Villeworth Security Services Ltd

week 18

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PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

Police Kill Four Kidnappers, Nab Vulture Seller in Rivers

Men of the Rivers State police command on Tuesday night killed four kidnappers during a gun battle in Etche LGA of the state. Police spokesperson, Rita Inoma-Abbey, said the gun battle ensued when the police attempted to rescue a kidnapped victim. Items recovered from them include one locally made single-barrel gun with one live cartridge and a car. Meanwhile, the Rivers State police command on Tuesday arrested one Mr. Abraham Kalu, who confessed that he trades on vultures. At the time of his arrest, the suspect was allegedly with six dead vultures, allegedly prepared as chickens, ready for sale to unsuspecting persons.

NAFDAC Officer killed, Four Others Kidnapped

An Assistant Chief Regulatory Officer of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, in Port Harcourt, Mr. Obi Emeka Wohley has been murdered by unknown hoodlums while on the way to his village in Imo State. Four staff of the Agency, who went to pay a condolence visit to the family of the murdered staff, on Thursday, were also kidnapped, but a pregnant one amongst them was released. NAFDAC’s Director of Media and Public Relations, Alhaji Abubakar Jimoh, hinted that the kidnappers are demanding N4 million as ransom per head. He added that all security agencies have been contacted, and are working to fish out perpetrators.

JTF Nabs Oil Bunkerers

Operatives of the Joint Military Task (JTF), during the week, arrested some crude oil thieves on board a vessel owned by a Greek firm, with 800 metrics tonnes of stolen crude oil from a facility owned by the Nigeria Agip Oil Company (NAOC). The vessel was intercepted along the Lagosgbene community in Brass LGA of Bayelsa State, but some of the crew members escaped into the sea. But a man, from Myanmar, South-East Asia, was arrested. The interception of the vessel prompted the JTF Sector Commander, Col Victor Ezeugu, and the Co-ordinator of the Joint Military Media Campaign (JMCC), Lt. Col Anthigha, to move to Brass to inspect the vessel.

LG Boss Abducted in Rivers State

Gunmen on Tuesday kidnapped the executive chairman of Oyigbo LGA of Rivers State, Hon Precious Oforji. The council boss was returning from a journey to his home in Oyigbo when his captors intercepted him, forced him out of his car and took him away, after shooting sporadically to scare away residents. Spokesman of the State Police Command, Rita Inoma-Abbey, confirmed the incident, although no group has claimed responsibility for the kidnap.

Policemen to Die By Hanging for Killing Student
…as IG Warns Against Extra-Judicial Killings

Two trigger-happy policemen, Corporals Wafal Aminu and Victor Fabiyi, were on Monday, condemned to death by hanging for killing an undergraduate student, Nnamdi Ajikere. Ajikere and three others had boarded a taxi operated by Fabiyi, who was in plainclothes, but had to alight following disagreement on the fare. Fabiyi, angry, then trailed them to a police check-point and lied that they were criminals and should be dealt with. And the policemen, without listening to Ajikere and his group, began to torture them. Unable to bear the torture, Ajikere tried to stand up and was shot by Cpl. Aminu. The Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Ogbonna Onovo, has warned policemen against extra-judicial killings. Onovo said that any police officer who killed an innocent citizen would be brought to justice.

Bayelsa Commissioner Abducted in Aba

The Bayelsa State Commissioner for Environment, Mrs. Victoria Denenu and her mother in-law were, penultimate Saturday, abducted in Aba, Abia state on their way to attend the wedding of Denenu's housemaid. It was gathered that the kidnappers who were dressed in military fatigue may have gotten a fore-knowledge of their victims’ movement as they were waiting at a strategic junction leading to the maid’s father’s home where the abduction took place. Sources said the gunmen ordered all other persons in the vehicle, including the driver of the car conveying the commissioner and her mother-in-law out before driving away with them to an unknown destination.

Ex-militants want Jonathan to Probe Amnesty Fund

Former militant commanders in Rivers and Bayelsa states have called on the Presidency to probe the diversion of over N50bn by the committee in charge of implementing the amnesty. The ex-militant leaders urged Acting President Goodluck Jonathan not to allow the alleged mismanagement of the fund to be swept under the carpet in view of the current war on corruption. A former commander of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, Mr. Eris Paul, a.k.a Commander Ogunboss, said on Tuesday, that with the new focus of the implementation of the post-amnesty programme, there was need to investigate how the funds of the previous committee was disbursed and utilised.

CLO Petitions IGP, over Detained Monarch

The Civil Liberties Organisation, on Tuesday, appealed to the Inspector-General of Police to order an investigation into the detention of a traditional ruler from Bayelsa State, Chief Mansa Oviemowa, in Abuja, for the past two months. The CLO queried the continued detention of the paramount ruler of Akenfa-Epie who was arrested following a dispute over a piece of land in the community, in which one person allegedly died. The Bayelsa State Secretary of the CLO, Mr. Alagoa Morris informed the IGP that Oviemova had raised the alarm about “attempts by some powerful persons to ensure that he was badly treated by the police and detained beyond the constitutional limits. The royal father and six others were arrested and had been in detention since then.

Two Stolen Babies Recovered in A’Ibom

The Akwa Ibom State Police command, Tuesday, paraded several kidnapping and armed robbery suspects, following raids on their hideouts. Among those arrested are Innocent Benjamin Peter and Isaac Sunday Udom from Ediene in Abak LGA. They were alleged to have stolen a seven-month-old baby at the weekend. Udom confessed to the crime, adding that his in-laws, Comfort and Nsima, now at large, asked him to help them steal the baby as they are in the business of stealing and selling children. The Commissioner of Police, Walter Rugbere, said policemen also recovered a two-year-old baby. The Commissioner, who paraded several other armed robbery suspects, said that investigation is on.

Windstorm Kills Boy in Obudu

Another round of windstorm that occurred at Debia, Obudu LGA of Cross River State, last weekend, has claimed a 13- year- old boy, Joseph Atinikongye. Joseph had gone to the stream with his younger brother when they were caught up in the storm and decided to rush home. But a short distance from their house, a wall fell on Joseph and killed him instantly. His younger brother tried to rescue him to no avail, and neighbours saw what was happening, rushed to help, but found he was already dead.

Rights Group Battles to Save Minor Condemned to Death

The legal battle to save the lives of four young men, who were recently condemned to death by a High Court in Owerri, Imo State, over alleged robbery, after a trial which lasted for 11 years, has begun. Among the condemned men was Emeka Udofia, who was believed to be a minor at the time of his arrest. The four young men were condemned to death by Justice Pascal Nnadi of a High Court in Owerri on February 25, 2010. Their families have already appealed the judgment. Meanwhile, the plight of Udofia and his colleagues have continued to provoke reactions from groups within and outside Nigeria, following his mother’s pleas to the authorities to intervene. A Lagos-based human rights group, Human Right Vanguard, has written a letter to some stakeholders, complaining bitterly about the judgment of Justice Nnadi.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

Police Arrest 50 Students over Violent Protest

The Police in Delta State have arrested 50 students in Warri over damages made in last Tuesday's protest against the manhunt for the former State Governor, Chief James Ibori by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The solidarity rally in support of Ibori over his manhunt by the EFCC sponsored by the Pro-Ibori's group in Delta state had painted the state capital red following resistance by another anti- Ibori's group, who accosted them on the way resulting in a free for all. Meanwhile, counsel for Chief Ibori, Mr Joseph Daudu, has filed a fresh suit to restrain the EFCC from arresting him over alleged fraud involving the shares of some companies. It was filed after Justice Ibrahim Buba adjourned proceedings in the substantive suit till May 10.

Auto Crash Claims Family of Four

A family of four died, penultimate Saturday in a ghastly motor accident on Irrua/Benin road in Edo State. The accident occurred when a lorry, travelling from Auchi to Benin crushed the car in which the family was travelling. An eye witness reported that the driver of the lorry lost control when the articulated vehicle loaded with gravel developed break failure. Meanwhile, the driver of the lorry and his assistant sustained serious injuries and were rushed to a hospital.

25 Officers Nabbed for Extortion

The Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 5, Benin City, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar, has disclosed that 25 police officers had been arrested for extorting money from motorists on the highway. The AIG warned that anybody collecting and giving bribe whether highly placed or not would be arrested and prosecuted. The police boss also warned officers and men of the force against encouraging or instigating corruption in the force. Mohammed condemned collection of N20 from members of the public by some officers along the roads, saying it is an embarrassment to the force, and urged all to be zero tolerant to corruption. Meanwhile, the Delta State Police Command has arrested two persons for being in possession of fake N1000 notes amounting to N585, 000 in Asaba.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

Another Journalist Murdered in Lagos
…Four Journalists Get Death Threat

A senior judiciary correspondent with The Nation Newspapers, Edo Sule Ugbagwu, was gunned down in Lagos last weekend. An account by a member of the family was that the late journalist was going out with his wife when he got a call and returned back to the house, where he encountered his killers.  Edo was aged 42 years. The Management of Vintage Press Ltd, publishers of The Nation Newspapers, which was signed by Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, Editor of the newspaper, urged the police to fish out the perpetrators. Meanwhile, four more journalists from AIT, The Nation, The Punch and Thisday media houses have received death threats. The threat messages are linked to the sack of Prof. Maurice Iwu of the INEC. The sender, with GSM number 08063623794, blamed their “bad stories and reports” for Iwu’s sack.

Police Arrest 3 School Students for Rape

Three students Secondary School students in Ibadan, Oyo State, were arrested for allegedly raping a female student. The state Police Public Relations Officer, Olabisi Okuwobi, who confirmed the story, on Thursday, said the victim, in company of her friend, was attacked by the alleged rapists on a bush path while returning home from school. She said the friend escaped, while a teacher from Eleyele High Senior School, Mr Oke Adesina, mobilised some students of the school and rescued the girl from her attackers, and arrested of one of the culprits who is currently in police custody.

Police Arrest Christian Clerics over Missing Child

Four people suspected to be involved in the sudden disappearance of a girl, Chinedu Kalu, are currently helping police investigators to unravel the mystery surrounding the girl’s sudden disappearance. The suspects include the General Overseer, True Foundation Assembly, Ejigbo, Lagos, and three other pastors. The mother of the child, Mrs. Maria Kalu, narrated how she had sought spiritual help from the church. According to her, the pastor said her children were having ancestral spirits and prescribed deliverance after fasting and prayer for the woman and her children.

Two Arrested for Stealing N1m

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested two men, Obodo Ikeji and Daniel Ogwu, suspected to be members of a robbery gang that specialised in car theft and robbery. Police spokesman, Mr. Frank Mba, while parading the two suspects on Wednesday, said they were arrested on Tuesday when a team of anti-robbery policemen responded to a distress call at NASFAT Mosque, Alausa, Ikeja. He said the suspects with others at large, allegedly opened a car parked near the mosque and removed N1m, adding that the money and one master key were recovered from the suspects. He advised car owners to go the extra miles in securing their cars.

NAFDAC Intercepts Trucks of Fake Drugs

The Director General, National Agency for Food, Drug, Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Dr. Paul Orhii, has expressed the commitment of the agency to bring down the rate of fake drugs in the country to less than one percent. Dr. Orhii also disclosed that his team in conjunction with other security agencies intercepted seven out of 21 trucks alleged to be carrying over 63 containers of expired and counterfeit drugs into the country through Idi-Iroko, Lagos. He also disclosed the efforts of the agency in tracking down fake manufacturers who import expired drugs into Nigeria from China. The DG maintained that they took up the case with the Chinese government and succeeded in having the government pass a law proscribing death sentence on manufacturers and dealers of fake drugs in China.

Man, 63, Arrested for Attempt to Defiles 2-Year-Old

A 63-year-old man, Johnson Afolabi, has been arrested over attempts to defile a two-year-old girl in Ibadan, Oyo State. The suspect allegedly lured her into his room, stripped her and was struggling to penetrate into her before he was caught. The victim’s mother, Basirat Kazeem rushed to Agugu police station to lodge complaint, which led to his arrest. Policemen said the suspect was tipsy when he was arrested. Afolabi, who described himself as lover of little children, denied the allegations of defilement but admitted that he and the little girl were stark naked when people rushed into his room to rescue her. A medical report showed that the girl’s hymen was intact and there were no bruises, but the PPRO said it was a clear case of sexual assault, and the police were still investigating the matter.

Catholic Priest Nabbed for Alleged Visa Fraud

A Catholic priest in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Rev. Fr. Felix Kunle Afolayan, has been arrested for allegedly defrauding members of his parish and innocent members of the public by engaging in visa scam. So far, N36 million has reportedly gone into the pocket of the priest, who allegedly collected N300, 000 each from 120 people in various parts of the church. In a swift reaction to the development, the new Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, Felix Ajakaye, said Afolayan had been suspended, while investigations are on.

Motorcyclist Dies in Rains Storm

A middle-aged commercial motorcyclist was allegedly struck to death during a storm on Saturday morning along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway at Ibafo, Ogun State. The incident led to long hours of traffic logjam around the area as the body of the victim was not removed from the middle of the road. The policemen, men of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), as well as sympathisers, were said to have refused to touch the body. Some of them suggested that, owing to the nature of the death, a sacrifice would have to be made before anyone could remove the body. The Sector Commander, FRSC, Ogun State, Mr. Dele Adigun, confirmed the death.

Collapsed Building in Lagos Claim 3

Tragedy struck at the  Oshodi Post Office  area of Lagos State, on Monday, as a two storey Shopping Complex, under construction, collapsed,  killing  about  three people instantly, while an additional nine others  were rescued under  the rubbles. Scores of others, mostly artisans and food vendors were also believed to have been trapped, as officials of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, their counterparts from both the National Emergency Management Agency and the Red Cross officials tried frantically to ensure that no one was left underneath the debris of the collapsed building.

Estranged Husband Stabs Woman to Death

A woman, Omolara Bamiyowa, 32, has been stabbed to death by her estranged husband in Lagos. Investigation revealed that her husband sneaked into her one room apartment and stabbed her to death in the neck. The deceased’s elder brother, Mr. Femi Bamiyowa, said his sister had been separated from her husband, Ayo Oyetomi, for six years and had remained single. The eldest child of the deceased, Rachael, also got injured while pleading with her father not to kill her mother. The suspect, Ayo Oyetomi, said he had no regrets because he begged her to marry him again but she refused, prompting him to kill her. The police confirmed the incident and said a security guard arrested him as he tried to escape after killing Omolara.

UN Approves Lagos Crime Prevention Strategy

United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice has examined Lagos State crime prevention strategy covering a period between 2005 and 2009.
The review of the state crime prevention strategies took place at the 12th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice held in Brazil where practical approaches to urban crime prevention was deliberated upon. In a communiqué issued at the end of the congress, private sector participation, which is a key strategy adopted to achieve 79 percent crime reduction in Lagos State and highlighted in the presentation of Executive Secretary of Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), Mr. Arthur-Worrey was endorsed as key to attaining a sustainable level of crime prevention in Mega Cities.

Police Want Registration of Vigilante Groups

The police high command has threatened to sanction vigilance groups in Ogun State without proper registration with the police. Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Israel Ajao, who said this in Abeokuta, penultimate Friday, while addressing policemen at the state police headquarters, also mentioned the disappointed of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Ogbonna Onovo, over alleged acts of cowardice being displayed by policemen, as some develop cold feet and sometimes flee crime scenes even when armed. Giving an insight into the circumstances that culminated in the December 2009 murder of an Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mr. Omolodun Oladokun, in the State, the DIG said that the role played by policemen in the incident was shameful, as most of them fled and abandoned the Area Commander at the scene.

Robbers Besiege 20 houses in Ibadan

Armed robbers numbering 15 in the early hours of Tuesday stormed Oremeji community in Egbeda LGA of Oyo State, raiding over 20 houses. Nigerian Tribune learnt that no fewer than 15 people were inflicted with machete, cuts while valuables items were taken away by the robbers.

GENERAL

Police Assure of Free Elections

Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) in charge of Finance and Administration, Alhaji Uba Bala Ringim, has predicted a hitch free general election in 2011. The DIG, who was on an operational tour of Kebbi State, said the police was ready for the election. According to Ringim, the Inspector General of Police (IG), Mr. Ogbonna Onovo, had made preparation for the forthcoming election and had assured Nigerians that there would be enough police personnel for the election nationwide. The DIG also thanked the state government for providing 42 patrol vehicles for crime control.

Senate President, AGF Denounce Jos Killings

Senate President, David Mark and the Minister of Defence, Adetokunbo Kayode, have joined other prominent Nigerians to condemn the seeming endless killings in Jos, Plateau State. The killings, Mark said, were being carried out by fanatical groups and promised that government would bring it to an end. Mark was reacting to last weekend’s reported killing of four persons at the Dutse-Uku area by unidentified persons. However, Secretary General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Dr. Lateef Adegbite, has debunked insinuations that the crises are by-products of Muslim-Christian conflicts. He advocated that the constitution and the law should come to the permanent rescue of the citizens.

Journalists Urge Action on Threats to Colleagues’ Lives

A group under the aegis of Gateway Media Front (GMF) has frowned at the alleged death threats on some journalists in Ogun State. In a statement issued in Lagos by its Director of Organisation, Mr. Fisayo Ojobo, the group said it was unfortunate that “hapless journalists are now the targets of the assassination.” The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ogun State council had last Friday raised the alarm about the alleged death threats on its members. It petitioned the Commissioner of Police, Musa Daura, seeking protection for its members.

Jonathan Vows to Go Ahead with Reforms

Acting President, Goodluck Jonathan, has declared that there is no going back in on-going socio-economic and political reforms in the country. He assured that the reforms which are in phases will cut across vital areas of our national life. Jonathan also assured that the two main anti corruption agencies of government, the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) are being strengthened to enhance probity and accountability. Dr. Jonathan decried the proliferation of small arms and light weapons as a major contributor to crisis in Africa. He however, stated that Nigeria is mediating for peace in the continent, especially in the West Africa sub-region and the political crisis in Niger has been brought under control.

Minister Reshuffles NNPC, Subsidiaries

Petroleum Resources Minister, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, on Monday announced major changes in the ministry, which she said, were aimed at repositioning the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR). The reshuffle largely affected the DPR and the NNPC and its subsidiaries. A statement by the Group General Manager, Public Affairs Division of NNPC, Dr. Levi Ajuonuma, said the changes, which affected three Group Executive Directors (GEDs) in the NNPC, was to take effect immediately.

NUJ Laments Killing of Journalists in Jos Violence

The Plateau State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, has expressed concern over the penultimate weekend killing of two journalists during the fresh outbreak of hostilities in Dogon-Dutse area of Jos, Plateau State. They were attacked and stabbed severally after running into a mob while going for an assignment despite identifying themselves as journalists. Confirming the death of the two journalists, both of The Light Bearer Newspaper, a publication of the Church of Christ in Nigeria, the NUJ council described as disturbing the situation where more of its members were becoming casualties in the hostilities.

Kidnapped NNPC Boss Freed

The General Manager, Material Management Department of the Nigerian Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Engineer Usman Mohammed, who was kidnapped, penultimate Saturday, from his Abuja residence by a group of gun men; has been released. Mohammed was said to have been rescued  by men of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) police command without the payment of any ransom in spite of the  demand of N100 million as ransom made by the suspected kidnappers. The FCT police public relations officer (PPRO), DSP Jimoh Moshood, confirmed that some suspects were arrested by the rescue team "and they are helping the police in further investigations.

AGF Seeks Urgent Prisons Decongestion

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Adoke (SAN), has given the Prison Decongestion Committee two weeks to produce guidelines for the decongestion of prisons across the country before July 20, 2010. The AGF set up a committee recently to work out modalities for the release of no fewer than 20,000 inmates by the target date. The Prison Decongestion Committee headed has the responsibility to, among other things; ensure that indigent accused persons get legal representation. A statement signed by the Special Assistant on Media to the AGF, Mr. Onyema Omenuwa, said that Adoke was committed to reforming the justice sector, hence he called a stakeholders’ meeting to discuss the need for justice sector reform.

Senate Sets Up Committee on Anti-Terrorism

The Senate on Wednesday set up a joint committee to take further legislative action on the anti-terrorism bill and submit a report within two weeks. The bill for an Act to provide for measures to combat terrorism and for related matters was read for the first time in the Senate on December 10, 2009. Senate Leader, Mr. Teslim Folarin, noted that Nigeria lacked a comprehensive anti-terrorism law and for that reason had failed to meet the requirements of the Financial Action Task Force, established by the G7 Summit held in Paris in 1989.

Iwu Sacked, Buhari Seeks Total Overhaul of INEC

Acting President Goodluck Jonathan, Wednesday, ordered the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Maurice Iwu, to proceed on pre-disengagement leave, along with the next in the INEC hierarchy, Mr. Victor Chukwuani. Mr. Philip Umeadi Jnr, as the next in hierarchy to Chukwuani, becomes the acting chairman of the commission. This order takes effect immediately. Meanwhile, former military Head of State, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), has called for a total overhaul of INEC for the forthcoming elections to be free and fair. Meanwhile, the Nigerian Bar Association, the Trade Union Congress and the Save Nigeria Group have joined the growing list of groups that have lauded the Acting President for sacking Iwu.

Court Sentences Two to Death for Murder

Two persons, Yakubu Ahmed Audu and Yakubu Mohammed have been sentenced to death by hanging by an Ajaokuta High Court in Kogi State, for the death of one Ozovehe Yusuf Abdulkareem. Justice Rakiya Okpanachi held that from the evidence adduced, it is clear that the two accused persons and three others still at large, arrived at the scene of the crime with “full blown pregnancy for criminal conspiracy.” The suspects were alleged to have conspired and shot one Ozovehe Yusuf Abdulkareem on the chest with sophisticated military SMG rifle in his house at Adogo, which led to his death in December 2006.

NDLEA Parades 10 Suspects

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Bauchi State Command, has arrested 10 suspects with substances suspected to be Indian hemp, weighing  226.410kg which amounts to over N100 million. Parading the suspects on Wednesday, the State Commander, Sule Momodu, said that the suspects were arrested at various points in the state while trying to sell the dangerous drugs to users who were mostly youths. Meanwhile, Unknown persons have abandoned 10kg of cocaine worth N100m at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos. The drug, which was neatly packed inside a travelling bag, was detected during the inward screening of goods aboard a Turkish Airlines flight from Brazil, penultimate Friday.

FG Declares Monday Public Holiday

The Federal Government, on Thursday, declared Monday, May 3, as a public holiday to mark Workers Day. The day will be celebrated on May 1, which falls on a Saturday. The announcement was contained in a statement issued from the Ministry of Interior and signed by Mr Timothy Ayodeji, an assistant director.

Senate Probes Yerima over Under-Aged Marriage

The Senate, Wednesday, began the formal probe of one of its members, Senator Ahmed Sani Yerima, over his alleged marriage to a 13-year old Egyptian minor with a charge on its committee on Ethics and Privilege as well as Public Petitions to investigate the matter. This followed the presentation against the senator by the National Human Rights Commission challenging the marriage which it said violates the laws of the land. Senator Eme Ekaette said the petition was from the National Human Rights Commission adding that about 10 women groups addressed it to her as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Women Affairs and Youths. Meanwhile, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Person (NAPTIP) has also invited Senator Yerima for interrogation, in connection with the alleged marriage.

Tension in Southern Kaduna over Jos Crisis

A crisis is said to be brewing in the southern part of Kaduna State over the alleged migration of Fulani nomads fleeing Jos, Plateau State, as a result of the crisis there. The Southern Kaduna Progressive Youth Movement, last weekend rejected the alleged migration of Fulani nomads, while an organisation, the Pastoral Resolve (PARE), has appealed to the Kaduna State government to urgently set up a committee to investigate the killing of six Fulani nomads it alleged were killed in the area. The Youth Movement also said that the state government and security agencies would be held responsible should any crisis erupt in the area following the "high tension' migration to the area of the nomads from Plateau State.

Nigeria, 12 Others Listed as Violators of Religious Freedom

Nigeria, Saudi Arabia and China are among 13 countries a United States government panel named on Thursday as serious violators of religious freedom. In addition to the 13 designated the worst violators, the report identified 12 countries on a watch list. The panel’s report also criticized the current and former US administrations for doing far too little to make basic religious rights universal. That is the goal of the congressional act that founded the US Commission on International Religious Freedom in 1998. The commission investigates conditions in what it calls “hot spots,” where religious freedom is endangered. Its job is to recommend US government policies to improve conditions.

Police Arrest 57 Suspects over Rimi

The police have arrested 57 suspects in connection with the robbery attack on former Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abubakar Rimi, which eventually led to his death on April 4. Kano State Commissioner of Police, Muhammad Gana told the visiting Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Mr Uba Ringim, that most of the accused persons have been identified. The Kano Commissioner of Police revealed that despite this isolated incident, crime rate in the state had gone down between the February and April, pointing out that the Kano Command had been working tirelessly to frustrate criminal elements from perfecting their activities.

INTERNATIONAL

100 Rebels, Nine Soldiers Killed in Chad Clash

More than 100 rebels and nine government soldiers were killed in two gun battles in eastern Chad during the week.  Chad's army also took 80 wounded rebels prisoner, Information Minister, Kedallah Younous, said on Wednesday. The rebels involved in the fighting on April 24 and April 28 were from Adam Yacoub's FPRN rebel group, which is part of a coalition of insurgents that have been fighting against Chadian President Idriss Deby's government. There was no immediate comment from the rebels. Yacoub's rebels are based in Chad, but other anti-Deby forces have launched assaults on Chad from Sudan.

Somali Soldiers Desert, Defect to Insurgents

Hundreds of Somali soldiers trained by the United States (U.S) have deserted because they are not being paid their $100 monthly wage, while some have joined the al-Qaeda-linked militants they are supposed to be fighting. This raises fears that a new U.S.-backed effort beginning in May to build up Somalia's army may only increase the ranks of the insurgency. In an effort to rebuild the tattered Somali military, the United States spent $6.8 million supporting training programs for nearly 2, 100 soldiers in neighboring states in 2009 and earlier this year. About half of those trained in Djibouti deserted because they were not paid, Somali army Col. Ahmed Aden Dhayow said. Somalia's state minister for defense, Yusuf Mohamed Siyad, confirmed some trainees had joined the al-Shabab militants.

S/Korea Mourns Drowned Sailors

South Korea, on Thursday completed five days of mourning for its 46 young sailors killed when their warship sank in an explosion the Defense minister says was most likely caused by a torpedo. President Lee Myung-bak joined mourners in paying his respects to the 46 men who went down with the Cheonan on March 26 after an explosion ripped the ship in two. The government has not blamed North Korea outright for the disaster. North Korea has denied involvement, but an activist, Choi Sung-yong, disclosed that a North Korean military officer he spoke with by phone called it a retaliatory attack for a deadly November skirmish. Investigators examining the wreckage announced separately that a close-range, external explosion likely sank the 1,200-ton ship.

EU Wants Piracy Prosecutions in Africa

The European Union (EU)'s foreign affairs and security chief have planned to visit Africa next month to press for more help in prosecuting pirates arrested by European warships patrolling the Gulf of Aden. EU chief Catherine Ashton wants to see the suspects on trial as close to home as possible instead of transported to Europe for prosecution. An EU armada has detained scores of suspected pirates in recent months but only a handful will ever wind up in court. The vast majority were disarmed and put back on their boats with enough food and fuel to reach land. But the U.N. Security Council suggests the possibility of international tribunals to try pirates. The 15-member body, Tuesday, called for tougher legislation by countries to prosecute and jail suspects caught off the coast of Somalia.

58 Killed, Dozens Wounded in Sudan Clashes

About 58 people were killed in clashes between south Sudan's army and Darfur Arab tribes, raising tensions along the north-south border as results of the first open elections in 24 years are released. Rizeigat Arab tribal leader Mohamed Eissa Aliu confirmed the clashes but could not tell which group started it. The SPLA said they were attacked by the northern army (SAF) in Raja. A SAF spokesman denied any involvement but confirmed the SPLA attack on the Rizeigat in Darfur, calling it "a clear violation of the (peace deal)."

28 Kindergarten Children Stabbed in China

A knife-wielding man attacked a kindergarten class of 4-year-olds in eastern China on Thursday, slashing 28 children in the third such rampage at a Chinese school this month. Xu Yuyuan, a jobless 47-year-old, burst into the school, waving an eight-inch knife and stabbing a security guard who tried to stop him. Two teachers were also hurt. The motive for the attack was not immediately known. China has seen a spate of school attacks in recent years, most blamed on people with personal grudges or suffering from mental illness. The attacks have prompted calls for improved security. On Wednesday, a man broke into a primary school in Guangdong province and wounded 15 students and a teacher with a knife. That attack came on the same day as another assailant was executed for stabbing to death eight children.

Humanitarian Workers Killed In Mexico

Two human rights workers were killed in an ambush in the Mexican state of Oaxaca, authorities said on Wednesday. They were part of a caravan that was attacked Tuesday, the Oaxaca attorney general's office said. They were part of a group of activists from various organizations travelling to the city of San Juan Copala. Both died from gunshot wounds, while a third was injured. Six people, including four police officers, were wounded Thursday morning when a roadside bomb struck an Iraqi police foot patrol in south-eastern Baghdad, officials said. Iraqi security forces are frequently targeted by roadside bombs throughout the country.

26 Die in Somali Violence

About 16 people were killed and 57 wounded in separate incidents in Somalia. One died in rare attack on a mosque in the Somali capital on Tuesday. Residents said nine people also died when mortar shells hit a house in the south of the city. Two rebels and a government soldier were equally killed in fighting near Bakara Market and two AU soldiers were wounded when they stopped a suicide bomber from ramming a truck laden with explosives into their base. Meanwhile, Islamist rebels advanced on a pirate haven in central Somalia and battled government troops in Mogadishu in a clash that killed at least 10 people, according to reports. The pirates had recently captured a boat loaded with weapons that were intended for the militia, and had stopped paying bribes to the Islamists, according to sources.

Car Bomb Explosion Kills 4 Officers in Pakistan

An early morning suicide attack killed four police officers in northwest Pakistan on Wednesday, according to authorities. Police official Akhtar Ali said that a suicide bomber rammed a car into a police check post just outside of Peshawar. Ali said the bomber was likely trying to enter the city limits of Peshawar. At least four people were killed and 30 others were injured in the attack, according to Zalmai Ayoubi, the Kandahar governor's spokesman.

Explosions in Kandahar Leave 2 Dead

Three explosions struck Kandahar on Monday morning, killing two persons in the southern Afghan city where the U.S. is planning an offensive against the Taliban. The looming offensive and continuing crime and insecurity have rattled Kandahar's half-million inhabitants. Kandahar is the largest city in southern Afghanistan and the birthplace of the Taliban, which still has considerable support here. A U.S.-led operation planned for this summer aims to clear Kandahar of Taliban fighters and break the grip of warlords, but the Taliban have launched increasingly deadly attacks ahead of the offensive, killing at least 20 civilians since April 12.

Thousands Rendered Homeless in Manila Fire

One person died and thousands were left homeless when a fire tore through a shanty town in the Philippine capital, authorities said on Monday. Sunday's blaze, likely started by a faulty power line, raged for more than seven hours and destroyed hundreds of homes in a depressingly familiar scene for the crowded city, where fires regularly engulf densely populated slums. Obet Madarang, an aide to the mayor of Quezon City, said one person was confirmed to have died, while four others were injured. He said about 15,000 people, had lost their homes and are now in desperate need of relief assistance.

Thai Protests Turn Violent

Thai authorities said on Thursday that they would intensify efforts to contain anti-government protests in Bangkok, after a soldier was killed in the latest clash of a seven-week old campaign to force early elections. The “red shirt” supporters of ousted former premier, Thaksin Shinawatra, remained defiant in their makeshift encampment in the capital after skirmishes with Thai troops on Wednesday left 19 wounded. Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban acknowledged that it would be hard to forcibly eject the red shirts because many women and children are among them. But Pro-government activists, Thursday, demanded military action against anti-government protesters and an end to "anarchy" in the capital.