Villeworth Security Services Ltd

week 44

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PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

Fishermen Lament Upsurge in Sea Piracy
…as Vessel Hijackers Insist on N9m Ransom

Unless a ransom of N9 million is paid, sea pirates have threatened to kill the captain, boatswain and chief engineer of Marion II, a vessel, belonging to Karflex Fisheries Limited, that was hijacked on October 15 at Pennington area in Bayelsa State. According to the company, three crew leaders with nine other members had been forced out of the vessel after it was hijacked. But the nine crew members managed to escape with various degrees of injury. Fishermen have cried out over alleged increase in the activities of sea pirates, alleging that at least five boat captains have been kidnapped by pirates in the last one week.

Sylva Condemns Checkpoint Killing

Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva, has condemned the killing of Emmanuel Victor by policemen at a checkpoint in Yenagoa on October 16. He urged the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hilary Okpara, to investigate the circumstances leading to his death and ensure that justice was done. Meanwhile, the Police Service Commission (PSC) was scheduled to meet on Monday to discuss Victor’s killing. Eye witnesses have identified the policeman who allegedly shot Victor dead. The policeman, said to be popularly known as the “Boko Haram of the Nigeria Police”, allegedly shot Victor five times at different parts of his body for allegedly condemning bribery and the extortion of money from motorists at the checkpoint.

Woman Set Ablaze by Husband Dies after Losing Son

A pregnant woman that was set ablaze alongside her two children by her husband in Enugu State, Mrs. Ifeoma Egeonu, lost her pregnancy and one of the children, before she died on Tuesday. Her husband, Alexander Ndubuisi, sprinkled petrol on her and her two children, aged 3 and 6, set them ablaze and fled son October 1. Meanwhile, the police in Enugu have arrested Mr. Egeonu, who had been on the run. Egeonu denied responsibility for setting his family on fire, claiming that the story was masterminded by his enemies whom he alleged wanted to get at him. Egeonu, however, could not, however, explain why he ran away after the incident. The surviving child, 6-year-old Emmanuel, has already been discharged from the hospital as his condition was said to be stable.

Abducted Oil Workers Regain Freedom

Two oil workers abducted by unidentified gunmen at the Qua Iboe oil fields operated by Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited have regained their freedom, according to security sources on Wednesday. Armed men attacked a fuel supply vessel at an offshore location within the company's oil block on September 30, abducting the captain and injuring a crew member. A similar attack on October 17 led to the abduction of another captain of a vessel. Mobil's Public Affairs Manager, Mr. Nigel Cookey-Gam, confirmed the release of the contract workers.

7 Suspected Kidnappers Killed in Akwa Ibom

Policemen from Eket Division, on Thursday, killed seven kidnap suspects. It was gathered that thousands of residents of Eket metropolis thronged the police station to catch a glimpse of the remains of the suspects displayed in the premises. Police sources in Eket confirmed the incident and stated that the men died in a routine operation against hoodlums. Some members of the public who reacted to the development applauded the police for smashing the kidnap syndicate which had terrorised the area for a long time. Meanwhile, a victim escaped from kidnappers’ den a few hours after his abduction in Onna, a neighbouring council. According to the victim, he escaped through the window of a room where he was kept when he observed a lapse in security by his abductors

Tribunal Nullifies Ekwunife’s Election as Lawmaker

The Anambra State Election Petitions Tribunal in Awka on Tuesday nullified Mrs. Uche Ekwunife’s election as a member of the House of Representatives for Anaocha/Njikoka/Dunukofia Federal Constituency. Delivering judgment on a petition filed by the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and its candidate, Mr. Dozie Nwankwo, the tribunal ruled that Ekwunife of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) was not duly elected. The judgment, read by Justice Y. Muhktar, said the election was inconclusive. It therefore ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a rerun in four wards and one polling unit.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

2 Ghanaians, 7 Nigerians Jailed for Illegal Oil Bunkering

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday secured the conviction and sentencing of two Ghanaians and seven Nigerians to 810 years imprisonment by a Federal High Court sitting in Asaba, Delta state, for conspiracy and illegal dealing in petroleum products. Justice Ibrahim Buba, sentenced each of the accused to 10 years imprisonment on each of the nine-count charge also ordered the forfeiture of their vessel, MT TROICA which was used for the illegal business. The accused persons were arrested aboard a vessel called MT TROICA on May 1, 2010, at Forcados Bay. The Ghanaians reportedly came into Nigeria illegally and had no permission to sail with a vessel that had no clearance to transport petroleum products. At the time of arrest, the vessel was already loaded with 83 metric tonnes of petroleum products. Their jail sentences will run concurrently.

NAPTIP Embarks on Anti-Trafficking Campaign in Edo

The National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has taken its fight against human trafficking to rural communities of Edo State. Executive Secretary of the agency, Mrs. Bridget Jedy-Agba, said that the agency would from henceforth pursue more aggressively its referral services and engage identifiable victims in vulnerable communities. Inaugurating pilot projects in nine communities in the state, she said the projects were designed to “concretely support the sustained development of Integrated Referral Service delivery systems of social protection, socio-economic reintegration for victims of trafficking.”

11 Die in Benin-Ore Road Accident

Eleven persons died on Monday in an accident involving a luxury bus and an 18-seater commercial bus at Ore on the Benin-Ore highway. The recklessness of the luxury bus driver alleged to be driving against traffic on a portion of the road, reportedly caused the accident. The 18-seater bus was said to be coming from one of the states in the South-East and was in the course of overtaking other vehicles when the accident happened, while the luxury bus, according to a passenger, Felix Nwado, took off from Maza-Maza, Lagos State, and was heading for Onitsha in Anambra State. Nwado laid the blame for the accident on the luxury bus driver.

Edo Police Arrest 19 Suspected Kidnappers, Robbers

The police in Edo State, on Thursday, announced the arrest of eight suspected kidnappers and 11 suspected armed robbers. The state Commissioner of Police, David Omojola, who disclosed this, said two of the suspected kidnappers were arrested in connection with the kidnap of Benin-based musician, the late Bayo Ade. The popular musician, abducted on September 10, 2011, was later killed by the kidnappers. Omojola added that another suspected kidnapper, Bright Ohumukoro, 26, had kidnapped one Patricia and collected N1.2 million as ransom from her and later threatened her with phone calls and collected recharge cards worth N17000 before he was arrested. He explained that two of the armed robbery suspects, were arrested when they failed in their bid to snatch a car.

CSOs Task Edo on Establishment Anti-AIDS Board

Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Edo State have urged Governor Adams Oshiomhole to ensure good governance and establish a board for State Action on AIDS (SACA). They said non-establishment of the SACA board had affected the activities of CSOs that are into HIV/AIDS-related issues. This position was made known at a one-day interactive forum for civil societies in the state, organised by the Special Assistant to Oshiomhole on Civil Society Organisations, Efosa Kayode-Iyasere. He said CSOs all over the world are now recognised as strategic participants in development process.

3 Killed, CJ Escapes Death, in Auto Crash

Delta State Chief Judge, Justice Abiodun Smith escaped death when a vehicle in his convoy ran into an on-coming trailer at Ubulu-Okiti Junction along the Benin-Asaba Expressway. But three officials in the Protocol Unit of the state Judiciary who were in the ill-fated vehicle died instantly while others sustained serious injuries. Justice Smith and his entourage were returning from Agbor Prison where the chief judge granted some inmates state pardon. A Director at the Protocol Unit, Mr. Patrick Idolor confirmed the incident.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

Fayemi Condemns Police Killing, Wants Prosecution of Culprits

The Ekiti state governor, Kayode Fayemi, has condemned the recent killing of a 27-year-old lady, Tayo Abe, at Orin Ekiti area by the police. Fayemi condemned the killing, calling for immediate prosecution of the policemen who allegedly perpetrated the dastardly act. The late Abe and her four siblings were said to be in their farm at the early hours of penultimate Thursday when policemen allegedly opened fire on them. Four other people were shot at Ido-Ekiti when an angry mob stormed the police station in protest against the attack. Fayemi stressed the need for continuous re-training of policemen on the use of Firearms. He added that law enforcement agents must abide by the standard procedure on the use of firearms.

10 Dead in Oyo Boat Mishap

Ten persons died last weekend when a boat they boarded capsized at Olori village, in   Oyo–-East LGA of Oyo State. The accident was said to have occurred along the Oba River, when the paddle used in controlling the canoe suddenly got broken. As a result, the canoe lost control and headed towards a thick tree inside the river, after which it capsized. All the passengers on board, including the local pilot got drowned. A rescue team, comprising young men, immediately dived into the river to save the drowning passengers. Five of the victims were said to have been rescued and rushed to a private hospital.

NAFDAC Seizes Fake Drugs in Ondo Towns, Seals-Up Drug Stores

Several cartons of fake and adulterated medicines have been seized by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC) in three major towns of Akure, Ondo and Owo when officials of the agency moved round Ondo State to ascertain rate of circulation of illicit drugs in the markets. Two brands of drugs, Septrin and Fulcin, which the agency said had been banned in Nigeria since 2002 and 2004 respectively, were discovered to be on sale in the state while several other fake brands of Ampiclox and Chloramphenicol capsules, containing ordinary powders were seized by the officials. About six retail outlets were also sealed up for avoiding inspection by the agency officials.

Gunmen Kill Labour Chief in Osun

A former Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Osun State Chapter, Alhaji Sulaiman Oseni, was, on Monday, killed by unidentified gunmen in his office in Ikirun, Ifelodun Local Council. The state chairman of the NLC, Saka Adesiyan, who condemned the killing, described the late union leader as an upright and committed leader. The state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Sunday Akere, also condemned the killing and asked security agents to fish out the perpetrators.

Man Arraigned for Defrauding Accommodation Seeker of N3.6m

The Lagos state police command has arraigned a 48-year-old man, Ochuko Akposibruke, before an Ebute-Meta Chief Magistrate’s Court, for allegedly defrauding an accommodation seeker of the sum of N3.6m. The police said Akposibruke defrauded Cyril Okpala of the money under the guise of providing him with a five-bedroom apartment at Lekki area of Lagos between August 2007 and November 2009. The accused person pleaded not guilty to the charges. Chief Magistrate Oyindamola Ogala granted Akposibruke bail in the sum of N1m and two sureties in like sum. The case was adjourned till November 16.

Teenagers Kill 11-Year-Old over Phone Use

The police in Ondo State said on Monday that four teenagers had been arrested for the alleged murder of an 11-year-old boy, Godswill Omokabo. Godswill was alleged to have been murdered by the four suspects aged between 11 and 13 years, penultimate Friday, following his refusal to allow them to use his mobile phone. It was learnt that the deceased was thrown into a bush after he was murdered. The victim was found dead in the bush with several marks all over his body. It was further learnt that the suspects gave various accounts of how the deceased died. Godswill’s phone was later found in possession of one of the suspects. Police spokesman, Aremu Adeniran, confirmed the arrest of the four teenagers.

Court Orders NDLEA to Produce Arrested Actor in Court

An Ikeja High Court, on Wednesday, ordered the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to produce physically in court the popular actor, Babatunde Omidina (a.k.a Baba Suwe).  Baba Suwe was arrested on October 12, after the NDLEA claimed scans showed that he ingested substances suspected to be cocaine; although he is yet to excrete such. Justice Yetunde Idowu granted this order, following an application by his lawyer, Bamidele Aturu. Aturu also sought for the unconditional release of the comedian from NDLEA custody pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit on the abuse of his rights. But the NDLEA through its counsel, Mr. Femi Oloruntoba, claimed that series of medical examinations carried out on Baba Suwe, revealed that the applicant had large amount of drug in his stomach.

PDP Supporters Protest against LG Polls in Lagos

Supporters of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday held residents of Abule Egba area of Lagos State hostage protesting against the results of the local government poll in Agbado Oke-Odo. The protesters barricaded the main road that led to the area, Ekoro Road and other streets as early as 5am, vandalising vehicles, while some residents were allegedly attacked. The protesters demanded that the results announced by the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission be upturned in favour of the PDP candidate. The protesters however took to their heels when security operatives attached to OP-MESSA, arrived the scene. Meanwhile, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has condemned the harassment of its members by the police. The police, on Tuesday arrested ACN supporters on their way to Abuja for Wednesday’s court appearance of the party leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. Their arrest, the party said, was a continuation of the emerging pattern of police clampdown on the ACN and its supporters.

Policeman Shoots Driver over N20 Bribe

Residents of Omi-Adio community, Ido LGA of Oyo State on Wednesday protested against the shooting of a truck driver by a riot policeman for allegedly refusing to give him a N20 bribe. Some aggrieved youths mobilised and marched to the police station in the area to register their grievances over what they described as excesses of the policemen at the Omi-Adio checkpoint. The truck driver, identified as Aminu Mudashiru, who was blood-soaked, was said to have been rushed to a private hospital at Apata for treatment. The aggrieved youths reportedly went around in search of the policeman said to have fled along with his colleagues to avoid being lynched. It was learnt that the policeman had been arrested and detained.

80-Year-Old Pensioner Dies Queuing for Verification

An 80-year-old pensioner, Mr Samuel Olatunji, on Wednesday, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, slumped and died while waiting to have his finger- prints captured in the on-going verification of pensioners exercise. Three others, who were exhausted as a result of the slow pace of the exercise being held at the federal secretariat in Ikolaba, also slumped. The state chairman of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Alhaji Lateef Adegoke, said the deceased was brought from Lanlate area of Oyo State to have his finger prints registered. His monthly pension was put at about N1, 000. Alhaji Adegoke said such tragedy had been a recurring event among the retired workers, blaming the unfortunate incident on inadequate data and finger capturing machines deployed for the exercise. He accused government of insensitivity to the welfare of retired workers.

Robbery Suspect Shoots Self in Scrotum
…As Police Recovers 55 Bags of Indian Hemp, Nabs 25 Suspects

The Ogun State Police Command has paraded a 26-year-old man, Sola Oloyede, who allegedly shot himself in the scrotum, while attempting to bring out a locally-made pistol during a robbery operation. The state Commissioner of Police, Nicholas Nkemdeme, who paraded Oloyede along with other 24 suspects, on Tuesday, also disclosed that three other members of Oloyede’s gang had been apprehended. In a related development, 55 bags of weeds suspected to be Marijauna were also seized by men of the state command. Rifles, live ammunition, charms, mobile phones and cash, among other stolen items, were recovered from the various suspects.

GENERAL

SSS Quizzes CMD for Rejecting Abuja Accident Victim

The State Security Services has commenced an investigation into the death of a 64-year-old woman, Abigail James, at the National Hospital, Abuja on October 1. The deceased was allegedly rejected by nurses in the hospital following an “order from above” that patients should not be admitted in anticipation that there might be bomb blast victims following the threat by the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta and Boko Haram to bomb Abuja during the 51st independence anniversary. The SSS has reportedly quizzed about seven staff members of the hospital, including its Chief Medical Director. James was involved in an auto crash on October 1 and was said to have died at the hospital following her rejection by nurses.

Police, NSCDC Officers Clash in Taraba

Men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and policemen in Jalingo, Taraba State, last weekend, engaged in a bloody fracas. The clash was said to have been ignited by four policemen who allegedly obstructed men of the NSCDC from arresting a spare-parts dealer. The state government has set up a five-man committee to urgently look into the remote and immediate causes of the clash. The state commandant of the NSCDC, Saphere M. Alhassan, said his men were accosted by four policemen who prevented them from arresting a spare parts dealer whose case was brought to their office. He alleged the policemen were believed to be on illegal duty. But the Police spokesman, faulted the NSCDC’s claim, stating that the said case was first reported to the police, and had been charged to court; and the person concerned was released on bail.”

FG Plans Review of Airport Concessions, Funding

The Federal Ministry of Aviation has proposed a review of the concessions granted to some firms in the management of various airports across the country. It is also considering changing the business model of the industry from one solely dependent on government funding to a new model of increased private sector participation. Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, said the Ministry had received presidential approval to engage in joint venture agreements that would allow government to leverage the capacity and expertise of the private sector while maintaining a level of control and regulatory responsibilities over the enterprises. Oduah disclosed that 70 per cent of the concessions had not delivered the expected results as obsolete equipment; inadequate safety and security surveillance equipment were still major challenges.

Navy Arrests 2 over Sale of Fake Recruitment Forms

The Nigerian Navy has arrested two persons for illegal printing and sale of recruitment forms into the Nigerian Navy. The naval headquarters discovered a fake website, www.nigeriannavyhotrecruitment.com, was created to defraud Nigerians who were made to deposit money in different bank accounts. The Director of Naval Information, Commodore Kabiru Aliyu, said the website contained phone numbers which the fraudsters used to communicate with their victims. He said luck ran out of them when naval personnel arrested 7 suspects in connection with the crime on October 9. Five of them were released after being cleared of any involvement, while the remaining two were handed over to the police. The mastermind, Mr David Samson, is said to be at large.

Boko Haram Claims Responsibility for Journalist’s Murder

The Boko Haram Islamist sect has claimed responsibility for the killing of a reporter, Zakariyya Isa, with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) in Maiduguri. The group has also claimed responsibility for last weekend’s multiple attacks on a police station and banks in Kaduna State as well as the on a Mopol barracks in Gombe State. The group said Zakariyya was killed because he was “an informant of security agencies.” Spokesman of the group, Abul-Qaqa, said that Zakariyya was killed because he was spying on them.

Army Employs War Dogs for Security

The Nigerian Army said it has employed war dogs to detect narcotics and explosives as well as locate dead and decomposing human tissues. The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant-General Onyeabor Azubuike Ihejirika, also disclosed that the dogs would be trained for Low Intensity Conflict (LIC), and military operations to conduct search and undertake rescue operations, tracking, patrol, and guards’ duties. The setting up of the dog centre, according to the COAS, was to enable the army tackle the security challenges in the country. Ihejirika has called for information sharing and cooperation among the various security agencies to effectively curb the incidences of armed robberies, kidnapping, suicide bombings and other deadly attacks on Nigerians.

Gunmen Kill Ex-Police Chief in Borno

Two suspected gunmen on Tuesday at about 8 p.m. killed a retired Deputy Superintendent of Police at his residence in Maiduguri, the Borno State. Confirming the killing on Wednesday, Borno Police Commissioner, Simeon Midenda said that the retired police officer was relaxing in front of his house when two suspected gunmen in flowing gowns pulled out a Kalashnikov rifle and fired severally into the officer’s chest and head, before he died.

Senate Confirms Elechi as ICPC Boss

The Senate on Wednesday confirmed Mr. Francis Ugochukwu Elechi as the new Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). This followed the consideration and adoption of the report of the Committee on Drugs, Narcotics, Financial Crimes and Anti-Corruption. The committee screened Elechi, who was nominated by President Goodluck Jonathan as chairman of the commission. The Senate also confirmed other nominees into the Board of the ICPC.

Gunmen Invade Court, Kill Prison Official, Set Robbery Suspect Free

Hell was let loose on Thursday in Ihima, Okehi LGA of Kogi State when dare devil robbers stormed a High Court, killed a prison official and set free a robbery suspect, Abdulrazak Nasiru. The gunmen opened fire on the vehicle conveying the accused Nasiru, believed to be a member of the gang. The gunmen who were said to be numbering up to 12 also opened fire on the vehicle of the High Court judge who was said to have escaped miraculously from the scene, but his official vehicle, a KIA Sorento utility car was riddled with bullets. However, the Court Registrar, Sunday Bakare, was unlucky as a bullet was said to have hit him in the left ear. The robbers escaped with the accused person, fleeing in two vehicles.

4 Killed in Zamfara Mining Pit Collapse

Four people were said to have died following the collapse of a mining pit in Dareta Village, Anka LGA of Zamfara State. The state Commissioner for Environment and Solid Mineral Development, Muktar Muhammed Lugga said he was at the scene of the incident, but helpless eight hours after the happening. According to him, the state government through his ministry has already commenced the re-organisation of the small-scale miners with the hope to protect them in their business, which we hope such incident may not occur again.

Nigerian Air Force May be Grounded – CAS

The Chief of Air Staff (CAS) Air Marshal Mohammed Dikko-Umar, warned on Tuesday that the Nigerian Air Force might be grounded if urgent measures were not taken to improve its current poor financial condition. Dikko-Umar raised the alarm in Abuja when he met with the House of Representatives Committee on Air Force. He told the committee that the Air Force could not buy new aircraft or refurbish existing equipment, owing to poor funding.

Army Calls Action against Fake Drugs

The Director of Pharmaceutical Services, Medical Corps, Nigerian Army, Brig. Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, has stressed the need for agencies monitoring drug manufacturing, dispensing, sale and consumption to fight against fake and substandard products in the country.  Babangida said this on Tuesday during the induction ceremony of the 2010/2011 graduating students of Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ibadan into the Pharmacy profession.  He appealed to the institutions vested with authority to monitor and check the sale of fake drugs in the country to save the populace from the hazards of adulterated drugs.

Nigeria Urges Global Action on Illicit Weapons

Nigeria has challenged the international community to decisively confront the problems of illicit, small and light weapons. Nigeria’s position was disclosed at the United Nations General Assembly debate at the First Committee which deals with disarmament and international security. Lawrence Olufemi Obisakin, a director from the Foreign Affairs Ministry, said Nigeria has taken measures to locate and remove landmines, but has not benefited from any form of technical or financial assistance from the UN. Nigeria therefore urged UN member states “to urgently redouble efforts to articulate the role of those weapons regarding security needs of states, peoples and organisations.”

HURIWA Tasks FG on Rape, Sexual Molestation of Women

Human Rights Writers’ Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has charged the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Justice and the Office of the Attorney-General to take comprehensive, effective and immediate action to check the proliferation of sexual molestation and rape of women in the country. The rights group said this in a statement to congratulate the Federal Government on the recent election of the Nigerian representative to African Human Rights Commission, Mrs. Dupe Atoki, as the Chairperson of the African Union Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights. It urged the government to ensure that the necessary laws against sexual violations of women are strengthened and that culprits are made to face the full wrath of the law.

11 Arrested over Political Violence in Sokoto

Police in Sokoto State have arrested no fewer than 11 youths in possession of dangerous weapons during a political rally in the state. The Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO) in the state, Almustapha Sani said the suspects were arrested in possession of dangerous weapons with which they disrupted a peaceful rally. A fierce clash broke out between two rival political groups believed to be members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) when a governorship aspirant, Senator Abubakar Umar Gada and his supporters staged solidarity rally, but were attacked by some armed youths believed supporters of his opposition.

EFCC Arrests Man for Defrauding Politicians

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested members of three syndicates including a man who claimed to be related to late President, Yar’Adua, Moh’d Alameen, in Kaduna. The syndicates allegedly specialise in duping unsuspecting members of the public large sums of money claiming to be EFCC’s officials. Four ex-governors, some members of the House of Representatives and a Senator had allegedly fallen victims to the syndicates. The Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Femi Babafemi, said the suspect, who admitted extorting money from a number of persons, was arrested at the commission’s office while negotiating the terms of employment on behalf of the EFCC.

Robbers Kill 3 in Katsina Village

Suspected armed robbers, on Thursday, attacked Hayin-Yan-Borkono village in Funtua LGA of Katsina State, killing three people and injuring several others. It was gathered that the robbers stormed the village penultimate Sunday and carted away undisclosed amounts of money. Those killed included the chairman of the Funtua traders’ association, 48-year-old Alhaji Abdulmumini Lawal, who has since been buried according to the Islamic rites. A resident of the area, Muhammad Sani, said “the robbers launched a house-to-house attack in the village and spent hours operating before they fled. Many people were shot. Meanwhile, the State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Mohammed, has paraded 7 suspected Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) cable thieves. The kingpin of the gang, Ifeanyi Okoye, confessed to involvement in the illegal act.

UK Deports 55 Nigerians

A total of 55 Nigerians have been deported from the United Kingdom. The deportees arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos on Thursday evening aboard a chartered flight from London. Immigration sources at the airport said the deportees were sent packing for various immigration offences. According to the immigration sources,   42 of the deportees are men while the remaining 13 are women and infants. They were said to have been arrested in different parts of the UK. Officials of the Nigerian Immigration officials were said to have interrogated the deportees shortly after their arrival. An immigration official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said a majority of the deportees had exceeded their stay in the UK.

INTERNATIONAL

NTC Declares Libya Liberated

Libya's new rulers have declared the country's liberation after 42 years of being ruled by Muammar Gaddafi. Tens of thousands crammed into Benghazi’s Kish Square to hear the interim National Transitional Council (NTC) announce Libya's freedom. NTC chief Mustafa Abdel Jalil promised to uphold Islamic law. He thanked the Arab League, United Nations and European Union for supporting the uprising which ended with Gaddafi's death. The formal acknowledgement of the end of the war signals the start of the transition to democracy. The NTC has vowed to hold elections next June. The NTC has urged NATO to maintain its involvement in the country until the end of the year. But NATO has announced plan to wind up its formal mission by the 31st of October.

Syrian Army Deserters Kill 7 Troops in Revolt
…17 Killed in Clashes

Syrian army deserters killed seven soldiers in an attack on an armoured convoy Tuesday, an activist group said. Residents and activists said the fighting took place at a roadblock on the edge of the north-western town of Maarat al-Numaan, where soldiers who defected during a military assault in the central province of Homs had gathered. On Wednesday, Seventeen people were killed as clashes continued between government and opposition forces. The latest violence occurred as opposition leaders called for a nationwide general strike, and President Bashar al-Assad huddled in Damascus with other regional leaders at an Arab League Ministers meeting. Arab League Deputy Secretary-General, Ahmed bin Heli, said that Assad did not accept all the initiatives submitted to him, but he did not reject the requests.

Yemeni Women Burn Veils to Protest Crackdown

Yemeni women burned their veils on Wednesday in protest against President Ali Abdullah Saleh's crackdown on anti-government demonstrations. Thousands of women gathered in Sanaa, collected their veils and scarves in a huge pile and set it ablaze -an act that is highly symbolic in the conservative Islamic nation, where women use their veils to cover their faces and bodies. Over 60 women were attacked in October by the government, said protester Ruqaiah Nasser. The women's protests came after the Yemeni government announced a cease-fire Tuesday. But at least 10 people died on Tuesday in clashes in Sana, medical officials reported. Yemen's government has said that opposition-supported militants are responsible for the violence.

3 Killed, Several Wounded in Thai South Bombings

Thailand's military said a dozen coordinated bomb attacks in the country's insurgency-plagued south on Tuesday killed at least three people and injured dozens. The military's Internal Security Operations Command said suspected Muslim insurgents detonated bombs at 12 spots across the southern town of Yala and that bombs had been defused by authorities at three other spots. The attacks occurred on the anniversary of the 2004 suppression of an anti-government protest in Tak Bai in neighbouring Narathiwat province. Seven demonstrators were fatally shot and 78 others died of asphyxiation after being piled on top of one another on military trucks to be taken to a detention centre. More than 4,700 people have been killed in Thailand's southernmost Muslim-dominated provinces since an Islamic insurgency flared in 2004.

Aid Workers Kidnapped in Algerian Camp

Two Spaniards and an Italian working as aid workers in a refugee camp in Algeria were kidnapped last weekend, the Spanish Foreign Ministry confirmed. The unidentified kidnappers are suspected to have crossed the border from Mali. The two Spaniards are Ainhoa Fernandez de Rincon, a member of the charity the Asociacion de Amigos del Pueblo Sahari de Extremadura (AAPSE), and Enric Gonyalons, who works for the Spanish organisation, Mundobat. The kidnapped Italian is said to be Rossella Urru and the Italian government has also confirmed her kidnap.

32 Killed In India’s Bridge Collapse

No fewer than 32 people died and 132 injured after a bridge collapsed during a political meeting in India’s tea-producing region of Darjeeling, last weekend. Over 150 villagers were standing on the bridge for talks by local separatist leaders, Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM), penultimate Saturday night, when it collapsed. Officials disclosed that the victims fell 21 metres into the fast-flowing Rangeet Khola River. The army, fire brigade and police helped residents in the rescue effort. Up to 60 people were rescued on Saturday night. The GJM is fighting for a separate state for the tea-producing Darjeeling hills.

Bodies of 53 Suspected Gadhafi Loyalists Found in Libyan Hotel

The bodies of 53 people, believed to be supporters of former Libyan leader, Moammar Gadhafi, was found in a hotel that was under the control of anti-Gadhafi fighters, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said on Monday. About 20 residents were putting the bodies in body bags to prepare them for burial when Human Rights Watch found them. Peter Bouckaert, emergencies director of HRW, called on the Libyan authorities to investigate what happened and hold accountable those responsible. The residents told HRW investigators that they found the bodies after the fighting in Sirte stopped and they returned home. They identified some of the deceased as Sirte residents and Gadhafi supporters.

Anti-Taliban Militia Leader, 3 Others Killed in Attack in Pakistan

A leader of an anti-Taliban militia was killed in a bomb attack in northwest Pakistan on Tuesday, a Pakistani police official disclosed. Aziz-ur Rehman, his 12-year-old son and two others were killed in the attack, police said. The bomb exploded as the militia leader was traveling in a car with his son, son-in-law and a neighbour. The attack took place in a village in Lower Dir, a district where militant groups have increasingly targeted pro-government militias that have formed to take on the Pakistani Taliban and other violent extremist groups in the region. It was not clear who was responsible for Tuesday's attack.

Somali President Flays Kenya’s Operations against Al-Shabaab
…as US, Residents, Others, Condemn President’s Call

Somalia’s President, Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed, has described the Kenyan military incursion into Somalia as “inappropriate and unacceptable” as reports indicated that French forces have also joined the operation against the Al-Shabaab militants. A grenade thrown into a downscale Nairobi pub on Tuesday, killed one and wounded a dozen others two days after the U.S. warned of possible terror attacks in Kenya’s capital. The al-Shabaab group had threatened terror attacks in Nairobi in response to Kenya’s military push into Somalia. U.S and European officials have joined residents in Somalia in condemning President Ahmed’s call for a halt on against al-Shabaab. Meanwhile, Somali gunmen have kidnapped an American aid worker, a Danish man and their Somali colleague from northern Somalia, on Tuesday.

10 Killed in Tanker Explosion Near US Base in Afghanistan

At least 10 people died and 35 others were injured when a tanker filled with tons of fuel and strapped with a mine exploded near a U.S. military base in eastern Afghanistan on Wednesday. The tanker driver wanted to detonate the explosive device inside Bagram Air Base, but before reaching his goal, the explosive device was detonated, according to Roshan Khalid, spokeswoman for the governor of Parwan province. The base is the nerve centre of American military operations in Afghanistan and is frequently targeted by militants. Similarly, two roadside bomb blasts targeting a police patrol in eastern Baghdad Thursday killed at least 10 people and wounded more than 30 others, witnesses said. Police officers were among the dead, two witnesses disclosed.

3 Indian Soldiers Wounded in Kashmir Blasts

Three Indian paramilitary soldiers were wounded on Tuesday when two powerful hand grenades exploded in Srinagar, the capital of Indian-administered Kashmir, authorities said. Tuesday's blasts came days after the state's chief minister, Omar Abdullah, announced the decision to partially withdraw from certain areas designated as special zones by emergency laws imposed in 1990. However, the formal decision about which areas would be vacated has yet to be announced. Abdullah said the "improved security situation in the state" was one reason for the withdrawal. Rights groups have long been pressing for the revocation of the acts. A police spokesman said militants lobbed hand grenades at two sites about 2 km apart. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attacks.

Killers of Gaddafi to Face Trial

Libya's ruling National Transition Council pledged on Thursday to bring the killers of deposed leader Muammar Gaddafi to trial. The ousted leader was killed last week by revolutionary fighters in his home town of Sirte. Human rights groups have urged the country’s interim leaders to probe the circumstances surrounding Gaddafi’s death after he was captured alive by the fighters of the National Transitional Council (NTC) inside a drainage culvert in Sirte. Meanwhile, Muammar Gaddafi's son Saif al-Islam and an ex-intelligence chief Abdullah al-Senussi want an aircraft to take them out of Libya's southern desert so he can turn himself in to The Hague war crimes court, a source with Libya's NTC said on Thursday. Saif al-Islam, 39, went on the run at about the time his father was killed. They face charges of crimes against humanity for their response to February's uprising.

6 Killed Northern Italy Floods

At least six people have died and several others are missing after rains triggered severe flooding in northern Italy. Heavy rains continued to fall Thursday night in Milan and other spots across the southern European nation, according to the Servizio Meteorologico, Italy's official weather agency. Meanwhile, Monterosso al Mare -between Genoa and Pisa on Italy's northwest coast, in the Cinque Terre region of Liguria- has been "isolated, accessible only by sea" because of earlier rains and floods, Mayor Angelo Betta, disclosed.

Turkey to Accept Foreign Aid over Quake, as Deaths Rise to 523

Turkey will now accept offers of aid from foreign countries to cope with the aftermath of the Van earthquake, after initially declining offers of help. Turkish officials say that with more than 2,000 buildings destroyed, there was an urgent need for accommodation. Israel’s defence ministry said a Boeing 747 would transport mobile homes to Turkey, and other planes would follow in the coming days. The death toll from the disaster now stood at 523 but aid agencies warned of “hundreds, possibly thousands” of people trapped under rubble.