Villeworth Security Services Ltd

week 22

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PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

Suspected Vandal Electrocuted in Port Harcourt

A suspected male vandal was on Sunday electrocuted while vandalising a 500mm single core armoured cable at the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) substation at Elelenwo, Rivers State. The Assistant Public Affairs Manager of PHCN, Mr. John Onyi, who disclosed this, said the charred body of the unidentified man was discovered in the earlier hours of Sunday. Onyi said that PHCN had within a year lost 35 substations to the activities of the vandals within the Borikiri Business District alone. He appealed to persons living around PHCN installations to help safeguard them as they are important national asset and warned prospective vandals to desist from their nefarious activities.

Abducted ACN Candidate Rescued

Abducted local government chairmanship candidate of the Action Congress Nigeria (CAN) in Rivers State, Mr. Soibibo Horsfall, has been rescued by security operatives. Horsfall was whisked away by unknown gunmen in Emohua, just a few hours to the council election in the state. The State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ben Ugwuegbulam, confirmed his rescue. Horsfall was the ACN chairmanship candidate for Asari Toru LGA.

Recovered Ammunition from Ex-militants Destroyed

Arms and Ammunition recovered from former militants in the Niger Delta, who accepted the FG’s Amnesty programme, were on Wednesday, destroyed in Lokpanta town in Enugu State. They were made up of 3779 guns of various types, 70 rocket propelled grenades, 159 pistols and one spear. The weapons were recovered from Bayelsa, Edo and Delta States. Chairman of Presidential Committee on Amnesty, Mr. Kingsley Kuku, said resolve to destroy the weapons, he disclosed, stemmed from the realisation that their continued presence acts as a destabilising influence in the country. The General Officer Commanding 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maj-Gen. Sarkin Bello, lauded the peace and tranquillity that have returned to the region as a result of the programme.

Wife and Daughter of LG Boss Abducted in Imo

Unknown persons on Tuesday kidnapped the wife of former chairman of Ngor-Okpala LGA of Imo State, Mrs. Marita Nwogu and her daughter on their way home along Ulakwu/Imerienwe road. It was gathered learnt that the former council boss, Chief Emma Nwogu, has been hiding since the election. A chieftain of the area who preferred to be unnamed described the incident as a politically motivated one. This is the third kidnap incident in the area after the election.  The first was the kidnap of the current chairman of Aboh Mbaise LGA, Mr. Charles Onwunali who is still being held at an unknown location. Police spokesman, Linus Nwaiwu, said he was not aware of the latest incident.

Court Remands Enugu Ex-Governor in EFCC’s Custody

An Enugu High Court presided over by justice Benedict Agbata has ordered that former Enugu State Governor, Chimaroke Nnamani be remanded in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) pending the determination of his bail application next Wednesday. Nnamani, who was arraigned yesterday alongside Chief Jacob Nwatu, is facing a 15-count charge of conspiracy, stealing and corrupt enrichment of government funds when he was governor. He is facing similar charges at the Federal High Court, Abuja, but the EFCC has said that the present charges were fresh ones. The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Amaechi Is Chairman of Governors Forum

The 36 states governors under the aegis of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) Monday unanimously picked the Governor of Rivers State, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, as the new chairman of the forum. Amaechi, who succeeds the outgoing chairman and Kwara State governor, Dr. Bukola Saraki, is to serve for two years. Responding on his appointment, Amaechi promised to consolidate on the achievements of the last chairman, Saraki. He described his appointment as a challenge. He said the states were asking for more funds from the federation account to enable them reduce poverty and ensure productive economy.

Suspected Fraudsters Paraded in Anambra

Seven suspected revenue fraudsters in Anambra State were rounded up by men of the state task force on Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) in different parts of the state and were paraded at the Government House, on Wednesday. The suspects were said to have been in the business of using fake identity cards and government receipts to dupe unsuspecting public in the name of revenue collection. Speaking when the suspects were paraded, the Deputy Governor, Mr. Emeka Sibeudu called on the people to be vigilant, as fake revenue collectors were everywhere, extorting money and misrepresenting the government.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

Soldiers Exhume Suspected Togo’s Corpse

Soldiers, on Thursday, controlled security at the Warri Central Hospital. Their action is reportedly meant to prevent the supposed corpse of a wanted militant in the Niger Delta, John Togo, from being tampered with. There were reports that a decomposed body said to be that of the Togo was exhumed by men of the Joint Task Force (JTF) on Wednesday and deposited at the morgue of the hospital, where only the leadership of security agencies were allowed access. It was gathered that Togo, alongside his deputy, who was in charge of his armoury, must have been killed in the last encounter with the JTF. The FG had earlier stated that neither Togo, nor any member of group had surrendered any weapon.

Sapele Pipeline Explosion Claims Two

Two persons were, on Tuesday, burnt to death in Sapele, Delta State, while trying to scoop petroleum products from a damaged pipeline owned by the Pipeline and Products Marketing Company (PPMC). The pipeline was reportedly damaged by petroleum products thieves who were having a field day siphoning the product before the ugly incident occurred. The fire was reportedly caused by a break in the pipeline carrying petroleum products, including kerosene, from the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company to the PPMC Depot in Benin.  Following the explosion, the Group General Manager of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Levi Ajuonuma, said the FG had engaged about 12,000 youths to provide security for key oil installations across the country.

536 Surrender Arms in Edo

About 536 militants from Ikoro Community in Ovia North East LGA of Edo State, on Thursday, surrendered their weapons, just as the Commander of the militants, Abiodun Peter (aka Kabiru), appealed to the federal and state governments to bring development to Ijaw communities in the State.  The weapons, which included dynamites, assault riffles, AK 47 riffles, grenades and machine guns, were received by men of the Joint Task Force (JTF) and officials of the State Security Services. Abiodun, speaking after the disarmament, said they decided to embrace the amnesty programme because of the emergence of President Goodluck Jonathan and what he described as the good job being done by Governor Adams Oshiomhole in the state.

Suspected Kidnapper Set Ablaze for Abducting 3-Year-Old

A middle-aged suspected kidnapper, who was alleged to have abducted a 3-year-old girl, was burnt to death by an angry mob in Jesse town of Delta State. The suspected kidnapper, identified as Edisiri Oyawiri, allegedly kidnapped the child penultimate Sunday evening. After the child was traced to his house, he was taken away to face jungle justice. Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, Charles Muka confirmed the both the kidnap of the girl and the killing of the suspect. In another incident, a police patrol team arrested a three-man car snatching syndicate and recovered a Volkswagen Golf car, which they claimed was stolen from the owner in Bayelsa.

Police Sergeant to Die over Extra Judicial Killing

Justice Roland Amaize of a Benin High Court, on Monday sentenced a police Sergeant, Kalejaiye Ola, to death by hanging for shooting to death one Paul Erimafa with his service rifle in June 23. The court held that the act of the convict was pre-meditated and not in self defence or resulting from accidental discharge as offered by the cop. He said the convict had initially reported a case of armed robbery against the deceased which was later discovered to be false, adding that there was no justification for the convict to have shot the deceased who was harmless at the time of the incident. The evidence of one of the expert prosecution witness on the handling of arms and ammunition indicated that the rifle was not at the safety cache when the incident occurred.

31 Suspected Cultists Paraded in Edo

Following renewed hostilities between suspected cultists, which have led to the death of at least 18 persons around the state, Edo State Police Command on Tuesday paraded 31 suspects accused of having hand in the killings in different parts of the state. The State Commissioner of Police, David Omajola, had last weekend, declared war on cultists in the state and mandated all the DPOs in the state to comb their domains for cultist. The Deputy Commissioner of Police, M.D Hurdi said the suspects were arrested in Ekpoma, Uromi and Benin City. Most of the suspects confessed to be students of tertiary institutions in the state.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

DPO, 3 Others Killed in Badagry

Rampaging soldiers in Badagry, Tuesday, shot the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Samuel Salihu and two other senior officers in apparent reprisal over the killing of an army sergeant, penultimate Sunday, by a police officer. A third policeman, who survived the attack died on Thursday in the hospital. According to a witness, the Sunday incident occurred when the soldier, who was on his motorcycle, was flagged down by the policemen. But even after he identified himself, the policemen were not satisfied and an argument ensued. As he attempted to drive off, he was pelted with bullets from behind. He managed to put a call across to his colleagues, who came but met him dead. The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Hafiz Ringim, has enjoined officers and men of both sides to exercise restraint, as investigation into the case has commenced.

Police to Tackle Bandits on Highway

The Ogun State Police Command has deployed security teams along the Lagos-Benin and Lagos-Ibadan expressways to address the menace of armed robbers. The Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, who disclosed this on Wednesday, also said the command has advised the government to trim all bushy areas, especially those along the sharp bends so as to enable the drivers to see ahead while driving. He added that the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Musa Daura, had held series of meetings with the officers and men of the command on how to ensure security in the state, particularly along the expressway.

Policeman Fires at Bus, Kills One, Injures Others

One person was killed while two others were seriously injured on Wednesday when a trigger-happy policeman opened fire on a commercial bus at Isheri, along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, after the driver of the bus turned down a request for money. Angry residents took the body of the victim with shattered head to the front of a popular building in the area, looking for the policemen who, by then, had fled. The Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, expressed shock and promised to investigate the incident.

2 Killed in Renewed Clashes in Ibadan

A middle-aged man was, on Tuesday, killed at Agbowo area of Ibadan in Oyo State when factions of the proscribed National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) clashed. It was learnt that trouble started when some members of the union stormed the Agbowo motor park, shooting sporadically in an attempt to reclaim it from those believed to be loyal to the factional chairman, Alhaji Abdul Lateef Akinsola, also known as Tokyo. In a related development, renewed clash between the two factions of the proscribed NURTW in the state has left another person dead and several others with gunshot injuries and machete cuts at Saki area of the state and claimed the life of one Mr Rashidi Bello.

Stampede Kills 25 in Kwara

A valedictory session organised on Friday in Kwara state by the outgoing Governor Bukola Saraki for members of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state turned sour following a stampede at the venue of the event in which about 25 people were feared dead. Checks revealed that trouble started when the supporters were asked to queue to collect some valedictory package in form of clothing materials for the inauguration ceremony of today at the Metropolitan Square, Ilorin. It was gathered that the stampede occurred in the struggle for the gift items.

Policeman Impregnates 12-Year-Old Orphan

A policeman in Ekiti State, Olalekan Lasisi, has been arrested for allegedly raping and impregnating a 12-year-old orphan and beating her guardian, Juliana Olajiga, after she challenged him for defiling her ward. The victim was said to have been raped twice by the policeman around November 2010 and is now six months pregnant. The coordinator of an Ado-Ekiti-based non-governmental organisation, Mrs. Rita Ilevbare, had written a petition to the Commissioner of Police in Ekiti State, demanding the arrest of Lasisi. The commissioner of police, who confirmed the receipt of the petition, said that the suspect had been arrested and the allegations were being investigated.

Four Arraigned for Murder in Lagos

Four men on Tuesday appeared before an Ebute Meta Magistrate’s Court, Lagos, for allegedly killing two men at Makoko area of Yaba, Lagos. The suspects were said to have committed the offence on August 17, 2010 and March 16, 2011. The prosecutor, Insp. Samuel Omoyeni, said they conspired to commit felony to wit; murder on the two occasions. A fifth suspect, Lekan Olaiya, who was also arraigned alongside them was alleged to have conducted himself “in a manner likely to cause a breach of peach by organising a group of miscreants popularly known as area boys armed with sticks to cause fear” at Makoko area.

NDLEA Arrests Student in Lagos

The Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Alhaji Ahmadu Giade, on Monday said the agency had arrested a student and an importer with 1.35kg of narcotics. The suspects were nabbed while attempting to unlawfully export narcotics to Malaysia through the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos.

16 Bakeries, Water Bottling Firms Shut for Poor Hygiene

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), on Thursday, in different parts of Lagos, shut 16 bakeries and water production outfits for non compliance to Good Manufacturing Practices, GMP, and Good Hygienic Practice, GHP. The outlets shut are part of the 1,402 manufacturing outlets sanctioned by NAFDAC’s Establishment Inspection Directorate, Lagos Special Zone, since the beginning of this year for failure to comply with GHP and GMP requirements. The Public Relations Officer of NAFDAC in Lagos, Mrs Christiana Obiazikwor, attributed the closure to the intensified monitoring activities to enforce hygienic practices across the nation.

GENERAL

Nigeria Marks Democracy Day, Jonathan Inaugurated as President
…Monday Declared Holiday

President Goodluck Jonathan was, on Sunday, formally inaugurated as elected President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. At least 38 heads of state and heads of government were present at the inauguration held at the eagle square, Abuja. The governors of 26 states were also inaugurated at their different state capitals. The FG declared Monday, May 30, a public holiday to mark the inauguration ceremonies and the 2011 Democracy Day celebration. The Minister of Labour and Supervising Minister of Interior, Chief Emeka Wogu, who made the declaration on behalf of President Goodluck Jonathan, congratulated Nigerians for a successful general election, while wishing them a memorable and hitch-free inauguration and Democracy Day celebrations.

Herdsmen Kill 30 in Benue Communities

A band of armed herdsmen invaded some villages in Guma LGA of Benue state, leaving about 30 persons dead, with more than 10,000 persons displaced. An eye-witness said that the herdsmen moved into the village at about 8am and set fire to many houses and killing those who were at home. The witness added that the herdsmen had sent earlier message to the communities in the area that they would invade them on a revenge mission over a misunderstanding that arose between farmers and the herdsmen. Also in Makurdi, the police averted a riot when members of the opposition party almost lynched a young man suspected to be a thug. He was accused of being one of the suspects who killed an ACN supporter, Ezekiel Yusuf, at the Angwan-Jukun area on Sunday evening.

Four Killed in Explosions at Army Barracks

No fewer than four persons were killed while 20 others were injured in three explosions inside an army barracks in Bauchi on Sunday. No group had claimed responsibility for the attack. The Bauchi State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mr. Abdulkadir Indabawa, confirmed the incident, adding that locally made explosives were used. The blasts occurred in three separate locations within the same vicinity and within some seconds of each other.

Policemen Threaten to Down Tools over Killing of DPO

Some aggrieved policemen have threatened to down tools if immediate steps were not taken to address the killing of a police DPO and others by men suspected to be soldiers. They blamed the Police authorities for the cause of the frequent molestation and subsequent killings of policemen by the Military. The Badagry police division has reportedly lost five of its men to gunmen.  But in a sharp reaction to the threat, the Force Public Relations officer, Mr Olusola Amore, stated emphatically that it was unlawful for the Police to go on strike, disclosing that the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Hafiz Ringim has directed a full scale investigation into the killing.

Army Boss Launches Probe into Killing of Police Chiefs

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Onyeabo Ihejirika, has constituted a joint Investigative Panel, as a follow-up to a preliminary investigation conducted on Tuesday by the Commander of the Army Brigade at Ikeja and the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, to unravel the circumstances leading to the death of the Badagry Divisional Police Officer (DPO) and the Divisional Crime Officer (DCO) in front of the Badagry Army Barracks on Tuesday. They were killed in a reprisal attack after the alleged killing of a soldier by policemen. The Director, Army Public Relations (DAPR), Brig.-Gen. Raphael Isa, said the COAS insisted none of his soldiers was involved in the killing, as inventory of ammunition would have exposed the culprit, but all ammunition are accounted for.

Security Beefed-up for Presidential Inauguration

The Federal Government, on Wednesday, said it was determined to ensure a hitch-free inauguration of President Goodluck Jonathan and 26 state governors on Sunday. In view of this, it has put all machinery in motion to ensure safety of all. Anti-terrorist and bomb squads have taken over the Eagle Square venue and surroundings to ensure the place is free of explosive devices. Security has been tightened in and around the venue. Police teams alongside other security agencies have been deployed at both ends of the street with entrances into the Square.

Benue ACN Gov Candidate Arrested

Benue State Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) governorship candidate, Prof. Steve Ugba, was Monday arrested by the Police in Abuja. Ugba was invited alongside Senators George Akume, Joseph Akaagerger, Joseph Waku, Paul Onongo, Young Alhaji, Abba Yaro, among other chieftains of the ACN. Akume accused the police authorities of bias in unfolding political scenario in the state. Benue State chairman of the ACN, Abba Yaro stated that he was attacked by assailants, but the police never took any action. The ACN chairman accused the police of connivance with the State Governor, Gabriel Suswam to witch-hunt members of the opposition in the state.

Plane Crash in Kaduna, Two Dead

Two people lost their lives when a private six-seater plane belonging to local oil firm, Shawa Engineering Ltd, crashed at Barkllahu village in Igapi LGA of Kaduna state. The pilot, a Briton and the engineer, a Nigerian were the two persons on board the plane at the time of the crash on Tuesday. The jet was on a test run after routine maintenance when it crashed into a sugarcane farmland close to the fence of the Nigeria Air Force base in Kaduna. Fire fighters were quickly drafted to the site of the incident to put out the fire associated with the crash.

Hoodlums Kill Four Policemen in Abuja

Unknown gunmen, last weekend, killed four policemen along Takwa Road, Dede, a suburb of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The policemen on a stop and search operation were attacked, penultimate Sunday night, while taking shelter from rain inside a container. The Takwa road has been described as a black spot for criminals in the area. But FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Moshood Jimoh, said he was yet to get any report on the incident.

Task Force Assures Safety in Borno

The security Task Force in Borno state has assured residents of adequate security of lives and property. The security task force said that it was determined to confront the Boko Haram armed sect members that had killed over 1,755 innocent citizens since July, 2009. The task force gave the assurance at the Maiduguri police headquarters, when its commander, Col. Victor Ebhaleme was briefing police Chief Mohammed Abubakar, on the new security measures put in place to check the Boko Haram attacks and killings. He urged the people not to panic and assured that the Boko Haram problem would soon come to an end.

Naval Rating Kills Carpenter

A Soldier with the Nigerian Navy serving in Makurdi, on Monday night, killed a carpenter, Philip Udoh, for failing to deliver on a promise to complete his chair on schedule after collecting N5000. Trouble started on Monday evening after the naval rating had gone to the home of the deceased to collect his chair, but was told that the chair was not ready. At that point, the soldier descended heavily on the deceased in the presence of family members, beating him to stupor. Not moved by the pleadings of family members, the Naval rating grabbed an object and smashed the head of carpenter who fell to the ground unconscious and died.

Gunmen Kill 13 in Attack on Police Station, Bank

Suspected members of a radical Islamist sect, Friday, attacked a police station in Maiduguri with explosives and assault rifles, killing at least 13 people including civilians, police said. They also attacked a nearby bank and police barracks. Police commissioner Mohammed Jinjiri Abubakar blamed Boko Haram. Meanwhile, the police, had, on Tuesday, arraigned eight suspected Boko Haram sect members before a Maiduguri Magistrate court. The suspects were accused of rioting and unlawful assembly within and outside Maiduguri in July 29. The suspects pleaded not guilty. The presiding Chief Magistrate, Haruna Mari granted them N50, 000 bail each and eight sureties.

ECOWAS Police Chiefs Want Better Collaboration with INTERPOL

Worried by the increasing spate of cross-border crimes and the seeming inability of the existing security network to combat them, the West African Police Chiefs (WAPCCO) sub-committees have asked Member-States to collaborate with the General Secretariat of the International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL). The security chiefs, at the end of their two-day meeting in Abuja, maintained that unwavering collaboration with the INTERPOL was a veritable way to make their efforts count in the fight against crime.  The collaboration, according to them, is to also help sensitise regional police forces to secure international police cooperation in the sustained fight against crime.

Bauchi Senator-Elect Arraigned on Criminal Charges

Bauchi State Police Command has filed a suit against Warji LGA Chairman, Alhaji Abdulrazak Nuhu Zaki; a senator-elect, Alhaji Abdul Ahmed Ningi and five others for allegedly inciting disturbances, mischief by fire and criminal intimidations. When the First Information Record (FIR) was read to them, the five accused persons said they understood the charges and denied committing any of the offences. The Prosecuting Sergeant, Dikko, applied to the court to adjourn the matter to enable police to complete investigation.

PSC Promotes Retired Officer, Four Others

The Police Service Commission has promoted a retired Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mrs. Oyeri Awogu, from Commissioner of Police to Assistant Inspector-General of Police, notionally from January 1, 2006 and effective from December 20, 2010. The PSC said it was unfortunate that Awogu spent 10 years on a rank without promotion, stressing that it was committed to equity and fairness in all its decisions.  The PSC, headed by Parry Osayande, also considered and approved recommendations for the promotion of some senior police officers.

Windstorm Destroys 100 Houses in Bauchi

Kirfi and Alkaleri LGAs of Bauchi State were on Tuesday hit by a windstorm that destroyed about 40 electric poles and 100 houses. The Kirfi Council Chairman, Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima, said that the disaster had rendered many families homeless and thrown the entire area into darkness. Galadima said that Badara in Kirfi local government and Alkaleri town, headquarters of Alkaleri Local Government Area, were the worst-hit. He urged the Power Holding Company of Nigeria and the government to assist the councils to replace the damaged poles and their accessories. The chairman further urged the relevant agencies to intervene, to reduce the social and economic hardship on the people.

Police Uncover Explosives in Yobe

The Yobe State Police command have uncovered suspected bomb making materials and explosives in Damaturu. Disclosing this on Wednesday, the State Police Commissioner, Sulaimon Lawal, listed the uncovered materials to include a bag of three inch nails, a litre of petrol, a dozen empty cans of insecticides and perfumes. But he urged the general public not to panic as the anti-bomb squad had condoned off the place and retrieved the explosives for analysis and investigation. The police anti-bomb squad had also on Monday recovered a live propelled explosive at the premises of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Damaturu, few hours before the presentation of certificate of return to Governor Ibrahim Gaidam.

Council Boss, Eight Others Arrested over Violence

The police have arrested the chairman of Yagba East LGA of Kogi State, Mr Kayode Obaro, and eight others following the recent violence in the council. The violence involved thugs allegedly loyal to Obaro and protesting members of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT). No fewer than 20 persons were said to have sustained serious injuries including a fatal acid attack. Witnesses said the problem started when teachers protesting against the non-payment of their emoluments decided to stage a peaceful demonstration when suddenly a group of thugs emerged from their hideout and descended on the protesting teachers. But the protesters who were said to outnumber their attackers refused to be intimidated.

5 in Court for Ritual Murder of 12-Year-Old

Five suspected persons were, on Wednesday, arraigned before a Minna Chief Magistrates’ Court for murder. The suspects were alleged to have murdered a 12-year-old boy, Shamshudeen Musa, for rituals in Sabunga Village in Rafi LGA of Niger state, recently. The suspects are Mohammed Haruna, Musa Ahmadu, Isah Musa, Yakubu Garba and Yakubu Aboki. The Police Prosecutor, Mr Emmanuel Bassa, told the court that the suspects connived to kill Musa after one of them was promised N2 million. Only Haruna pleaded guilty while the others pleaded not guilty to the charge. The Chief Magistrate, Hassan Mohammed, directed that the case be referred to the Ministry of Justice for advice since the court had no jurisdiction to try the accused persons, but remanded them in custody.

Lawmakers Approve N4.48tr Harmonised Budget

The Senate has approved the amendment to the 2011 Budget proposal forwarded to it by President Goodluck Jonathan with yet a new figure different from what was requested. They passed a final figure of, N4.48trillion, which is about N77.6 billion more than the N4.4trillion proposed by the Presidency. The budget passage was fast tracked with the First, Second and Third Readings of the presidential proposal, cited as “2011 Appropriation Act (Amendment) Bill”, taken in quick succession. Similarly, the House of Representatives, on Wednesday, passed the 2011 amended budget with an additional aggregate expenditure which hiked it from N 4.407 trillion proposed by the executive to N4.484 trillion. President Goodluck Jonathan, Friday, signed the N4.48 trillion into law.

Drug Suspects Get Jail Terms in Bauchi

Six suspects ages, 19 to 29, were, on Tuesday, been convicted at the Federal High Court, Bauchi on drug related offences. The Bauchi State Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Sule Momodu, said the sentences ranged from 12 to 18 months in prison. They were arrested at different times and in different locations in the state. Momodu advised parents and guardians to always watch over their wards as well as give them good training in order not to be involved in the drugs.

Boko Haram Kills Prison Warden

A prison warden was on Thursday killed along Baga Road, Maiduguri by suspected members of a radical Islamic sect, Boko Haram. The guard was shot and killed by gunmen who came in a motorcycle as he was waiting to pick his boss's children outside the school. The gunmen burnt the car before speeding off with their bikes. The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Abdullahi Lawal, confirmed the incident.

INTERNATIONAL

Tornado Kills Nearly 140 in Missouri

A massive tornado across southwestern Missouri killed about 140 people as it slammed into the city of Joplin, last weekend. Authorities warn that the death toll could climb Monday as search and rescuers continued their work. City manager, Mark Rohr, announced the casualty figure. Rohr said the twister cut a path nearly 6 miles long and more than a half-mile wide through the center of town, adding that tornado sirens gave residents about a 20-minute warning before the tornado touched down on the city's west side. Fire chief, Mitch Randles, estimated that 25 to 30 percent of the city was damaged. But on Tuesday, Rescue efforts were hindered by thunderstorm.

Egyptian Policeman gets Death Sentence for Killing Protesters

An Egyptian court, last weekend, sentenced a police officer to death for killing protesters during demonstrations that ousted former President Hosni Mubarak from power, a judicial source said on Sunday. The source said Mohamed Ibrahim Abdel-Monem was convicted of killing 20 protesters on January 28. The court referred the case to the Grand Mufti, Egypt’s religious authority who must approve all death sentences. The sentence against Abdel-Monem, who has evaded capture, is scheduled to be confirmed on June 26.

12 Soldiers Killed in Siege on Naval Base

Pakistani troops have ended a siege by militants who attacked a naval base in the city of Karachi. The attackers were said to have taken hostages after storming the Mehran naval aviation base overnight. The Pakistan Taliban says the raid was to avenge Osama Bin Laden's killing. The gunmen then opened indiscriminate fire, killing at least 12 soldiers. Subsequently, navy commandos and marines launched a counter-assault. Some of the militants were killed, officials say.

Flights Stalled Due to Volcanic Ash

Flights in and out of Scotland have been cancelled as a volcanic ash cloud from Iceland heads towards the UK. The threat of further disruption led US President Barack Obama to fly out of the Republic of Ireland a day early to get to London for a state visit. The Met Office forecasts the ash cloud will reach northern and western Scotland overnight, and will clip northern parts of Northern Ireland early on Tuesday.

Explosions Rock Zintan as Battle Rages in Libya

At least four explosions rocked the Libyan rebel-held town of Zintan, penultimate Sunday. Rebels in Zintan, in western Libya, said they believe the explosions were from Grad rockets. In a separate incident, Libyans armed with guns and a knife stormed a bus carrying foreign journalists, last weekend, and a soldier fired gunshot into the air to disperse the crowd. The incident started when the bus was given priority over many in obtaining petrol. Nobody was injured in the incident. Meanwhile, continued shelling of the rebel-held western outpost of Misrata illustrated the magnitude of the problem facing rebel forces and NATO.

NATO’s Air Strikes Hit Tripoli

NATO pounded the Libyan capital with at least 20 air strikes on Tuesday in its bombardment against Muammar Gaddafi’s stronghold. This is coming as a senior United States (U.S.) diplomat said President Barack Obama has invited the Libyan rebels’ National Transitional Council to open an office in Washington. The international community has been stepping up air strikes and diplomatic efforts against the regime in a bid to break a virtual stalemate, with the rebels in the east and Gaddafi maintaining his hold on most of the west. Government spokesman, Moussa Ibrahim, said at least three people were killed and dozens wounded in the NATO strikes that targeted what he described as buildings used by volunteer units of the Libyan army.

Residents Flee Violence in Abyei Region

United Nations (UN) officials said no fewer than 15,000 people have fled Sudan’s Abyei region to the south after the northern army seized the disputed area, burned and looted parts of the main town. Also, a senior southern minister in the Khartoum government, Luka Biong, has resigned, protesting what he called war crimes committed by the northern army which had moved tanks into the main regional town over the weekend after weeks of tensions. South Sudan has denounced as an act of war the takeover by North Sudan forces of the contested border town of Abyei. A spokesman for the military wing of the movement that governs Southern Sudan confirmed that Sudan's military controlled the area, claiming Southern Sudan was behind the attack, but the SPLA denied responsibility.

Suspect Arrested in Slaying of 27 in Guatemala

Guatemalan authorities arrested a suspected drug trafficker, Elder Estuardo Morales Madrid, who they said directed the killing of 27 workers on a farm in a northern province earlier this month, according to reports. This is the latest in a string of arrests by Guatemalan authorities, who declared a "state of siege" in Peten province after investigators discovered the brutal slayings May 15. The killing spree was one of the nation's worst since the end of the civil war in 1996. The killers decapitated several victims and left their body parts strewn across the terrain, police said.

Suicide Bomber Kills 7 in Hit on Police Station

A suicide bomber rammed his car into a police station in Peshawar, Pakistan, on Wednesday in an attack that killed seven police officers and injured several others. The Pakistani Taliban said the attack was to avenge the killing of innocent civilians. The group's spokesman, Ihsan Ullah, alleged that Pakistani security forces are carrying out those killings on the instruction of the United States in the name of a "war on terror." Muhammad Ejaz Khan, the police official, said 23 others were injured in the blast and several others were still under the debris.

Brazilian Activist, Wife Ambushed and Killed

A prominent Brazilian conservationist and his wife have been killed in the Amazon region, police have said. Joao Claudio Ribeiro da Silva and Maria do Espirito Santo were ambushed in Para state, near the city of Maraba. The environmentalist had repeatedly warned of death threats against him by loggers and cattle ranchers. The bodies of the couple were found inside the nature reserve, Praialta-Piranheira, where they had been working for the past 24 years. The government has ordered an immediate investigation and promised to catch those responsible for their deaths.

Bomb Kills 7 Soldiers in Afghanista

Seven NATO troops have been killed by a roadside bomb in southern Afghanistan, the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) said. Earlier, a NATO helicopter crashed in eastern Afghanistan, killing one soldier, officials said. Meanwhile, NATO-led forces say they have pushed back Taliban fighters in a district in the eastern province of Nuristan. Local officials said up to 500 insurgents seized the district of Doab on Wednesday, but ISAF disputes the account, saying that the district centre was never overrun by the Taliban.

Rwanda Genocide Suspect Arrested in DRC

A Rwandan genocide suspect on the run for 17 years has been arrested in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Bernard Munyagishari is accused of being a militia leader who masterminded the killing of Tutsis and moderate Hutus in Gisenyi in 1994. He was caught in an operation mounted by the Congolese army in collaboration with a tracking team from the UN court trying genocide suspects. Some 800,000 ethnic Tutsis and moderate Hutus died in the 100-day genocide. Nine other Rwandans accused of being key perpetrators of the genocide are still at large.

China Suspends Death Sentences for Two Years

China has introduced new standards to reduce the number of criminals it executed yearly. The country’s Supreme People’s Court told lower courts to suspend death sentences for two years. But this instruction applies only in cases where there is no need for “immediate execution”. China has introduced a number of measures over recent years to cut down the number of executions. Those benefiting from the changes will probably never be executed. Criminals given a suspended death penalty usually have their sentences commuted to life imprisonment. Meanwhile, 3 explosions struck government buildings in China’s Jiangxi province on Thursday, killing two people and injuring six others. Officials said the cause of the blasts was being investigated.

Spanish Police Arrests 8 over ‘Illegal Sale’ of Helicopters to Iran

Spanish police have prevented the illegal sale of nine military transport helicopters to Iran and arrested eight people, five Spanish businessmen and three Iranian, in Madrid and Barcelona. The police also found spare parts for export to Venezuela. Iran is banned from buying attack helicopters under UN sanctions. The five Spanish businessmen are suspected of trying to export the aircraft, while the three Iranians are accused of negotiating the purchase of military material. As part of Operation Nam, police raided industrial sites in Madrid and Barcelona where they found the helicopters.

Dozens Killed in Yemeni Blast as Battles Rage

Government troops fought street battles with one of Yemen's leading tribes in the capital Thursday, leaving dozens dead as prosecutors sought the arrests of several tribal leaders.  A senior Defense Ministry official said that more than 28 people were killed in an explosion at a weapons depot in Sanaa during clashes with members of the al-Hashid tribe, which has turned against longtime President Ali Abdullah Saleh.  The official said the tribe shelled the area around the depot with heavy artillery. But the tribe rejected the accusation, saying it was choosing targets cautiously and had not attacked civilians.