Villeworth Security Services Ltd

week 43

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PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

Rampaging Gunmen Kill 1, Dare Police in Aba

One person was killed and many others wounded penultimate Saturday in Aba, when armed bandits carried out their operation for about three hours on Ikot Ekpene Road, "unchallenged", in spite of the presence of a joint military/police team in the area.  It waslearnt that the leader of the 12-member gang challenged the army and the mobile policemen to come out from their hiding.

Police Kill 4 Persons, Family Allege Extra-Judicial Killing

Mobile policemen in Abia State, on Monday, killed four occupants of a Jeep, including a police officer, on their way to Aba from Umuahia. Residents and family of the deceased allege extra-judicial killing, as the deceased where not criminals. But the state Police spokesman, Ali Okechukwu, claimed that they were robbers, adding that they shot at policemen first. Ali stated that none of them was a policeman, and they refused the order to stop and identify themselves. He also said that police recovered an AK 47 rifle with inscription of Central Police Station (CPS), Umuahia, spent bullet shell and handsets, adding that police would carry out further investigations. Amuzukwu community, home of one of the slain men, protested the killing and called on the police authorities to carry out a thorough investigation to ensure that the erring policemen were brought to book.

Cross River Police Nab 4 Kidnappers, Armed Robbers

The nefarious activities of a robbery gang headed by a one-armed man have been put in check by the police in Calabar, the Cross River State capital. Also in police net is a team of kidnappers. The four-man gang, penultimate Thursday kidnapped a staff of the Ebonyi State Government House and took him to Okolobia village in Cross River State. But the villagers alerted the police, in collaboration with the villagers, arrested the kidnappers who had in their possession an AK 47 gun, 1,231 calibre 5.56m live ammunition, 7 empty AK 47 magazines and a Bank PHB ATM card.

Police Dislodge Robbery Gang in Oron

A four-man robbery gang operating in Oron LGA of Akwa Ibom state has been dislodged and one arrested by the Police. The robbery gang was reportedly smashed while on operation. Charms, axes, cutlasses and locally made pistols were recovered from the robbers. Meanwhile, the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Gabriel Ngban, has confirmed the arrest of the suspects behind the recent kidnap of the father of the Speaker of the state House of Assembly. The suspects allegedly confessed to the crime.

Anambra Police Parade Suspected Robbers, Others

The Anambra state police command has assured of peaceful Christmas and New Year celebrations in the state. The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Philemon Leha, gave the assurance on Tuesday while parading four suspects arrested for armed robbery, kidnapping and gun manufacturing. Leha said that items recovered from the suspects included two gun buds, nine long and short iron pipes for gun construction, one Saw, one filing machine, one iron cutter, one iron file, two live cartridges, five gun triggers and a book titled Gun traders guide.

18 Prisoners in Imo get Reprieve

Eighteen prisoners in Imo state, including death row inmates, have gotten reprieve from the State by Governor Ikedi Ohakim. According to a statement on Tuesday by the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Ken Njemanze, seven inmates who had been on death row for the last 10 years had their sentences commuted to life imprisonment while two prisoners had their life imprisonment reduced to 10 years. Nine others were released immediately.

Auto Crash Kills 19 in Imo

At least 19 persons died and three others were injured, penultimate Friday, in a ghastly motor accident that occurred at Ikeduru, along the Owerri/Okigwe Road. Sector commander of FRSC in Imo state, Mr Angus Obum Ibezim (CC) disclosed that the bus carrying 20 commuters had a head-on collision with the Bullion Van heading to Owerri.

Four Suspected Robbers Paraded in Abakaliki

The Ebonyi State Police Command, Thursday, paraded four suspected robbers, who the police said have been in the command’s wanted list. The Police spokesman, Mr Chris Anyanwu, said that a patriotic citizen called-in and informed the Police that a gang of four robbers were operating within the Adazi-Enu Street in the state capital and the eagle squad team of the command swung into action and caught up with the suspects. Meanwhile, the mother of the Speaker of Enugu State House of Assembly, Mr. Eugene Odoh, was on Wednesday abducted by a gang of kidnappers from her residence in Igbo-Etiti LGA of the state. The kidnappers are said to be demanding for a ransom of N500 million.

World Bank to Create Employment for Ex-Militants in Bayelsa

The World Bank is partnering with Bayelsa state government to promote job creation and youth empowerment in the state, Senior Social Development Specialist of the World Bank Paul Francis has said. Francis said the World Bank has also appointed Revenue Watch Institute as consultants to the Bayelsa State Expenditure, Income and Transparency Initiative (BEITI). He explained that the consultants will provide technical support for the BEITI with a view to ensuring an appropriate expenditure tracking framework. Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva, expressed optimism that the World Bank’s assistance would boost the rehabilitation process of ex-militants in the state.

Group Tasks Shell on Ogoni Clean-up, as Shell Reopens Soku Gas Plant

Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) has decried alleged attempts by the FG to shield Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) from taking responsibility for reckless and massive oil pollution in Ogoniland as unacceptable, and makes nonsense of efforts at bringing about lasting and true peace in the Niger Delta. ERA/FoEN, reacting to reports that the FG has engaged the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) to clean-up Ogoniland, said the decision is "a mockery" of international best practice, which requires that the polluter remediates. Meanwhile, SPDC, last week resumed operations at its Soku gas plant in Akuku-Toru LGA. The plant was shut in November 2008 as a result of the activities of militants and vandals.

N’Delta Communities to get 10% Stake in JV Businesses

The Federal Government has disclosed plans to plough 10% of the money it makes from Niger Delta oil back into the region by giving oil-bearing communities 10% stake in all joint venture businesses. Special Adviser to President Yar’Adua on Petroleum Matters, Emmanuel Egbogah, disclosed that the President supported this move. Currently 13 per cent of oil revenue goes to the oil producing states. A special government appointed technical task force last November recommended that the 13 per cent be hiked to 25 per cent and gradually increased to 50 per cent. The government is yet to respond.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

Gunmen Kill Two in Sapele

Gunmen, penultimate Saturday, shot dead an Amukpe youth leader, Oghenebore Tatebe, in Sapele Delta State. During their escape, they shot sporadically and killed a commercial bike rider. It was gathered that there have being running battles between two war Lords leading to the murder of one Ufuoma Akpoaisi in May. Many believe he was killed by the Oghenebore group, thus this recent killing may be retaliation. The crime rate has been on the increase in recent times in Sapele, with recent factional killings and armed robbers.

Repentant Militants Oppose Alleged Move to Comb Camps for Weapons

Repentant militant leaders in Bayelsa State have threatened to take up arms again if the alleged plan to comb their camps to ascertain whether they surrendered all their weapons was carried out. They argued that the move could ignite fresh crisis and make nonsense of the entire amnesty programme. But the state government swiftly denied the allegations.

Police Arrest 8 for Murders in Delta

Cases of murder are now on the in-crease in Delta State, with eight persons arrested in connection with different murder incidents. Five boys were, on Monday, arrested by the police for the murder of a 22-year-old Ovie Udi at Eku. Also a girl, identified as Patience Nwakor, is now in police net for killing her mother at Agbor Alisimie, while a man also allegedly shot his sister dead at Emede in Isoko.

Security Tightened as Youth Restiveness Increases in Delta

Security agencies in Delta State have been put on the alert to forestall any breakdown of law and order, following the unwholesome activities of youths in Uvwie LGA in recent times. The state government, on Thursday, dissolved all youth associations and outlawed all gathering of any sort in the area. Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, charged the security forces to enforce compliance with the order and enjoined traditional and community leaders to prevail on their youths to shun violence.

Two Killed in Sapele Multiple Road Accident

Two persons died, and several others were injured in a multiple accident along the Sapele/ Warri road. The accident occurred when a Mercedes 911 bus with about 60 passengers coming from Benin vied off the road due to diesel that was poured on the road by a petrol tanker and a heavy downpour that made the road slippery. The bus driver who was travelling on a top speed lost control, and crashed into a nearby bush resulting to other accident, as other vehicle trying to dodge the 911 bus also crashed into the bush.

MEND Commends President, Okah Parley

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has endorsed the meeting between President Yar'Adua and one of its leaders, Henry Okah, saying it was a welcome development towards the attainment of peace and justice in the region. MEND, which recently threatened to resume attacks on oil facilities and the military, added that it would stand down from attacks to pave way for more dialogue with government. It also welcomed government's proposal to plough back at least 10 per cent of oil proceeds for development projects in the oil producing communities, but added that this was still not good enough as the goal of the people was to control their natural resources.

Minister Laments Loss of N490 Billion to Niger Delta Crises

The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Chief Ufot Ekaette, has said that about N490 billion has been lost to the crises in the Niger Delta. The Minister said the federal government is committed to evolving a holistic solution to the Niger Delta crises.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

Police Alleges Plot to Attack Lagos

Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Marvel Akpoyibo, on Monday said the Command had uncovered plot by some persons to attack some parts of the state. He said intelligence revealed that some youths had been arriving in the state in groups of 50 and above and advised members of the public to avail the police with useful information regarding any suspicious movement. Akpoyibo further warned that indiscriminate display and sale of weapons and dangerous items such as knives cutlasses, cudgels, scissors and hammers had been outlawed and offenders would be arrested. Meanwhile, it was revealed that about 113 policemen have been arrested for alleged misuse of their firearms, while some are currently serving various jail terms, or standing trials for similar offences in the state.

Army Retires Senior Officers Indicted in Mutiny

Four senior army officers implicated in the unpaid allowances of 27 soldiers of the 15th Battalion of the Nigerian Army who served in the United Nations (UN) peace-keeping mission in Liberia, which lead to their demonstration in Akure last year, have been compulsorily retired for their complicity in the incident. The 27 soldiers were court-martialed and sentenced to life imprisonment, which was commuted to seven years imprisonment. A statement on Tuesday by the Director of Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen. Chris Olukolade, said the Army Council noted that the implicated officers did not steal the money but rather misapplied the funds.

Policeman Kills Motorcyclist in Lagos

A mobile policeman attached to a new generation bank in Mushin area of Lagos state, on Monday shot and killed a commercial motorcyclist, popularly known as Okada. The deceased, Abubakar Suleiman, was reportedly having breakfast in a nearby canteen when a stray bullet hit him, killing him instantly. It was gathered that the policeman fired the shot while trying to protect the bank from being attacked by a group of rioting commercial motorcycle riders in a leadership tussle. Police spokesman, Frank Mba, confirmed the incident and said that the policeman had been placed under arrest at the hospital where he was receiving treatment after being mobbed and would be prosecuted on discharge.

NDLEA Declares Official Wanted for Aiding of Traffickers

Following his alleged involvement in aiding drug traffickers in Lagos, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has declared wanted one of its officials, Assistant Superintendent of Narcotics (ASNI), Ibrahim Dan'Azumi. The agency also appealed to members of the public to avail it of any useful information that could lead to the arrest of the suspect, who is on the run. The NDLEA Chief Executive, Ahmadu Giade, warned nobody, including staff of the agency, would be spared in the fight against illicit drug cultivation, trafficking, abuse or any crime predicated on these illicit activities.

Two Die In Ogun Building Collapse

A 65 year old woman and a four year-old boy died on Saturday in Ogun State, following the collapse of their house. About nine others were severely injured in the incident, which occurred in Oke Ijemo area of Abeokuta South LGA. The building was reported to have been about 30 years old and in poor condition. The Chairman of the council, Mr. Yanju Lipede, said assured that necessary assistance would be given to the victims.

Four Die as Vehicles Plunge into River in Ogun

Four dead bodies were recovered from Ososa River in Ogun State on Thursday, after two vehicles plunged into the river on the Sagamu-Ore Expressway. The accident was said to have occurred on the bridge around Ososa, near Ijebu Ode. It was difficult to ascertain the cause of the accident. The spokesman of the state police command, Mr. Olumuyiwa Adejobi, confirmed the accident.

GENERAL

20 Kiiled In Auto Crash In Kano, Abuja

Twelve young men, ages 15 to 20, were killed, penultimate Saturday, in motor accident along Zaria road in Kano. Most of them were said to be sons of a former Kano State Commissioner, Alhaji Mahmud Baffa Yola. The accident occurred when the two cars in which they were travelling ran into a pedestrian bridge in an attempt to avoid hitting a trailer. In a similar incident, eight people died at Kugbo Mechanic Village, Nyanya, on the Abuja-Keffi road, when a tipper conveying gravels, had a brake failure and rammed into about 13 vehicles. Men of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Police, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Vehicle Inspection Officers, Federal Fire Service, special marshals helped in the rescue operation.

ECOWAS Imposes Sanctions on Guinea, Suspends Niger

The authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has imposed sanctions against Guinea and Niger Republic. The Heads of State announced the imposition of arms embargo on Guinea while Niger was suspended because the government of President Mamadou Tandja disregarded the decision of the ECOWAS leadership to postpone its legislative elections, which the ECOWAS sees as a total disregard of its authority and entrench the constitutional illegality in the country. But Niger Republic’s foreign minister, Aichatou Mindaoudou, accused the ECOWAS leadership of misunderstanding the situation in the country, saying the country would continue to talk and explain the situation to get ECOWAS to reconsider its position.

Three Sentenced To Death For Robbery, Murder

A Kaduna High Court, Monday, sentenced three people to death by hanging for conspiracy, armed robbery and murder. Two of the convicts were said to have robbed one Miss Zara Gagara after stabbing her with a knife which led to her death in November 2006, while the third was said to have shot dead one Mohammed Sani in March 28, 2007 for having a relationship with a girl he intended to marry.

Nassarawa Youths Protest Death of Colleague, Block Highway

Youths protesting the killing of one of their kinsmen by a vehicle along Abuja-Keffi-Akwanga Road, on Monday held up traffic on the highway. Travellers along the busy road were held up for hours before armed riot policemen dislodged them. One of the protesters said that their action was to register grievances of the town over incessant killings on the highway by speeding motorists. He said the last incident occurred Thursday after which the youths waited for a show of concern from authorities without a success, forcing them into the riot. The Police Public Relations Officer in Nassarawa state, Richard Akoji, confirmed the riot, but denied that the police opened fire on the protesters

Father, Two Sons Arrested for Ritual Killing in Minna

The Niger State Police command recently paraded a middle- aged man and two of his sons in their early twenties for allegedly beheading a man along Lanle-Kutigi road in Lavun LGA of the state in September and later sold the head for N20, 000. The sons have also been linked to some robberies along the same road.  They were arrested when police flagged down their vehicle and found a bone suspected to be that of a human being and a locally- made pistol on them. They have confessed to have been involved in armed robbery in Niger and Kwara States along with four other members who are presently at large. They also admitted to be involved in ritual killings.

Customs Arrests 36 over Duty Evasion

About 36 importers and customs agents have been arrested, while hundreds have gone underground, as the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) begins a new onslaught to bring to book evaders of customs duty with debts amounting to N12.6 billion. The exercise is being coordinated by crack teams of Customs Duty Payment Investigation (DPIT) officers in Port Harcourt and Lagos, on the order of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Alhaji Dikko Abdullahi, in order to recover unpaid duty to the Federal Government. The CGC, it was learnt, took the decision after he uncovered sharp practices by the agents, resulting in un-paid customs duty.

NDLEA Arrests Adamawa Village Head, 4 Others for Illegal Hemp Cultivation

Officials of National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Adamawa State Command, have arrested the Village Head of Zah in Michika LGA and three others for allegedly cultivating plants suspected to be Indian hemp. The State Commander of NDLEA, Alhaji Hassan Abdullahi disclosed that the plantation also has groundnut, beans and guinea-corn aimed at confusing observers. According to him, the command is still investigating the case, adding that the four suspects would be arraigned in court as efforts are being made to remand them in prison custody.

PENGASSAN Wants BPE to Stop Sale of Refineries

The Petroleum and Natural gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has condemned the plan by the Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE) to privatise the nation’s refineries and some depots of the Petroleum Products Marketing Company (PPMC). The workers said the privatisation programme, which runs counter to the spirit of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), would lead to job losses and should be halte immediately. Group Chairman of NNPC branch of PENGASSAN, Comrade John Elibe, called for a review of the import-parity template of the Petroleum Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPRA) to be benchmarked with the local refining cost template in order to assuage the effects of the inherent market fundamentals and to attract more players to the downstream business.

Nigeria Deploys 1,133 Policemen on Peace Keeping Mission

Nigeria has deployed 1,133 policemen to other countries as peace keepers under the United Nations missions, the Minister of Police Affairs, Dr. Ibrahim Yakubu Lame disclosed on Wednesday. He said Nigeria ranks first in the UN peacekeeping female contributing countries and sixth police contributing country. He also said Nigeria has over time procured equipment worth US $28 million to enhance the performance, improve the strength and capabilities of Nigeria Police Units on peace- keeping missions. He said Nigeria would continue to participate in the UN peacekeeping missions.

Two Killed, FRSC Office, Houses Set Ablaze by Protesting Bike Riders

Two protesters were killed in Borno State on Monday in a confrontation between the police and commercial bike riders who were protesting the enforcement of the use of crash helmets. Many of the protesters sustained injuries while the zonal office of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) and residences of some of its officials as well as the police radio room in Biu were burnt down. According to reports, the bike men saw the enforcement of the use of helmets as “ill timed” because many people in the town had not recovered from the cholera attack that devastated many, and that some officials of the FRSC had acquired the helmets with the intention of forcing the motorcyclists to buy them at exorbitant prices.

Youths in Kogi Surrender Illegal Arms

In an effort to promote peace and stave off violence in Kogi state, some youths of the state have voluntarily surrendered the illegal arms in their possession. Receiving the arms at the Government House, Lokoja, Governor Ibrahim Idris commended the youths for their maturity and understanding to support government efforts geared toward peace the state. The governor appealed to all those that had not surrendered their guns in the state to do so without further delay.

Borno Govt Vows to Prosecute Killers of Corps Member

Borno State Government, Tuesday, promised to fish out and prosecute the killers of Miss Grace Ushang, a corps member who was killed recently while serving in the state. Ushang, who was allegedly raped to death, was a late Batch “B'' 2009 corps member. The State Governor, Ali Modu Sheriff, made the promise at the passing out ceremony of the 2008 Batch ‘B’ members of the NYSC.

Flood Sacks Taraba Communities

Flood caused by torrential rains, penultimate weekend, wrecked havoc on residents of in Wukari and Gassol Local Councils of Taraba State. Some of the victims said property worth millions of naira, which included houses, farmlands and animals were destroyed by the flood. Meanwhile, member representing the community at the House of Assembly, Daniel Ishaya Gani, has appealed to the state government to extend development to the rural areas rather than concentrate on urban centres, especially Jalingo, the state capital.

School Collapse Claims Two Students

Two female students of the Adamu Augie College of Education, Argungu, Kebbi State, were killed on Monday when their classroom collapsed while they were reading. Two other students who were also in the classroom are now receiving treatment at the Argungu General Hospital, the Provost of the College, Alhaji Abubakar Muhammad Zagga, disclosed.

NYSC Member Arrested for Cocaine Trafficking

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Lagos State Command, has arrested Otabor Michael, 27, a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), with 85 wraps of substances suspected to be cocaine. The Agency’s Spokesman, Ofoyeju Mitchell, said the suspect was caught at the airport while trying to export the substances to South Africa. The suspect is said to have confessed to the crime and the case was now being investigated by the Agency.

Police Nab Kidnappers of 8-Year-Old in Benue

The Benue State Police Command has arrested a cleaner at the Government House, Nanev Ayangeor, an accomplice in the kidnap of an eight-year-old Stella Adamgbe, daughter of a Branch Manager of First Bank in Katsina. Ayangeor admitted that he collaborated with the younger sister of the bank manager, Miss Member Adamgbe, in kidnapping the child. Member Adamgbe, a 22-year old student, said she had to plot the kidnap of her niece, because her elder sister, the bank manager, was not forthcoming with resources to fund her educational needs.

Fresh Cholera Outbreak in Borno Kills Five

Fresh outbreak of cholera has been reported in Dikwa Council of Borno State, where the disease has infected over 65 people and killed five of them after they drank water from ponds and hand-dug wells. Dikwa Council Chairman, Gana Kareem, said that out of the 65 patients, five died on Monday, as they could not survive the excessive loss of body fluids. He warned residents against accommodating cholera patients in their homes.

FG, State. LGAs Share Excess Crude Oil Funds

The Federal Government has injected $2 billion from the excess crude account into the economy, through the various accounts of the three tiers of government on Friday. According to the Minister of State for Finance, Mr. Remi Babalola, the Federal Government received the lion's share of the distributed excess crude of $841.911 million while the 36 States got $799.648 million. The 774 local government councils accounted for the balance of $358.440 million of the excess crude. Reports indicate that President Yar’Adua has directed that FG’s share of money be set aside for post-amnesty public works in the Niger Delta subject to appropriation by the National Assembly.

AU Official Laments Reliance on Foreign Aid by African Leaders

Africa's development depends on the mobilisation of local resources by its leaders and not the present dependence on foreign aid, the African Union (AU) Commissioner for Social Affairs, Mrs. Bience Gawanas, has said. With the current global economic downturn, she said the time had come for African leaders to step up efforts at mobilising both their people and natural resources for the continent's development. Gawanas blamed the slow economic growth of the continent on its over-reliance on foreign donors, which she declared had not been sustainable.

Reps Pass Local Content Bill

The House of Representatives, Thursday, passed the local content bill aimed at increasing the participation of indigenous oil firms in the oil and gas sector. It was reported that the joint committees on Petroleum (Upstream) and Gas Resources recommended that within a period of four years from the enactment of the law, all oil companies operating in Nigeria must have Nigerians dominating the management levels. The lawmakers also stipulated the minimum Nigerian content that would apply on take off of the law. They also said that for any contract or project which value exceeds $100 million, the operator must include a labour clause indicating the minimum number of Nigerians to be involved.

58 Nigerians Deported from Ireland

About 58 Nigerians were on Thursday morning deported from Ireland. The deportees arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos aboard an Air Italy flight, escorted by Italian law enforcement agents. The deportees allegedly committed immigration offences in the foreign country.

Nigeria gets N93.7b Grant to Fight Tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS
…as Drug Resistant Tuberculosis is Discovered

As the fourth largest country reeling under the Tuberculosis (TB) burden, Nigeria has been offered a N93.7 billion grant by The Global Fund for the control and treatment of TB, Malaria and Human Immuno-Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS). Chairman of the Country Coordinating Mechanism for the Global Fund in Nigeria, John Jinung, announced this. Meanwhile, a Multi-Drug Resistant (MDR) strain of Tuberculosis has been reported in some health care delivery institutions. A lecturer at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, who disclosed this, noted that MDR tuberculosis requires the use of second-line drugs.

NAF Probes Death of Civilian after Row with Officers

Barely a month after the death of a civilian, Abdulrauf Wuraola Shittu, after he received beatings from an Air force personnel in Kaduna during a disagreement, the Nigeria Air Force (NAF) has set up an inquiry to unravel the circumstances that led to the murder of Shittu. The NAF's Public Relations Officer (PRO), Edward Gabkwet, said the NAF would not engage in shielding any of its personnel who takes the law into his hand. Gabkwet said that the officer involved in the incident, is in the custody of the Air Force Command, had also been withdrawn from the security outfit, pending the outcome of the investigation.

Armed Robbers Lay Siege on Jalingo Residents

An eight-man armed robbery gang on Wednesday laid siege to Magami area of Jalingo, Taraba State, for several hours, without police intervention, according to victims. The robbers carted away cash and valuables. The incident occurred against the backdrop of a recent assurance by the state Police Commissioner, Aliyu Musa, that his command had put necessary security measures in place to check crime. Residents lamented that policemen only patrol at daytime and desert the streets at night.

INTERNATIONAL

Ethiopia Needs Urgent Food Aid

The Ethiopian government has asked the international community for emergency food aid for 6.2 million people. The request came at a meeting of donors to discuss the impact of a prolonged drought affecting parts of East Africa. The UN's World Food Programme (WFP) is already facing a shortfall of more than $85m (£50m) worth of food for Ethiopia to the end of this year. Aid agency, Oxfam, has called for a new approach to tackling the risk of disaster in the country, saying that imported food aid saves lives in the short term but does little to help communities withstand the next shock.

22 Killed in Indian Trains Collision

Two passenger trains have collided near the city of Mathura in northern India, killing at least 22 people. One of the trains was stopped at a red signal when the Goa Express rammed into it from behind, a railway official said. Rescuers used gas cutters to enter the train. About 22 people were wounded and taken to hospital. Officials say the rescue operation is now over and all the passengers have been accounted for. The crash took place just before 5am local time (2330 GMT).

Israel and US for Defence Drill

Israel and the US are due to begin a two-week military defence exercise, thought to be the largest of its kind in Israel's history. The exercise will focus on providing a joint defence against a simulated coordinated missile attack on Israel. Up to 2,000 joint military personnel are believed to be taking part, along with at least 15 American ships. The Israeli army said the exercise was not a "response to any world events" but had been planned for a while. It is thought that highly sophisticated new American radar, based in the Israeli desert, will be central to the exercise.

Shelling in Somalia Kills Civilians

Heavy shelling in Somalia's capital has killed at least 20 people and injured more than 50, witnesses say. The fighting began when Islamist insurgents fired mortars towards the airport as the president was travelling. African Union peacekeepers and government troops responded by shelling insurgent strongholds of Mogadishu. Most of those killed were civilians. Moderate Islamist President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, who took office earlier this year, is due to attend an African heads of state meeting in Kampala to sign the first ever convention to protect displaced people.

Spain Arrests Two Suspected Leaders of ETA

Police on Monday announced the arrest of the suspected chief of the Basque separatist group ETA, and one other, Spanish Interior Minister Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba said. It marks the fifth time since May 2008 that police have announced the arrest of ETA's suspected top military or political leader, but after one leader is arrested, another ETA member quickly takes the position. ETA is listed as a terrorist group by Spain, the European Union and the United States. It wants a Basque homeland in northern Spain and a contiguous part of southwest France.

UN to Toughen Rules on Recruitment of Police Officers

The United Nations and the International Police Organisation, at a recent ministerial meeting in Singapore are considering the exclusion of police officers who had committed human rights violations out of UN peacekeeping operations. They agreed to ask UN member-states to increase efforts “to nominate qualified police men and women for deployment to international peacekeeping.” The UN Deputy Police Adviser, Ms Ann-Marie Orler, and Mission Management Coordinator in the Civilian Police Division of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, Mr. Ata Yenigun, made the disclosure.

Pakistani Troops, Taliban in Fierce Battle

The Pakistani army and the Taliban have claimed to be inflicting heavy casualties on each other as fierce fighting raged last weekend in South Waziristan an al-Qaeda and Taliban sanctuary close to the Afghan border. The army said 60 militants had been killed on the first day of the operation, while six soldiers had died. The Taliban claimed to have inflicted "heavy casualties" on the army and to have pushed invading soldiers back into their bases. Accounts from residents and those fleeing suggested that the 30,000 Pakistani troops were in for a bloodier time than in the Swat Valley, another northwestern region that the army successfully wrested away from insurgents earlier this year.

7 Killed In Puerto Rico Street Shooting

Seven people were killed in a shooting outside a neighborhood bar and grocery store in northern Puerto Rico. At least 25 others were injured. The shooting is suspected to be the result of a turf war between rival gangs. Among the wounded are a 9-year-old girl and a pregnant woman who lost her 8-month-old fetus when she was shot. Gunmen opened fire at about midnight outside the establishments in Toa Baja, a neighborhood west of San Juan that is heavily patrolled by police.

Iran Accuses, Threatens U.S, Others over Suicide Blast

Iran's Revolutionary Guard, threatening a response, on Monday accused the United States, Britain and Pakistan of having links with the Sunni militants responsible for the suicide blast that killed several senior commanders. In fact, Iran alleged that those behind Sunday's bombing were hiding across the border in Pakistan. The death toll from the deadliest such incident in years rose to 42, an agency report said yesterday. Several analysts who have studied Jundallah say the group likely receives inspiration and material support from Baluchi nationalists in Pakistan.

One killed, 19 Wounded in Spain Bus Crash

A teenage Dutch girl was killed and 19 people were injured when a bus carrying 59 students and teachers from a school in Holland flipped over north of Barcelona early Monday, authorities said. The students in the bus were between ages 15 and 16, approximately, said a regional Catalan police spokeswoman, who by custom is not identified. The bus, carrying the students on a study trip, had been in Spain only 30 minutes after crossing the border from France when the accident occurred, the Dutch consul in Barcelona, Jan-jaap van de Velde, said.

Pakistani University Suicide Blasts Kill Two

Two back-to-back suicide bombings killed at least two and wounded 13 others at a university here Tuesday, authorities said. The explosion occurred at the International Islamic University in the Pakistani capital, said police official Bin Yamin. Among the wounded, four were in critical condition, said Altaf Hussein, another doctor. All the victims are between the ages of 18 and 25.

Residents Urged to Flee Homes as Wild Fire Threatens City

Residents have been urged to leave their homes as erratic winds brought wildfires close to suburban properties in Australia's northeast city of Rockhampton, from the Mount Archer National Park, where a fire has been burning for some days. Aerial water-bombing was underway to saturate bush land behind homes in one suburb, but authorities said erratic winds were stirring sparks, smoke and ash, hampering the efforts of crews on the ground. In February, bushfires killed 173 people in the south eastern state of Victoria, eradicating entire towns in a firestorm known as Black Saturday.

AU Peacekeepers Raise Alarm on Military Build Up in Darfur

Rebel and Sudan government forces have been massing in Sudan's Darfur region, raising fears of new violence, peacekeepers said. The joint UN-African Union (UNAMID) force said there were signs of military escalation in the north of the region. The insurgent Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) loyal to Abdel Waheed Mohamed al-Nur, which UNAMID said was also massing troops, denied the report. Washington on Monday announced a new policy to end violence in Darfur and Sudan's semi-autonomous south before national elections next year.

UN Deplores Rapes, Attacks in Congo

The United Nations (UN) has deplored the vicious attacks on some 5,400 women in one province of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Also, it has warned that flash-floods could hit East Africa over the coming months and deal a devastating blow to thousands of people who are already reeling from severe drought. The UN's humanitarian office predicted that the El Nino climate pattern in the Pacific basin could trigger heavy rain after the region was hit by terrible droughts, and estimates that 750,000 people in Kenya and 450,000 people in Somalia could be affected, while 50,000 people in Tanzania would be at risk.

20 Killed in Kenya Building Collapse

About 20 people were feared dead yesterday after a five-storey building under construction collapsed, trapping workers under piles of rubble. Report said six bodies had been recovered and that 14 people remained missing after the incident on Monday in Kiambu town, 20 km northeast of the capital Nairobi. It also quoted a foreman as saying there had been at least 50 people in the building at the time.

Security Officials Foil Hijack of Flight from Turkey

Security officials have foiled an attempt by a "drunken" Sudanese passenger to hijack an Egypt Air flight from Istanbul to Cairo and divert it to Jerusalem to "liberate" the city. The passenger, according to reports, took hold of a knife provided with meals for first-class passengers and threatened an air hostess sitting next to him. The 26-year-old said he wanted to "liberate" Jerusalem, a security official said. But air marshals overpowered him and the 87 passengers were able to continue their flight unharmed. It was not immediately clear if the man used a plastic or steel knife in his abortive hijack bid.