Villeworth Security Services Ltd

week 13

PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

Robbers Attack Bullion Van, Kill 2

Dare devil armed bandits, on Monday, attacked a bullion van at Ezzamgbo, in Ohaukwu LGA of Ebonyi state, killing two persons and left several others injured, while a police constable was said to have been abducted by the hoodlums. But unfortunately the van was said to have already discharged the money at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) regional office in Enugu. Spokesman of the Ebonyi State Police Command, Mr Chris Anyanwu, lamented the refusal of banks in the state to comply with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police to fortify their bullion vans. One AK47 rifle with three magazines, loaded with 20 rounds of live ammunition was recovered at the scene of the robbery.

Robbers Kill 2 Policemen, Pregnant Woman

Tragedy struck weekend in Abakaliki, Ebonyi state capital as a gang of armed robbers took over the streets of the city, killing three policemen and a pregnant woman.   A woman, simply identified as Mrs. Emma, now receiving treatment at Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abakaliki was reportedly shot and robbed of her car. The Public Relation Officer of the state police command, Mr. Christ Anyanwu, confirmed the robbery incidents. No arrest was made.

Attempt to Kidnap Senator's wife, Son Foiled

Attempts by a gang of four to kidnap the wife and son of the senator representing Cross River South senatorial district, Senator Ewa Henshaw, has been foiled by the Cross River State Police Command, after a member of a kidnap gang attempted to beat his group to the money by information the subject, but she informed the police soon after he left her. When he returned for the money, he was arrested by the police. But the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Mr. Etim Dickson, said he was not aware of any such incident.

Onshore Production Drops to 300,000 Barrels for Shell

Royal Dutch Shell has declared that production from its onshore business in Nigeria has dropped to 300,000 barrels per day (bpd), from the nearly one million barrels per day, owing to the Niger Delta crisis. Shell disclosed this while it denied reports that 1,800 members of its staff, mainly Nigerians, have been relieved of their jobs because of the global economic downturn and the protracted crisis in the oil-rich region. Shell spokesperson, Mr. Tony Okonedo, said that the harsh impact of the activities of Niger Delta militants has resulted in the loss of a quarter of Nigeria’s nearly two and a half million barrels per day production capability.

Total to Supply 320 Mscf/d of Gas to NLNG

Following the discovery of large gas deposit in the Akpo oil field, Total Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited have concluded plans to supply the train 6 of the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Company with an estimated 320 million standard cubic feet (Mscf) of gas by the end of April 2009. Mr Emeka Ugona, the Nigeria Interface Manager of the Akpo project, disclosed this recently.

Police Arrest Two Cultists

The Rivers State Police Command has arrested two suspected cultists, who were members of the Pritazo cult group, which has been terrorizing the University of Port Harcourt. The Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO), Rita Inoma-Abbey, confirmed their arrest. Items recovered from them according the PPRO, include 16 live cartridges, four dynamites substance and assorted charms. She further said that investigations are on to unravel their sponsors and apprehend other members of the group.

Police Rescue Kiddnap Hostages in Anambra

At least, 11 persons, said to have been abducted by some gunmen, were rescued by men of the Anambra State Police Command on Tuesday. The rescue, according to the Divisional Crime Officer, Awka Division, Mr. Chris Uzor Umeje, took place at the Isiagu River valley, in Awka South LGA, following a tip-off. Uzor disclosed that the hoodlums, on sighting the police, opened fire, but later escaped into the river. At their hide out, the police recovered a white-coloured Mitsubishi L-300 Commuter bus with registration No XC 653 EZA (Enugu), two motorcycles, machetes and hammers of various sizes.

Soldier, 2 Others Die In Road Accident

Three persons, among them, an Army officer, were reportedly crushed to death along the Igwuruta-Port Harcourt Road, when a trailer loaded with about 300 bags of cement skidded off the road, somersaulted, killing the victims. Some eyewitnesses blamed the incident on the refusal by the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to extend its activities to the area, maintaining that the deplorable condition of roads in the area was responsible for the accident.

Security Agents Search for Militants over Death of Female Student

Security operatives in Bayelsa State have embarked on a manhunt for suspected militants who allegedly stabbed a female undergraduate to death at Oporoma in Southern Ijaw LGA. The deceased, identified as Patience, was ambushed by some suspected militants while worshipping at a church in Ondewari. It was reported that the victim and her father had had a quarrel with a militant leader during which Patience threatened to destroy his blocks.

Fire Destroys N3bn Goods in Enugu

A midnight fire destroyed goods estimated at over N3billion at the Enugu Timber market. The fire incident which was said to have started at about 8pm spread to the entire market. The inferno has been described as the worst disaster that had befallen the people of Enugu in the past 10 years. It was gathered that though the security men at the market had alerted the State Fire Service which was given 10 new fire fighting vehicles about a month ago, the officers did not arrive till about 10 pm when a greater part of the market had been consumed by the fire.

Govt to Address Arms Build-Up in Niger Delta

The Federal Government is planning to check the movement of arms and ammunition into the region. Minister of the Niger Delta Affairs, Obong Uffot Ekaette, who disclosed this, also said that the Federal Government is seeking the revitalisation of the Gulf of Guinea Energy Security Strategy (GGESS) meeting because of its importance in proffering solution to energy crisis. In this regard, the minister said there would be need to re-examine and restructure the GGESS meeting, taking into consideration topical issues like security, money laundering and environmental protection.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

Gunmen Kill 8 Policemen in Edo

Eight policemen attached to the convoy of the Delta State Commissioner of Police, Mr Jacob Oshiomogor, were killed on Wednesday during an exchange of gunfire with armed robbers at Ekpon, Igueben LGA of Edo State. Mr Oshiomogho, who escaped, was returning from Abuja when the incident occurred. Force Public Relations Officer, Emmanuel Ojukwu, who confirmed the incident in Abuja, however, could not confirm the number of casualties. The gunmen are suspected to be robbers whose attempts to rob a bullion van was foiled along the same route earlier in the day.

JTF Apprehends 14 Illegal Bunkerers

14 suspected illegal bunkerers and pipeline vandals were last weekend arrested by the Joint Task Force (JTF) in various locations in Delta State. Seven of the suspects were arrested in Yokri, Burutu LGA, where they were involved in the illicit deal under the guise of working on an oil facility, as staff of an oil servicing company. The other seven were arrested around Ughelli South LGA around Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) Flow Station and Ughelli Pump Station Tank Farm. JTF spokesman Col. Rabe Abubakar confirmed the arrests. These come as JTF warns militants and other criminals in the region not to take the re-organisation within the task force as an opportunity to perpetrate crime.

JTF Plans Raid on Militants’ Camps in Delta, Bayelsa

The Joint Military Task Force (JTF), in the Niger Delta has vowed to launch an offensive on any militant camp discovered in Bayelsa and Delta states. The Commander of the Joint Military Task Force (JTF), Brig-Gen William Orenti, said the aim of launching the offensive is to curb the upsurge of militancy. Brig Gen Orenti maintained that the offensive was also aimed at recovering all illegal arms and ammunition in the hands of the militants, and to reduce the economic impact of their activities. He appealed to well meaning Nigerians to give useful information about militants’ hideout, and promised their identity would not be made public.

JTF Uncovers Planned Attacks by Militants

The Joint Task Force (JTF) on Thursday raised the alarm that a militant group led by a certain Kingsley Opuye was planning an attack on oil and gas installation in the Niger Delta. According to the Coordinator of the Joint Media Campaign Centre, Colonel Rabe Abubakar, the group was also planning to attack military formations in the region. He said the hoodlums were plotting to attack the facilities as a form of reprisal for being dislodged from their camp by the troops of the JTF.

Thugs Clash in Benin over Demolition of Park

Rival groups suspected to be hired hoodlums clashed on Thursday around Ring road in Benin City, Edo State over demolition of illegal structures in the area. Gunshots were heard during the clash in which three persons were reportedly injured and some residential buildings destroyed. It is believed that supporters of a prominent Benin chief who operates a popular transport outfit whose park was pulled down on Wednesday were at the centre of the mayhem. Meanwhile a man was reportedly shot by unknown gunmen near the Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Zone 5 office same day as he dropped off his child in school at Benin.

JTF Launches Hunt for Ijaw Leader

The Joint Military Task Force (JTF) has intensified the hunt for an Ijaw traditional title holder, following the recent raid of a militant camp in Delta State. The task force wants the chief to explain his role in the upsurge in militant activities in Warri.  The JTF discovered a cache of arms, including two Multi-Purpose Machine Guns (GPMGs), FN rifles, explosive detonators, spears, dozens of various weapons’ magazines and live ammunition, including photo albums containing pictures of conferment of chieftaincy titles on the fleeing title holder when it engaged suspected militants in a gun-duel around Abiteye, Warri South West LGA, penultimate Thursday.

Chevron Divests in Downstream Operations in Nigeria

Chevron Corporation, last weekend, announced that it has completed the sale of Chevron Nigeria Holdings Limited to Corlay Global S.A, a Panamanian company owned by an Africa-based consortium composed of MRS Holdings Limited and Petroci Holding. Before this development, the sale of the company had generated series of court actions and even protest by the two in house unions in the oil and gas sector.

Youth Leader killed over Leadership Tussle

A 32-year-old youth leader at the oil-rich Ovade community in Ethiope West LGA of Delta State has been killed and several houses destroyed in the town following a leadership tussle between the Ovade Community Representative Committee (OCRC) and Ovade Community Development Committee (OCDC) over which body controls the bounty from multinational oil companies operating in the area. The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) for Oghara Police Division, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Lawrence Akinpeju, is leading his men in the investigation of the incident.

Ndokwa Community Accuses Agip of Dumping Toxic Waste

Youths from Ndokwa in Delta State have accused Agip Oil Company operating in their domain of alleged dumping of toxic waste in their communities and insensitivity to the under-development programme of their host communities. They have issued a 21-day ultimatum to Agip to leave their domain or face the wrath of the youths of the area. The President of the Ndokwa Youth body, Chukwuma Sheriff, further lamented that the Ndokwa nation had been marginalized in the Delta state Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) and urged the commission to reverse the situation.

One Killed, Houses Razed in Cult War

One person has been killed and others injured in a renewed cult war in Okpella, a border town in Estako East LGA of Edo State, over the control of the produce and veterinary post in the community. Three houses were burnt in the clash. A petition written by an indigene of the community to the Commissioner of Police alleged that the two rival cult groups had held the community hostage. Momodu alleged that the boys were already inviting their members from neighbouring Kogi State to assist them in gaining control of the produce post.

Police Foil Robbery Attack on Bullion Van, Recovers N45m

Over N45.8 million cash was recovered on Wednesday when police in Benin foiled armed robbery attempt on a bullion van along Sapele road. The robbers said to be over 30 and armed with general multi-purpose machine guns (UMPG) and explosives had ambushed the bullion van, killing the driver in the process. The robbery attack lasted several hours with sporadic gun shots, but the robber eventually fled after the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) came in for re-enforcement. In another robbery incident in Benin City a two-man gang of armed robbers trailed a middle-aged man from a bank and shot him dead after collecting his money around James Watt Road. The said money is reported to have been returned to the bank.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

12 Killed, Several Trapped as Lagos Building Collapses

Twelve persons were confirmed dead, several injured and several others trapped in a collapse building, behind College of Medicine, Idi Araba, in Lagos state on Tuesday. Rescue workers including officials of Red Cross Society, Nigeria Police, Fire Service, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), and passers-by helped in the rescuing those trapped in the debris. In another incident, a section of the Ajegunle General Hospital that was under construction also collapsed injuring two workers on the site. Most people blamed the collapse on substandard building materials, which the contractors used.

Militant Leader Arrested in Ondo

The leader of a militant group in Ondo State, “Democracy Defendant,” Samuel Ogundiminegha (a.k.a Sam Oogun), has been arrested by the police command. Sam Oogun has been accused of terrorising innocent people with his group for about 7 years now. The Ondo State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr Adeniran Aremu (ASP) confirmed the arrest by men of the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS).

Traffic Warden, Court Registrar Docked Over Fake Trial

A traffic warden, Inspector Dennis; Registrar of Agege Grade ‘A’ Customary Court, Ola Joseph and one of the staff of the customary court, Mrs. Ajala, have been arrested by the police. Inspector Dennis had arrested a commercial bus driver called Kola and arraigned him before the purported court, where Ola Joseph allegedly posed as the president and found the driver guilty and fined him N50, 000. Subsequently, Kola called a relative, who subsequently spoke with Agege Grade ‘A’ Customary Court president that denied such a trial took place in his court. The Traffic wardens and his accomplices were immediately arrested. The Registrar has confessed his involvement 10 in similar fake court trials.

Two Held for Beheading Teenager

Homicide detectives investigating the death of a 13-year old boy, who was beheaded in Idogo area of Idiroko, Ogun State, have arrested two men, Lawale Ilo and Aina Alabi, in connection with the crime. The teenager was killed and beheaded on February 20, while he was on an errand for his mother. The police alleged that the murder suspects, Ilo and Alabi, were arrested after detectives recovered some incriminating objects in their home. Ilo, however, denied the allegation.

Police Nab Six Suspected Armed Robbers

The Ogun State Police Command on Friday arrested six armed robbers in the Ijebu Ode. The robbers were arrested by the joint effort of the Ijebu Ode Central Vigilante team after the robbers robbed one Reverend Sister of her belongings. The Ogun State Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO), Mr Muyiwa Adejobi, confirmed that the suspects had been transferred to force headquarters in the state.

Lebanese kidnapped in Lagos

A Lebanese national was allegedly kidnapped on Monday from a construction site at Victoria Island, Lagos. Gunmen snatched two men - both expatriate - in the raid but one managed to make his escape by jumping overboard from the boat used to make a getaway. Gunfire was reported but no injuries have been noted at this time.

Policeman Sentenced to Death over Cocoa Merchant's Murder

An Akure High Court has sentenced a middle-aged policeman to death for killing a cocoa merchant over refusal of the victim to part with N20 at a check-point in September 2004. The policeman, Imoniche Ojeide, who had earlier been dismissed by police authorities because of the incident, was ordered to be hanged by Justice Oluwole Fagbe after a four-year trial during which four prosecution witnesses were called. The judge maintained that the judgment would deter other policemen who kill Nigerians and hide under the clause of ‘accidental discharge as claimed by Ojeide.

Rights Group Wants Reorientation of Police on Extra-Judicial Killings

The Centre for Human Rights, Research and Development (CHRRD) on Wednesday called for the reorientation of the Nigeria Police on anger management and firearms handling. This comes as the group condemned Monday's alleged extra-judicial killing of 27-year-old artisan, Demola Muniru, in Ibadan by a policeman. Policemen from Mapo Divisional Area of Oyo State had on Monday swooped on residents of Oopoyeosa area on the pretext of raiding criminals and allegedly shot one of the residents. The killing infuriated the people who trooped to the streets in protest.

NDLEA Discovers Drug in Snail Shells

A 51-year-old woman who allegedly concealed Indian hemp in snail shells, alongside two others, was, last weekend, arrested by officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos. She was alleged to have concealed 13.95 kilogrammes of cannabis inside snail shells, while the two others were caught for ingesting 191 wraps of cocaine weighing 3.771 kilogrammes. NDLEA Head of Public Affairs, Ofoyeju Mitchell, confirmed this.

Gunmen Shoot Lecturer

Rampaging armed robbers, Monday evening, invaded the residence of a lecturer at University of Ilorin, Mr. Mutiu Adebayo, killing him instantly. According to an eye witnessed account, the lecturer was about entering his house when he was shot by the robbers who had just finished raiding the area. Confirming the incident, the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Donald Iroham, said Police had commenced investigations.

GENERAL

FG Orders Increased Non-Oil Revenue

Following the downward slide in the price of oil in the international market occasioned by the global economic meltdown, the Federal Government has directed a 40 per cent increase in non oil revenue. The South/South region’s coordinating Director/Corporate Development Group of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mr. Osy Chuke said that to meet up this directive the zone is therefore emphasising the need for greater tax compliance and operational efficiency.

China, Nigeria Sign Pact to Replace Faulty Satellite

The process of replacing Nigeria's faulty communications satellite, NIGCOMSAT-1 got underway on Tuesday with the Chinese government signing a pact with Nigeria to replace the satellite at a cost of $157 million. The funds for the replacement would be at the instance of the Chinese authorities NIGCOMSAT-1 was launched on May 14, 2007 but got displaced on November 10, 2008 as a result of solar power failure, which occurred on the northern fringe of the satellite. The replacement is coming against the build-up of the insurers, who are still flipping through the books.

Senate Probes Halliburton Bribery Scam

Three standing committees of the Senate have been mandated to jointly undertake an independent investigation into the Halliburton bribery scandal to unmask Nigerian officials who oiled the fraudulent transactions. The Senate also appealed to the authorities in the United States to cooperate with Nigeria in the fight against corruption by making public and compelling Halliburton and KBR to name and expose the alleged Nigerian bribe-takers. The lawmakers also urged the Federal Government to take necessary steps to expose and prosecute those involved in the bribe and to recover from them the money they received as bribes.

13 Prisoners Escape from Benue Prison

There was a jailbreak at the Makurdi Medium Security prisons where prisoners believed to be daredevil armed robbers numbering 13 escaped into the surrounding bushes. The jailbreak took place, penultimate Friday night, when a Village Vigilante Group noticed some persons moving under the cover of darkness near the Prisons. The Prisons authorities were not aware of the jailbreak until Saturday morning when leaders of the Kanshio Vigilance group brought one of the prisoners they captured to the prison yard. The jailbreak is considered to be the biggest in the Makurdi Medium Security Prisons. The Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, Samuel Jinadu, confirmed the jailbreak.

NNPC’s Contributions to Federation Account Drop

Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Sanusi Barkindo told the Senate Committee on Petroleum (Upstream Sector) that Nigeria’s federation account is experiencing a shortfall in monthly contributions by the corporation. This, he said, was occasioned by the fall in the prices of crude oil in the international market. He stated that there was need for an urgent response from all arms of government and the oil industry in particular to contain the emerging scenario.

EFCC arrests Customs Chiefs over Duty Evasion

Two Customs Comptrollers were arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged involvement in a N3billion duty evasion by the Vaswani brothers. The suspects were arrested by EFCC operatives in Lagos. The Comptrollers were allegedly in charge of Apapa Ports when the Vaswani brothers allegedly imported rice into the country and evaded the N3billion duty.

Nigeria Loses over N100b over Shut Gas Plant

The Federal Government has reportedly lost over N100 billion since November 2008 due to the shutdown of the Soku gas plant in Rivers State, which used to provide 40 per cent of the gas need of the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) in Bonny, Rivers State. The Soku gas plant, which is operated by the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), was shut to stop the multi-billion naira gas plant from being engulfed by fire that might be occasioned by the activities of oil thieves who have severely compromised the 50 kilometres condensate to Bonny NLNG, according to the Eastern Swamp Operation Manager, Mr. Boma Brown.

House, NBA, AC, Reps Condemn Withdrawal of Police Orderlies

The Federal Government’s directive ordering the withdrawal of police orderlies from judges, commissioners, lawmakers and some other public office holders has drawn the ire of the House of Representatives, Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) and opposition Action Congress (AC). The House described the development as unfair and an attempt to expose the personalities in question to avoidable security challenges, while NBA President, Rotimi Akeredolu, strongly condemned the directive, saying that stripping judges bare of protection in the face of unimaginable danger they contend with in the discharge of their duties was a disservice of monumental proportion. The Federal Executive Council (FEC) had on Wednesday released a list of public servants and political office holders entitled to police orderlies.

U.S Rates Nigeria High on Aviation Safety

Officials of the Federal Aviation Administration of America (FAA), who concluded the first leg of Category One certification exercise for Nigeria's aviation industry yesterday, have expressed satisfaction with safety measures put in place by the Federal Government. The experts predicted that Nigeria could emerge as the leader in aviation safety in Africa, if the authorities fully maintained and improved on existing standards.

NAPTIP Arrests Human Trafficking Kingpin

Two Nigeriens are now cooling their heels in the police net for engaging in trans-border human trafficking business after they were arrested in Kano. The spokesperson of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Mr. Orakwue Arinze, on Thursday disclosed that the suspect had been on the agency's wanted list for the past 24 months for allegedly trafficking over 100 Nigerian girls from Edo State in batches, many of who died in Algeria last year.

Suspected Kidnapper Arrested in Jos

An attempt by a 24-year-old man to kidnap two children, aged six and four years, in broad daylight in Jos, Plateau State capital, has been foiled as he was arrested, after a ht chase by the children’s’ father. The suspect, whose name was given by the state Police Commissioner, Mr. Greg Anyating, who paraded him before newsmen, Wednesday, as Yahaya Ibrahim, was said to have kidnapped the children, and put them inside a sack, but their sister quickly ran home to alert their parents. The suspect reportedly dropped the bag, as he was being chased, but soldiers were said to have assisted to arrest him and took him to the police station in the area.

2 Chadians Arrested with Gun, Army Cap

Two Republic of Chad nationals have been arrested for allegedly possessing a locally made pistol and an Army camouflage face cap at Banki, a border town between Nigeria and Cameroon in Borno state. It is believed that the two suspects were on their way to Monguno local government area of the State, when they were arrested. The Comptroller, Nigerian Immigration Service, Borno state Command, Mohammed Sambo Gwandu paraded the two suspected Chadians in Maiduguri, at the weekend. He described the two of them as ''illegal immigrants,'' who trespassed into Nigeria without travel documents.

Police Boss Raises Squad for Nigeria/Cameroon Border

The Inspector General of Police, Mike Okiro, has set-up a 50-man crack police squad headed by a senior police officer, to patrol the crime-prone areas of the Nigeria-Cameroon borders, in an effort to check the recent upsurge in trans-border robbery. The Adamawa State Police Commissioner, Alhaji Buba Maina, who disclosed this, said the squad would be stationed in Mubi and Ganye towns, two border towns in Adamawa State that witnessed high incidences of violent trans-border robberies.

Nigerian Soldier Killed in Darfur

A Nigerian soldier, Lance Corporal John Ahmed, 35, on United Nations (UN) peacekeeping mission in Darfur, Sudan has been reported killed by gunmen. UN spokesman in Sudan, Kemal Saiki, said the peacekeepers were returning from patrol when eight armed men opened fire on them. It was the second such attack since the International Criminal Court (ICC) indicted Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir on March 4, this year for alleged war crimes in Darfur. Penultimate week, four peacekeepers were wounded in a shooting near Geneina in western Darfur.

Senate Looks into Ethnic, Religious Discrimination

The Nigerian Senate is set to address religious and ethnic biases across the country under the planned amendment of the 1979 Constitution. A study by a civil society group claims that over 20,000 Nigerians are killed yearly in ethno-religious-crises. Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, said that the senate would National Assembly address weaknesses in the current political and legal framework for national integration and coexistence.

Police Arrest Journalist over Publication

Mr. Sola Fabiyi, the Punch Newspapers Chief Correspondent for Abuja, was on Wednesday detained by the Police for refusing to write a statement on the source of the story the Newspaper published recently in which the Action Congress (AC) alleged an assassination attempt by a leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on former Lagos State governor, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Steve Ayorinde, the newspaper's Editor, said Fabiyi disclosed this. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) declared that any breach of due process by aggrieved persons or institutions against their opponents was unacceptable and unconstitutional, and must not be condoned in the polity. The commission views the method adopted in his arrest as an infringement on the freedom of the Press.

Robbers Disguise with Helmets to Attack Bank Customers

Armed robbers have now devised new ways of attacking bank customers as they now use motorcycles, wearing helmets to trail bank customers. The helmets are now being used by robbers as a disguise, which would make it difficult for any one to identify the attacker. In the light of this development, top police officers have warned members of the public to be very cautious and always monitor any motorcycle that is parked on banks' premises.

Workers Protest in Abuja, Shelve Strike Action

Oil workers’ unions protested on Monday in Abuja against the planned deregulation of the downstream sector of the oil industry and the insecurity in the Niger Delta region. The protest was a prelude to strike warnings by the oil workers union. But a meeting scheduled between government representatives and the unions stemmed the earlier strike warning, making them to renege on the strike threat.

Man Laments Brutality at Polish Embassy

The  inhuman  treatment   always meted  to  Nigerian  nationals  in  foreign  lands  was  on  Friday  replicated  at  the   Embassy of Poland in  Abuja,  as  a  Nigerian,  Mr.  Rasaq  Salami,  was  allegedly brutalised  by  security  officers  attached  to  the  embassy on the instruction of the  ambassador. Mr  Salami, now with  his  right  leg  in  plaster  of  Paris (POP), dislocated  waist  and  several  bruises,  said that  he  went  to  the  embassy  penultimate  Friday  to  collect  some travelling  documents,  when  he  was  attacked  by  the  mobile  police  officers  attached  to  the  embassy, accusing him of being a terrorist. Salami reported that the ambassador was filming the torture process.

6 Die on Maiduguri-Damaturu Road Accident

Six persons died, penultimate Sunday in a ghastly motor accident involving a petrol tanker and a 16-seater Toyota Hiace bus along the Maiduguri-Damaturu road. The petrol tanker driver reportedly lost control and rammed into the bus, which was coming from Katsina State.  It took several hours of combined efforts of FRSC officials and some security agents to evacuate the corpses and injured victims to Maiduguri Specialist Hospital, while the tanker driver fled from the scene.

INTERNATIONAL

Air Crashes In US, Japan

A small plane carrying a group of people from the city to Montana crashed into a cemetery close the airport in Butte and burst into flames in California, killing 14 people. No cause of the crash was given. While in Japan, a cargo plane smashed into a runway while attempting to land at Tokyo’s main international airport, killing the American pilot and co-pilot. Investigators believe wind shear, or a sudden gust of wind, may have been a factor.

Taliban Commander, Others killed in NATO Strike

The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) has killed a senior Taliban commander and nine other suspected militants in southern Afghanistan, while the coalition and its Afghan allies suffered an equal number of deaths in separate attacks in the same area. Afghan police and intelligence agents, Monday, detained five Taliban militants in Oruzgan, said police officer Wali Jan. Taliban fighters also ambushed a police patrol in southern Kandahar province's Spin Boldak district, killing eight officers and wounding another, said Sahib Jan, a police officer.

25 Die, Several Hurt in Iraqi Suicide Blast at Funeral

About 25 people were killed on Monday in the north-eastern Iraqi province of Diyala after a bomber targeted a crowd of mourners at a Kurdish funeral. Dozens of people were also reported wounded in the bomb explosion. The attack came just hours after another bombing in the district of Abu Ghraib, west of Baghdad, killed at least eight people. Meanwhile, Iraqi President Jalal Talabani has told Kurdish guerrillas using northern Iraq as a base for attacks on Turkey to lay down their arms or leave the territory.

Car Bomb, Suicide Bomber Kill 27 IN Iraq, Pakistan

A car bomb ripped through a crowd in Baghdad, Iraq on Thursday, killing at least 16 people, including women and children. The Shaab car bomb also came three days after a suicide attack against Kurdish mourners in central Iraq killed 27 people and wounded 50. While in Pakistan, 11 people were killed when a suicide bomber struck a restaurant in northwest Pakistan. The Pakistani government has encouraged various leaders in the northwest to set up armed militias, sometimes called "Peace Committees," to ward off the Taliban.

U.S., Japan Warn North Korea against Rocket Launch

United States (U.S) and Japan have warned North Korea against launching an already mounted rocket, saying such action would draw serious consequences as regional powers suspect it will use the launch to test the delivery technology for a long-range missile capable of striking Alaska. They have warned that the launch would trigger sanctions. North Korea has designated the waters off northern Akita and Iwate prefectures (states) as a risk zone for falling fragments, and officials in Iwate have set up hot lines connecting town offices and increased overnight staffing before and during the scheduled launch dates. They have also reviewed contingency measures to deal with possible damage.

U.S. Envoys Decried Worsening Condition of Darfur Crisis

The United States (U.S.) diplomats have found worsening conditions, including water shortages, at camps for displaced people in Darfur and urged the government to reverse a decision to expel 13 aid groups. The US Department held that it would hold Sudan's President Omar Hassan al-Bashir responsible for each death caused by the expulsion of the major aid groups this month.

France to Compensate Nuclear Testing Victims

The French government has agreed to compensate victims of past nuclear tests and has earmarked an initial 10 million euros to do so, according to Defence Minister Herve Morin. French government had long refused to officially recognise a link between its testing of nuclear bombs, which ended in 1996, and health complaints reported by both military and civilian staff involved in the tests. Also, Prime Minister Francois Fillon has reiterated France's desire alongside its allies, to promote global peace and security. Fillon pledged his country’s continued solidarity with Africa.