Villeworth Security Services Ltd

week 4

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PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

3 Policemen Killed in Port Harcourt Ambush

Three policemen were shot dead on Thursday evening in Port Harcourt, Rivers State when armed robbers waylaid the convoy they were escorting. The policemen were providing security cover for Jerusalem bound pilgrims to Port Harcourt International Airport when they ran into the bandits who laid ambush along Eliozu, Rukpokwu Road. After an exchange of gunfire, the three policemen were found dead while some of the pilgrim were said to have sustained minor injuries. About five 50-seater buses and the police patrol van were riddled with bullets. The unidentified gunmen escaped into the bush, when they sensed that reinforcement was coming for the policemen. The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in River State, Rita Inoma Abbey, confirmed the incident.

Riots in Calabar Claim 4 Lives

Four persons were, Wednesday, killed during a clash between the police and suspected hoodlums and commercial vehicle operators in Calabar South LGA of Cross River State. The Police overpowered the rioters, who went on rampage protesting the forceful implementation of the order of the LG Council to relocate to the Etim Edem motor park. Police responded to the action of  the touts, traders and drivers to burn tyres, block adjoining roads, throw cudgels and cause commotion within the market complex by first throwing teargas canisters to disperse them and when this failed to dissuade them, they opened fire.

Gunmen Attack Community over DDC Machines

Unidentified gunmen invaded Ndike Amagu Ikwo community in Ikwo LGA of Ebonyi State on Wednesday, and left four youths wounded and another missing. Witnesses disclosed that an armed group attacked the community while attempting to seize the DDC machines meant for the voter registration in the area. Three victims of the attack are receiving treatment at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abakaliki, over some gunshot injuries. The state Police spokesman, John Eluu, confirmed the incident. He added that three persons had been arrested in connection with the attack. A supervisor recruited by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Ebonyi State, was earlier arrested for allegedly hijacking and diverting materials for the voter registration.

Gunmen Kill Pastor in Akwa Ibom

An assistant resident pastor, Mr. David Idunuoluwa, with Living Faith International Church, a.k.a. Winners’ Chapel, was been shot dead in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State on Wednesday by a gang of four men that trailed him from the airport where he had gone to pick his wife who had just returned from Jerusalem. It was gathered that the gunmen shot at him on the head, took some of the items the wife brought from Jerusalem and took to their heels. Similarly, gunmen killed two persons along the University of Uyo, Ikpa road on the same day. The identity of the victims could not be immediately ascertained, but the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Sani Maaji, confirmed the incidents.

Thugs Attack INEC Officials in Akwa Ibom

Suspected political thugs, penultimate Sunday, attacked members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) at the voters’ registration centre in Uran LGA of Akwa Ibom State in an unsuccessful attempt to snatch the Direct Data Capturing (DDC) machines. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Mrs. Maria Owi, who disclosed this, said the hoodlums were from the council’s communities. Owi, who commended the corps members for standing their ground and refusing to give in to the hoodlums, disclosed that INEC would not return to the local council until the safety of its official was assured.

N500m Goods Lost to Abia Inferno

Goods and property worth over N500 million were lost to fire that engulfed a shopping plaza in Umuahia, Abia state, penultimate Friday night. The cause of the inferno could not be immediately verified but people suspect that it might be connected with electrical fault. The landlord of the plaza, Obinna Odumuko, blamed men of the Fire Service for the huge loss, as they did not have enough water to control the inferno. In another fire incident, two persons were injured two petrol tankers went up in flames at Abonnema Wharf in Port Harcourt on Wednesday. The quick intervention of fire fighters saved houses close to the scene from being razed. One of the two tankers caught fire while dispensing fuel to some residents of the area, who always insisted on collecting tolls and fuel from the tanker drivers.

Anti-Bomb Squad Recovers Bombs in Enugu

The police in Enugu state, Monday, recovered bombs planted along Udi-Ozalla old road. The discovery followed a tip off by construction workers on duty in the area after they discovered some strange metallic objects in the culvert. The State Commissioner of Police, Danazumi Job Doma, swiftly deployed men of the anti bomb squad. The police boss explained that the locally made explosive device comprising dynamites used in blowing rocks, was awaiting a target before it was discovered. He urged members of the public to report such discoveries to police for appropriate action.

Militants Vow to Disrupt Fuel Supply

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has vowed to attack the downstream petroleum industry. Spokesman of the group, Jomo Gbomo, on Tuesday, said the group was not satisfied with the manner the FG was handling cases involving its members that are in detention. MEND had claimed responsibility several attacks on oil facilities and the October 1, 2010 bomb blasts in Abuja, leading to the arrest of its leader, Henry Okah, and several others. But the Joint Military Task Force (JTF) has warned MEND against its planned attacks. But MEND, a day later denied issuing the warning. Not taking the threat lightly, the FG, on Thursday deployed more troops to protect oil facilities in upland and riverine areas in the Niger Delta.

Actor’s Wife, Child Regain Freedom

The abducted wife and son of Nollywood actor, John Okafor, famously known as Mr. Ibu, finally regained their freedom penultimate Thursday, after 9 days in captivity. Okafor disclosed that both were released unharmed. He would not disclose if any ransom was paid to the kidnappers who initially demanded for N50 million, before reducing it to N6 million. He added that the state government did not play any vital role in securing their release. The actor’s wife and 3 children were on January 4th, taken hostage by gunmen that invaded his Enugu State residence. They later released two of the children, but held the wife and a baby boy, demanding ransom for their release.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

12 Killed in Edo Cult Clash

Twelve persons have been reportedly killed while several others were seriously injured in bloody clashes in three different locations between two rival cult groups, the Eiye and Black Axe in Benin, Edo State. It was gathered that the incident, which started last weekend, began with a quarrel over sharing of money allegedly given to them by politicians during the conduct of a political party’s primaries. It was learnt that two men riding on a motorcycle, suspected to be members of the Eiye confraternity shot a member of a rival Black Axe cult group. As soon as this happened, the Black Axe members were said to have embarked on a reprisal mission and swooped on two rival members killing them in the process. The Edo State Commissioner of Police, Mr. David Omojola said 40 suspects had been arrested.

18 Burnt to Death in Road Accident

At least 18 persons were on Thursday burnt to death at the Benin axis along the Benin–Ore Expressway in a collision between an 18-seater bus and a truck. The accident was said to have occurred when the truck veered off its course, while trying to avoid potholes, and rammed into the bus. The passenger vehicle immediately burst into flames. Some people nearby rushed to the scene to help but could not rescue any of the passengers. A senior official of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) confirmed the incident, while the FRSC’s spokesman in Edo state, Olu Olumotomi, he said he was still expecting details.

Navy Parades 8 Suspected Pirates

The Nigerian Navy on Thursday paraded an eight-man gang of pirates. The Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ogbor said that the pirates were arrested after they attacked another oil vessel, MT Dominio near Escravos in Delta State. The suspects were arrested after the Navy got a call and dispatched a patrol boat to rescue the vessel. Ogbor said his men sighted two boats and fired two warning shots, which were rapidly replied by the boats. One of the suspects, Vicker Onu, 26, admitted that they were members of the same gang and pleaded for forgiveness.

Ex-VC Abducted in Benin

Former Vice Chancellor of Ambrose Ali University (AAU), Ekpoma, Edo State, Prof. Dennis Agbonlanhor was penultimate Sunday kidnapped in Benin, Edo state by gunmen. Agbonlanhor is a professor of microbiology and currently the chairman of the Governing Board of the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria. Family sources said no contact had been made by the kidnappers but the police said the issue has been reported and they were already investigating it.

Septuagenarian Abducted in Delta State

A gang of kidnappers struck at Umunede, Delta State and abducted a 76-year-old mother of a former bank Chief Executive. They are demanding $200 as ransom before she would be released. The woman identified as Madam Janet Ukpaka, was seized at a gunpoint by the kidnappers on Tuesday. Suspecting that it might be an insiders’ job, State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Charles Muka, disclosed that the police had arrested her two domestic servants and are questioning them. Meanwhile, the state police command has successfully charged 12 persons to court for various electoral offences during the January 6, governorship rerun in the state. The accused persons were arrested for being in possession of fake voter’s cards, multiple registrations, snatching of ballot boxes among other offences.

Court Sacks Edo Lawmaker, Orders Rerun

The Court of Appeal sitting in Benin, Edo State, on Wednesday, sacked the Peoples Democratic Party lawmaker representing Akoko-Edo Constituency II in the state house of assembly, Samuel Saiki, and ordered a rerun within 30 days. Justice Chioma Nwosu-Iheme, who read the judgment, upheld the judgment of the lower court after declaring that from evidence available, there was no election in the area. The court subsequently ordered for a rerun within 30 days.

Edo to Prosecute Killers of Women Leader at Party Primary

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, Wednesday, vowed to ensure that the killers of a Catholic Women Organisation (CWO) leader in Akoko-Edo during the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) primary in the state were brought to book. He said police preliminary reports have already identified the vehicle that was used and the owner, who he added, was a disqualified aspirant in the area. Oshiomhole, who described the incident as unfortunate, explained that the state government would leave no stone unturned in ensuring that justice prevailed. The governor pledged the state government’s assistance towards the burial.

Environmental Defaulters to Face Penalty in Delta State

The Delta state government has warned that anyone found violating its Environmental Protection Laws, would be made to face the full wrath of the law. This is as the state government set up Environmental Mobile Court to try establishments found to have violated its laws. The Chairman FMON Nigeria Limited, the appointed government consultant responsible for the Environmental Compliance Monitoring and/or collection/receiving of Forestry, Francis Amoma Monday, gave the warning in a statement in Warri. Monday disclosed that his company would be embarking on Environmental Compliance and Monitoring tour to ascertain the level of compliance of companies and industries operating in the state with a view to sanitizing the already degraded environment.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

Suspected Killers of Pa Rewane Released

A Lagos High Court presided over by Justice Olusola Williams, on Monday discharged and acquitted Lucky Igbinovia and Effiong Edu who were arraigned by the police over the murder of Pa Alfred Rewane in 1995. The judge held that there was nothing to support the case of the prosecution and subsequently discharged and acquitted the accused. Justice Williams had in 2010 discharged Elvis Iremuma, one of the surviving suspects following a no case submission by their lawyer and held that no prima-facie case has been established by the prosecution against him. The other five suspects in the trial all died in prison custody awaiting trial. Edu and Igbinovia had denied the confessional statements allegedly made by them to the police stating that it was made under duress.

Police Arraign 27 for Murder over Ilobu Riot

Twenty-Seven youths who allegedly took part in penultimate Friday’s riot at Ilobu were, on Monday, charged before an Osogbo Magistrates’ Court for alleged murder and arson. The accused were also alleged to have unlawfully shot and killed a police officer, Laroms Johnson, with firearms during the riot. When the accused were arraigned, on Monday, the court did not take their plea as it said that it lacked jurisdiction to entertain the case. Counsel for the accused, Mr Olatoye Aminu, urged the court to remand all the accused at the Federal Prison, Ile-Ife. However, in his ruling, the Presiding Magistrate, Mr Olalekan Ijiyode, ordered that all the accused should be remanded in prison custody.

Eleweomo: Oyo Pursues Case against Folarin, Others

An Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan, on Wednesday, directed that the three suspects allegedly involved in the gruesome murder of the former chairman of the proscribed National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in the state, Alhaji Abdul Lateef Salako, also known as Eleweomo, be served notice of complaints. The suspects, Senator Teslim Folarin and three others were expected to appear in court to face the trial over their alleged involvement in the killing of Eleweomo. Justice Okanola Boade, while ruling on the service of complaint filed by the Oyo State Ministry of Justice, said this would enable the suspects to face trial. The presiding judge, therefore, adjourned hearing on the matter to January 27.

NDLEA Arrests Two Suspects at Lagos Airport

Two suspects are currently undergoing interrogation by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in connection with their attempts to unlawfully export 2.485 kilogrammes of methamphetamine. The suspects both tested positive for drug ingestion during screening of passengers on Qatar Airways flight. Both suspects denied being in possession of narcotics despite the scan results. But after about 24 hours under the NDLEA observation, they began to excrete the drugs, according to the NDLEA Commander at the Airport, Hamza Umar.

Two Children Die in Two Fire Incidents

Two early morning infernos that gutted separate buildings in Lagos state caused the death of 2 children. The first incident in which a young girl died occurred around the Jibowu, Yaba area of the state. Similarly, a boy was burnt to death in the inferno at that occurred on Akorounfayo Street, Mile 12. Occupants of both building were also injured in the incidents. The state Police Commissioner, Marvel Akpoyibo, had directed a detail investigation into the two incidents.

GENERAL

Armed Forces Remembrance Day: Jonathan Call for Unity

President Goodluck Jonathan has decried incessant crises in the country which have caused armed forces personnel and other security agents to pay the supreme price thereby bringing untold hardship to their families and dependants. He also warned that without unity, development efforts would be doomed. President Jonathan while speaking at the 2011 Armed Forces Remembrance Day held at the National Christian Centre yesterday, called on the congregation and Nigerians to pray for the country’s armed forces and other security agencies as their work had continued to keep the nation together even as he urged that the country’s diversity should not be seen as a hindrance but resources that could be exploited for the development of the nation.

VP Decries Use of Youth for Violence
…Presidency Orders Clamp Down on Protesters

Vice President Namadi Sambo has decried the use of youths to create crises in some parts of the north over the recently concluded presidential primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The Vice President decried the use of unsuspecting youths to perpetrate acts of lawlessness by political opponents for self serving motives. The Presidency has ordered security agencies to put a stop to protests in some Northern states over the victory of President Goodluck Jonathan at the primaries. Youths in Kaduna and Bauchi states, during the week, took to the streets to protest refusal of PDP to uphold the zoning formula, claimed to be in its constitution. The restive youths had burned the PDP flag and caused commotion in the streets of Kaduna and Bauchi.

Ndigbo Warn against Attacks on Kinsmen

Northern Igbo traditional leaders have warned that their people are not afraid of war over the current happenings in Jos, Plateau State. They have, therefore, called on their kith and kin in the north to be prepared for any eventuality. They stated this during a courtesy visit to the State Governor, Jonah Jang. Jang quickly appealed for calm and restraints as the Federal Government was doing everything possible to arrest all those who had been disturbing the peace in the state and other parts of the country. The Eze Igbo 1 of Abuja and Chairman of Igbo leaders in the north, Chief Ibe Nwosu, said he was making this position known because the Igbo wondered why they had consistently been targets of attacks.

Three Die in Plateau as Voter Registration Begins

Three people were killed on Monday in Jos, Plateau State when some youths tried to stop people from registering in the on-going voters’ registration exercise. According to the Plateau State Commissioner of Police, Abdulrahman Akano, security personnel tried to pacify the youths that insisted that the people would not register, but they grew wild. He added that “when members of the Special Task Force (STF) came to restore law and order at the venue, the restive youths started stoning the soldiers and the soldiers had no choice than to open fire on them in self-defence and two of them died but one person had been killed by the mob before, making the casualty figure three.” Spokesman of the STF, Capt. Charles Ekeocha, said one INEC ad hoc official was killed by the hoodlums, dragged to the road and burnt to ashes.

Suspected Boko Haram Members Kill Pastor, 3 Others

Suspected members of radical Islamic sect, Boko Haram, struck again on Tuesday in Maiduguri, killing of four people, including a pastor. An eyewitness said that the gunmen on a motorcycle fired some shots into the air to scare the people before they went ahead to open fire on the four persons. It is also believed that the slain persons were all Christians. Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Lawal Abdullahi, confirmed that he also heard of the incident but was waiting for a report from the Divisional Police Officer in charge of the area. Apparently peeved by the recent killings, the National President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor and other Christian clerics, have called on Christians in the North to use whatever means available to them to defend themselves.

500 Counter-Terrorist Operatives Graduate

The first batch of 500 personnel of the Nigeria Police trained on Counter Terrorism skills at the Nigerian Army Armour School, Bauchi, passed out on Wednesday with a call to live up to the challenges of the time. The trainees were given an eight-week intensive training in foiling kidnapping and assassination, investigating acts of terrorism, counter terrorism ambush, amongst others. Meanwhile, the Police have deployed intelligence officers across the country in a bid to forestall any breach of security ahead of the April general elections. Force Public Relations Officer, Olusola Amore, said the police plainclothes intelligence officers are already monitoring the on-going voters’ registration exercise.

Police Chiefs Meet over Insecurity
…Task Force Denies Shoot-to-Kill Order

The police high commands in Abuja and Jos, Tuesday, held an urgent security meeting to address the renewed security threat in Jos and Abuja. The meeting came after one person was killed in Jos during the ongoing voters’ registration. There are growing fears that an outlawed sect within the country is currently planning to carry out attacks on banks. Banks over the weekend received a security alert from the office of the National Security Adviser. Banks are already taking some actions to safeguard their premises across the country. Meanwhile, the Special Task Force (STF) in Plateau State has refuted a statement credited to its media officer, Captain Charles Ekeocha, that soldiers of the STF have been given a shoot-to-kill order in their operations.

CDS Cautions Defence Chiefs on Involvement in Politics

The Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Oluseyi Petinrin, on Wednesday in Bamako, Mali, during the 28th Ordinary meeting of ECOWAS Chiefs of Defence Staff, called on the defence chiefs to stay away from politics. Petinrin, who is also the chairman of the Committee of ECOWAS Chiefs of Defence Staff, said that it is only when the defence chiefs remain focused and avoid being catalysts of socio-political instability that the nations of West Africa will take their rightful positions in the emerging world order. He further stressed the need to intensify efforts at building the ECOWAS Standby Force into a robust and rapid response outfit that could effectively support regional peace initiatives in the near future.

NEMA Offers NSCDC Helicopters and Ambulances for Emergency

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has offered its equipment, including helicopters and ambulances, to the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to enhance its security operations and disaster management services. The NEMA Director-General, Alhaji Mohammed Sidi, who made this known during a visit to the NSCDC Commandant-General, Dr. Ade Abolurin, on Wednesday, added that the organisation was important to NEMA’s operations as it had undertaken many search –and- rescue operations with NSCDC personnel in the past, describing the NSCDC as its strategic partner. Responding, Abolurin offered the use of the NSCDC College of Peace and Disaster Management to NEMA, noting that the multiplicity of disaster management colleges in the country was a waste of fund.

INEC Confirms DDC Machines Missing

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said, on Thursday, that two of its Direct Data Capture (DDC) machines had been stolen in Southern Ijaw LGA of Bayelsa State, and 6 missing in Niger State. A few days ago, four DDC machines were discovered missing in Ibadan, Oyo State, though these were later returned with about 2,000 people already registered and their fingerprints captured in the machines. Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Bayelsa State, Mr Edwin Offor Nwatalari, who confirmed the theft, however, said it would not make any meaningful effect on the ongoing registration, describing the act of the culprits as an exercise in futility as the serial numbers had been changed. Meanwhile, two Information Communication Technology (ICT) experts brought to Minna to configure the machines were arrested following the missing machines.

7 Arraigned in Bauchi Court for Kidnapping

For allegedly kidnapping a Bauchi based politician, Shehu Buba Umar, a loyalist to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, seven persons were on Tuesday arraigned before a Bauchi Magistrate Court. The suspects, according to police report were alleged to have kidnapped Umar on January 15. The Police, following reports, stormed the House of one Danayanu Suwaibidu to the rescue the victim and arrest the suspects. The police recovered one pump action gun with number 61479, a single barrel gun, two dane guns, a jaguar car and two ropes. The presiding Chief Magistrate, Isa Shuaibu, ordered that the suspects be remanded in prison custody and ordered the police to complete investigations before the adjourned date to enable the court proceed with the case.

UN Team Examines Intercepted Iranian Weapons

A team of United Nations (UN) weapons experts and observers has arrived in Nigeria to investigate a seized Iranian weapons shipment. Foreign Minister, Odein Ajumogobia (SAN), on Tuesday said that the team would visit Lagos’ Apapa Port, where the weapons have been held since being discovered on October 26. The shipment, including artillery rockets and other weapons, were loaded in 13 shipping containers and labelled as building supplies. The authorities have said that the shipment originated from Iran and passed through the port in Lagos destined for Abuja. The shipment later was redirected to Gambia before the seizure.

194 Infected In Jigawa Cholera Outbreak

No fewer than 194 people were confirmed infected by cholera following the out break of the disease in Hadejia, Jigawa State. Report from the affected areas revealed that the outbreak of the disease started last week and within a few days, spread all over the city. No death has been recorded in the epidemic. Confirming the outbreak of the disease, the Director State Primary Health Care, Dr. Aminu Danmalam noted that most of the patients treated were out patient cases.

Shekarau is ANPP Presidential Candidate

Kano State Governor, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, last weekend, emerged as the candidate of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) in the coming April presidential election. Shekarau polled 4,178 votes ahead of his close rival Chief Harry Akande who got 708 votes. The chief electoral officer of the ANPP 2011 convention, Senator Ma’aji Maina, described the primaries as free, fair and credible. He said adequate measures were taken to ensure a level playing ground for the entire aspirants. Maina, a former governor of Borno State, declared Shekarau as the candidate to represent the party in the 2011 general election. The ANPP 2011 convention committee chairman, Chief John Odigie Oyegun, said that the convention was the freest ever conducted in the history of Nigeria. He said that 500 armed security personnel were deployed to ensure adequate security of life and property.

Egyptian Engineer Kidnapped in Nigeria

Suspected kidnappers abducted an Egyptian engineer, Mohamed Shaaban, on Friday from a ship off the coast of Niger Delta, military sources disclosed. The vessel, contracted by Italian energy company, Agip, was attacked by robbers on Thursday afternoon. It is not known where the kidnappers took him, and the kidnappers are yet to make any contact. Assistant Foreign Minister for Consular Affairs Mohamed Abdel Hakam said that Egypt is closely monitoring the case and following up the efforts undertaken by the Nigerian authorities to release the Egyptian engineer.

IGP Bans Unauthorized Use of Sirens

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Hafiz Ringim, on Friday announced a ban on the use of sirens by unauthorized persons. In a statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, Mr Olusola Amore, the IGP said that only the President of the Federal Republic, the vice- president, state governors and their deputies, were entitled to use sirens. It added that others, who “might wail or blare the siren”, were ambulance and fire brigade services on emergency operations, and bullion vans with escorts. The ban followed reports of unlawful use of the siren by some government officials and private individuals. The statement warned that any unauthorised person caught using a siren would be arrested and prosecuted.

Nwodo Resigns as PDP Chair

The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, has resigned his appointment and will likely face disciplinary action for “embarrassing the party” for alleged anti-party activities. The Deputy National Chairman, Alhaji Haliru Mohammed Bello, was appointed as acting chairman. Bello was mandated to sign all the letters on the nomination of candidates for the general election to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Following a threat by unknown persons to burn down Nwodo’s residence in Enugu State, and that of his brother, Nnia Nwodo, a former Minister, security operatives have been deployed to the houses to protect both residences. The motive of the would-be arsonists is yet to be known.

Policemen Seriously Injured as VP’s Security Car Loses Control

Three riot policemen were on Wednesday injured when a security vehicle in the convoy of Vice-President Namadi Sambo knocked them down a few metres away from the unit where he registered for the April elections. Witnesses disclosed that the vehicle was being driven by a policeman and reportedly lost control. It was gathered that the driver struggled in vain to keep the van on track before it hit the three policemen. The injured policemen were taken to an unknown hospital for treatment. The Coordinator of the Kaduna State Anti-Crime outfit, Col. Dangana Mamman (retd.), who confirmed the incident, said it was caused by brake failure.

INTERNATIONAL

Bus Explosion in Pakistan Kills 18

An explosion ripped through a minibus travelling in a militant-infested area of north-western Pakistan on Monday, killing 18 people, police said. There were conflicting reports of whether the blast was caused by a bomb or by the gas cylinder used to power the vehicle. The bus was travelling between the cities of Hangu and Kohat, which are located close to Pakistan's lawless tribal region. The explosion tore apart the vehicle, killing all 17 people on board, and tipped over a second bus nearby, said Hangu police chief Abdur Rasheed. One person on the bus that tipped over was killed and 11 others were wounded, he said. Rasheed said the blast occurred when the gas cylinder on board malfunctioned. But the top police official in the region said explosives were used to trigger the explosion. Islamist militants frequently carry out attacks in the area against both civilians and security forces.

Egyptian Man Sets Self Ablaze

A man, last weekend, set himself on fire in Cairo, Egypt in an apparent protest over poor living conditions. The action echoes that of a Tunisian whose self-immolation sparked a wave of protest in the country that brought down the government. The flames were put out by a police officer and the man was taken to hospital. Self-immolation as a method of protest is uncommon in Egypt, although women in rural and poor urban areas have been known to set themselves on fire to protest violent husbands, abusive parents or an unwanted suitor. Nearly half of all Egyptians live below the poverty line set by the UN at $2 a day. Similarly, a 16-year-old French student boy was rushed to hospital Tuesday after setting himself on fire. Marseille prosecutor, Jacques Dallest, said the boy may have been influenced "by what he may have seen in the media about North Africa."

45 Police Recruits Killed in Suicide Bomb Attack

A suicide bomber detonated his explosives-laden vest in a crowd of police recruits on Tuesday, killing at least 45 people, officials said, undercutting Iraqi security efforts as the nation struggles to show it can protect itself without foreign help. Police said the bomber joined a crowd of more than 100 recruits and blew himself up outside the police station in Tikrit. Loudspeakers from the city's mosques were calling on people to donate blood for the wounded. Tikrit police put the death toll at 45, with 140 wounded. Dr. Anas Abdul-Khaliq of Tikrit hospital confirmed the casualty figures. One police official said a grenade that had not exploded was found near the scene. The group of recruits was the first to vie for 2,000 new police jobs.

Death Toll in Brazil Flooding Rises Over 700

The death toll from devastating flooding in Brazil has risen to at least 741, with at least 204 still missing. Forecasters there said late Sunday that an approaching cold front could bring more flooding and landslides. Members of the army entered parts of Teresopolis and were able to rescue 110 families. Thousands of families are still living on mountain slopes or on riverbanks and face extreme risk of being washed away. President Dilma Rousseff flew over flood-affected areas last week. She trudged through mud to talk to residents in a neighborhood where four of seven firefighters trying to rescue people had been buried under mud. The other three were pulled out alive. She promised government’s “firm action" to help the devastated areas.

100 Killed in Southern India Stampede

A stampede near a religious temple killed 100 people in southern India, last weekend. Pilgrims were returning from a Hindu ritual at a temple when a vehicle overturned, prompting the stampede, said Jai Kumar, home secretary of Kerala state. At least 14 people were injured.  The vehicle struck many of the people in a narrow stretch through a forest, according to report. Stampedes at events in India have occurred several times because large crowds gather at narrow, congested areas.

Flooding in the Philippines Claims 51

About 51 people are dead in the Philippines after weeks of intense rain caused severe flooding, the country's national disaster agency said on Monday. Rains continued to linger over much of the island of Luzon, with land around the Visayan Sea and the eastern island of Mindanao also experiencing significant precipitation. Those killed died from drowning, landslides or electrocution. The crisis began on December 29, when a monsoon over northern and central Luzon met a cold front in southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. The result was severe flooding and landslides in 25 provinces. The storms have affected nearly 1.6 million people from more than 300,000 families.

Tunisia Announces New Government amidst Protests

Tunisia took a step toward democracy and reconciliation Monday, promising to free political prisoners and opening its government to opposition forces long shut out of power, but the old guard held onto the key posts, angering protesters. But demonstrators demanded that the former ruling party be banished altogether. Security forces struggle to contain violent reprisals, shootings and looting three days after the country's long time president fled under pressure from the streets. President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, penultimate Friday, fled to Saudi Arabia after a month of protests led to his downfall after 23 years in power. The government announced Monday that 78 civilians have died in the month of unrest.

Serial Killer gets 13 Life Sentences over Murder of 13 Women

A 36-year old serial killer, Thozamile Taki, on Wednesday bagged 13 life sentences and a separate 208 year jail term. Taki was sentenced after being found guilty of killing the 13 women and robbing them. He bagged a life sentence for each of the 13 murders and a total of 208 years, for robbery. The accused, who was arrested in September 2007 near Durban, was accused of killing the women and dumping their bodies in sugarcane plantations in KwaZulu-Natal, and tea plantations in the Eastern Cape Provinces. Judge King Ndlovu, in handing down the sentences, said Taki had during the trial showed his callousness and insensitivity, smiling when witnesses gave evidence tearfully.

127 Charged in Mafia Crackdown

A reputed gangster, Bartolomeo Vernace, who police say got away with several murders for nearly 30 years has been arrested. Luck ran out on Vernace on Thursday when he was charged in the killings in one of the largest Mafia takedowns. He was among 127 defendants named in 16 indictments stemming from separate underworld investigations in New York, New Jersey and Rhode Island. Past investigations have resulted in strategic strikes aimed at crippling individual crime families. In the past, the FBI has aggressively pursued and imprisoned the leadership of the city's five Italian mob families, only to see ambitious underlings fill the vacancies, said Janice Fedarcyk, head of the FBI's New York office.

8 Pirates Killed as South Korea Rescues Hijacked Ship, Crew

South Korean Special Forces stormed a hijacked freighter in the Arabian Sea on Friday, rescuing all 21 crew members and killing eight assailants in a rare and bold raid on Somali pirates, South Korea said. The military operation in waters between Oman and Africa came a week after the Somali attackers seized the South Korean freighter and held hostage eight South Koreans, two Indonesians and 11 citizens from Myanmar. "We will not tolerate any behaviour that threatens the lives and safety of our people in the future," South Korean President, Lee Myung-bak said.

Roadside Explosion Kills 13 in Afghanistan

A motorized rickshaw packed with civilian passengers struck a roadside bomb in eastern Afghanistan Wednesday, triggering a blast that killed all 13 people in the vehicle. The blast happened in Khoshamad district of eastern Paktika province, the Interior Ministry said. Civilians are increasingly the victims of the escalating Afghan war, particular from planted bombs on roads and in markets. In western Herat province Tuesday night, a rocket hit a civilian house during a fire-fight between insurgents and NATO forces in the area, government spokesman Shafiq Berozyan said. One child was killed and another 10 people were wounded.

Muslim Man gets Death Sentence for Shooting Christians

An Egyptian state security court has sentenced a Muslim man to death for killing six Coptic Christians and a Muslim police officer in a drive-by shooting on Coptic Christmas Eve in January 2010. Mohamed Ahmed Hussein, 39, was charged with the “premeditated murder” of the Christians and the police officer and with “intimidating citizens”. The judge said Hussein’s sentence would be sent to the Grand Mufti for confirmation, a reference to Egypt’s top religious authority who is called on to confirm death sentences.