force majeure on its Nigerian Bonny oil shipments. Shell spokesman, Precious Okolobo, said the action was prompted by the company’s inability to meet contractual obligation owing to the militancy in the area.  It will affect the remainder of February and perhaps March.

Gunmen Abduct Church Leader

The Joint Military Task Force (JTF) in Rivers state has confirmed the abduction of Dr. Mike Ifijeh, the General Overseer of Covenant Faith Assembly, in Port Harcourt. Spokesman of the task force, Lt. Col. Sagir Musa, said Ifijeh was abducted from his residence at Mgbuosimini, Port Harcourt, on Tuesday. The kidnappers have called on his family to request for a ransom of N8 million. In a similar incident, one Apostle Captain Ileru of Kingdom people’s Mission at Eleme was abducted by unknown person on Wednesday. These follow the kidnap, penultimate Sunday of one Mrs Okafor, but details of her abduction remain sketchy, while the kidnapped Rivers State Electoral Commissioner that was kidnapped penultimate week, regained his freedom, same day.

Kidnappers Abduct Lawmaker’s Daughter in Abuja

The daughter of a member of the House of Representatives, Christopher Benewari, was allegedly taken away by the gunmen on Thursday, from her school, the University of Abuja to an unknown location. The abductors have demanded N100 million as ransom for her release. In a related development, an eight-year-old daughter of the Chief Accountant of the Delta State Ministry of Lands, Tare Isiaye, was also seized in Asaba by yet unknown gunmen. Her abductors are yet to make contacts with her family.

FG, RSG Move to Halt Oil Workers’ Strike

The Federal and Rivers State governments have opened negotiations with oil workers to prevent the latter from making good their threat to cripple oil activities in Rivers state if the government fails to stop the increasing wave of kidnappings. While some major players in the oil and gas sector have appealed to the Oil worker union to withdraw the strike threat in the interest of the economy.

Imoke Assures on Commitment to Security

The Cross River State Government has assured the armed forces of its commitment and support to ensure peace and security within the Niger Delta. Governor Liyel Imoke said that the Joint Military operations earmarked by the military can solve some of the challenges within the zone. Imoke commended the military for their approach to security matters as well as their channel of communication which also goes a long way to address the challenges.

Halliburton's Subsidiary Admits Guilt in Nigerian Bribery Scandal

Former engineering subsidiary of Halliburton, KBR Inc, on Wednesday pleaded guilty to federal charges that it paid $180 million in bribes to Nigerian officials in a decade-long scheme to secure $6 billion in contracts. KBR General-Counsel, Andrew Farley, admitted that the company paid bribes to high-ranking Nigerian officials between 1994 and 2004 to secure four contracts for a KBR joint venture to build and expand Nigeria's Bonny Island liquefied natural gas terminal.

Kidnappings: Police Alert Public on New Strategies

As part of efforts to address the increasing cases of kidnappings in Rivers State, the police say they have uncovered new method of operation, employed by the kidnappers in plying their trade.  A statement signed by the state’s Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Rita Inoma-Abbey, says kidnappers and ritualists now go to churches in disguise as beggars only to kidnap children in the process. The police therefore warned parents, guardians and church owners to keep close watch over their children during church sessions.

2 Killed, Others Wounded in Task Force, Traders Clash in Uyo

window.google_render_ad(); About two persons were feared killed on Wednesday in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State while several others were injured and goods worth millions of Naira also looted when traders from the Uyo main market allegedly clashed with the men of Task Force from the Ministry of Environment. One of the dead, said to be a WAI Brigade Volunteer driver attached to the Ministry of Environment, Moses George was hacked to death in an attempt to escape when thugs from the market attacked members of the Task Force who had gone to the market for routine environmental operation.

Robbers Grab N17m Staff Salary

An Arab Construction Company in Cross River State was helpless when armed robbers besieged the Company and carted away N17Million cash recently.  The incident happened when the finance officials of the company went to the new Generation Bank that morning and cashed the N17Million which it was gathered was meant for the workers' salaries and other entitlements for January, 2009. As the officials and the money were being driven into the premises of the company the occupants of another vehicle that had trailed them disembarked and started shooting sporadically into the air, before carting away the money. The Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Etim Dickson blamed the company for not contacting the police for escort before making such huge withdrawal.

Akpabio Calls on Military to Deploy Helicopter, Gunboats to Akwa Ibom

Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom state has asked the Nigerian Army to deploy helicopters and gunboats to the State for effective surveillance of the state particularly the waterways. Akpabio made the call when the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Abdulraman Dambazau and Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ishaya Ibrahim paid him a courtesy visit in Uyo.

Man Arrested for Extortion and Assassination Threat

A man, ThankGod Ogu has been arrested for extortion and death threats. ThankGod was in the business of making calls to his victims to pay a certain ransom, if they don’t want to be killed, claiming that he had been paid to kill them. He was arrested after he tried the antic on a lady who called in the police. The police subsequently played along by paying the specified amount into an account. He was arrested as he attempted to make the withdrawal in a bank at PH. He confessed to the crime.

MOSOP Protests FG's Pact with Shell

The apex organization of the Ogoni people, MOSOP, has expressed disappointment and vehemently protested the reported new accord between Shell and the Federal Government to the effect that "Shell would continue operating in Ogoni as a silent partner of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC)" against earlier popular decision of government ending the company's existence in the province by December 31, 2008. MOSOP said Ogoni people are concerned that whilst the replacement of Shell by the Federal Government was hailed around the world as an appropriate approach to proffering enduring solution to the Ogoni question,

Amaechi Chides Shell over Afam Neglect

Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has called on multinational companies operating in the Niger Delta to take the development of their host communities seriously so as to forestall cases of industrial unrest in the area, Governor Amaechi made the call during an inspection of Shell Petroleum Development Company’s Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) projects in Afam in Oyigbo LGA of the state.  The governor frowned at the pettiness of projects executed for the Afam community under the GMoU, saying that the communities are correct that the companies were not embarking on projects that would add value to their lives.

Total Workers on 3-Day Warning Strike over Kidnappings

The local branch of Total workers in Port Harcourt began a three-day warning strike on Monday to protest the kidnappings of oil workers in the Niger Delta. Around 500 workers locked up Total's gate in the city, calling for an end to abductions and violence in the region, particularly in Rivers State. The strike was launched despite a resolution by the national body of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association (PENGASSAN) to suspend the strike.

Snake Kills IMT Female Student

Tragedy struck in Ogui urban area of Enugu last weekend, when a student of the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT) Enugu, Miss Bibian Nnamonu was bitten to death by a mysterious snake. The snake identified as Cobra bit her leg as she was sleeping in between two other ladies, who were her room mates. Her roommates and other sympathizers who rushed to the scene immediately killed the snake, while some people, attempted first aid on her. She was later taken to the hospital but died before the doctors could attend to her.

Indigenous Firm to Boost Exploration, Production Level

Indigenous oil firm, Moni Pulo, has said that it had commenced seismic data analysis on its three new acreages to increase production output. The company's Executive Director, Finance, Administration and Human Resources, Mrs. Solate Ovundah-Akarolo disclosed this. According to her, the three oil blocks acquired by the company would transform the its energy outlook and perspective to tackle future oil production.  The company was awarded three oil blocks in the 2007 bidding rounds. She added that the company would develop the oil blocks without any foreign technical partners.

Pirates Chase Sea Vessel

An oil Tanker was, Wednesday, chased by armed sea pirates, who attempted to stop and board the vessel, along the Pennington terminal. The crew of the vessel, MT Aramis, noticed a small fast craft approaching and increased its speed, defying the call by the suspected pirates to stop or they blow up the vessel. The captain refused to stop and was able to evade the gunmen. The gunmen were unable to board the vessel and no casualty was reported in the incident.

Gunmen Raid Rivers Community

About 60 gunmen invaded Obele community in Ahoada East LGA of River State, sacking the entire place and abducted eight people, whose whereabouts are yet unknown. The gunmen reportedly shot sporadically and directly into some houses and at fleeing residents causing serious injuries. Houses were blown by dynamites, including the house of the chief of the town. The community has appealed to the state government to come to their rescue.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

Delta Police Boss Escapes Death, as Robbers Gun Down 9 Policemen
…Oshiomhole Promises to Improve on Security in Edo

Suspected armed robbers, Wednesday, attacked and killed nine policemen along the Benin-Agbor road, and Abeokuta in Ogun State. Six of the slain policemen were killed in an incident, which the Delta State Police Commissioner escaped alive. Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole commiserated with the Nigeria Police over the killing of the policemen and promised to improve security in the state. The Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone ‘5’, Mr. Suleiman Fakai, said that the police succumbed to the superior firepower of armed robbers as he called on stakeholders to take steps to reverse the trend. Fakai said two bandits were killed and 14 AK-47 rifles and 1,500 rounds of live ammunition were recovered. Meanwhile, motorists plying Asaba-Benin highway have lamented the upsurge in robbery attacks on the road in the last two weeks.

Militants Strike at Delta

Suspected militants, penultimate Saturday, struck at the Utorogu Gas Plant, Ughelli, in Delta State, operated by the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC). It was gathered that there was an exchange of gunfire between the invaders and the military men guarding the facility.  There was no official confirmation from the Joint Task Force (JTF) on the incident. This came barely a week after The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta called off a ceas-fire it had declared last September. SPDC spokesman, Mr. Precious Okolobo, confirmed the attack on the plant. Five people, including a chief were reportedly arrested by operatives of the Joint Task Force (JTF) in connection with the attack. It was further reported that the Joint Task Force (JTF) raided some militant camps at Utorogu Delta State as an aftermath of the attack. Several suspected criminals were killed and unspecified numbers of JTF soldiers were reported wounded.

Soldiers, Militants in Exchange Fire

Daring militants in the early hours of Wednesday engaged men of the Joint Task Force (JTF) in a gun battle, which lasted for several hours at a small creek, off the Chanomi creek flow station, owned by Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) in Delta State. The JTF said no life was lost during the confrontation, but sources indicated that two Naval officers were injured and are currently receiving treatment. The battle was reportedly over the seizure by the JTF of 25 barges of alleged stolen oil. It was gathered that the task force had barely intercepted the barges when militants in six boats arrived the scene and engaged its men in a shoot-out, in an attempt to recover the crude oil.

Warri Refinery Starts Cooking Gas Supply

Warri Refinery and Petrochemical Company (WRPC) has commenced massive take-off of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), also known as cooking gas from its plants, a development which will make the product affordable to users nationwide. The Managing Director of Warri Refinery Petroleum Corporation, Mr. Andy Yakubu, said "the main objectives of evolving efficient methods of pushing the product to the market was to fully realise the economic gains of providing the citizens efficient domestic fuel, make the product available and affordable, and reduce demand pressure on liquid petroleum products".

Uduaghan Warns Restive Youths

Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan on Tuesday advised criminals parading as militants to turn a new leaf, warning that the state government will confront them "fire-for-fire". He said his government would not tolerate criminality under any guise. Reacting to the attack on the Utorogu Gas Plant, Uduaghan said the incident was purely criminal. He assured that security agents, particularly in the Joint Task Force (JTF) were better equipped to deal with such incidents in the future.

Four Minors Take AGF, Others to Court for Unlawful Detention

Four minors, from Ukwa East Council Area of Abia state, have sued the Attorney-General of the Federation and three others, at an Umuahia High Court, for alleged unlawful detention. The children ages between 2 to 17 had sued through their friend, Eze Godwin Wabara, following their incarceration for eight days, by law enforcement agents, on the allegation that they killed two policemen. Wabara alleged that the applicants were unlawfully arrested on 11 November, 2008, from his palace, and incarcerated for three weeks in the custody of the respondents.

12 Arrested over Delta Communal Clash

The police have arrested 12 persons following fresh hostilities between Ishiagu and Okwuoba communities in Aniocha South LGA of Delta State, in which an 85-year-old, Pa John Okonogo, was murdered.  Police spokesperson Charles Muka confirmed the arrests on Penultimate Sunday, stressing that the suspects would remain in police custody until those who killed the octogenarian are found. Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan had constituted a peace committee to resolve the dispute that was generated over a piece of land.

Police Arrest Car Snatchers

A four-man gang of suspected car snatchers has been arrested by the police in Asaba. Parading the suspects, the state police spokesman, Mr. Charles Muka, said that the suspects allegedly snatched a Toyota Camry car from one George. The suspects led the police to the car, which was found in the custody of a mechanic at Onitsha in Anambra State.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

Portuguese Kidnapped in Ondo

An expatriate working in the construction company handling Ondo State road contract, Mr Luis Jose Rentad, a Portuguese, was kidnapped by some youths in Ajagba, Irele LGA of the state. Rentad was kidnapped penultimate weekend, when the hoodlums numbering about 50, attacked workers of the company. This was followed by the abduction of a Lebanese national, Jimmi Rahjah, Wednesday, by unknown gunmen, who stormed his company’s premises. It is not known if both incidents are related but fears are the ugly trend of kidnapping is fast becoming a menace in Ondo state, which had hitherto witnessed a very low spate in kidnappings.

2 Customs Officers Burnt Alive by Angry Smugglers

A bid to smuggle a bus filled with rice into Nigeria at the weekend left seven people dead, including two Customs officers who were set ablaze, officials said Sunday. Two patrol officers along the northern border with Niger were late Friday beaten to death by a rampaging mob that was awaiting the contraband rice after five smugglers died in a car accident as they followed the impounded goods at Kongolam village in Katsina State. Katsina State Customs spokesman, Awwal Giyade, confirmed this. One Customs officer survived the attack with serious injuries, Giyade said.

Eight Firemen Escape Death after Inhaling Toxic Air

Eight fire-fighters narrowly escaped death as they attempted to evacuate toxic waste dumped by unknown persons along Ikorodu-Ibeshe Road. The police are working on the theory that the toxic substance might belong to some factories in the area. The fire fighters assigned to handle the matter had inhaled the poisonous air from the toxic substances, as a result of which they collapsed, one after the other. They were quickly rushed to the where doctors battled to save their lives.

Six Crushed to Death

Six people were on Wednesday night killed at the old Toll Gate in Ogere when a fleeing trailer driver crushed them. The trailer driver was said to have been trying to evade arrest by men of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) who were on patrol of the area. The State Sector Commander of the FRSC, Olu-Mike Olagunju confirmed in Abeokuta that the fleeing truck driver crushed the victims while trying to escape arrest. But the Managing Director of Gateway Trailer Park Limited, Leke Adesanya, said it was a bus, with some students on board that ran into a fuel truck before killing the passers-by.

650 Persons Killed In Road Crashes -FRSC

The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has declared that about 650 people died as a result of accidents on Lagos roads, in 2008. This figure comprises of 521 males and 129 females. FRSC observed that a reduction of 28.9 per cent was recorded compared with the 2007 figure of 914 deaths, comprising of 749 males and 165 females. 1,887 persons, made up of 1,369 males and 512 females, also sustained injuries from accidents in Lagos, in 2008, as against the 1,686 and 725 figures recorded in 2007, thus a 21.98 per cent reduction was achieved.

Police Get Arms Drill, Intelligence Training

The Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 2, Muhammed Abubakar last week organized a week long refresher training program for 50 police personnel on effective arms handling, and other aspects of the force. Abubakar said that as a way of measuring the training effectiveness, participants would be tested in both written tests as well as in practical shooting tests. Described as part of the Inspector General of Police nine-way test, the training exposed participants to techniques and operational technicalities of fighting armed robbery.

Violence Rocks Ekiti Community over Leadership Tussle

The peace of Ijan-Ekiti in Gbonyin LGA of Ekiti State was shattered, penultimate weekend as the leadership crisis in the community degenerated into a violent clash. At least five houses were burnt and some prominent individuals injured.  It was gathered that the crisis was caused by an alleged attempt by the traditional ruler of the town, the Onijan, Oba Samuel Oyewole Fadahunsi, to renovate the palace for occupation despite warning by the opposing Ogbon-Omo Ruling House.

NAFDAC Seeks Death Penalty for Manufactures of Poisonous Drug, Food
…as Deaths from Killer Paracetamol Hit 84

The National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) is seeking capital punishment for manufacturers of killer food and drug products. The agency has also for further investigations on the deaths caused by the killer paracetamol “My Pikin”, which, according to the Minister of Health, Prof. Babatunde Oshotimehin, has risen to 84. Oshotimehin said there were 111 reported cases of children who had fallen ill after taking the teething syrup contaminated with diethylene glycol, a compound blamed for causing kidney failure.

Presidency to Meet Agents on Port Strike, as 93 Ships get Stranded

As the Lagos ports groan under the impact of the agents’ strike, the Presidency has called for a meeting of the leaders of the Joint Action Committee of Nigerian Freight Forwarders in Abuja to resolve the impasse. One of the leaders of the Committee, Mr. Lucky Amiwero, said they were willing to discuss with the government the "exploitation" caused by lack of legislation to regulate the activities of concessionaires. Amiwero said concessionaires had not right to increase the cost of clearing of goods at the ports without an economic regulator and consultation with stakeholders. Meanwhile, about 93 ships are waiting to berth at the Lagos ports as the ports remain closed. The shipping position issued on Wednesday showed that 55 of the ships were oil tankers carrying petroleum products. The remaining 38 ships are laden with bulk cement, used vehicles, fish, and containers.

12 Suspected Touts Arrested at American Embassy in Lagos

Twelve suspected touts at the American Embassy in Lagos, who allegedly had been parading themselves as staff of the embassy to dupe persons keen on processing visa application, were on Wednesday arraigned by the police before an Ikeja Chief Magistrate Court. The Police Prosecutor, Inspector Bart Nwaokanye, told the court that the suspects were arrested based on intelligence reports from the SSS, but counsel to the defendants, Osita Egonu, informed the court that the defendants were arrested at the American Embassy for no just cause. He said the suspects are all law abiding citizens, adding that some of them were at the American Embassy on appointment to process their visa application and the charge against them is misleading.

GENERAL

Iran Seeks Pact with Nigeria on Oil and Gas

Oil prices appreciated on Monday as the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) announced that its members would suspend dozens of planned production projects due to falling prices. Light, sweet crude for March delivery rose $1.35 to $41.52 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. In the meantime, Iran has offered to work with the Federal Government to reposition Nigeria's oil and gas sector. The Middle East nation said if both nations exchange technology in the sector, it would strengthen their trade relations.

Police, Military Allay Fears as Tension Mounts in Jos

Palpable tension is building up again within Jos/Bukuru metropolis in Plateau state, following rumour of a fresh violence that might be unleashed.  This comes on the heels of alleged murder of two young men by unknown persons in Congo-Russia area of the city on Thursday morning. But the Plateau Police Command has described the rumour as baseless. Meanwhile, the new General Officer Commanding (GOC), 3rd Armoured Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Major General Sale Maina, has taken a tour of military checkpoints mounted around the city to ensure that they were prepared for any crisis.

Five Suspects Arrested with Dangerous Weapons in Borno

Security operatives in Borno State have arrested five suspects in Maiduguri. Found in the possession of the suspects are dangerous weapons and substances suspected to be Marijuana. Their arrest on the outskirts of the State capital followed information that the suspects were terrorizing and harassing inhabitants of the affected area before they were arrested.

Firearms Suspects in Taraba Police Net

Two suspects in the business of manufacture and supply of firearms to armed robbers are now in the custody of the Taraba State Police command. The were said to have been arrested in Plateau State by the popular armed robbers catcher, Ali Kwara, while trying to deliver some machine guns to a gang of armed bandits. Kwara in turn was said to have handed the suspects to the police. Upon interrogation by the police, the suspects were said to have confessed that a certain lady from Taraba State served as the link between the arms syndicate and robbers.

Yar’Adua, Governors, Political Appointees to Get Slash in Salary

In an unprecedented bid to curtail government spending amidst the global economic meltdown, President Yar’Adua on Tuesday announced a proposal to slash his salary, that of the Vice-President and the members of his cabinet, and other public office holders. The percentage of the proposed cuts were not immediately made public, but he said the current remunerations were “untenable and unjustifiable” in the present circumstances, thereby necessitating his forwarding a letter to the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to consider taking necessary action on the matter.

1 Dies as Building Collapses in Kano

A two-storey building under construction partially collapsed killing at least one person, while 18 others narrowly escaped in Kano. The Kano State Fire Service, which confirmed the incident, said the ugly incident occurred along Murtala Muhammed Way by Tafawa Balewa Road in Kano metropolis. The fire service boss said most of the rescued workers who were trapped in the building have sustained various injuries.

Army Justifies Appointment, Promotions of Officers

The Nigerian Army, Tuesday, said that recent promotion of only 12 Major Generals, appointment of new General Officers Commanding (GOC’s) and the mass redeployments and retirements in the force, were aimed at repositioning the army towards enhancing its capability. Director of Army Public Relations, Brig-General Chris Olukolade explained that aside from repositioning the force for the challenges ahead, the army hierarchy took the decision with a view to realizing the vision of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Abdurahman Dambazau.

Police Arrest Robbery Suspect with AK 47 Rifles

The Adamawa State Police Command has arrested a member of a suspected robbery gang, with 382 rounds of live ammunition in a village in Mubi North LGA. The state Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Bukar Maina, revealed that the suspect on January 31, 2009 attacked one Lamido Abdul of Muchala village in the LGA and demanded N2 million.

Italy to Help on N'Delta, MEND Accuses Italy of Insensitivity, Threatens Attack

Nigeria and Italy are to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on defence cooperation to cover the areas of training, peacekeeping and arms supply. Defence Minister, Shettima Mustafa and Italy’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Franco Frattini both said that work on it would be expedited for the mutual benefit of both nations. Frattini further pledged that his country would present the Niger Delta agenda at the G-8 meeting. However, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has condemned the donation of two attack boats to the Nigerian military by the Italy, saying it shows the level of Rome's insensitivity to the quest for peace in the area. As a follow up, MEND has threatened to attack Italian firms in the Niger Delta

Six Killed in Katsina during Excavation

Tragedy struck at Kuringafa village in Kafur LGA of Katsina State on Sunday when a landslide killed six persons, including a newly-married man. An eyewitness said that the deceased were excavating soil from a pit to mould blocks when the incident occurred. The witness said that seven men, aged between 20 years and 25 years, were helping the groom to build a house because of his new status, when the pit collapsed.

Police Deploy 1,000 Cops for Bonnke’s Crusade

Police authorities deployed 1000 men to safe gurad lives and properties, as well as forestall any religious unrest as the the leader of Christ for All Nations (CFAN), Evangelist Reinhard Bonnke, takes his message to Adamawa state.

INTERNATIONAL

Plane Crash Kills 24 in Brazil

A small plane crashed in the Amazon jungle river in Brazil over the weekend killing 24 persons on board, with only four survivors. The plane went down about 50 miles (80 kilometers) from the jungle city of Manaus, firefighter Maj. Jair Ruas Braga said. The plane belonged to the Manaus Aerotaxi and was making a 185-mile (300-kilometer) flight from the city of Coari to Manaus, the capital of Amazonas state.

Death Toll Increases as Madagascar Crisis Escalates

Amid rising death toll Madagascar's opposition leader Andry Rajoelina has vowed to continue protests against President Marc Ravalomanana after security forces killed about 25 anti-government demonstrators. About 125 people had died in two weeks of civil unrest stoked by a power struggle between Ravalomanana and Rajoelina. Soldiers at the weekend, opened fire on anti-government protesters near the presidential palace in Madagascar's capital. Madagascar's defence minister, Cecile Manorohanta, said also tendered her resignation because civilians were killed during the protests. Meanwhile, United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called on parties in the Madagascar crisis to resolve their differences peacefully, while condemning the latest violence.

Australian Wildfire: Death Toll Hits 171

Firefighters and rescuers have pulled the remains of dozens of people from charred buildings as the death toll rose to 171 from Australia's deadliest bushfires. Suspicions that the wildfires were deliberately set led police to declare crime scenes in towns incinerated by blazes. Anyone found guilty of lighting a wildfire that causes death faces 25 years in prison in Victoria. Victoria State Premier, John Brumby, said there was "little doubt" that fires had been deliberately lit overnight in the state. State police commissioner Christine Nixon said investigators were closing in on an arsonist blamed for lighting a fire in the Gippsland region, in the state's east, which killed about 20 people.

Britain Predicts Global Catastrophe over Climate Change

The British Government, Tuesday, predicted that the world will witness a round of global catastrophes arising from increased temperature of the earth by the year 2050, unless the international community agrees to take concerted steps towards addressing the problem of global warming and climate change. This comes as the Speaker of the House, Honourable Dimeji Bankole,   laid the blame  on the  Highly Industrialised Countries  (HICs)  whom he accused of  championing  the concept of industrialisation for so long  without taking pains to safeguard  the earth, until it had become almost too late.

Floods Hit Britain

The British Environment Agency has issued 90 flood warnings, mostly in southern England, while police and firefighters handled hundreds of cases in parts of the country that were hit by flooding in the wake of a severe storm which unleashed heavy rain, strong winds and snow. As heavy rain swept across southern England, some areas recorded close to their monthly average rainfall for February in just 24 hours, while some rivers in the county, including the Cam in West Camel, have burst their banks.

300m Africans in Acute Hunger -Agency

Even with the fear of global food crisis subsiding, about 300 million Africans are experiencing acute hunger, the Vice President of Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, has revealed.  While calling on African countries to work towards self-sufficiency in food production, Adesina declared that food insecurity was tantamount to a breach of territorial integrity.

U.S, Russia Satellites Collide in Space

A United States satellite and a defunct Russian military satellite had a collision on Tuesday. The accident sent hundreds of debris into space and space officials of both countries spent the day tracking them. The crash is the first publicly known satellite collision and has raised worries about the safety of the International Space Station (ISS), as agency reports that the debris from the collision was potentially a problem that could require more debris-avoidance maneuvers among space-faring nations.

Pakistan Admits Mumbai Attacks Was Launched From Its Soil

Pakistani government, Thursday, acknowledged for the first time that the Mumbai terrorist attacks were launched from its shores and at least partly plotted on its soil and further said that it had arrested most of the suspects, adding that it has started criminal proceedings against eight suspects some of them also named by India. Pakistan says that they needed more evidence from India to secure convictions. India's Foreign Ministry called Pakistan's announcement "a positive development" and said it would consider Islamabad's request for further information.

US Crude Drops Below $35

US oil futures fell to a three-week low below $35 a barrel on Thursday, dragged down by an overhang of crude oil stocks in the United States and concerns over health of the global economy. US crude for March delivery dropped $1.30 to $34.64 a barrel, while Brent crude fell 18 cents to $44.10 a barrel. US crude has been running at a big discount to Brent due to a supply glut at the main US storage hub in Oklahoma. Crude oil stockpiles at Cushing, Oklahoma rose last week to record levels around 35 million barrels, near operational capital

New York Plane Crash Kills 50

A commuter plane coming in for a landing, Thursday, nose-dived into a house in suburban Buffalo, killing all 49 people aboard and a person in the home. Two others in the house escaped with minor injuries. The plane was carrying a four-member crew and an off-duty pilot. Among the 44 passengers killed was a woman whose husband died in the World Trade Center attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

Female Bomber Kills 32 Pilgrims

A female suicide bomber blew herself up in a crowd of Shi'ite pilgrims on Friday, killing 32 people and wounding 84 others south of Baghdad during one of the holiest events of the Shi'ite calendar, Abain. The attack came a day after a bomb killed eight in the Shi'ite holy city of Kerbala, to which hundreds of thousands were headed to mark Arbain, one of the most important Shi'ite Muslim rites, and marks the end of a mourning period after the anniversary of the death in battle of Prophet Mohammad's grandson Imam Hussein. Some pilgrims said the bombs would not deter them.