Villeworth Security Services Ltd

week 46

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PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

2 Cops Murdered, Buried in Monarch’s Palace

Two police officers in Abia State were reportedly butchered to death and one of them buried in a grave in the palace of the traditional ruler at Iyiekwe in the Ukwa East LGA. The officers, together with some other policemen, were assigned to arrest a crime suspect but faced violent opposition from some villagers. The corpse of other is yet to be found as at the time of filing this report. While the traditional ruler, along with those involved in the dastardly act is on the run. The Abia State Police Public Relations Officer, Ali Okechukwu confirmed the murder of the two cops.

Pipeline Vandalism: Shell Contains Oil Spill

Shell, Thursday, announced that it had successfully contained the oil spill caused by suspected saboteurs, who on Tuesday cut through the Adibawa delivery pipeline in the Okordia-Zarama community in Bayelsa State, claiming that between January and June this year, the same line was sabotaged 9 times, and ten times in 2007.

13 Killed in Bayelsa Gun Attack

13 persons were killed following a violent attack on Sangana community in Bayelsa State by gunmen. Though the immediate cause of the incident could not be ascertained, the violent attack, which occurred during a burial ceremony, has heightened tension in neighbouring communities. The Chairman of Akassa LGA, Mr Solomon Williams, condemned the attack by the gunmen. But the State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Iniobong Ibokette (DSP), said he was not aware of the incident.

Police Arrest Kidnappers, Killers of Nine-Year-Old Boy

Imo State Police Command has arrested a three-man gang that kidnapped and killed a nine-year old boy from Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Investigations revealed that the gang, which operated from Iho Dimeze, Ikeduru LGA of the state, was nabbed Monday night in their hideout, following a tip-off from a patriotic citizen.

INTELS Boss Shot Dead in PH

The Deputy General Manager of Integrated Logistics Services, INTELS, Ltd. Mr. Chuks Ihuoma was shot dead by unknown gunmen in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Ihuoma was reportedly gunned down, Tuesday night, at point-blank range at the entrance of his house. Nine expended rounds of ammunition were found at the scene. Confirming the incident, Police PRO Rita Inoma-Abbey (a DSP) said the motive of the killing had not been unraveled and that “investigations are on to find the killers of the man.

MOSOP Condemns Police Brutality on Journalist

Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP) has condemned in strong terms the unprovoked torture of the Port Harcourt Bureau Chief of the Punch Newspapers, Mr. Ibanga Isine by security officials, stressing that the culprits should be prosecuted.

JTF Warns Militants over Attacks

The military Joint Task Force (JTF) has warned that after condoning unprovoked attacks from militants for sometime now, they would henceforth be met with an unprecedented and far reaching response. Spokesman of the Joint Task Force, Lieutenant Col.   Musa Sagir, said he was directed by the Commander of the JTF to issue the warning. This follows reports of the emergence of new militant camps in Bayelsa and Delta states.

JTF Repels Attack on Soku, Kills 8 militants

Joint Military Task Force (JTF) in Rivers State, penultimate Sunday, repelled an attack on Soku, the country’s oil and gas nerve-centre, by unidentified militants, eight of whom were killed. The attack was said to have been launched by hoodlums in six speed boats. At the end of the encounter, the speed boats were sunk with its occupants, while one general purpose machine gun, one FN riffle and three AK47 riffles were recovered.

Group, Nigerians to Sue Shell over Oil Spills

An environmentalist group and four Nigerians, on Friday, filed a suit against Oil giant Shell, in the Netherlands, claiming the company was negligent in cleaning up oil spills in Nigeria. The group made good an earlier warning in May, to sue Shell due to the slow pace of court proceedings in Nigeria, and Shell’s refusal to obey court orders.

Security Operatives Trail Hijacked Vessel, Crew Member

Security operatives in the Niger Delta are on the trail of a vessel, Boriefish Hercules, belonging to Offshore Nigeria Limited, and its hijackers who hijacked it with two of its crew members. The criminal act was said to have been perpetrated by Commander Ebikabowei, aka Boyloaf of the notorious Ezetu Camp, Southern Ijaw of Bayelsa State.

Militants Show Willingness to Surrender

Hundreds of militants in Rivers State have indicated their willingness to surrender their weapons and integrate with other residents of the state, Chairman of the River State Rehabilitation Committee, Chief A.K. Horsefall, has said. Horsefall, however, explained that the gunmen they are requesting the government to guarantee their safety and grant them amnesty before they lay down their arms.

Core Investor Pays N4bn for Eleme Petrochemicals

A core investor in the Eleme Petrochemical Company, Indorama group, has paid over N4billion to the FG for the company. Records showed that from 2007 to 2008, Indorama Group has paid to the FG its dividend of 25% made up N2.9bn to the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and N1.9bn to the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) in respect of the 10% and 15% equity held by the two organizations on for the government.

CDS Summons JTF Commanders

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Air Chief Marshal Paul Dike, has summoned all commanders of the Joint Task Force (JTF) to a meeting in Abuja. The meeting is to afford Dike further opportunity to be briefed on activities of their troops. The CDS also tasked the Commanders to take necessary measures to enhance a security in the area.

Presidential Panel Asks MEND to Free Two British Hostages

The Presidential Committee on Niger Delta Peace and Conflict has appealed to the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) to expeditiously facilitate the release of two British hostages. MEND had, penultimate Sunday, said it rescued one Ukrainian and three Nigerian hostages from pirates who abducted them in Rivers State over two months ago. It, however, threatened not to release the two Britons until Mr. Henry Okah, who is standing trial is freed by the FG. The committee secretary, Mr. Kingsley Kuku, confirmed the release of the hostages.

Police Rescue Woman, Arrest Suspected Kidnappers

The Bayelsa State Police Command, Monday, handed over 74 year-old Madam Lily Benamaisia to her family after being rescued from her three-member gang of kidnappers. The suspects that were paraded at the Force Headquarters in Yenagoa, denied involvement in the act, saying they knew nothing about the woman's abduction.

500 Criminal Suspects in Custody -Ohakim

No fewer than 500 suspected criminals are currently being detained in Imo State. Governor Ikedi Ohakim said that the suspects were kept in custody and being quizzed as part of measures to rid the state of hoodlums during the yuletide period. According to him, those already in custody will remain in detention until January next year as they were apprehended to ensure that the state enjoys a crime free yuletide.

Police Nab Two Fake Medical Doctors

Two fake medical doctors were, Monday, paraded at the headquarters of the zone 9 police command in Umuahia. The men were alleged to operate illegal clinics in Imo state. The Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Zone 9, Mr. Olusegun Efuntayo, said they confessed to have been in the business for over fifteen years without acquiring formal educational qualifications or attending any medical school.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

Five Cops Arrested over Killing of Graduate at Checkpoint

Five police men have been arrested in Asaba over the brutal murder of a young graduate, Gabriel Mordi. He was shot last Monday night by a policeman during a hot argument with the driver of a vehicle conveying Mordi from Lagos to Asaba. The State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Charles Muka, confirmed this.

6 Die in Pipeline Explosion

Six Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) contract staff were confirmed dead following a pipeline explosion on the SPDC 24 inches Amukpe – Sapele Trunkline in the Western operations. It was gathered that 18 contract staff and an SPDC supervisor were working at a “leak repair work-site” when the explosion occurred just as no one could say the actual cause of the fire. The company has shut down all its flow stations which receive feed crude as a result of the incident.

Four Die in Edo Road Mishaps

In a similar development, two separate accidents along the busy Benin-Agbor road in Edo State last weekend claimed the lives of four persons including the driver of one of the vehicles. Twelve other people were injured. The two incidents were caused by burst tyres while in motion.

Police Declare War on Kidnappers, Rescue 3 Victims

Delta State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Jacob Oshiomogho, said the Command has declared total war on kidnappers in the state, just as he announced the rescue of three persons who were recently kidnapped by a 15-man gang at Effurun.

JTF Arrests Pipeline Vandals, Destroys Illegal Refinery

The Joint Task Force (JTF) said it has apprehended one oil pipeline vandal at Pipelines Products Marketing Company's (PPMC's) berth in Warri, Delta State. Also discovered was an illegal refinery around Abiteye, which was destroyed. Two electric power generators, three pumping machines, four pieces of roofing sheets, three axes, two welding masks, five iron buckets and a valve were recovered.

Tight Security as Appeal Court Declares Oshiomhole Edo Governor

Some 2,000 police officers were deployed in Edo State to head off trouble, as the Appeal Court ruled and declared Comrade Adams Oshiomhole of the Action Congress as the rightful winner of the April 2007 governorship polls in the state. Professor Oserheimen Osunbor of the Peoples Democratic Party is the first governor to be unseated in an elections petition tribunal since the 2007 elections.

SPDC Delivers Project to Upgrade Power Supply in Jeremi

A project, 33KVA High Tension line for upgrading electricity power supply to Otughievwen, Headquarters of Ughelli South LGA has been delivered by the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) to the host Community.  SPDC's Cletus Eze, representing the Company’s Manager Western Operations, disclosed that the decision to provide the projected resulted from the Community's request to “provide it with direct hook up to the National Grid Via a 33KVA line from Ughelli to Delta Steel Company, Aladja”.

Urhobo Youths Dare Itsekiri Militants

The Urhobo National Youth Council (UNYC) on Thursday urged the Delta state government to caution the Itsekiri Watch Dog over the 21 day ultimatum issued to some Urhobo Communities in Okpe council, warning that such threat was capable of disrupting the existing peace. The Urhobo Youths expressed displeasure at the abduction of one Mr. Richard Tuedoneye in an Urhobo Community, as claimed by the Itsekiri Militants, pointing out that such act was perpetuated by criminal elements, who must be arrested. Itsekiri youths had issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Urhobo communities or face invasion.

Hoodlums Damn Oshiomhole's Order ...Fight Over Toll Collection

Some hoodlums, Thursday, disrupted activities in some parts of Benin city on account of their insistence to collect daily toll from traders and commercial bus operators, contrary to the orders of the State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole. Attempts to resist the hoodlums by some bold traders and drivers led to violence. It took the intervention of the police to calm restore peace. Some of the hoodlums were arrested by the police.

Chevron Launches Micro Credit Scheme for Ijaw Communities in Delta State

Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) said its established Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) initiative has brought about the launching of a N40 million micro-finance scheme by the Egbema Gbaramatu Central Development Council (EGCDC) of Ijaw communities in Delta State. According to the company's General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs, Mr. Femi Odumabo, the micro-finance scheme is targeted at empowering the Ijaw people and building residents' capacity for sustainable development.

Delta Commits $4bn to Generate 2500mw Electricity

Delta State government has concretized its plan to attract investments to the state by applying for a license to generate 2500 megawatts (MW) of electricity at a cost of $4 billion. Delta State Governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan, explained that construction of the independent power plant would take three years from the date it is granted the license. A source at the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) confirmed that the license would be granted within six months.

Kidnapped Delta Official Regains Freedom

Dr. John Osuyali, an official of the State Action Committee on AIDS (SACA), who was abducted last week by some kidnappers at Ikot-Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, was freed on Wednesday after his family paid an unspecified amount of money after had spent five days their camp.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

Assault on Okeke: CDS Orders Navy to Investigate

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Chief Marshall Paul Dike, on Monday said he expects "a full and thorough investigation" into the assault by naval ratings attached to Rear Admiral Harry Arogundade, on Miss Uzoma Okeke, in Lagos. This follows the directive by President Yar’Adua, to the CDS to investigate with immediate effect, incident.  With effect to that, the naval authorities have summoned Arogundade and those involved to answers questions.

Naval Brutality: Reps Move to Restrict Use of Sirens
....Condemn Naval men assault on citizen Uzoma Okere

Following the assault on Miss Uzoma Okeke by some naval ratings, the House of Representatives has mandated its Committees on Inter-Governmental Affairs, Justice and Judiciary to verify the public functionaries that have legal priorities on Nigerian roads, with a view to restricting unlawful users of sirens in convoys. While the Lagos state governor, who doesn’t use siren, has banned the use of siren within the state. This comes as the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) called for sanctions against brutality by the military and the police. The NBA lamented the cases of Miss Okeke and a Magistrate at Enugu, who was detained at the behest of Police Prosecutor Ashabua, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) who in the open court confronted the Senior Magistrate for making a formal order of discharge and acquittal of an accused person.

Chief of Air Staff, Warns against Brutalization of Citizens

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Oluseyi Petinrin has vowed to continue to talk and re-orientate his men and officers against brutalizing civilians. He also wants them to realize that this is the era of rule of law. The Air Force Chief, who was at the Tactical Air Command Markudi to familiarize himself with the nagging issues the command is faced with, noted that the Nigeria Air Force is confronted with numerous challenges that require dedication on the part of officers and men to surmount.

Fracas in Oba’s palace –Two Feared Dead

Two persons were allegedly killed in Lagos on Tuesday when a fracas broke out at the palace of Oba of Oworo. Although the exact cause of the fracas was not known as at press time, it was learnt that trouble started when a popular musician, Saheed Osupa, was performing at an event. Soon after the musician began to play, we learnt, a disagreement broke out among his fans and this led to a free-for-all, in which two persons were killed.

Rage in Ado-Ekiti as Suspected Cult Member Kills Varsity Student

Suspected cult members on Wednesday struck at the University of Ado-Ekiti, killing a 300-level student.  The suspected cultists were allegedly disturbing the peace of a house with loud noise when a student in the house, simply identified as Femi called them to order. This infuriated one of the suspected cultists, known as Osama, who allegedly stabbed Femi to death. Osama was later caught by some aggrieved students and is now in police custody.

Two Naval Men Arrested for Allegedly Killing Policeman

Two Naval ratings have been arrested by the Ogun State Command of the Nigeria Police for killing a policeman and severely wounding another in a scuffle at a popular hotel in Ota, on Wednesday night. The policeman was allegedly stabbed by one of the naval men after an argument over a female attendant at the hotel. The Police Area Commander, Mr. Adeoye Oyelola, confirmed the incident.

Police Recover Ammunition Hidden in Sacks of Beans

Police detectives attached to the Lagos State Anti-crime out fit, the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), on Tuesday, recovered a cache of arms that was carefully concealed in sacks of beans in a taxi. A total of 60 brand new AK47 magazines, 2660 Ak47 live ammunition were recovered.  Both the man who claimed to be the driver of the vehicle and the consignment have since been transferred to the State Criminal Investigations Department (SCID), Panti Street, Yaba, for further investigation. The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mike Okiro, is said to have ordered a high-powered probe into the activities of officers attached to the joint border patrol along the Nigeria - Benin Republic border over the influx of arms into the country.

Robbers Terrorize Commuters, One Arrested

A gang of armed robbers went on the rampage in Lagos on Sunday, terrorising commuters. The robbers were said to have pretended as genuine operators of a commercial bus, and called passengers. The robbers allegedly dispossessed their victims of valuables and threw them out of the bus. One of the victims alerted the police of the activity of the robbers. An exchange of gunfire ensued, but all the robbers except one escaped, leaving their bus and loot behind. A single-barreled gun and one live cartridge were recovered.

GENERAL

FRSC Unveils Revised Highway Code

Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) on Thursday formally launched a new highway code, which is intended to incorporate current issues and challenges facing traffic operations. FRSC Corps Marshal, Mr Osita Chidoka, said the Commission said the revised code has taken into consideration the culture and environmental peculiarities of the country and contains fuller illustrations for easy understanding.

NEMA: Niger Bridge in Danger of Collapse

National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has issued an alert over the condition of the Niger Bridge. Ahead of the Christmas celebration which comes with it an unprecedented heavy movement, NEMA has said the "bridge is being overloaded. This has heightened the fear that it might collapse if adequate measures were not taken.

Lake Nyos: .5m People May Be Choked

More than 500,000 people in Southern Taraba State are at risk of being choked by poisonous gases emanating from the Lake Nyos bordering North-western Cameroon.
An expert, Mr Biyos Adamu, said on Thursday that the lake was capable of releasing poisonous gases, reminding that during the last eruption in 2005 more than 5,000 people died. A source at the state's Environmental Protection Agency, said they had directed the affected communities to immediately report any unusual condition to the agency.

Compressed Gas for Vehicles Underway

Nigerian motorists may soon run their vehicles on compressed gas, as the company authorised by the Federal Government to produce the commodity has swung into action. The company, NIPCO Plc, has however denied insinuations that the shortage of domestic gas in the country was due to its move to monopolise the supply of the product nationwide.

Niger Agency Arrests 424 over Alcohol

As part of measures to protect the society from the harmful effect of alcohol, about 424 persons have been arrested from June this year to date by the Niger State Liquor (Licensing) Board for allegedly violating the liquor and prostitution law.  The Chairman of the board, Justice Mamman Kolo (rtd), 54 culprits have been convicted for violating the law while about 64 others are still facing trial in court.

DPR Threatens Independent Marketers over Diversion of Products

Worried by the continuous diversion and adulteration of petroleum products in the country, the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has warned that it would now revoke licenses of independent marketers who were found to be engaged in the illicit acts instead of mere suspension of such licenses.

Man to Die by Hanging for Murder

A Kano High Court has condemned one Alhaji Abbas Mohammed to death by hanging for being responsible for the murder of one Nura Mohammad of Brigade quarters on or about October 14, 2008. He was said to have stabbed the deceased in the front and at the back on the said day, leading to his death, contrary to Section 221(b) of the Penal Code.

Exxon Mobil Offers 500 Undergraduates Scholarship

About 500 hundred undergraduates nationwide to benefit from the yearly scholarship programme of Exxon Mobil under the (NNPC/MPN) joint venture project. The Manager, Public Affairs of MPN, Mrs. Rita Umoren disclosed this and said the MPN would also continue to fund infrastructure upgrading in various schools in Akwa Ibom as part of its support to raise the standard of education in the state.

Niger Loses Five Councilors in Auto Crash

Five councilors from Munya LGA of Niger State and one protocol assistant on Tuesday, died in an auto crash, which occurred on the Minna-Sarkin Pawa road. The accident involved an 18-seater Toyota bus belonging to Munya LG Council’s legislative arm that rammed into a stationary petrol tanker. Eye witnesses said that the councilors’ bus rammed into the petrol tanker and somersaulted several times.

FAAN Disrupts Airlines’ Operations over N4bn Debts

Operations of some airlines were on Wednesday disrupted at the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) following the airlines’ indebtedness to FAAN to the tune of N4 billion. The management of FAAN had earlier issued an ultimatum to all airlines to reconcile their accounts with the Authority and or risk the disruption of their activities. The General Manager, Public Affairs of FAAN, Mr. Akin Olukunle, said after a meeting with the airlines concerned, the Authority decided to end the standoff as the operators had promised to pay their debts.

FG Budgets One Trillion Naira for Infrastructure in 2009

The Federal Government has proposed to spend about N1 Trillion on infrastructural development in the 2009 fiscal year, Director General of Budget Office of the Federation Dr. Bright Okogu has announced. Dr. Okogu who announced this Wednesday in Kano at the Senate Retreat said that the Yar'Adua's administration has equally planned to invest 91 percent of the capital budget on government's priority sector while 46 per cent of the figure would be devoted to critical infrastructural developments.

Gov Sambo Promises to Ensure Security

Kaduna state Governor, Namdi Sambo, has assured the people of the state of his commitment to improve and sustain security of lives and property. He gave the assurance while receiving members of the Safety, Security and Justice (SSJ) of the British Council at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, on a courtesy call as part of their working visit to the state. The governor said that the state government would partner with SSJ as part of his administration's resolve to have an effective and efficient community policing in the state.

Nigeria Safe for Tourists, Investors, Says Runsewe

Director General, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Otunba Segun Runsewe, has said Nigeria is safe for tourism and foreign investment. Runsewe assured the international community that Nigeria has strong tourism components in the areas of business and conference tourism, culture, sports, entertainment and eco- tourism, which are of international standards and could compete with any other in the world.

DPR Bemoans Lack of Power to Prosecute

Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has bemoaned its lack of the enabling power to prosecute defaulters. The Zonal Operations Controller, Mr Anthony I. Nwokoagbara, narrated how, after apprehending culprits engaged in various offences and handing them over to the police, nothing is done to prosecute them. Nwokoagbara also attributed the inability to enforce the N50 price for a litre of kerosene to its scarcity.

Nigeria’s Satellite Faulty, Not Missing, Says FG

The Federal Government has said Nigerian Communications Satellite (NigCom-Sat) is not missing but packed up “due to loss of energy”. The Minister of State for Science and Technology, Dr. Alhassan Zaku, said the satellite developed a fault that resulted in the inability of the batteries to be charged by the solar panels. It was earlier reported that the Satellite had gone missing from the orbit. Zaku assured customers of NigComSat that their loads would be migrated to another transponder at no extra cost.

Armed Forces Face Human Rights Probe

African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights has commenced a probe of human rights records in Nigeria. The commission accuses Nigeria’s security agencies of excessive use of force and extra judicial killings during its fortieth session in Abuja on Tuesday. But the Government denies the allegation, saying it “is guided by the rule of law and the protection of individual rights.”

FG Bans Aircraft without Emergency Transmitter

The Federal Government has banned aircraft without the latest Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) 406, from operation in the country as January 1, 2009.  ELT is a digital devise that sends out signal in distress situations.

400 Nigerians Die Monthly in Road Accidents, Says FRSC Boss

Corps Marshal and Chief Executive of Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Osita Chidoka, said about 400 Nigerians die monthly as a result of road accident. Chidoka said the commission has stepped up efforts in ensuring that accidents are reduced to the barest minimum during these 'ember months'.

Govs Want Higher Oil Price Benchmark

Governors of the 36 states of the Federation are against the conservative benchmark of $45 per barrel of crude oil for the 2009 budget. The governors agreed that the FG should raise the benchmark to $50 because of the huge expenditure to tackle developmental problems in the country. Crude oil price is currently $63 per barrel, having peaked at $147 early in the year and now dropping rapidly with the global financial crisis.

Lorry Crashes into Shop, Kills Eight in Adamawa

Tragedy struck last weekend in Girei, in Adamawa State, when a lorry veered off the road and crushed eight persons in a shop. An eyewitness said the lorry was on top speed and its driver lost control on sighting another wrongly parked truck on the highway.  He said it was in a bid to evade the stationary vehicle that the driver rammed into the shop.

Minister's Security Aides Brutalise FAAN Driver in Jos

Security operatives attached to the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bagudu Hirse, on Sunday evening at Mararaban Foron, near Jos, manhandled the driver to the region manager of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr Chris Bature, and destroyed the bus belonging to FAAN. Eyewitness said the FAAN driver was coming from the Jos Airport to pick his boss, when the incident occurred. The regional manager with the Presidency had taken up the case, according to the source.

Kebbi Police Recovers Vehicles

The Kebbi State Police Command has intercepted 11 vehicles believed to have been stolen from different parts of the state and neighbouring states. The Commissioner of Police, Muktari Ibrahim, has disclosed. He stated that the recovered vehicles were stolen from Argungu and Birnin-Kebbi but were recovered in Sokoto and Zamfara states.

Internet Fraud

In the past three months, several users have fallen victim of an INTERNET
SCAM primarily on the yahoo mail website. In this development, scammers request for the users personal details including passwords and then lock out the owner. It is feared that this development may move into other sites. Internet users are advised never to disclose their passwords or fill forms that require the disclosure of ones password.

Immigration Declares War on Human Trafficking

Comptroller General of Immigration (CGI) Mr. Chukwurah Udeh, has ordered State commands of the service to set up Anti Human Trafficking Task Force in their various Commands in a new onslaught against the persistent crime. The CGI directed that members of the task force should be deployed to international airports, borders and international land transport terminals.

Polio Paralyses 65 Kids in October

The number of children paralysed by polio in the country has risen from 675 in September to 740 in October, the Expert Review Committee (ERC) on polio has said. Following the development, the ERC has outlined a roadmap to polio eradication in which it described national, state and community leaders as critical.

FG Releases N55bn as Fuel Subsidy

Minister of State for Finance, Mr. Remi Babalola, said at the weekend that, the Federal Government has released the sum of N54.6 billion being an outstanding fuel subsidy payment due to petroleum products importers. He, however, did not give details on the amount given as fuel subsidy.

World Bank Offers Nigeria N345b Infrastructure Lifeline

The World Bank country director for Nigeria, Mr Onno Ruhl has disclosed that about N345 billion ($3 billion) new lending facility from which Nigeria can draw to fix her debilitating infrastructure in the next three years has been put in place by the bank. But the Minister of State for Finance, Mr. Remi Babalola, puts the cost of the nation's infrastructure in the next 10 years at about $100 billion.

Africa, Germany to Tackle Terrorism, Poverty, Others

The fourth German-Africa Forum ended on Monday in Abuja with a resolve to address the problems of poverty, climate change, migration, regional conflicts and terrorism. German President Horst Kohler identified double standards and insincerity as major barriers to strategic co-operation between the industrialised countries and Africa. He called the leaders of Africa and Europe to show more credibility in their relationship.

INTERNATIONAL

US Dismisses Russia's Missile Threats

The United States (U.S.) has viewed Russian threats to place tactical missiles in the Baltic enclave of Kaliningrad as provocative and misguided. US Defense Secretary Robert Gates who spoke after a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) meeting with Ukraine on Thursday, said the Russian threats were "hardly the welcome a new American administration deserved," but at the same time, the US would continue to seek a constructive and positive relationship with Russia, he said.

Mauritania Ex-President Freed

International pressure has forced the Mauritania police to release former President Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallahi from the surveillance under which he had been placed in his home. His release on Thursday came in response to an ultimatum from the European Union.

Regional War Looms as Angola Approves Congo Troop Deployment

In a move that has heightened fears that the fighting in Congo, will engulf other countries in the central African region, Angola has announced that it is mobilising troops to help government troops against rebels. The troops would be acting as peacekeepers or supporting the government in its fight against rebels led by former general Laurent Nkunda. The presence of Angolans soldiers in the volatile region would likely be seen as a provocation to Rwanda, which battled Angola during Congo's devastating 1998-2002 war. Meanwhile, Laurent Nkunda, has warned that he would fight African peacekeepers if they backed government troops against him. African leaders have offered peacekeepers if necessary to try to stabilise east Congo, where recent fighting has displaced thousands.

Al-Bashir Declares Immediate Cease-Fire in Darfur

Sudan's President, Omar al-Bashir, has announced an immediate cease-fire in Darfur and called for a campaign to disarm militias. He was speaking after hearing the final recommendations of the Sudan government-sponsored "people's initiative,". The people's initiative recommendations are expected to lay a foundation for a possible peace conference in Qatar by the end of 2008. Sudan is pressing a diplomatic offensive to persuade the UN Security Council to delay possible proceedings against Al-Bashir, who could face an international arrest warrant for alleged war crimes in Darfur.

20 Die in Russian Nuclear Submarine Accident

Twenty people were killed and 22 injured in an accident on a Russian nuclear submarine in the Sea of Japan, penultimate Sunday. The accident, which happened while the submarine was on sea trials, was the deadliest to hit Russia's navy since the Kursk nuclear submarine exploded beneath the Barents Sea in 2000, killing 118 sailors. The victims may have died after inhaling a toxic gas when the fire extinguishing systems went off unexpectedly.

Explosion Kills Two Georgian Policemen near South Ossetia

An explosion killed two Georgian policemen on Monday near the disputed region of South Ossetia. EU monitors called the attack an unacceptable breach of the cease-fire that ended the Georgia-Russia war. The explosion in the village of Dvani was followed by a second blast when a group of police arrived to help, wounding three more officers.

Miriam Makeba Dies At 76

South African singing legend, Miriam Makeba, 74, died in the early hours of Monday in Italy after a heart attack shortly after taking part in a concert. Makeba was a leading symbol in the struggle against apartheid in South Africa and the first black African woman to win a Grammy award, which she shared with Harry Belafonte in 1965.

Suicide Bombers Kill 38 in Iraq

About 28 people were killed on Monday by three bombs that exploded in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad. The first two blasts were car bombs and then a suicide bomber detonated his charges in the crowd that had gathered to help. Another 68 people were injured in the blasts. North of Baghdad, in Baquba, a female suicide car bomber attacked a US-allied militia checkpoint, killing six people.

Cameroun Begins Search for Oil in Bakassi Peninsula

Barely three months after Nigeria ceded Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon; the country has commenced the process of searching for oil resources in the area. The Cameroun's state-run company, National Hydrocarbons Corporation or SNH, said it is currently holding talks with drillings firms to start prospecting for oil in the hydrocarbon-rich Bakassi Peninsula.