Villeworth Security Services Ltd

week 48

• 
• 

PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

Imo Youths Nab Suspected Kidnapper, Rescue 3-yr-old Victim

A member of a three-man gang of kidnappers has been arrested, while a 3-year-old victim of the gang, was set free by vigilant youths of Umuagwo, Ohaji/Egbema LGA of Imo State. The 3-man gang allegedly picked its victim from a community in Rivers State and headed to Umuagwo where they had intended to operate from. It was also gathered that the hoodlums, on arrival at Umuagwo, started looking for their accomplice, who allegedly agreed to give them sanctuary and it was in the process of looking for the previously arranged accommodation that the kidnappers ran into trouble.

Navy Transfers Arrested Vessels, Suspects to EFCC

The Forward Operating Base, Formoso, of the Nigerian Navy in Brass LGA of Bayelsa State, has seized five vessels and arrested 42 suspects involved in oil theft in the state. The navy also destroyed 55 illegal refineries and 18 large wooden boats containing illegally refined petroleum products and crude oil in the creeks. The vessels and products were transferred to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the state Command of the Nigerian Police Force at the base on Wednesday. The Officer in Charge of Formoso, Navy Capt. Aminu Hassan, said the police and EFCC would carry out further investigations and prosecution of the suspects.

Farmer Alleges Oil Theft by Security Operatives

A farmer in Ekorinim community in Calabar, Cross River State, Bassey Okon, has petitioned the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) over illegal bunkering by security operatives posted to protect petroleum pipelines passing through the community. Okon, a landlord in the community in the petition, also alleged that the illegal bunkering had led to oil spill and destruction of farmlands. He also called on the Director of the State Security Service and other relevant agencies to intervene.

Police Kill Robbery Suspect after Shot-out in Imo

A team of policemen in Imo State, on Wednesday night, gunned down a suspected robber along near Ogbaku-Owerri-Onitsha road as the robbers attempted to rob a bus. The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Samuel Oodee, said the police team acted after a distress call reached them and they stormed the scene known as ‘free zone’. In an encounter that ensued between the team and robbers, one of the suspected robbers was shot dead on the spot by the police, while five others escaped with bullet wounds. Oodee disclosed that the Abia Line bus, which was coming from Lagos, ran into the hands of the criminals. The police recovered two rifles and some live ammunition from the scene.

Federal Govt Forecloses Third Phase of Amnesty

The Federal Government has ruled out having a third phase for its amnesty programme for Niger Delta militants. Reacting to an alleged threat by some ex-militants, who gave the federal government a two-week ultimatum to either enlist them in third phase of the amnesty programme or they would paralyze the operations of major oil companies in the region, Special Adviser to the president on Niger Delta matters, Hon Kingsley Kuku, said the government was not bothered by what he described as an empty threat. Kuku explained that the first and second phases of the disarmament programme have since closed following the proclamation of amnesty in 2009, insisting that it was out of place at this material time for any group of restive youths in the Niger Delta to now threaten the government under the guise of amnesty programme.

Pastor Inflicts Burns on Boy as Punishment

A self-acclaimed man of God, Pastor Chukwudi Ibe, of Divine Power Ministry in Onitsha, has been arrested over gross abuse of his ward. The pastor, with a hot electric iron, had inflicted severe burns on the 11-year-old boy, identified as Friday, who he accused of stealing N200 and keeping bad company. A neighbour, who alerted the police, said the victim was maltreated everyday after which he was chained and locked up in the house until evening when the couple returned from work. He further said that boy did not go to school but was forced to do all manner of job that a child of his age could not naturally do. The pastor confirmed burning the victim with hot iron but claimed it was a measure intended to make him desist from stealing.

Oil Spill Suit: Community Seeks Out-of-court Settlement

A community leader from Ogale in Eleme LGA of Rivers State, Chief Samuel Osaro Ochindo, has called for out-of-court settlement in the case recently filed by the Community against Shell at a Michigan Court in the United States of America, for alleged pollution. Speaking on behalf of the elders of Ogale, Ochindo said they had disassociated themselves from such claim, as according to him, the “pollution was not caused by Shell”. The pollution, which occurred on a pipeline at Nsisioken in Eleme, a channel that transports refined products to other parts of the country, according to Ochindo, was allegedly operated by another oil merchant.

30 Protesters Arraigned in Court

Thirty commercial bus drivers and their conductors linked with a recent protest of alleged harassment by policemen in Port Harcourt have been arraigned in court. One of the charges read that on November 9, this year the accused persons conspired to riot and thereby committed an offence. They were also alleged to have on the same date, attempted “to commit felony to wit stealing and thereby committed and offence punishable. The accused persons pleaded not guilty to all the charges. The matter was consequently adjourned by the trial Magistrate, Odiki Daniel-Kalio, till December 6 and 12.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

9 Killed in Edo Road Accident

Nine persons were on Wednesday killed in two separate road accidents in Edo State. Six persons reportedly died in the Aduwawa accident while three persons were said to have died in the Jattu road mishap. Edo State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Mr. Henry Olatunji, who confirmed the Aduwawa accident, said the victims died at the hospitals they were rushed to. He said the six persons that died included four males and two females adult. A Divisional Traffic Officer in the locality, Ogboi Moses confirmed the accident saying the wounded people have been taken to a private hospital, while the driver was in police custody.

Guardian Publisher, Alex Ibru, Passes on at 66

The Chairman and Publisher of Guardian newspapers, Mr. Alex Ibru, fell to the hands of death last weekend at age 66. The cause of the death was not disclosed. He founded The Guardian in 1983 with a mission to make it one of the five best English language newspapers in the world. He was made Minister of Internal Affairs and member of the highest Provisional Ruling Council by the military government of Gen. Sani Abacha in 1993 but resigned in 1995 as the government became unpopular. He was the youngest of the Ibru brothers.

Soldiers Beefed Up as Ex-Militants Threaten to Bomb Oil Facilities

Security beefed-up in the Niger Delta, on Monday, after a group of ex-militants threatened to bomb oil facilities in the region following the Federal Government’s refusal to include them in the amnesty programme. Heavily armed security agents posted to oil facilities were positioned to ward off any attack, especially in Delta state. Members of the group were agitating for inclusion in the amnesty programme, but because the Federal Government had refused to accommodate them, they resolved to bomb the oil facilities to press their case.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

Wife of Kwara CSO Killed in Armed Robbery Attack

Suspected armed robbers shot dead the wife of the Chief Security Officer (CSO) to Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara state, Idris Mohammed. The young woman, Aishat, was being driven in her husband’s SUV when they ran into group of rampaging armed robbers, penultimate Thursday. This development, which caught the driver unaware, made him to make a detour, but the robbers kept firing at the SUV, which finally escaped. But unknown to the driver, the bullets had already Aishat who was asleep at the backseat. When the vehicle got to a safe place, Aishat was found to be bleeding heavily from the head, and she was quickly rushed to a specialist hospital for urgent medical attention, where she was confirmed dead.

NDLEA to Pay N25m Damages to Baba Suwe

A Lagos High Court in Ikeja on Thursday ordered the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to pay popular actor, Babatunde Omidina aka Baba Suwe, the sum of N25 million for unlawful arrest and detention. Justice Yetunde Idowu, who delivered the judgement, upheld the arguments of Baba Suwe's lawyer, Mr. Bamidele Aturu, that his arrest on October 12 and subsequent scans on his bowels violated his fundamental human rights. The NDLEA had claimed that a body scanner at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos showed that the actor had drugs in his stomach and was subsequently arrested and held for over three weeks. However, the NDLEA eventually admitted that Baba Suwe had failed to excrete any drugs.

NDLEA Prosecutes 43 Drug Barons in Ekiti

At least 43 drug barons have been prosecuted by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Ekiti State within the last 10 months. The NDLEA Chairman, Alhaji Ahmadu Giade disclosed this on Wednesday when he led a team of NDLEA operatives and government functionaries to destroy over 5,348.469 kilogram narcotic drugs, include 5,314 kilogram of cannabis and 34.39 kilogram of other psychotropic substances in the state. He said the NDLEA have stepped up its intelligence gathering mechanism around the country to incapacitate the drug cartels and their syndicates to prevent the drug from circulation. The NDLEA boss solicited the donation of operational vehicles and other security gadgets to the command for effective discharge of their duties.

Court Sets Lafiaji, Ex-NDLEA Boss, Free

The Court of Appeal in Lagos, Tuesday, set free former Chairman of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Alhaji Bello Lafiaji, and his Special Assistant, Usman Amali The court discharged and acquitted them unconditionally after they were convicted and sent to jail about 17 months ago by a Lagos High Court. Justice Mohammed Ambi-Usi Danjuma allowed the two separate appeals filled by Lafiaji and Amali, and set aside their conviction and sentence by Justice Olusola Williams of the Lagos High Court. Williams had in sentenced Lafiaji to 16 years imprisonment for abuse of office and conspiracy. Lafiaji and Amali were arraigned in 2008 by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for conspiracy and conversion of €164,300 (about N37million) seized from a drug suspect, Ikenna Onochie, in November, 2005.

Bandits Rob and Shoot Police Inspector

Suspected armed robbers in Lagos, last weekend shot a female police inspector and snatched from her N250000, two mobile phones and police identification card. The woman inspector identified as Rosemary Ejeh escaped death by the whiskers as the hoodlums shot her at close range along Medical Road, Ikeja. The bandits allegedly trailed her to the scene and ordered her to surrender the money, which she refused at first. But after she had surrendered all the valuables in her possession, they shot her. The squad moved to the scene swiftly but the hoodlums had vanished into thin air. The bandits allegedly escaped on a motorcycle that brought them.

Robbers Raid 4 Ogun Banks

Armed bandits struck in Sabo Ajegunle, in Sagamu LGA of Ogun state on Thursday, raiding 4 banks and killing at least 12 persons. They succeeded in carting away a huge amount of money. An eye witness said attempt to rob another new generation bank in the same area was unsuccessful even when the security door of the bank was blown off with dynamites. It was learnt that the 20-man gang had previously attempted to rob those banks but met stiff resistance by through a vigilante group which was however caught unawares this time around. It was gathered that attempt by members of vigilante group to resist the robbers ended after the group’s driver was shot dead. Similarly, a group of dare-devil armed robbers laid siege on a Bank in Akure, Ondo state, leaving four people dead and several others injured. Three persons said to be suspected members of the gang were later paraded by the state Police Commissioner, Sanni Mogaji.

4 Die in Ibadan Auto Crashes

Four people have reportedly lost their lives, while 10 others sustained injuries in auto crashes on Ibadan-Oyo road on Wednesday when a tanker carrying diesel ran into a pothole and lost control. The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Moniya Unit commander, Francis Adebayo, who confirmed the incident, said the tanker fell and it immediately caught fire, which burnt occupants beyond recognition. Those who sustained injuries were receiving medical treatment at a hospital in the area.

Woman Arraigned Over Theft of N16m

A 33-year- old woman, Josephine John, has been arraigned before a Yaba Magistrate Court, over an alleged stealing of  N16 million ($100,000) belonging to Alcateco Bureau de Change, where she worked. Josephine allegedly absconded with the said sum ($100,000) which was brought in by a customer. Josephine pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing preferred against her.

GENERAL

Boko Haram: SSS Arraigns Senator over as Financier

Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, named on Monday as a sponsor of Boko Haram by an arrested suspect, was Tuesday arraigned by the State Security Service (SSS) before the Wuse Magistrate Court, Abuja, on charges of felony and breach of trust. Ndume was charged along with Ali Sanda Umar Konduga aka Usman al-Zawahiri, who had revealed that the senator and the late Ambassador Saidu Pindar were financial backers of the sect. Konduga, a self-confessed former spokesman of the sect, pleaded guilty to the charges against, but Ndume pleaded not guilty. The Senate has said it will abide by the rule of law, promising not to interfere in the trial of the senator. The magistrate promptly convicted Konduga, who was sentenced for 9 years. The magistrate also directed that Ndume be kept in SSS custody. The SSS has promised more arrests in its task to tackle the Boko Haram menace.

Ojukwu Dies at 78

Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, the military leader of the breakaway state of Biafra during the 1967-70 civil war in Nigeria, died Saturday, November 26, at the age of 78 after a prolonged ailment, his family announced. Ojukwu led the Igbo Soldiers (Biafra) during the civil war in which over 1 million people are estimated to have died. President Goodluck Jonathan described Ojukwu as "one of the great personalities of his time". Igbo youths in Anambra state flooded the streets chanting "our friend is gone."

ACN Accused PDP of Stockpiling Arms, Ammunition for Kogi Guber Poll

The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) of Kogi State has accused the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) of stockpiling arms as the state prepares for the governorship election. But the PDP has debunked allegations, describing it as unfounded and baseless. A statement issued by the PDP campaign organisation’s spokesman, Mike Abu, called on the electorate to disregard the claim. According to him, the group was surprised that people who were regarded as statesmen could engage in falsehood to cause confusion in a state they wanted to govern. The ACN has called on the Inspector-General of Police to investigate those that were stocking weapons.

Senators Called for Creation of State Police

Senators have asked the Federal Government to decentralise the Nigeria Police to include community and state police. The senators expressed their views during the second reading of a bill for an Act to establish and regulate the Nigeria Police Service, which also proposes to remove the prosecuting powers of police officers. Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba, said the bill seeks to establish a service-oriented modern police unit that will correct the many anomalies associated with today’s policing in the country.

Boko Haram Threatens Assassination of Politicians

A spokesman for Boko Haram, Abul Qaga, has claimed has that the group has links with Al-Qaeda, while also threatening to kill a People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain in Borno State as well as attack political party offices. He did not provide further details on the supposed link. Boko Haram has been blamed for scores of attacks in the north. He issued the death threat against Baba Basharu, chairman of the PDP in Borno, because of comments he reportedly made linking Boko Haram to former Borno State governor Ali Modu Sheriff. The group also issued threats against the Sherrif, Senate President David Mark, and former Minister of Information, Prof. Jerry Gana. But President Goodluck Jonathan has assured that the menace of Boko Haram will soon be a thing of the past as security measures are steadily cleaning up the entire country of all forms of terrorism.

Army Ready Will Defend Unity of Nigeria

Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, has warned politicians harbouring the idea of dismembering the country to discard such ideas as the Nigerian Army was prepared to defend the unity of the country. Ihejirika’s warning came on the heels of the arrest of a serving Senator for allegedly supporting the Boko Haram Islamic sect. He said the Military and other security agencies had made huge sacrifices to keep Nigeria united and would continue to do same. The COAS further said the Army was able to come up with new principles for the management of terrorism, adding that that the principles included commitment, patriotism and resilience among others.

Senator Tasks NSCDC on Security of Pipelines

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Federal Character and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Senator Dahiru Awaisu Kuta has charged the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) on protection of the nation’s oil pipelines. Senator Kuta said this during an oversight visit of the committee to the NSCDC on Thursday. He urged the NSCDC to dialogue and partner with multinational oil companies on the need to ensure that oil spillages and pipelines vandalism were curbed. NSCDC Commandant-General, Ade Abolurin, acknowledged the menace of pipelines vandalism and assured that the NSCDC is working to curb them.

15 Killed in Fresh Fighting in Jos

Violence erupted again in Jos, Plateau state resulting in the killing of 15 persons, including a Police Staff Officer. Two churches, an Islamic school and over 20 buildings were also razed at Barkin Ladi LGA. Meanwhile, to curtail the mayhem and possible reverberation and indeed the ensuing tension in the area, the Special Task Force (STF) in charge of security in the state has imposed a 24-hour curfew in the area. The state Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mr. Abraham Yiljap, said the actual cause of the mayhem had not been ascertained. He however disclosed that over 60 persons had been arrested and were currently being interrogated, adding that the law would take its course.

Trader Kills Student over Handset Payment

A 200-level student, Shuaibu Bala, in Minna, Niger State, was killed by a phone vendor during a scuffle. It was gathered that the suspect, identified as Yahaya Ali, had come looking for Abubakar Yinusa, an elder brother of the deceased for the balance payment for a mobile phone which the suspect had earlier sold to Yinusa. The deceased was said to have informed Ali and his companion that his elder brother was not around, but the suspect and his partner were said to have seized a pressing iron the deceased was using at the time, in lieu of the balance of their money which was put at N800, thereby, leading to a scuffle. In the thick of the face-off, Ali was said to have stabbed the deceased in the neck with a sharp object, which led the deceased bleeding to death.

4 Killed as Explosions and Gunfire Rock in Yobe

Explosions and heavy gunfire were heard Saturday near a police station in Yobe state. Officials say that gunmen attacked a police station and a Bank in the city of Geidam in Nigeria's Yobe state, near the country's border with Niger. At least 4 persons were reported killed in the attack that saw churches and businesses burnt down. Commissioner of Police, Yobe State Command, Sulaiman Lawal, confirmed the attack.

Son Kills Father in Jigawa

A 20-year-old man in Gwaram Council of Jigawa State, Yusuf Mamman, killed his father after being reprimanded. A neighbour disclosed that the deceased, Mamman Dan Alhaji, had asked his son to bring millet from his barn, but the son refused, which led to his being reprimanded him for being disobedient. Yusuf got infuriated and got a cutlass which he used to cut his father in the head, face and throat. The Jigawa State Police Spokesman, Abdu Jinjiri, confirmed the incident and the arrest of Yusuf.

EFCC Arraigns Bureau de Change Operator for Fraud

A Bureau de Change operator, Muktar Yusuf, appeared before a Kano State High Court, penultimate Friday, for breach of trust involving the sum of N76m. The Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) accused Yusuf of converting the said amount kept in his care by one Nura Ammani to his own use sometime in February, 2009. The accused had earlier pleaded not guilty to the charges against him, after the court had accepted the application made before it by the EFCC counsel, Mr. Ibrahim Ahmad. Also, an ex-manager of the United Bank for Africa, Kano branch, Mr. Samuel Owoyele, appeared before the same court for allegedly embezzling N400m.

Ex-Nigerian Athlete Arrested for Murder in South Africa

A Nigerian former athlete, Ambrose Monye, 35, has been arrested in South Africa over an alleged assassination of a South African woman, Chanelle Henning. Ambrose is believed to be one of the four persons being questioned about the murder of Henning. Suspended policeman Constable Gerrit “Doepie” du Plessis, who has confessed to pulling the trigger that killed Henning, handed himself over to the investigating team last Monday night. Three other suspects, who include Monye and the owner of the motorcycle, are due to appear before a Pretoria magistrate Friday. Monye was arrested in July 2009 for the “road-rage” murder of Neville Olivier in Pretoria.

Jonathan Tasks Army on Security Threats

President Goodluck Jonathan has charged the Nigerian Army to intensify efforts with other security agencies to find new ways of addressing the security challenges facing the nation. The president gave the charge at the opening of the Chief of Army Staff Annual Conference 2011 on Tuesday in Benin City, the Edo State. This came as the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant- General Azubike Ihejirika, said the army recognised the emerging challenge of terrorism in the country and had adopted robust measures that would help to checkmate the activities of terrorist groups and other criminal elements in the country. Ihejirika said the army was aware of the need to adopt new approaches to deal with the current challenges in recognition of the unconventional nature of security threats.

Jonathan Fires Waziri, Appoints Lamorde as Acting EFCC Chairman

President Goodluck Jonathan has relieved Mrs Farida Waziri of her appointment as the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Chairman (EFCC), and replaced her with Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde, the Director of Operations during the era of Malam Nuhu Ribadu. Lamorde according to a statement from the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati will remain in acting capacity pending the confirmation by the Senate. The Statement also said that by the appointment of Lamorde which takes immediate effect. No reason was given for the change. Mrs. Waziri was appointed EFCC Chairman by Late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in May 2008.

Nigeria-Cameroon Seek Funds to End Border Dispute

Nigeria and Cameroon on Tuesday appealed for international funds to help mark the last 250 kilometers (155 miles) of their disputed border that remains undecided, officials said.The appeal was made at a meeting of ministers from both sides with United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, who wants to see the decades old border dispute settled by 2012. Maurice Kamto, Cameroon's deputy justice minister, told a meeting of a joint commission that an international trust fund that has been paying for the demarcation had no money left. Nigeria and Cameroon frequently clashed over their border during the 1980s and 1990s. The Cameroon-Nigeria Mixed Commission (CNMC) set up in 2002 has been overseeing the efforts to bury the hostility.

Two Killed in Auto Crash at Kwaita Village

A motor mechanic, Mr. Uchenna Nnorom, and one other person lost their lives last Thursday evening in a ghastly motor accident at Kwaita village, on the Abuja-Lokoja road. A witness said the accident happened when a Toyota Hilux van driven by a mechanic lost control and crashed into a ditch. The mechanic, with one other occupant in the vehicle, died on the spot. It was gathered that the mechanic came from Benin City in Edo State to repair the Hilux van in the FCT and was taking it back to Benin when the accident happened.

FG to Build New Gas Pipelines for Power

The Federal Government said it will build new gas pipelines that will feed the power plants in the country, to end the constant cut of gas supply to the plants. Minister of Power, Prof. Barth Nnaji, who disclosed this recently, said the modalities for the laying of the new pipelines were being worked out with the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, in line with government’s efforts to ensure increase in electricity generation in the country. The minister regretted that many of the power plants built under the National Integrated Power Supply, NIPP, were being starved of gas, which accounts for their low outputs.

Boko Haram Gives Conditions for Ceasefire

Islamic sect, Boko Haram, has said that until its members arrested by the police and detained in various prisons are released unconditionally, dialogue with the Federal Government may not be feasible. Spokesman of the sect, Abul Qaqa, gave the demands in Maiduguri. Qaqa stressed that they must all be released before the sect can accept and fully take part in the dialogue with the government. While taking responsibility for the attacks and bombings of Joint Task Force (JTF) Headquarters in Maiduguri; and Damaturu and Potiskum in Borno and Yobe states, he on the relevant authorities to expedite action on the immediate release of all members of the sect.

Cholera kills 700 in 9 Months

Jolted by the death of 700 people from cholera between January and September, the Senate is to organise a public hearing to work out ways to end the menace. Senator Gyang Dantong, Chairman, Senate Committee on Health, said that the disease was still wreaking havoc in 25 states. He said that the casualty figure had continued to rise, and disclosed that there were “at least 21,000 cases still being treated in various hospitals”. Dantong hinted of plans by the lawmakers to step up enlightenment campaigns to check the scourge.

Two Policemen Killed Kogi Robbery Attacks

Bomb blasts hit a bank and area command police headquarters in Kabba, Kogi State, penultimate Friday, leaving two police officers dead. The hoodlums opened attack at the police station before proceeding to the bank. Bombers targeted the bank. According to a witness, the hoodlums, about 10 in number, attacked the two targets. On getting to the police station, one of the teams reportedly disarmed the police on guard and headed for the armoury where they carted away guns and ammunitions and in the process set free detainees in the station before detonating a bomb. Having successfully subdued the police, a second team, it was gathered, simultaneously threw a dynamite to gain entrance into the banking hall shooting sporadically in the air.

3 Killed in Maiduguri Shooting

There was shooting along Bama-Road in Maiduguri while the soldiers were on patrol of the Gwange ward, leaving three persons dead, penultimate Friday. A trader in the area said the incident occurred when unknown gunmen, numbering about four, attacked a JTF vehicle. The Borno State Police Commissioner, Simeon Midenda, confirmed the shooting. Col. Victor Ebhaleme, Field Commander of the Joint Task Force (JTF) in Maiduguri, said that armed robbers in the state now disguise as Boko Haram members. He also confirmed the arrest of a number of people by the force, adding that the arrests were in connection with the recent indiscriminate shooting in the metropolis.

Police Arrest 80-Year-Old Man over Alleged Rape of 4-Year-Old

The Police in Kano have arrested an 80-year-old man, Malam Shuaibu Jibrin, for allegedly raping a four-year-old girl after luring her into a room. Similarly, 65-year-old Malam Ado Shehu in the same area was also nabbed for sexually assaulting another 4-year-old. The state Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Idris, also paraded two other persons, 20-year-old Sule Abubakar and a police corporal who allegedly raped two under-aged girls at separate locations. Idris, who lamented the spate of rape cases in the society, said the police corporal has been given orderly room trial and has been dismissed from the Police. He urged parents to be more protective of their wards, adding that most rape cases involving minors were committed by persons who were familiar with the victims.

INTERNATIONAL

French Woman, Two Yemeni Aid Workers Kidnapped in Yemen

A French woman and two Yemenis working for the International Committee of the Red Cross were abducted in the southern Yemeni province of Lahej on Tuesday, officials said. A local official in Lahej said the woman had been taken from her vehicle with along with the Yemenis by gunmen demanding the release of prisoners held by Yemeni authorities in the nearby southern port of Aden. They had been travelling to distribute aid to a camp housing Yemenis displaced from another southern province, Abyan, where fighting between Islamists who have seized chunks of territory and Yemeni troops has forced tens of thousands of people to flee.

Taliban Declares Cease-fire in Pakistan

The Pakistani Taliban has declared a cease-fire to encourage nascent peace talks with the government, a senior commander said. The commander said the cease-fire has been in effect for the past month and was valid throughout the country. His statement adds credence to recent announcements by anonymous Taliban and intelligence officials that government intermediaries recently met Taliban commanders to talk about a possible peace deal. The government has reacted, while the Pakistani army denied it was involved in any talks. The Pakistan Taliban, an umbrella grouping of militants allied with al-Qaida and based in the northwest close to the Afghan border, has been behind many of the scores of bloody suicide attacks around Pakistan over the last 5 years. At least 35,000 people have been killed in the bloodshed.

Six Dead in Arizona Plane Crash

Six people on board a small twin-engine plane appear to have been killed when it crashed in on Wednesday in the Mountains east of Phoenix, officials said. Three of the presumed dead were believed to be children who were being flown to a town in Arizona, Pinal County Sheriff, Paul Babeu, said. There were no immediate signs of survivors among the six people thought to have been on the plane, which had refueled shortly before it crashed and ignited a wildfire. The crash occurred in steep, cliff-like terrain near a remote summit in the Superstition Mountains called Flat Iron. The plane was identified as a Rockwell AC69 that took off from Falcon Field, in the Phoenix valley.

Libya May Try Gaddafi's Son - ICC Prosecutor

The International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor conceded on Tuesday that the captured son of Muammar Gaddafi may be tried in Libya rather than in The Hague, meaning he faces the death penalty if convicted. Also captured, is the country's former intelligence chief, Abdullah al-Senussi, Al-Senussi. He was captured at his brother's house north of Sabha. The ICC had indicted al-Senussi and Saif al-Islam for crimes against humanity after the uprising against Gadhafi's regime began in February. ICC prosecutor, Moreno-Ocampo said they could be tried inside Libya as long as the trial complies with ICC standards.

Egypt Military Pledges to Speedy Transfer of Power

Egypt's military rulers have agreed to speed up presidential elections, a key demand of protesters packing Cairo's Tahrir Square. Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi said Presidential polls would happen by July 2012, while parliamentary elections are due this week. His announcement follows days of protests in Cairo's Tahrir Square over the pace of reform. But the protesters rejected the military's latest concessions. At least 28 people have been killed and hundreds injured since Saturday. UN human rights chief, Navi Pillay, has condemned the "clearly excessive use of force" by Egypt's security forces during clashes with protesters and called for an independent inquiry into the nearly 30 deaths since the renewed protests. The Egyptian cabinet has offered its resignation to the ruling military council. No explanation was however, given for the move.

11 Civilians Die in Mogadishu Blast

A roadside bomb in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, Tuesday killed 11 civilians and wounded many others, according to the Wadajir district commissioner, Ahmed Addow. He said the street where the blast happened is regularly used by government officials. The spokesman of African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), Lieutenant Colonel Paddy Ankunda, has disclosed that attempts by al-Shabaab, the radical Islamist group, to recapture Mogadishu have been repelled. Ankunda said that the fanatical Islamists were driven back by AMISOM forces. However, the officer added that the al-Qaeda inspired militants kept on trying to recapture the city.

Four Killed in Renewed Shiite Protests in Saudi Arabia

Two men were shot dead during renewed Shiite protests in Saudi Arabia, as police exchanged fire with gunmen who "infiltrated" the funeral of another protester, the interior ministry said Thursday. It said the new deaths late Wednesday brought to four the death toll of protests that began on Monday in the Eastern Province, while nine others were wounded, including two policemen and a woman. Protests were renewed Wednesday in Qatif while local dignitaries said the province's governor, Prince Mohammed bin Fahd, promised that the interior ministry will probe the death of two Shiites.

France Calls for Humanitarian Zone in Syria

France has called for a "securitised zone to protect civilians" in Syria, the first time a major Western power has suggested international intervention on the ground in the eight-month uprising against President Bashar al-Assad. Foreign Minister, Alain Juppe, also described Syria's exiled opposition National Council as "the legitimate partner with which we want to work," the biggest international endorsement yet for a nascent opposition body that seeks Assad's overthrow. The Arab League has suspended Syria's membership over the conflict, one of the most important signs of Assad's international isolation. Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan criticised the "cowardice" of Assad for turning guns on his own people and bluntly told Assad to quit.

China Insists on Pacific Naval Drills

China has insisted that it would go ahead with naval exercises in the western Pacific. China emphasised its right to carry out the regular yearly drills despite regional fears about its growing military strength, particularly that of its navy. After a diplomatic push through the region by U.S. President Barack Obama, tensions between the United States and China spilled over into meetings of Asia-Pacific leaders in Indonesia, particularly over how to handle competing regional claims to the South China Sea. The growing reach of China’s navy is raising regional concerns that have fed into long-standing territorial disputes in energy-rich waters that could speed up military expansion across Asia.

Police Find Drug Smuggling Tunnel at US-Mexico Border

United States (U.S.) border police in Nogales, Arizona, uncovered a drug smuggling tunnel from Mexico. The U.S. Border Patrol said the 319-foot long tunnel was discovered on Monday. It measured three feet wide by two feet tall, and ran for 100 feet into Mexico at a depth of about 20 feet. It was chiseled through solid rock and was equipped with electricity, lighting, water pumps, and held up by support beams and plywood shoring, the Border Patrol’s Tucson sector said in a statement.

Russia Threatens Deployment of Missiles over US Defense Plans

President Dmitry Medvedev of Russia has warned that missiles could be deployed on the European Union’s (EU) borders if the United States (U.S.) pursues its missile defense plans. Medvedev said “modern weapons systems” could be deployed in Kaliningrad if Russia, the U.S. and NATO failed to come to a deal. He added that Moscow might opt out of the New Start arms deal agreed with the U.S. Washington wants an anti-missile shield ready by 2020 but Moscow considers the idea a threat to its nuclear forces. The U.S. said the shield is intended to provide protection from the potential missile threat posed by countries like Iran.

Saleh Signs Deal to Transfer Power

After crippling 10 months of protests against his rule, Saleh has signed a deal brokered by Gulf States that would ease him out of power. The new deal is the fourth attempt to wrap up a power transfer accord that Saleh backed out of on three previous occasions at the last minute. Activists see the deal as a ruse and demanded that Saleh end his 33 years of rule now. Government troops skirmished with gunmen loyal to a powerful opposition tribal leader in the capital. The development came after United Nations (UN) envoy, Jamal Benomar, with support from U.S. and European diplomats, managed to devise a compromise to implement the power transfer deal crafted by the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council. Under the GCC plan, Saleh would shift all his powers to his deputy, who would form a new government with the opposition and call for an early presidential election within three months. Saleh would keep his title until a successor is elected.

26 Bodies Found in Western Mexico

Authorities found 26 bodies Thursday inside three abandoned vehicles in Guadalajara, Mexico, an official said. All the victims were men, said Ulises Enríquez, a spokesman for the Jalisco delegation of the Attorney General's Office. The vehicles were discovered near a monument on one of the city's main avenues. Attorney General, Tomas Coronado Olmos, said that a message was found with the bodies, but he did not disclose what it said.

6,000 Evacuated after Chemical Plant Blast in China

About 6,000 residents in southern China were evacuated Thursday after an explosion tore through a warehouse at a chemical plant in the city of Guangzhou. A small amount of hydrogen chloride was detected in the air around the plant. Hydrogen chloride is a colorless to lightly yellow toxic gas withs a strong, irritating smell. An investigation of the accident was under way, according to the authorities. 14 people died last weekend due to a chemical plant explosion in the eastern city of Xintai.