Villeworth Security Services Ltd

week 23

PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

Military Onslaught Enters Rivers

The troops of the Joint Task Force (JTF) last weekend extended their military operations to Rivers State where they located and destroyed a militants' camp at Buguma creek after fierce exchange of fire with the militants. Also, former civilian governor of old Kaduna State and Chairman of the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP), Alhaji Balarabe Musa has warned the Federal Government on the increased military action in the Niger Delta.

Militants Lists Conditions for Accepting Amnesty

Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) said at the weekend it would consider government’s offer of amnesty only if its leader, Mr. Henry Okah, was released from detention. A MEND commander, Farah Dagogo, said that MEND could also hold off further attacks on the oil industry if the companies can embark on mass employment of capable people from their host communities.

Abia Police Rescue Abducted Lebanese

A Lebanese construction worker and his police escort were rescued hours after they were abducted along the Aba-Port Harcourt highway by 18 gunmen in the state of Abia on Sunday, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) said. During the rescue operation, the police escort and the expatriate were shot by the kidnappers before escaping. Soji Alabi, a spokesman for Abia state command of the NSCDC confirmed.

Nigeria Navy Kills 7 Suspected Militants

The Nigerian Navy has said it had killed seven suspected militants and rescued about three passengers whom the militants had dispossessed and dumped at a camp between Isaka and Bakana in Rivers State. According to the naval spokesman, Lt. Edward Yeibo, a naval patrol boat on was confronted by a seven-man militant group that had not long ago robbed three market boats on their way to Bayelsa State. The navy, during the defensive gun battle, killed the seven militants, recovered three AK47 rifles, one falcon pump action rifle, one double barrelled gun, one axe, 65 rounds of ammunition and thereafter set the boat ablaze.

US Court Cancels Hearing on Shell's Trial over Saro-Wiwa

A United States (U.S.) judge, Wednesday, postponed indefinitely, hearing on the civil trial of Oil Giant, Shell, over the alleged involvement of the firm in the executions of Ogoni environmental activist and writer, Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight others in Nigeria in 1995.  No reason was given for the decision and no new dates were announced. Shell is accused of human rights abuses, including violations connected with the 1995 hangings of Saro-Wiwa and eight other protesters by Nigeria's then-military government of late Gen. Sani Abacha. Shell has denied allegations of involvement in the execution.

Traditional Ruler, Others Feared Killed In Rivers Cult Clash

About 20 persons, including a traditional ruler who was beheaded, are feared killed in Obelle, Ibaa Community of Emohua LGA of Rivers State penultimate Wednesday, following a cult clash. Several others, who fled the violence are yet to return.

Gunmen Kidnap Pastor in Port Harcourt

Unknown gunmen, Penultimate Wednesday night, kidnapped a Pastor, Joseph Mukoro, the presiding pastor of Faith Power International Christian Centre, Port Harcourt, at about 8p.m. He was abducted in front of his house at Rukpokwu, a suburb of the Rivers state. A ransom of N5 million was demanded for his release, but it was reported that he has regained freedom, without any ransom being paid. The Rivers Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Rita Innoma-Abbey confirmed the incident.

Jail Break in Enugu, 150 Inmate Escape

Residents of Enugu were gripped with fear on Wednesday as 150 inmates including those awaiting trials escaped following a jail break. The escaped inmates were agitated because of the slow judicial processes that had kept most of them in prison custody longer than necessary. One of the escapees died in the process of climbing the tall walls of the prisons yard. According to investigations, the inmates were said to have escaped through the ceilings of their cells after successfully dismantling security barriers. The Comptroller General of Prisons, Olushola Ogundipe, disclosed that 130 of the escapees have already been arrested.

7 Killed as Robbers Invade Banks in Nnewi

Armed robbers, numbering about nine, Wednesday, in broad daylight, rained terror on banks in Nnewi, Anambra state, leaving seven people dead and 19 others severely wounded. The robbers were said to have pursued a bullion van but when they were beaten by the bullion van driver, the robbers who were heavily armed with machines guns and AK47 riffles, shot their way into the banks that were clustered on the street, killing two policemen and five civilians. The Anambra state Commissioner of Police, Amusa Bello, confirmed this.

MEND Pledges, Declines to Release Hostage

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) said it planned, June 1, to release a British oil worker, Matthew John Maguire, who was abducted last September, as a birthday "gift" to him. Maguire was taken hostage along with 26 other oil workers when their oil boat was hijacked in September. But in a twist of events, MEND within the week claimed that Maguire refused being released in protest against the alleged governments’ treatment of the people of the Niger Delta. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom (UK) has called for the immediate and unconditional release of Maguire, as it expressed disappointed that MEND reneged on its promise to release Maguire.

Gunmen Kill 2 Bayelsa Footballers

The Bayelsa Police Command has confirmed the death of two players of premiership side, Ocean Boys FC of Yenagoa, by unidentified gunmen in the Kpansia suburb of Yenagoa. It was learnt that the players were shot dead in their sleep at about 2am on Monday. The state's Police Spokesman, Mr Ibokette Iniobong, said that a neighbour reported the shooting to the police.

Imo PDP Treasurer Abducted in Owerri

PDP Treasurer in Imo State, Peter Orji, was snatched by gunmen in Owerri.Orji, former Works Commissioner, was said to have been kidnapped in the Fire Service station axis. Orji's whereabouts are not known, and no group or individual has requested ransom for his release. State PDP Chairman, Marcellinus Nlemigbo, described the incident as shocking, and said the party is still studying the situation to ascertain what actually happened. But Police Public Relations Officer, Linus Nwaiwu, said he is not aware of the abduction.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

EU Summon Yar'Adua over Niger Delta Crisis

The presidents of European Union (EU) countries are to meet with President Yar’Adua over the crisis in the Niger Delta, which has resulted in the use of military force by the government. A member of the European Parliament, Jean Lambert, said that the meeting with Yar’Adua had become necessary owing to the crisis in the Niger Delta and the critical role of Nigeria in the scheme of things in Africa.

Abducted Doctor and Kids Regain Freedom

After five days in captivity, an Edo medical doctor, Dr. Bamidele Ahonsi and his three kids were on Tuesday released to members of their family. It was gathered that a ransom was paid by the family before they were released.

House Urges JTF to be Professional in Battle Against Militants

The House of Representatives on Tuesday renewed it support for the ongoing military operations in the Niger Delta but advised the Military to exercise caution in its campaign to flush out the militant groups. This was part of the resolution at the end of a closed door meeting between the top brass of the Nigeria Armed Forces and the Joint Committee of the House on Defence, Army, Navy and Airforce. Chairman, House Committee on Defence, Honourable Oluwole Oke, said that the defence chiefs gave the lawmakers facts and figures on the ongoing military operations in the Niger Delta.

HURIWA Want UN To Probe Military Action in Delta

Human Rights Writers' Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has called on the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Independent, to initiate a full scale probe on the ongoing military action by the Nigeria's military in the Niger Delta. HURIWA said is imperative that an independent body be allowed to investigate the rights situation in the Niger Delta communities facing 'bombardments' of the Joint Task Force (JTF) because of widespread allegations of extrajudicial executions.

Military Now in Control in Niger Delta Crisis -Service Chiefs

The military authorities on Tuesday allayed fears over the activities of militants in the Niger Delta, expressing satisfaction with the military operation in the area which it said had put the military in full command of the oil-producing areas, having dislodged the militants from the core areas of their control. Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has asked the military to be cautious in their operations in the Niger Delta in order to avoid aggravating the humanitarian problems already caused by the activities of the JTF in the area.

ACF Clarifies Position on Military Action on N’Delta

Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has given reasons why it supported on-going military action by the Joint Task Force (JTF) against militants in the Niger Delta. ACF said the decision was borne out of patriotic zeal and not because it is against any ethnic group or because the militants are in the Niger Delta.  Its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Anthony, said these while reacting to comments made by National Publicity Secretary of the Action Congress (AC), Lai Mohammed, who reportedly said ACF’s comment   was unhelpful, because it contains no call for moderation, and reeks of ethnic and regional nationalism.

Transporter Regains Freedom in Benin

Kidnapped Bob Izua Managing Director, John Osamede Adun, regained his freedom on Sunday after allegedly paying a N20 million ransom. He is also Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman in Oredo Council, Edo State. Adun's lawyer, Olayiwona Afolabi, confirmed his release. Report said he is in good health.

Yar’Adua Explains Military Action on N/Delta

The Federal Government on Sunday said the military action in the restive Niger Delta region was targeted at halting the persistent criminal activities. The government however re-iterated that the window of opportunity to return to normal life provided for them through amnesty was still open. The government also said in two weeks, it will come out with comprehensive policy on modalities and conditions under which the amnesty to the militants will be implemented.

MEND Issues a Warning

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) gave local and international oil workers a 72-hour deadline on June 5 to vacate the country’s oil-producing Niger Delta region or face the consequences of an impending attack. Naming its threatened operation “Hurricane Piper Alpha,” MEND also warned against repairing pipelines previously attacked and that the operation would not discriminate on tribe, nationality, or race. The MEND threat comes a day after it rejected an amnesty offer being prepared by the Nigerian government.

Military Continues Offensive against Militants

Two new training camps, Bulobala and Iroko Camp Annex, operated by the wanted Niger Delta militant, Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo were, during the week, discovered in Delta State and swiftly destroyed by the security Joint Task Force (JTF). The camps are reportedly being used to train new recruits and senior fighters of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND). Spokesman of JTF, Colonel Rabe Abubakar said they made the new discoveries and immediately moved to knock out the camps, reiterating that they were in the region against criminality and not law-abiding citizens.

Politicians Linked with Militants

Amidst the continued military action in the Niger Delta, Presidency sources said on Monday that they have found documents that link some politicians with the activities of militants in the Niger Delta. The said documents were said to have been found in the camp of alleged militant leader, Government Tompolo, by the Joint Task Force (JTF). Other documents allegedly recovered include "minutes of meetings held, and details of bunkering money paid to prominent chiefs and politicians." The sources added that the "Names and address of foreign contacts and documents of arms purchase and names of Nigerian middle men" were found.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

UNT Questions Nigerian Military Chiefs over Jailed Soldiers

Top officials of the United Nations have promised to look into issues about how Nigeria's military authorities manage its troops sent for UN peacekeeping missions. They promised to look into the issue of the 27 Nigerian peacekeepers, who were recently jailed by a Court Martial for life for protesting the non-payment of their allowances. Mr. Alain Le Roy, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, and Susana Malcorra, Under-Secretary-General for Field Support, also said they would look into the case of a Nigerian female soldier, who claimed she was dismissed for refusing sexual advances from her commander at the UN mission.

Lagos Allays Fear of Residents Over Ocean Surge

Residents along the Ahmadu Bello Way, Lagos, were on Monday day told to expect another surge from the Atlantic Ocean this year as they were assured that there was no cause for alarm. The State Government said a surge which occurred over the weekend, was natural. The Commissioner for Waterfront and Infrastructure Development, Prince Adesegun Oniru, said there was no cause for residents to panic over the safety of their lives and properties. He said that by this time of the year, spring tides usually causes the Atlantic Ocean to rise by about half a metre, thereby bringing strong tidal waves that usually wash sand from the ocean.

Female Fraudster Arrested

A female suspected fraudster, Mrs. Adebimpe Olupero, is being held at the Police Special Fraud Unit, Milverton road, Ikoyi, Lagos State, for allegedly collecting N8 million from an unsuspecting victim. The suspect was arrested following a petition against her by one Mrs. Sola Agoro, alleging that the suspect duped her of the said amount in two instalments of N4 million each. It was gathered that she had been using names and offices of top government functionaries to swindle some unsuspecting members of the public, huge sums of money, promising them plump government non-existing contracts.

Robbers Throw Baby into Bush after Snatching Car

Two suspected armed robbers have been after they snatched a car from a woman at gun point and later threw her baby into the bush. A private security company owner, Alhaji Saka Elsin, witnessed the incident, gave the robbers a hot pursuit and caught up with them. The baby has since been rescued. The Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of SCID, Panti, Yaba, Mr, Nicholas Daru Nkedeme, confirmed the incident. Eight others are still at large.

Armed Robber, Rapist Meets Waterloo

Residents of Agbowo in Ibadan North LGA of Oyo State have heaved a sigh of relief as a notorious armed robber and rapist popularly called ‘Tombolo’ got arrested. On several occasions, the suspect had successfully attacked innocent people and raped had sex women. He was arrested by the Oyo State Police Command after a tip off.

NURTW Clash Claims One

Bloody clash between   rival factions of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Abeokuta, on Monday, claimed one life. In the clash, guns, machetes, cudgels, bottles and other dangerous weapons were   freely used. The bloody clash is linked to power tussle between two factions over chairmanship of the motor park. Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr Muyiwa Adejobi, said three persons had been arrested in connection with the violence and an AK 47 rifle was also recovered from the suspects.

Lagos Police Kill Four Robbery Suspects

The Lagos state Police command, on Monday, gunned down four robbery suspects. A detachment of anti robbery police squad from Ajah Police Station while on patrol along Epe road in the wee hours exchanged gunfire with some armed men. In the process, two bandits were gunned down while others escaped. The State Police Public Relations officer, Frank Mba, disclosed that two locally made pistols, three live ammunition, seven live cartridges and one unregistered motorcycle were recovered from the robbers.

Soldiers Burst Trans-Border Robbery Gang

The Nigerian Army has burst a five-man trans-border robbery gang, which specialized in snatching exotic cars; among the suspects was a dismissed police constable. Handing over the suspects to the Police for further investigations, the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations Officer, Colonel Kingsley Umoh, gave said the suspects were being handed over to the Police for further investigations and assured that the military would assist the police to track down two members of the gang who are on the run.

Oyo Councillor Slumps, Dies

A councillor in Ibadan North Local Council, Saanu Elewere, Thursday, slumped and died in his office. Elewere, representing Oke-Itunu/Mokola Constituency of the council, was confirmed dead at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan. Reports from UCH indicated that the politician died of complications arising from high blood pressure.

GENERAL

Nigeria's OPEC Output Slides below Angola

Ongoing military onslaught in the Niger Delta has worsened the impact of the crisis in the oil region on Nigeria, as the country's production capacity has further slid, giving Angola the chance to climb the top spot in Africa. Angola's oil production capacity is currently two million barrels per day (bpd), according to the country's Oil Minister, Jose Maria Botelho de Vasconcelos. Conversely, Nigeria's output, according to the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Odein Ajumogobia, now is less than 1.6 million bpd, as the Niger Delta crisis continues to precipitate production disruptions and shut-ins by oil companies. This amounts to a loss of about $60 million per day in income.

FG to Restructure Armed Forces

The Federal Government has promised to transform the Armed Forces with new kitting, equipment and platforms within two months. The Minister of Defence, Shettima Mustapha, said this at the official commissioning of the Nigerian Navy Post-service Housing Estate, in Nasarrawa State. The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Isaiah Iko Ibrahim, said the Post-service housing scheme will provide 700 families with post retirement homes, adding that similar estates will be developed in states like Port Harcourt, Kano and Cross River.

FG Revokes Sale of NITEL

The Federal Government, Monday, announced the revocation of the sale of Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NITEL) and its mobile subsidiary, M-Tel, to TRANSCORP Plc, citing “breach” of contract. But TRANSCORP has threatened legal action. Transcorp was alleged to have contravened the conditions under the Shares Sales Purchase Agreement (SSPA), including its inability to pay staff salaries in the past 11 months and maintain Nitel/M-Tel as a going concern, resulting in complete loss of market share from 15 per cent to 0.03 per cent.

TUC Advocates JV Option in Refineries

The Trade Union Congress (TUC) weekend called on the Federal Government to consider introducing Joint Venture (JV) agreement as viable remedy in transforming Nigeria’s ailing refineries. The TUC also joined other Nigerians to sue for respite in the conflict involving the Joint Military Task Force (JTF) and the militants in the Niger Delta. The President of the TUC, Comrade Peter Esele, condemned the wastage of national resources on Turn Around Maintenance (TAM) and said the adoption of a JV model will help stem the tide of corruption, inefficiency and bureaucratic bottlenecks bedeviling the refineries.

Sanusi is New CBN Governor

President Yar'Adua, Monday, named Mr. Sanusi Lamido Aminu Sanusi as the new Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). The new CBN chief until his recent appointment was the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of First Bank PLC. Sanusi replaces Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, whose tenure expired during the week. His appointment has been confirmed by the senate.

Senate Wants More Independence for EFCC, ICPC

The Senate is working on fresh legislation to completely free the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) from their dependence on the Presidency in their operations. The amendment if taken would empower the ICPC to initiate investigations without waiting for petitions from any complainant on any matter. The EFCC amendment bill also confers on the commission the responsibility of prosecuting political office holders indicted on corruption charges.

EFCC Slams Fresh 158 Charges on Elumelu, Others over N6bn REA Scam

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has preferred 158 fresh charges on all suspects indicted in the N6.2 billion Rural Electrification Agency (REA) contract scam. The suspects include the Senate and House of Representatives Chairmen of Committee on Power, Senator Nicholas Ugbane and Ndudi Elumelu respectively. The charges border on breach of due process, diversion of public funds and misappropriation. 21 corporate bodies allegedly used to siphon the funds are also to be charged for the scam.

Court Stops FG from Deporting Vaswani Brothers

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on Tuesday restrained the Federal Government from arresting or deporting the Vaswani brothers and 30 expatriate staff of the Stallion Group of Companies. Justice Mohammed Liman also ordered the immediate release of the detained staff of the company, who were also arrested. The Stallion Group, owned by the Vaswani Brothers and 33 Indian nationals, are suing the Federal Government over the withdrawal of all expatriate quota allocations.

Former Army Chief, Luka Yusuf, Dies at 56

The Nigerian Army was thrown into mourning again on Tuesday with the death of the immediate past Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Luka Nyeh Yusuf.  He died in London after a protracted illness at the age of 56. The Army had last week lost its Commander of Medical Corps, Maj. Gen. Innocent Shuaibu Ejeh, who died after a brief illness. Gen. Yusuf was the first Nigerian and non-Liberian national to hold the position of Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL).

Nigeria, G8 Move to Stabilise Oil Prices

The energy forum of the Group of Eight (G8) nations has agreed to take steps to stabilise crude oil prices as well as develop a strategy to promote energy efficiency. The forum also said they are committed to finding ways to develop energy saving technologies. The forum held in Rome was attended by representatives from 14 countries, including Brazil, India, Mexico, the South African Republic, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Egypt, Algeria, Australia, Libya, Nigeria, Rwanda, and Turkey, as well as EU Energy Commissioner, Andris Piebalgs.

Nigeria Reaffirms Commitment to Peace in Africa

The Senate Committee on Defence declared on Monday that Nigeria would not renege in its commitment to peace in Africa. Receiving the Chief of Staff (Forces) of the United Nations Mission in Liberia, Brig. General Paul Boroh in his office, the chairman of the committee, Ibrahim Ida, said Nigeria was still very committed to all its peace-keeping obligations across the globe.

NAFDAC, Foreign Agencies to Partner against Fake Products

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) is negotiating with food and drug regulating agencies in the United States (U.S.), Japan and other countries on information sharing on fake drugs. As the negotiation is going on, NAFDAC intercepted a container load of fake anti-malaria drugs -Maloxine and Amalar tablets from China worth over N32.1 million. The fake Maloxine tablets have Batch Number EM-396, Manufacturing Date 04/2008, and Expiry Date 03/2011; while the fake Amalar tablets have Batch Number ARTP 0053, Manufacturing Date January 2007, and Expiry Date 2010.

Naira Appreciates

The volatility in Nigeria’s foreign exchange (FOREX) market is beginning to settle as the Naira begun to appreciate massively against other world currencies at both the official and parallel markets. Findings showed that the naira which was N180 to the US dollar now exchanges for between N165 and N168 to the dollar. Same applies to the Pound Sterling, Euros, CFA, Yen, among others.

FG Suspends Gas Export Projects

A major policy shift that gives priority to meeting local gas demand as against the present focus on the international market has been introduced by the Federal Government as the government has put on hold all gas projects designed to enhance Nigeria's export potential of the commodity to last till 2014 when the government hopes to meet domestic gas need, especially for the Independent Power Projects (IPPs). It was learnt that the initiative was part of the recommendations of the Presidential Committee on Gas Supply that government should place premium on meeting the demand of the power projects and the entire industrial sector.

OPEC Maintains Production Level

The 153rd Meeting of the Conference of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) ended with a resolve to keep its production quota unchanged. This will be the second time the 12-member producers' group has decided to maintain the current production level this year, which Saudi Arabian Oil Minister, Ali al-Nuaimi, said was aimed at keeping its current production output target at 24.84 million barrels per day, which was set since last December 17.

Dan Etete, Gaius-Obaseki Arrested in Halliburton Bribery Scam

Former Petroleum Minister, Dan Etete, and a one-time Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Jackson Gaius-Obaseki, were on Wednesday arrested by the Okiro panel probing the $180 million Halliburton bribe scandal. Their arrest followed a nine-hour grilling on Tuesday, after which they were suspected to have been economical with the truth. The panel, which is also winding up its investigations ahead of Okiro’s retirement this month, is said to have ordered the detention of the former top energy officials.

OPEC Projects $350b as Oil Revenue

Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has said that the decline in the prices of oil since last year would culminate into the group's oil revenue plunging by $350 billion this year. Specifically, the price of crude declined from $147 per barrel in July last year to close at $66 per barrel at the weekend. However, the oil cartel defended it decision to maintain its current 24.845 million b/d crude output target during a short meeting in Vienna, Austria last week. OPEC Secretary General, Abdalla el-Badri said the steep drop in prices since last July's peaks of more than $147 per barrel meant that the group's oil revenues would plunge by "around $370 billion" this year.

FG Sets Up Committee on Cultism

The Federal Government has set up an inter-ministerial committee to arrest cultism in Tertiary Institutions. The Minister of Education Dr. Sam Egwu said that the committee has a mandate to eradicate cultism in and outside the institutions. The minister explained that the cultism operation was not only in the tertiary institutions but has gone a long way in secondary schools even in the villages and outside the schools.

Nigeria Air Force gets 10 New Pilots

As a sign of the impending resurgence of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), 10 personnel of the Air Force were, Thursday, winged with their new pilot insignia for the first time in over 20 years. The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Oluseyi Petinrin, explained that the "aggressive training" by the NAF, was aimed at preparing the personnel for the platforms reactivation and induction of new aircraft. The newly winged pilots include two Squadron Leaders, three Flight Lieutenants (Fl Lts) and five Flying Officers (Fl Offrs).

NEMA Issues Alert on Lake Nyos

Nigeria may be up against a major threat of human disaster, following an early-warning alert issued by National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), over Lake Nyos. NEMA has predicted possible flooding and emission of poisonous gas, resulting from the rising water level of Lake Nyos, in Cameroon. Director-General of NEMA, AVM Muhammed Audu-Bida, who raised the alarm, said the danger posed by the poisonous gas discharge by the Lake could affect more than 3million people living within immediate precincts of River Benue.

Currency Counterfeiter Jailed

A Federal High Court sitting in Gombe, Gombe State has convicted one Sale Mohammed to 30 years imprisonment, on a six-count charge of conspiracy and counterfeiting of Nigerian currency. Other suspects arraigned are Abdulrahman Dawaki and Mohammed Chubado. The suspects were accused of counterfeiting and possessing N1, 000 and N500 notes, offences punishable under Section 1 (1) of the Counterfeit Currency (Special Provision) Act Cap C35 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

Energy Agency Forecasts 44% Demand Surge

Global energy demand is expected to soar 44 per cent over the next two decades, with petroleum still accounting for the biggest share of the world's energy mix, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) said in its new forecast to the year 2030. As the world economies recover, oil prices will rebound as well. U.S. crude costs are forecast to rise from an average $61 barrel this year, to $110 in 2015 and $130 in 2030, the agency said. Global oil demand is expected to reach 107 million barrels per day over the next two decades, up from this year's nearly 84 million bpd and accounting for 32 per cent of the world's energy supply by 2030.

INTERNATIONAL

Crashed Air France Jet Suffered Electrical Failure

An Air France plane feared to have crashed in the Atlantic with 228 people aboard reported electrical problems in stormy weather before it lost contact, the airline said Monday. Officials said the Airbus A330-200 sent automated messages of electrical failure and pressure loss as it hit turbulence, vanishing from the radar early in its flight from Rio de Janeiro to Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris. Debris of the plane was discovered by Brazilian military. France's President Nicolas Sarkozy expressed his "very deep concern" over the loss of flight AF447 and the lives of the passengers and crew.

Civilian Casualties Drop In May in Iraqi Violence

The number of Iraqi civilians killed and wounded in May decreased from the previous month, according to figures from Iraq’s Interior Ministry. The ministry said 134 civilians were killed and 284 were injured in May as against 290 dead and 641 wounded in April. The number of security force casualties dropped as well, according to the ministry. Six Iraqi soldiers were killed and three Iraqi soldiers were wounded in May. In April, 24 were killed and 109 were wounded.

Saudi Govt Beheads, Displays Body of Convicted killer

Saudi Arabian government beheaded and publicly displayed the body of a convicted killer in Riyadh penultimate Friday. The Saudi Interior Ministry said Ahmed Al-Shamlani Al-Anzi was sentenced to death for the kidnapping and killing of an 11-year-old boy and his father. Amnesty International deplored the punishment, stating that there were 102 executions in Saudi Arabia in 2008 and 136 people are also awaiting execution. It says there has been "a high number of executions of migrant workers and other foreign nationals.

Sudan's Ex-President, Nimeiri, Dies

Former Sudanese President, Jaafar Nimeiri, who brought Islamic law to Sudan and became a close United States (U.S.) ally before he was ousted in a coup in 1985, has died. He was 79-years-old. Nimeiri came to power in a 1969 coup that ended five years of civilian rule marred by corruption and economic problems. He spent 16 stormy years as Sudanese leader until he was himself overthrown in 1985 and granted political asylum in Egypt.

North Korea Dares Threat on Nuclear Test

North Korea has prepared to test-fire missiles at launch pads on both its coasts, as South Korea beefed up its naval defences, the Associated Press (AP) reported. The moves have further heightened soaring tensions in the region following North Korea's underground nuclear test last week.

Pakistani Army Rescues Students

Government forces in Pakistan have rescued scores of students and staff from a military-run college who were abducted by Taliban militants in the northwest of the country. The abduction took place on Monday as the Pakistani army pressed on with an offensive against the Taliban in the Swat valley, in another part of the northwest. This comes as a high court ordered the release of Hafiz Mohammad Saeed, the founder of an outlawed militant group which was accused of organising an assault on the Indian city of Mumbai in November.

Two Killed as Eplosion Strikes Bus Station In Pakistan

An explosion struck a bus station Monday in the northwestern Pakistani city of Kohat, killing two civilians and wounding 18 others, a police official said. Militants also struck the Pakistani city of Lahore recently, killing 27 people in a suicide attack on a building housing police, intelligence, and emergency offices. Pakistan’s Taliban claimed responsibility for the Lahore bombing, and threatened to continue attacking cities in Pakistan until the military ends its operations against Taliban militants in the country’s northwest.

Man Arrested For Killing Kansas Abortion Doctor

A 51-year-old Kansas man, Scott Roeder, was, Monday, charged with first-degree murder for allegedly killing a physician, whose Kansas women’s clinic frequently took center stage in the U.S. debate over abortion, authorities said. Dr. George Tiller was shot and killed in his Wichita church on Sunday morning. Tiller was one of the few U.S. physicians who still performed late-term abortions, and had survived a 1993 shooting outside his clinic. Roeder is expected to appear in court early this week, law enforcement officials said.

Authorities Hunt for Man Accused of Threatening Obama

Federal authorities are searching for a man who has at least eight guns registered to him and has threatened to kill President Obama of the United States. The man, identified as Daniel James Murray, recently told a bank teller in a Utah bank: "We are on a mission to kill the president of the United States," according to court papers. Murray is originally from New York, but was seen several times in late May in St. George, Utah, making bizarre statements at a bank.