Villeworth Security Services Ltd

week 18

PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

Abducted Turkish Sailors Regain Freedom

Two Turkish Sailors who were abducted on April 14 by gunmen, who attacked their vessel, have regained their freedom. The sailors, Taskiran Sinan, the captain, and second engineer, Sengul Salim were on board MT Alenya Mercan when unknown gunmen attacked their vessel 50 nautical miles off Bonny River and took them away. JTF Spokesman Colonel Rabe Abubakar said that the sailors regained their freedom on the night of Wednesday, but could not disclose the exact location.

JTF kills Six Militants, Pirates Attack Boat, Rape Girl at Bonny River

Six militants, suspected to be members of Asari Dokubo’s Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Force (NDPVF), were killed during an exchange of gunfire between them and men of the Joint Military Task Force (JTF) at Samaa Community in Asari Toru LGA of Rivers State on Monday. This came as suspected militants operating around the Bonny area in the state attacked a 25-passenger boat at Isaka River near Bonny Island on Monday and robbed occupants of their belongings, while a yet-to-be identified young girl was raped. A PACON ONE service vessel was also reportedly attacked by the militants at Fairway Buoy, but was timely rescued by the men of the Nigeria Navy on patrol. The Coordinator of the Joint Media Campaign Centre (JMCC), Colonel Rabe Abubakar confirmed the incidents, saying there was no casualty recorded.

Mother, 3 Kids Kidnapped in Bayelsa

A woman and three of her children have been kidnapped in Yenagoa. The woman, whose name was given as Mrs Grace Olobio, was abducted with her children at a church, penultimate Sunday. According to a family source, four gunmen drove them to Okaki, a boundary town in Ahoada West LGA of Rivers State and took them away in a speedboat.

JTF, Militants Clash in Bonny

The Joint Military Taskforce (JTF) said two of its personnel were wounded in a clash with suspected militants in Bonny, Rivers State. Spokesman for the task force, Col. Rabe Abubakar, said that the militants came in five speed boats, while men of the task force were on patrol. Abubakar said the latest attack would not push the force to carry out a full fledged onslaught on the militants’ locations in the communities as they were just few in number. He added that the task force destroyed two barges used by illegal bunkerers at Soku gas plant in Rivers.

Anambra Moves against robbery, kidnapping

The Anambra government, Thursday, expressed their determination to check armed robbery and kidnapping in their states. Governor Peter Obi said some measures to check the menace include signing into law the bill making kidnapping and hostage-taking capital offences, while also directing the police to, within the bounds of law, confiscate all assets belonging to any convicted kidnaper. He also warned that government would henceforth hold traditional rulers and community leaders responsible for any kidnapping in their communities.

FG Gives Condition for Withdrawal of Soldiers from Niger Delta

The Federal Government has handed the leaders and youths of the Niger Delta region a condition that may lead to the permanent withdrawal of soldiers from creeks and waterways of the region, declaring that they must show genuine commitment to peace in the region.  Vice President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, said it was not the intention of the Federal Government to keep soldiers permanently in the Niger Delta, but the situation had become inevitable because of the security situation in the area. The vice president called on the youths of the region to embrace peace and protect projects sited in the region as the benefits would only come to the people.

MEND Issues Ultimatum to Navy

Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) on Sunday issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the Nigeria Navy to return cash and fish allegedly stolen from fish trawlers as well as payment for medical treatment for injury inflicted on the owners of the fish trawlers. According to MEND, they intercepted a distress call from the crew of two fishing trawlers about a pirate attack around the Funiwa oil flow station on the Middleton High Sea in Bayelsa State, and by the time they got there, they met the traumatised crew who narrated their ordeal in the hands of Nigerian navy gunboat crew assigned to guard the Funiwa Flow station. MEND threatened that after the expiration of the deadline it will attack and kill the suspected pirates in Navy Uniform as they have a zero tolerance for all acts of piracy and criminality by the military.

VP Affirms FG’s Commitment to Brass LNG Project

Vice President of Nigeria, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, has expressed the unwavering commitment of the Federal Government towards the completion of the Brass LNG project. Jonathan also praised the commitment of all stakeholders involved in the project. He also tasked the Management Board of Brass LNG Ltd to ensure that the host communities are carried along all through the project stages, especially in the area of training and capacity building for the youths.

VP’s Political Associate Kidnapped

Gunmen on Saturday night invaded Sagbama LGA of Bayelsa State and kidnapped Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan’s associate, Chief Fyneman Wilson, from his country home. The development has forced the Joint Task Force (JTF) in the state to beef up security as detectives of the Nigeria Police moved into the creeks to fish out the kidnappers. Wilson regained his freedom on Tuesday after it was alleged that a ransom of N3m was paid. The kidnappers had initially demanded for N50m but settled for N3m.

FG, Oil Companies Tasked Over Amnesty, Oil Spill

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State, Mr. Chamberlain Kre-Ikidi, Tuesday, challenged the positions of the Federal Government and the oil companies in the Niger Delta region on issues of amnesty and oil spillage, while asking that damages caused by spillages should be treated immediately. He said the rising cases of criminal activities along the waterways and the forceful ejection of several companies from the region is condemnable. Kre-Ikidi urged the Federal Government to pay special attention to the region.

FG Returns 186 Oil Wells to A’Ibom

Akwa Ibom State Government said on Tuesday, that it had taken possession of 186 oil wells wrongly ceded to some neighbouring states by previous administrations in the country. Governor Godswill Akpabio, who disclosed this, said Akwa Ibom State had become the nation’s largest producer of crude oil and would earn more revenue from the federation account.

Kidnappers Kill Lady after Collecting N10m Ransom

A 23-year-old university undergraduate has been killed two weeks after her kidnap and after her father had reportedly paid a N10 million ransom for her freedom. Miss Aniefon Anidi-Abasi, daughter of Abak Council Chairman of Akwa Ibom State was killed last Tuesday and her body dumped at near the gates of the State College of Agriculture in Oruk-Anam LGA. The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Walter Joseph Rugbere, expressed shock at the dastardly act.

2 Feared Dead in Renewed Communal Crisis in Ebonyi

The lingering communal crisis between the people of Ezillo and Ezza  in Ishielu LGA of Ebonyi State reverberated Tuesday with the killing of two persons  while three others were  feared missing.  Renewed hostilities broke out weekend, as sporadic gunshots rent the air at the disputed lands. The military personnel deployed to the area on Monday paraded four persons said to have been arrested allegedly in possession of four AK47 rifles together with a soldier who was also alleged to be a co-conspirator.

Robbers Raid Awka, Kill Two

Suspected armed robbers on Wednesday held Awka, Anambra State capital hostage for over an hour, while waiting for a Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) bullion van along the Enugu-Onitsha expressway. The hoodlums, numbering over 30, in frustration started shooting into some of the buildings within the estate. Two persons - a commuter bus driver and a commercial motorcycle rider –were killed. The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Amusa Bello, said the police, after a shoot out with the hoodlums, recovered 18 magazines of AK47 assault rifles each loaded with 30 live bullets, three vehicles, including two vehicles.

Inter-Cult Clash Sacks Community

Inter-cult clash has rocked Krakrama community in Asari Toru LGA of Rivers State, claiming at least two lives and several persons displaced. The spokesman of Joint Task Force (JTF) in the Niger Delta, Colonel Rabe Abubakar, said the JTF has drafted personnel to the place to keep peace. The cause is suspected to be a fight for supremacy.

Police Nab car Thief in the Act

The Bayelsa State Police Command on Wednesday paraded a car thief who was caught in trying to move a parked vehicle. The suspect, Christopher Afokpalam, 65, was arrested with 14 master keys that could open practically any car and about 200 regular car keys. Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ibokette Iniobong, also said community policing led to the arrest of three suspected armed robbers in Amassoma area of the state, who had dispossessed people of valuables using a locally-made pistol. Meanwhile, a man suspected to be a member of the National Security and Civil Defence Corps was arrested for stealing the satellite television decoder of the Yenagoa LG secretariat.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

Edo CP Parades 11 Suspects

The Commissioner of Police, Edo State Police Command, Mr. Danlami Yar’Adua, on Tuesday paraded 11 suspects for armed robbery and kidnapping. The suspects were believed to be terrorising Benin and other parts of the state. The action of the police boss followed the kidnapping of yet another member of a prominent family in Benin, Mr. Rotimi Arumeni-Ojemai, who was abducted by six unidentified gunmen at his block factory on Ekeunwa Road, Benin, on Monday evening. A source added that the kidnappers burnt the car with which they abducted their victim at the point of taking off.

Bill on Death Sentence for Kidnappers Passes Second Reading in Delta

Delta State House of Assembly on Wednesday took the second reading of a bill that is seeking to prescribe death sentence for persons caught kidnapping others.
The bill sponsored by Daniel Mayuku is seeking to amend the Criminal Code Law Volume II (Laws of the defunct Bendel State of Nigeria 1976) as applicable in Delta State.

JTF Uncovers Illegal Bunkering Depot in Delta

The spokesman for the Joint Military Task Force (JTF) Col. Rabe Abubakar has disclosed that the task force arrested a suspect when it uncovered and raided some illegal bunkering spot at Ubikodo Itsekiri in Delta State on Tuesday.

Delta Moves to End Fuel Scarcity

Worried by the current fuel scarcity in Delta state, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan Thursday read the riot act to officials of Pipeline and Product Marketing Company (PPMC) and the Directorate of Petroleum Resources (DPR). Uduaghan claimed that the Warri Refinery was working at optimal capacity and therefore, charged the panel to ensure that tanker drivers do not divert fuel after loading at the depots. The governor also tasked PPMC and DPR personnel to be diligent in their duties and avoid sharp practices to ensure sanity in the fuel supply process.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

Mutiny: Criticism Trails Verdict on Convicted Soldiers

Nigerians have criticised the life imprisonment sentences passed on the 27 ex-United Nations peacekeepers by a court martial headed by Brig-Gen. Ishaya Bauka. One of their lawyers, Morakinyo Ogele, said that although the soldiers could appeal against the verdict to the army authorities in Abuja they would rather head for the Court of Appeal immediately, as he alleged that court martial acted out the script of the army headquarters during the trial. A lawyer based in Ibadan, Mr. Peters Adonu, also berated the court martial, saying the panel publicly displayed throughout the trial that it was out to punish the soldiers, arguing that the president of the court martial ought to have disqualified himself from the trial when he was openly accused of bias.

Students, Indigenes Clash in Ilese Ijebu

A violent clash on Tuesday morning between the indigenes of Ilese community and the students of the Ogun State School of Health Technology, Ilese has left two persons hospitalised. The clash, it was gathered, started late on Monday night when some students of the Department of Environmental Technology of the institution, who were dropping some of their members hit a commercial motor cyclist.  It was gathered that the Dean of Student Affairs of the school Mr. Olusegun Ogunyanwo, who was pacifying both parties at the entrance of the school gate, was beaten.

Swine fever: Farmers Step up Bio-Security Measures

The Federal Government and pig farmers across the country have stepped up bio-security measures to prevent the outbreak of the swine fever epidemic. Farmers on Lagos-Ogun State border had been fumigating their farms. The farmers took the measures as the World Health Organisation on Tuesday warned that the disease might spread to more countries. The Minister of Health, Prof. Babatunde Osotimehin, had on Monday issued assured Nigerians that the disease had not spread to Nigeria. Meanwhile, the Federal Government has directed that all aircraft and ships that arrived Nigeria should be checked and cleaned up to ensure that there is no trace of the swine influenza on both passengers and luggage.

Court Orders Lagos CP to Produce Awosika’s Suspected Killer

The court trying the death of Modebayo Awosika, has ordered the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Marvel Akpoyibo, to produce in court one Corporal Benjamin Onyedi who was alleged to have shot the late Awosika for failing to stop after hitting a police vehicle. Chief Magistrate, Philip Ojo, also ordered the Commissioner of Police to make available vital documents relating to Corporal Benjamin Onyedi to the court. Ojo gave the order after the testimony of police constable David Akapa who told the court that Corporal Onyedi actually shot the late Awosika when he failed to stop after hitting a Police vehicle.

Tension in Lagos over Police, Soldiers' Clash

Uneasy calm pervades Orile-Iganmu in Lagos following the killing of a soldier allegedly by a police Inspector on Wednesday. It was learnt that the incident happened after a disagreement between the soldier and the police officer. It was learnt that some soldiers stormed the Orile-Iganmu police station that night to launch a reprisal, but the Area Commander intervened to prevent a confrontation. Troops from the Lagos State security outfit, "OPERATION MESSA," have been mobilised to avert reprisals by colleagues of the dead soldier.

Ekiti REC, Adebayo, Returns, Ready to Conclude Re-Run Polls

The Ekiti State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Chief Olusola Ayoka Adebayo, who earlier in the week resigned, rescinded her resignation and offered to conclude the suspended re-run governorship election. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti has, however, declared that it no longer has confidence in her ability to handle the process. Meanwhile, hundreds of women, Wednesday, trooped to the streets of Ado-Ekiti, some of them half-nude in protest against the political scene in the state. The re-run has been scheduled for May 5th.

S’West AC Condemns Call for Troops Deployment

The South-west caucus of the Action Congress (AC), Thursday, described the call for deployment of troops to Ekiti as an indication that the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was prepared to intimidate the people of the state. South-west chairman of AC, Prince Tajudeen Olusi, also deplored the Federal Government’s decision to leave the national leadership of AC out of the security meetings it had so far convened.

GENERAL

EFCC Alerts on Fraudulent SMS

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has alerted the public to the activities of some fraudsters who impersonate officials of the commission with the aim of extorting money from unsuspecting members of the public. The latest trick of the fraudsters is to send text messages to people, using the name of the EFCC‘s Director of Operations, Mr. Tunde Ogunsakin, to solicit that funds be paid into an account. The commission has, therefore, advised members of the public to be wary.

AU Launches Climate Change Monitoring Station

The African Union (AU) has launched a satellite receiving station to track the effects of climate change in the continent. The station, AU-African Monitoring of the Environment for Sustainable Development, will receive data from the European satellite agency EUMETSAT. Scientists recently warned that Africa faces an inevitable repetition of "mega-droughts", severe droughts that could last several decades. They also add that Africa, despite being the continent least responsible for climate change, is set to be the one suffering the most from its consequences.

EU, UNODC Boost Nigeria's Anti-Graft Crusade with $30m

About $30 million has been set aside to support the activities of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigerian judiciary towards fighting corruption and economic crimes by the European Union (EU). EU's National Project Officer in Nigeria, Mrs. Ugonna Ezekwem, said the project, a partnership among EU, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Federal Government, would enhance the enforcement of capacity and effectiveness of Nigerian institutions to prevent, detect, investigate and prosecute financial crimes offenders and enforce related laws through the judicial system.

ONGC Mittal to Build Refinery in Nigeria

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has given approval to Indian Energy giant, ONGC Mittal Energy Ltd (OMEL) to build a refinery in Nigeria. OMEL is the joint venture between Mittal Investments Sarl, and ONGC Videsh Ltd (OVL), the overseas investment arm of ONGC. The Federal Government, through the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) had awarded exploration rights to the joint venture during the 2005 licensing round after the company showed commitment to invest $6 billion in the downstream sector.

Power Supply Disrupted in Four Northern States

Vandals, who destroyed towers belonging to the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) with sophisticated weapons, have thrown Borno, Yobe, Adamawa and Taraba states into a total blackout. Some parts of Bauchi, Jigawa and Plateau states were also affected by the vandalism of Towers 198 and 272, which supply electricity to the affected states. PHCN's Assistant General Manager (Transmission), Isa Dauda, said, who disclosed this, however said the company had mobilised its personnel and equipment to the area for the re-installation of the equipment.

NEMA Coordinator Dies in Car Crash

The National Emergency Management Agency has lost its North East Zonal Co-ordinator, Hajiya Fatima Abdu Usman, and her two children in a motor accident that occurred, in Bauchi, on Sunday. Director General of NEMA retired Air Vice Marshal Mohammed Audu-Bida expressed shock over the sad news and said she will be greatly missed for her honesty, hardwork, and dedication to duty. He prayed God to grant her eternal rest.

Housemaid Alleges Assault by Lawmaker

A housemaid, Lydia Elisha, has petitioned the House of Representatives over alleged torture and humiliation meted out to her by the police on the orders of a member of the house, Mr Henry Shawulu. Elisha said Shawulu accused her of stealing N40, 000 from his residence and was taken to Life Camp police station where she was almost tortured to death by the police. The housemaid said a lawyer, Teslim Agboola, who came to assist in securing her release on bail, was equally assaulted by the police officers. Shawulu claimed ignorance of the matter.

NDLEA Nabs 20 Suspected Traffickers At Abuja

Officers of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) Abuja arrested 20 suspected drug traffickers and seized 26.42 kilogrammes of drugs suspected to be cocaine with estimated value of N92 million in the first quarter of 2009. The NDLEA Airport Commander, Alhaji Hamisu Lawal, disclosed this, saying that the first quarter statistics of 2008 is not significantly different from that of the current year.

Women Can Now Stand as Surety for Suspects — Okiro

The Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mike Okiro, has said that women who meet the statutory bail conditions be allowed to stand as surety for suspects. Okiro, who gave this order, directed police officers nationwide to allow women to stand as surety to suspects. Okiro was quoted as saying that his action was one of steps being taken to bequeath the public a people-friendly and responsive Police Force.

LG Official Killed in Niger State

An LG council official has been stabbed to death in Minna, Niger state. The deceased, 20-year-old Shamsudin Mustafa, met his untimely death on his way back from his girl-friends’ house when he was accosted and stabbed to death by unknown assailants after a heated argument. Police Public Relations Officer, Niger State Command, Mr. Richard Oguche, confirmed the incident and said three persons had been arrested and were interrogated in connection with the killing

Environmental Abuses: FG Threatens to Revoke Licences of Oil Companies

The Federal Government, Tuesday, threatened to withdraw operational licenses from Oil companies and other firms in the manufacturing sector that fail to adhere to environmental safety rules and regulations. The Minister of Environment, Mr. John Odey, who issued the warning, noted that government was fed up with the attitude of the concerned companies, following their failure to comply with directives on environmental safety. The minister blamed the companies for environmental problems in the country, which had adversely affected the wellbeing of the people.  In the same vein, Odey said relevant agencies had been strengthened to effectively protect the environment.

Senate Summons Three Ministers over Abandoned Ship, Crew

The Senate on Wednesday summoned the Ministers of Defence, Foreign and Internal Affairs as well as the National Security Adviser over the abandonment of a Nigerian ship and its 10-man Nigerian crew in captivity in Somalia. The pirates that hijacked the ship off the Somalian coast on August 5, 2008 have demanded $1m as ransom, while threatening to execute the captives if the demand was not met.

Reps Throw out Anti-Corruption Bill

The House of Representatives on Wednesday threw out another anti-corruption bill on the grounds that it would be used by opponents to settle political scores. The bill, which sought a law to protect informants who offered information leading to the arrest and prosecution of corrupt persons, sought to ‘‘provide for the protection against victimisation of persons who make this disclosure; to provide for a fund to reward such individuals.

NDLEA Arrests Suspect on Interpol’s Wanted List

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have apprehended a suspected drug kingpin, Goodluck Omah, wanted by the International Police Organisation (INTERPOL). The agency‘s Head, Public Affairs, Mr. Mitchell Ofoyeju, said the suspect was believed to have masterminded several cases of cocaine smuggling packed industrially in cans made in Switzerland, France, Turkey, Belgium and Netherlands.

FG Considers Measures against Oil Coys over Gas for Electricity

International Oil Companies operating in Nigeria run the risk of stiff punishment from the Federal Government if they fail in meeting their domestic gas supply obligations designed to meet the 6,000 mega watts target for domestic power supply before December 2009. The Federal Government had in 2008 allocated the IOCs with different domestic gas supply obligations with a view to getting increased supply of gas for the domestic market, especially the power sector.

Abducted Canadian Woman Freed

A Canadian woman kidnapped over a week ago in northern Nigeria was released on Wednesday. Julie Mulligan, 45, was seized from a car by gunmen in the city of Kaduna April 16.  Police spokesman, Emmanuel Ojukwu, said "She is in good health and in the custody of the security services."  Police spokesman, Emmanuel Ojukwu, said he did not know if any ransom was paid, but seven persons have been arrested and charged to court.

Fuel Crisis Over Soon, Says NNPC
…Pumping of products from Atlas Cove begins

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has taken urgent steps to address the current fuel crisis with the commencement of pumping of products, from the Atlas cove to other depots, which was suspended following a recent attack by vandals. Spokesman of the corporation, Dr. Levi Ajuonuma said the vandalised Pipeline had been repaired and that products pumping has commenced.  He explained that the incident had affected the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company’s (PPMC’s) capacity to move product by about 30 percent, a minimum of about 380 trucks per day.

Shell Loses 90,000bpd Output in Q1
…As profits plunge by 58%

Royal Dutch Shell, Wednesday, said that declining crude oil prices, production losses, due to the crisis in the Niger Delta region, as well as the OPEC quota restrictions led to a sharp drop in its net earnings in the first quarter of 2009. Shell said its net earnings on a current cost of supply basis fell to $3.3billion during the first quarter of this year, down 58 percent from $4.8 billion in the same period of 2008. The company also affirmed that it lost around 90,000 b/d of oil equivalent of upstream crude and natural gas production during the first quarter of this year as a result of security-related problems at its operations in Nigeria.

Melt Down: Africa Will Recover Slowly – ADB

Africa’s recovery from the on-going global financial crisis will be slower than other regions of the world, the African Development Bank has said. President of the ADB, Mr. Donald Kaberuka, said that the journey to recovery would commence in the first half of 2010 as African region’s resurgence will follow improvements in the economies of the developed world, where the crisis started. He said once the world recovery began, African countries, which had been hit faster than expected, would recover.

5 DIG’s, 7 New AIG’s Appointed in Police

The Police high command on Tuesday approved the appointment of two new Deputy Inspector General’s of police and promotion of three others as acting DIG’s. Seven Assistant Inspectors General of Police (AIG) were appointed and posted to the zones while 17 Commissioners of police were posted to state commands. Confirming the appointments in Abuja yesterday, Police Force Public Relations officer, ACP Emmanuel Ojukwu said all the appointments are with immediate effect.

Shell Nigeria Cuts Budget for '09 to $2.4 Billion

Shell's budget in Nigeria has been significantly reduced over the past few years, going from $6.6 billion a few years ago to $2.4 billion for 2009.  The company maintains that it will be spending roughly 63percent less in Nigeria during the year. The Regional Executive Vice- President, Shell Exploration and Production, Africa, Ann Pickard, informed that  the company was forced to scale down the budget to be able to meet its objectives.

Schlumberger to Sack 5000 Staff Declares $6B First Quarter 2009

Schlumberger has reportedly concluded arrangements to sack about 5000 of its international staff following the cascading oil prices and the world economic recession.  The company's Chief Financial Officer, Simon Avat, who made this revelation recently, said that the company would cut 6percent of its 84,000 global employees in the first round of layoffs announced in January. Meanwhile, the company reported 2009 first-quarter revenue of $6 billion versus $6.87 billion in the fourth quarter of 2008.

Rainstorm Destroys 50 Houses in Kogi

At least 50 houses and property worth millions of naira were, Wednesday, destroyed when a torrential rain storm struck Makutu community in Isanlu, Yagba West LGA of Kogi state.  No life was reported lost in the incident. The Oba of Makutu-Isanlu, Oba Samuel Abegunde, lamented that the storm was a recurring decimal, adding that the previous victims were worst hit than those of this year. A similar incident was recorded last year.

No Swine Flu in Africa, WHO Declares

Although swine flu has been reported in nine countries, the World Health Organisation (WHO) says it is yet to be traced in Africa. WHO's assertion Thursday came amid claims that two cases have been unearthed in South Africa. WHO also disclosed that it had raised the level of influenza pandemic alert from phase to five.

OPEC Laments Oil at $50 a Barrel

The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has warned that the current crude oil price, which hovers around $51 per barrel, is too low for continued investment. The 12 member group said a $70 barrel would be acceptable and reasonable for the organisation. OPEC's Secretary –General, Abdalla El-Badri, however noted that it was up to the market to set the price. The OPEC’s monthly publication said that the global crude oil demand in the first half of this year averaged 85.6 million bpd, representing a reduction of 0.4 per cent or up to 0.35 million barrels per day compared to last year. The downward trend would continue in the second half of this year, with a decline of 1.6 per cent or up to 1.4 million barrels per day, the report said.

ONGC Renews Interest in OPLs 321

Oil and Natural Gas Company (ONGC) of India is said to have activated processes to reclaim the two oil blocks, OPLs 321 and 323, it lost to Korean firm, KNOC. The company had lost out to the Korean National Oil Company (KNOC), which has fallen by the wayside due to what the government says is a failure to honour its financial commitments towards infrastructure development. KNOC was informed in January that President Umaru Yar’Adua had decided to void the allocation of OPLs 321 and 323 and re-award the blocks to the ONGC consortium who originally submitted the winning bid.

Kano Ex-Police Chief Accuses Hisba of Rights' Abuse

Past Kano State Police Commissioner, Mohammed Yesufu, Thursday, accused members of the Kano State Sharia implementing outfit referred to as the Hisba board of breaching the provision of the 1999 Constitution. He further expressed disappointment with members of the Hisba board for refusing to subordinate their powers to the police.

INTERNATIONAL

Pakistan Retakes Town from Taliban Rebels

Government troops in Pakistan have seized control of the main town in the north-west region of Buner after launching a new air and ground offensive against Taliban militants. The operation to flush out the rebels had the full backing of United States (U.S.). Up to 500 Taliban militants entered Buner in April and imposed sharia law. The latest Pakistani military operation launched on Tuesday came after a similar offensive mounted in nearby Lower Dir last weekend.

Bombs Kill 41 in Iraq

Iraqi police have confirmed that the death toll in a twin car bombing in Baghdad's main Shiite district has risen to at least 41.  The blasts on Wednesday in Sadr City came less than a week after bombings claimed more than 150 lives over a two-day span. The violence has raised fears that suspected Sunni insurgents are regrouping and trying to re-ignite sectarian strife as the U.S. military begins to withdraw.

Russia Threatens Serious Response after NATO Expels Envoys

Russia’s North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) envoy, Dmitry Rogozin, has warned that a harsh and decisive action would be taken against the command for expelling two Russian diplomats from the military alliance for alleged spying. Dmitry Rogozin insists that the diplomats were not spying, adding that the expulsions were an attempt by the alliance to disrupt efforts to improve United States (U.S.)-Russian relations. Meanwhile, NATO states have asked military planners to strengthen the rules of engagement for its ships tackling piracy off Somalia after legal restrictions forced some to free pirates they had captured.

Gunman Kills 13 in Azerbaijan School

An Azerbaijani gunman, Thursday, killed 13 people in a shooting spree at a university in the capital, Baku, before killing himself. The country’s interior ministry said that the gunman, identified as 29-year-old Farda Gadirov, had entered the building and "shot at everyone he saw" while climbing stairs from the first to sixth floors of the building, and when he realised that he could not escape after the police arrived, shot himself. A spokesman for the general prosecutor's office, Eldar Sultanov, confirmed this, and said 10 people were wounded in the attack.

Sri Lanka Rejects Tiger’s Ceasefire

Sri Lanka government has rejected a unilateral cease-fire declared by the Tamil Tigers on Sunday, saying that only surrender would stop troops from finishing the battle. United Nation‘s top humanitarian chief maintains the call for the protection of thousands of civilians trapped in the Tigers’ hold. The Tigers have refused international calls to free stranded civilians, whom witnesses say are kept from leaving by deadly force.

Pakistani Jets, Choppers Bomb Taliban

Pakistani jets and attack helicopters bombed Taliban positions in a district near the capital on Tuesday, the military said. Troops and heavy artillery also joined the operation, which follows urgent calls from the United States (US) for Islamabad to step up its fight against the militants, who moved into the region this month and warned locals to abide by strict interpretations of Islam. A shaky truce earlier called has been widely viewed in the West as surrender to militants who are slowly expanding their grip over the nuclear-armed nation. Casualty figures were not immediately known.

Terrorists Moving from Afghanistan to Africa

A new report has shown that battle-hardened extremists are filtering out of safe havens along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border into East Africa, bringing sophisticated terrorist tactics that include suicide attacks. So far, officials say the number of foreign fighters who have moved from South-West Asia and the Afghanistan-Pakistan border region to the Horn of Africa is small. The shift, according to United States (U.S.) military and counter-terrorism officials, fuels concern that Somalia is increasingly on a path to become a sanctuary where al-Qaeda-linked groups could train and plan their threatened attacks.

4 Die, 38 Hurt in California Tour-Bus Crash

At least four people died, and 38 others injured when a tour bus crashed, Tuesday, on the Pacific Coast Highway, California Highway Patrol spokesman Brian Wiest said. The California Highway Patrol said the crash took place while the bus was en route from San Francisco to Santa Maria, about 230 miles down the coast. Soledad The cause of the crash had not been determined.

Three Cleared of Aiding London Bombers

A jury London, Tuesday, acquitted three men of charges that they helped the bombers who carried out the July 7, 2005, attacks on the London transportation system. The four bombers died in the blasts, but Waheed Ali, Sadeer Saleem and Mohammed Shakil were accused of helping them by conducting reconnaissance and conspiring with them. Ali and Shakil were convicted of a second charge of conspiracy to attend a place used for terrorist training. The bombings in 2005 killed 52 people, while about 900 were wounded.

Sri Lanka Claims Rebel Strongholds

The Sri Lankan army overran two Tamil Tiger rebel positions in the country's north on Tuesday, the military reported. The claims of military victories came a day after Sri Lanka ordered an end to combat operations against the rebels by curtailing "the use of heavy-caliber guns, combat aircraft and aerial weapons which could cause civilian causalities," a statement from the Presidential Secretariat said.