Villeworth Security Services Ltd

week 42

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PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

7 Crushed to Death in Aba

Seven persons, including a pregnant woman and two students lost their lives in Aba, Abia State when a trailer rammed into the tricycle they were travelling in. The accident occurred as a result of alleged recklessness on the part of the trailer driver. The driver of the trailer said to be moving on high speed, lost control and rammed into the tricycle. Five persons in the tricycle where all crushed to death instantly, then the trailer veered off the road and crushed two students who were returning from school. Eye witnesses blamed the accident on the driver of the trailer who they said drove dangerously and without regard for other road users. They called on the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) to urgently check the menace of trailer drivers.

Aggrieved Ex-Militants Claim Responsibility for Attacks on Oil Installations

A group of aggrieved ex-militants, under the aegis of Third Phase Federal Amnesty, has claimed responsibility over recent attacks on some oil installations in the Niger Delta. In a statement by their chairman, General Kathy Sese and the secretary, the group said that they are determined to cripple oil facilities in the South-South over alleged the exclusion of its members from the FG amnesty programme. They claimed responsibility for renewed attacks on oil installations in the region, including the destruction of Shell Well Head linking Bayelsa and Rivers states at Imiringi Road, Ogbia on October 5, and the blowing up of a tanker belonging to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) on October 3. The group threatened to carry out more deadly attacks if the FG failed to accede to its demands.

Army to Dismiss Soldiers Involved in Violent Crime

The General Officer Commanding, 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maj-Gen. Sunday Idoko, on Monday said soldiers involved in any form of criminality, including kidnapping and armed robbery, would be dismissed from the service. Idoko, who gave the warning when he inaugurated the Senior non-Commissioned Officers quarters built by the 13 Brigade of the Nigeria Army in Calabar, Cross River State, said it was a taboo for a soldier to abandon his duty post to involve in criminal activities. He regretted that in some brigades, criminal activities were being perpetrated by the soldiers, but commended the officers of the 13 Brigade for exhibiting high level of discipline in the performance of their duties.

Elderly Women Protest against Rape in Enugu

Hundreds of women from Ogbaozalla and Ibeku communities in Opi, Nsukka LGA of Enugu State, on Tuesday, staged a peaceful demonstration over alleged sexual abuses, including rape. The women stormed the office of Umuada Igbo Nigeria, a Non-Governmental Organisation, alleging that some boys between the ages of 17 and 25 had formed the habit of raping old women of between 60 and 80 years, and even the blind. The women disclosed that out of the 13 rape victims, one died as a result of excessive bleeding when she was raped in turns for more than three hours. During the peaceful protest, which lasted for more than five hours, the women appealed to members of Umuada Igbo Nigeria to intervene. They said the case which started in April this year had already been reported to the police.

Fake EFCC Official Arrested in Aba

A 31-year-old man who allegedly presented himself as an official of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been arrested by the police in Aba, Abia State. The man was arrested on Thursday with the assistance of members of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Aba Chapter after allegedly duping a dealer of N60000.  On interrogation by the Aba Area Police Commander, Mr. Rabiu Dayi, the suspect allegedly confessed that he impersonated as an EFCC official. He, however, said he only went to the filling station to harass the dealer for selling adulterated fuel to him in February, and denied collecting money from the dealer. The suspect claimed to be a former staff of the anti-graft agency.

Youths Lament Sack of Oil Workers by Mobil

A Coalition of Ibeno Youth Leaders has condemned the sack of 94 oil workers at the Qua Iboe oil Terminal operated by Mobil Producing Nigeria (MPN). Mr Edem Ebong, Chairman of Ibeno Youth Council, said that the disengagement of the workers was unfortunate and ill timed. He said that the coalition was concerned because rather than join hands with the Federal Government in reducing the unemployment figures, the company was worsening the situation. It was revealed that about 94 contract workers at the Qua Iboe oil fields were disengaged last month in a downsizing exercise in the operations of Mobil.

3 Buses in Early Morning Robbery Attack

Occupants of three commercial buses were on Monday robbed at Orie Umumba, in Ezeagu LGA of Enugu State. An eye witness said the robbers were armed and masked during the operation. The passengers of three vehicles were victims of the attack. Stranded passengers including some Police escorts disembarked their vehicles and took positions along the road, ready to make a dash into nearby bushes. The Enugu State Police command mobilised its men to the scene but the robbers had left before their arrival.

Lawyer Crushes Pupil to Death in A/Ibom

A primary school pupil in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, has lost his life while two others sustained varying degrees of injuries, when a lawyer, driving an SUV, lost control and ran over them. An eyewitness, who spoke on grounds of anonymity, said: “The driver was talking on his phone, when suddenly the vehicle veered off the road and knocked down the boy who died immediately. A motorcycle rider, with a passenger, who had their limbs broken, was taken to the hospital.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

PENGASSAN, NUPENG Embark on Warning Strike in Warri

The National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas (NUPENG) and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), on Monday embarked on 3 days warning strike in Warri Zone. The action was prompted by what they termed as insecurity of oil workers in Warri and Effurun. Consequently, all filling stations were shut as early as 8am even when the people of the state were yet to resume the day’s business. The union members were said to have suspended the strike following government’s promise to ensure security of oil workers in the region. The unions have been particularly depressed by the ineffectiveness of security and law enforcement agencies to properly attend to the reported cases, in which about 40 members had been kidnapped in two months.

SPDC Declares Force Majeure on Forcados Shipments

The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) has declared force majeure on its Forcados export programme for October, November and December this year as a result of production shutdown caused by a sabotage leak on Trans Forcados Pipeline. Shell’s Corporate Media Relations Manager, Tony Okonedo, said the declaration took effect from Monday. Okonedo said the leak was reported on October 6, and a Joint Investigation Team found that it was caused by explosion. SPDC is working to repair the pipeline and resume production as quickly as possible, he added. The company has also lifted the force majeure on Bonny Light export programme, which was declared on August 23.

Man, 70, Arrested for Defiling 8-Year-Old Girl

A 70-year-old man, identified as Baba Sunday, has been arrested by the police for allegedly defiling an eight-year-old girl in Lagos. The old man was said to have taken the girl to a hotel in Bariga where he defiled the girl. The hotel managers did not suspect foul play when they initially saw the little girl going inside the room with the man. The hotel receptionist was said to have become worried when she discovered that the time was far spent and there was no mature girl that came with the man. A staffer of the hotel decided to eaves-drop and allegedly heard the little girl pleading with the old man to let her go as her aunty would be waiting for her. The hotel manager was said to have contacted the Police, who stormed the place and compelled the man to open the door. The little girl confessed that the old man had been having carnal knowledge of her for a long time

Delta Govt Sacks 15 Doctors over Strike Action

The Delta State government has sacked 15 for joining in a strike action recently, the state Commissioner of Health, Dr. Joseph Otumara has revealed. The doctors under the aegis of Association of Government General Medical and Dental Practitioners went on strike over tax-related issues and the demand to redeploy the Permanent Secretary of the state Health Management Board, Mrs. Caroline Ajuya over alleged high handedness. Dr. Otumara had warned them to call-off the strike and described the strike by the workers as an abuse of industrial process, saying the issues had earlier been resolved. Otumara said allowing the doctors to go away with frivolous excuses all in the name of strike would send the wrong signal to other cadre of staff.

Community Leaders Killed in Edo

A popular Jehovah’s Witness faithful in Oza-Nisi congregation, Orhionmwon LGA of Edo State has reportedly killed two village elders, shortly after he was said to have delivered a message to the gathering. The suspect gave his name as Oghenovo from Ovu village of Delta State. Sources said the suspect was overpowered by some neighbours while allegedly butchering an old woman inside her kitchen. He was handed over to the police.

Pregnant Woman, Banker Kidnapped

A nine-month pregnant woman, Mrs. Omosigho Osawe, was allegedly kidnapped in Benin, Edo State, by unknown gunmen. In a similar incident in Irrua, Edo Central, a bank manager, Monday Isekobo, was abducted by suspected kidnappers. Osawe was said to have been abducted penultimate Saturday near the state Indoor Sports complex, a few metres away from New Etete police station. Isekobo was said to have been kidnapped by gunmen at the gate of his house around 7pm on Monday.

Boy, 20, Jailed for Sexually Assaulting 8-Year-Old

A magistrate’s court in Benin, Edo State, on Thursday, sentenced one Godday Owolo (20), to three years imprisonment for sexually assaulting an eight-year-old girl. The court presided over by Rachel Ogbevoen, convicted Owolo after he pleaded guilty to the charges. The prosecutor, Joseph Ebosereme, stated that the accused person committed the act on September 25, 2011. Ogbevoen ordered that the accused person be put behind bars without an option of fine. Also, a 40-year-old woman, who defrauded prospective tenants of the former Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, has been arraigned before an Egor Area Customary court at Uselu, Benin. The woman, Philomena Osazuwa, was alleged to have fraudulently presented herself to be the caretaker of the house and collected the sum of N120000 from them.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

Police Rescue Kidnapped Saudi

The Lagos State Airport Police Command said that it had rescued a Saudi Arabian businessman, Alhaji Alsamid Saleh, 43, who was ensnared from Saudi Arabia by kidnappers posing as businessmen and kidnapped from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos on arrival. The Commissioner of Police, Akila Usman Gwari, said that the police also arrested four persons at the place where the Saudi was hidden. He explained that the Saudi arrived Nigeria on October 2 and the Saudi Arabian embassy reported the case to the police on October 4 and the police swung into action immediately. Gwari said the kidnappers demanded for 150 million Euros from the man’s family in Saudi Arabia. The police also recovered berretta pistol with 28 rounds of 29mm life ammunition from the suspects.

NDLEA Arrests Woman, 59, for Drug Trafficking

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have apprehended a 59 year old woman at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos. The suspect planned to export 1.500kg of powdery substance that tested positive to cocaine. She was arrested last weekend during the screening of British Airways passengers to London Heathrow airport with the drug neatly hidden in the sides of her luggage. NDLEA Commander at the Airport, Alhaji Hamza Umar explained that the drug was detected at the luggage checking desk at the international wing of the airport.

Police Rescue 3 Kidnap Victims in Lagos

The Lagos State Police Command, last weekend, stormed a building in Igando area of the state, used as kidnappers’ den, rescuing three victims. Recovered at the end of the operation which led to a shoot-out between one of the kidnappers and a team of Mobile policemen, were three rocket launchers and three rockets, eight AK 47 magazines fully-loaded with 3,240 rounds of ammunition, four dynamites and assorted charms.

6 Jailed for Human Trafficking

Six persons, including a 60-year-old woman, Mariam Mohammed, have been sentenced to jail in Lagos, for human trafficking offences. Mariam Mohammed and Eunice Owoyele, 40, were sentenced to 14 years imprisonment, by a Federal High Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos. Justice Steve Jonah Adah found them guilty on the three-count charge preferred against them by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons and other Related Matters (NAPTIP), on behalf of the Attorney General of the Federation. They charged for procurement of persons for prostitution to Libya and deceitful inducement of persons to go from one place to another.

Foreign National Murdered In Lagos

A Benin Republic national was allegedly killed during a fight in Lagos last weekend.In the same vein, a bus conductor was also murdered on same date, in the metropolis. Choz Sosa was allegedly sent to his early grave by Seyi Kojo at Alaguntan, Lekki Peninsula, during a fight. A man who identified himself as Mr. Peter Anthony, a motor mechanic disclosed that he saw the duo arguing over something but he was not actually interested until Kojo picked a bottle, broke it and stabbed Sosa. The eyewitness added that immediately Kojo stabbed Sosa, he (Sosa) screamed for help. Kojo took to his heels in an attempt to escape but was apprehended by some onlookers. The eyewitness said he did not know whether he was later allowed to escape or not.

Oil Magnate Assassinated in Oyo

Tragedy struck the Osekun Royal Family of Onpetu Ijeru in Ogbomoso South LGA, Oyo State on Wednesday night as a gang of assassins trailed an oil magnate, Prince Alade Oyediran, to his house and killed him. Alade, 43, was a petroleum dealer, with filling stations in many states. In the house were his mother, wife and three children when he was attacked. After the attack, relations said the car in which he drove home was made away with. There was N5 million cash in the car. The Onpetu of Ijeru, Oba Sunday Oyediran, said the incident was a glaring example of the degree of insecurity in the country.

Court Strikes-Out Suit against al-Mustapha, Others

The Lagos State government has lost out in its bid to upturn the judgment of a Lagos High Court, which discharged and acquitted former Chief Security Officer to the late General Sani Abacha, Major Hamza al-Mustapha and three others, over their alleged roles in the attempt on the life of the publisher of The Guardian Newspapers, Mr Alex Ibru. This was sequel to the striking out of an appeal of the  state government by the Court of Appeal, Lagos division, on Thursday. The appellate court, in a ruling delivered by Justice Helen Ogunwumiju, noted that the appellant (Lagos State government) filed its notice of appeal on January 6, 2011, but subsequently went to sleep afterwards. The court, while declaring that the appellant was not diligent in the prosecution of the appeal, said it was left with no option but to strike it out.

EFCC Arraigns Gbenga Daniel

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Wednesday, arraigned former Ogun state governor, Gbenga Daniel, at the State High Court, Abeokuta. The former governor was arraigned on 16-count charge of stealing and false declaration of assets. Daniel was booed and taunted by students and others, demanding that “he should be jailed”. Although, scores of loyalists were equally on ground to receive him, the noise from the students drowned all words of encouragement, greetings or complements thrown at Daniel by his loyalists. The law enforcement agency had a hectic time containing the two camps as they threatened to engage each other in violent altercations.

Robbers Lay Siege on Ibadan Community

Residents of Jankata community, Pipeline area of Ido LGA of Oyo State, have lamented robbers’ siege to the area since September. It was learnt that the community has been under siege on a near daily basis since September. Some of the community leaders disclosed that eight houses were raided on September 25 when the robbers invaded the community. They said the robbers raided five houses in the early hours of October 12.

Trailer Crushes Two in Lagos

A commercial motorcyclist and his passenger were crushed to death last weekend by a trailer in Lagos. Eyewitnesses said the motorcycle was on full speed when its front tyre burst. Unable to control the speed, the trailer driver overran the cyclist and the passenger. Both bodies were mutilated beyond recognition. The bodies were taken to the nearby Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH).

GENERAL

Bomb Blast Rocks Borno

A bomb exploded in Maiduguri, Borno state last weekend at new Joint Task Force (JTF) sector post. The explosion is thought to have been perpetrated by the Boko Haram fundamentalist sect. It was gathered that the explosive was thrown into the JTF vehicle around their post in the area though some residents of the area claimed the explosive dropped from the JTF vehicles, a claim which was faulted by two of the personnel of the task force. JTF spokesman, Lt Colonel Hassan Mohammed confirmed the incident, calling on community leaders to help fish out the perpetrators.

Missing Nigerian Vessel Found in Ghana

A motor tanker vessel, MT KEMEPADE, reported missing from the Lagos anchorage on September 28 has been found in a shipyard at Tema Harbour in Ghana with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), number removed. The vessel, which was reported missing by the owner, had one sailor on board at the time of the incident. The management of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) had requested ships in the area to report sighting of the ship. In addition to deploying Automatic Identification Tracking System (AIS) the agency collaborated with neighbouring countries such as Togo, Liberia and Benin through their Maritime Rescue Coordination Centres, MRCCs, to enhance the search operation.

Army Warns Against Giving Soldiers Money at Check Point

Following complaints of extortion by soldiers manning the various checkpoints in the country, the Nigerian Army hierarchy has set machinery in motion to arrest erring soldiers and the givers of the bribe. Sources revealed that the decision to checkmate extortion by soldiers at checkpoints was taken at the Chief of Army Staff third quarter conference held in Abuja recently. The soldier, the source continued, would be charged according to military laws, while the giver would be charged to civil court to be prosecuted by military lawyers.

Policeman Rapes Detained Nursing Mother

A nursing mother detained at Soro Police station in Ganjuwa LGA of Bauchi State has allegedly been raped by a police constable. Hafsat Manye was allegedly raped twice by one Constable Halilu at the police premises in the dead of night. A relative of the victim said Hafsat lost consciousness while being sexually assaulted by the police officer. He said Hafsat sustained injuries on her back and genitals as a result of the incident and had to be rushed to the hospital. Hafsat was arrested and detained along with one Alhaji Audu at Soro Police station over allegation of conspiracy and culpable homicide following a report lodged at Soro police station by one Mallam Alhaji Buba. She was with her baby, Hashimu who was less than a year old at the time she was arrested and detained, the relation said further.

SSS Arrests Bomb Maker, Gunrunner, Banker

The State Security Service (SSS) said yesterday that the banker, currently in its custody, facilitated the transfer of funds for the October 1, 2010 bombings near the Abuja Eagle Square that claimed several lives. The SSS Spokesperson, Marylyn Ogar, said that the banker, alongside two other masterminds of the blasts, was acting at the behest of Henry Okah, the acclaimed leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), who is currently facing charges in South Africa for alleged terrorism. While the banker is being held for handling Henry Okah’s transactions and transferring funds to other suspects to facilitate their gunrunning activities, the other two suspects were alleged to be responsible for the procurement of the explosive devices used and distribution of the devices, arms and ammunitions, and other components to their associates.

Jonathan Urges Unity amongst Security Agencies

President Goodluck Jonathan has called for a strong military tradition that would engender greater cohesion and unity of purpose amongst security agencies in the country. He said this was very crucial in dealing with the emerging issues of terrorism and internal security challenges in the country. Jonathan made the remarks yesterday in Abuja, at the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Distinguished Flying Star Investiture parade, where the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Mohammed Umar,  and five of his predecessors were honoured. In his speech, the Chief of Defense Staff (CDS), Air Chief Marshal Oluseyi Petinrin, said  such event, which was meant to reward and encourage hard work in the Armed Forces would  also  ensure better work  and security.

NAFDAC, Interpol, WHO Partner on Fake Drugs

As part of efforts to fight fake drugs, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has started a joint operation with the Interpol and six African countries: Ghana, Guinea, Burkina Faso, Togo, Cameroun and Senegal. The initiative, tagged Operation Cobra, is under the auspices of the World Health Organisation (WHO’s) International Medical Product Anti-counterfeit Taskforce (IMPACT) and Interpol’s Medical Product Counterfeiting and Pharmaceutical Crime (MPCPC) Unit. Director General of NAFDAC, Dr. Paul Orhii, emphasised that national efforts alone are not sufficient enough to deal with counterfeiters of fake medicines.

FG to Pay N25bn to Families of Deceased Police Officers

Following the untold hardship being suffered by families of over 400 policemen who died while on duty due to non-payment of their group life benefits, the Federal Government is now poised to pay over N25 billion to the beneficiaries. The policemen, who were either killed by armed robbers, mob attacks or motor accidents, are yet to be paid from July 1, 2004 to February 29, 2010. Consequently, the Federal Government has directed the relations and next of kins of the deceased police officers and men who died in active service to report to the nearest command and formation insurance officers.

Two Nigerians Feared Killed in Libya by NTC Fighters

Two Nigerians have been feared killed in Libya, according to reports. The migrants, identified as Wilson Timi Mohammed, 28, and 30-year-old Mustapha Ayodele from Rivers and Lagos states, were allegedly killed on October 9 by some members of the Libyan National Transitional Council (NTC). Mohammed and Ayodele were killed as the battle for the last strong hold of Muammar Gaddafi’s city of Sirte heightened, with the NTC troops making more inroads. They were alleged to have been defending Gaddafi. The Nigerian community said the development further confirmed the spate of hostility towards Nigerians and other black Africans by the NTC.

Suspected Killers of Security Guard Arrested

Four suspected killers of a security guard have been arrested by the military-led Joint Task Force (JTF) in Borno state. JTF spokesman, Lt Colonel Hassan Ifijeh Mohammed, who paraded the suspects, said investigations indicated that the suspects were robbers and not Boko Haram men. He said the suspects have confessed to killing the security guard in an attempt steal iron rods, last month. Lt Col Mohammed also disclosed that the suspects would be handed over to the police for further investigation and prosecution, noting that the army had completed its investigation on the matter. He also said another robbery suspect, Mohammed Usman also in their custody would be transferred to the police. Mohammed was arrested after he allegedly broke into a woman house at Bulumkutu area.

Farouk Mutallab Pleads Guilty to Charges of Terrorism

The Nigerian, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, accused of trying to blow up a U.S. airliner on Christmas Day 2009 with a bomb in his underwear, on Wednesday, pleaded guilty to all charges and said he wanted to avenge the killing of innocent Muslims by the United States. Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, 24, entered the guilty pleas a day after testimony began in his trial in Detroit. He will be sentenced on January 12. Abdulmutallab, who is linked to al Qaeda, told the court he was fulfilling a “religious duty” and participating in an act of jihad against the United States. He changed the pleas against the advice of the lawyer, admitting to eight felonies, including conspiracy to commit terrorism, attempted murder and attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction. He faces life in imprisonment.

Senate Probes N1.5tr Oil Subsidy

The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday formally mandated its committees on Petroleum Resources (Downstream), Appropriation and Finance to investigate the operation of the fuel subsidy scheme, which had so far gulped N1.5 trillion. The Presidency and the National Assembly approved N240 billion as oil subsidy in the 2011 Appropriation Act. Senators were also calling for the prosecution of all those involved in the extra-budgetary spending. Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Finance Minister, Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala admitted that oil subsidy had risen to N1. 5 trillion during the Monday parley between the Presidency and the National Assembly.

Pirates Seize 20 Sailors Off Nigeria’s Coast

Pirates have seized 20 eastern European sailors on an oil tanker off the coast of Nigeria, escalating piracy activities in the oil-rich region from low-level armed robberies to hijackings and cargo thefts. According to a spokesman for the vessel’s owner, United Product Tankers GmbH & Co. KG in Hamburg, Germany, the MT Cape Bird was hijacked about 90 nautical miles from Lagos last week Saturday. The spokesman could not comment on whether or not contact had been established with the vessel and did not know the nationalities of the sailors. The Nigerian Navy has said it received reports that the vessel was carrying either crude oil or refined gasoline. The United Product Tankers spokesman said the cargo was an oil product.

Police Arrest Seven for Arson, Robbery in Bauchi

Police in Bauchi State arrested seven suspects in connection with looting, burning and vandalism of a luxury bus. Three others are said to be at large. It was learnt that the suspects, had on September 1, attacked a luxury bus on its way to Lagos from Yola at about 2pm at Gangaran in Toro LGA of Bauchi State. The hoodlums, alleged to be carrying out a reprisal on Jos attacks, were said to have pounced on the passengers of the bus, who along with the driver, fled into the bush. The suspects later looted the bus.  It was learnt that the driver recruited some local guards to look after the bus but nine days later 10 alleged arsonists from Jos attacked the guards and set the bus ablaze. It was learnt that luck ran out on the hoodlums as they were arrested while carting away the scraps of the burnt bus.

Tanker Drivers Go On Strike in Benue

Following the strike embarked upon by tanker drivers in Benue State as a result of non-fulfillment of state government’s promise to compensate the union when two of their tankers were burnt in 2007, a litre of fuel as at yesterday morning sold for N150. The development has also paralysed commercial activities in Makurdi, while black marketers have cashed in to make brisk business as all filling stations within the metropolis remained under lock and key. Prices of goods and transport fares rose as commuters groan under the biting effect of the strike. The union leaders, while at the Government House yesterday on the invitation of Governor Gabriel Suswam accused the government of its lackadaisical attitude towards their demands.

FG Sacks 10 Agencies from Ports

President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday wield the big stick when he approved the sack of 10 agencies from the nation’s seaports. The affected agencies were accused of working against the international best practices in port administration. They include the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), the National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the Directorate of Naval Intelligence (DNI) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). Others are the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA), the Plant Quarantine and Animal Quarantine (PQAQ), the National Environmental Regulatory and Standards Agency (NESREA) and the Cargo Tracking Note (CTN). Finance Minister Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who served the two-week eviction notice, warned against extortion at the ports.

INTERNATIONAL

27 Killed in Egypt

Clashes between security forces and protesting Coptic Christians in Egypt left at least 27 people dead. The bloodshed occurred just over a week after the burning of a Coptic Christian church in southern Egypt. The burning prompted the Sunday protest demanding equality and protection of Coptic places of worship. Dr. Sheriff Doss, the head of Egypt's chief association of Coptics, said 17 civilians died and 40 were injured. An additional 12 army troops were killed and over 50 were injured, according to Lt. Col. Amr Imam, an army spokesman. Mohammed Abdel Jabaar, a spokesman for the Egyptian Rebels Coalition that claims to have been part of the movement that led to former President Hosni Mubarak's ouster, blamed "interference from outside" for spurring the violent chain of events.

Chinese Sailors Slain in Mekong River Attacks

At least 12 Chinese sailors have been killed after their cargo ships were attacked on the Mekong River in the northern Thai province of Chiang Rai, the Chinese Foreign Ministry has said. The ministry's website stated that two Chinese cargo ships were attacked with gunfire on October 5. According to the initial investigation, all six sailors from Hua Ping and six of the seven sailors from Yu Xing 8 were found dead, while one remained missing. Thai police say they cannot rule out the involvement of drug gangs in the killings. Chiang Rai police colonel, Popkorn Khuncharoensuk, said that the two ships were raided by a joint task force of army, marine police, local police and paramilitary following the attack, and found almost one million amphetamines on the vessels.

New Zealand Oil Spill Ship Captain Charged

The captain of a cargo ship that was grounded off New Zealand and is leaking oil into the sea has been arrested and charged, officials say. The captain was charged with "operating a vessel in a manner causing unnecessary danger or risk". The 775ft (236m) Rena ran aground on a charted reef off the North Island port of Tauranga a week ago. Officials say the fuel oil leaking from the ship has caused the country's worst environmental disaster in decades. The ship is carrying 11 containers of hazardous materials, including ferrosilicon which is flammable upon contact with water.

Myanmar Begins Prisoner Release

Myanmar has begun the release of what it said will eventually be more than 6,300 prisoners under a mass amnesty. Among the inmates freed by noon Wednesday, 70 were political detainees, a rights group said. The Thailand-based Assistance Association for Political Prisoners said it obtained its information from staff members and political activists inside Myanmar. Also released were some members of Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) party. The Party spokesman Nyan Win said the NLD was expecting more releases. About 200 NLD members are in prison, he said. Myanmar's mass amnesty is one in a series of recent moves that could help the isolated nation normalize relations with Western nations including the United States.

Special Forces Rescue Ship from Pirates

The crew of an Italian ship seized by pirates on Monday was freed Tuesday through an operation by U.S. and British troops working with the Italian military. Eleven pirates who hijacked the Montecristo surrendered to the troops operating under NATO's Operation Ocean Shield, the Italian Foreign ministry said. All crew members are safe, the ministry said. They barricaded themselves in the engine room after throwing a message overboard in a bottle and putting up a cardboard sign to let rescuers know where they were. They were able to retain control of the ship's steering, even though the pirates destroyed the ship's communications equipment, a NATO officer said. The pirates threw their weapons into the sea as the boarding team closed in, and stood on deck to surrender once they boarded.

Libya's NTC Fighters Control 90% of Sirte

Forces loyal to the new Libyan government were staging a final advance into the last area in Sirte still controlled by pro-Moammar Gadhafi fighters. National Transitional Council field commander Ibrahim Ashour said Wednesday that his forces control 90% of the city, but are encountering stiff resistance in securing the rest of it. On Tuesday, seven NTC fighters were killed and 15 wounded in clashes with Gadhafi loyalists there, Ashour said. Moatassim Gadhafi, a son of ousted Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi, was reported captured Wednesday after a four-hour firefight in Sirte, according to Abdallah Naker, the head of the Tripoli Revolutionary Council. Col. Ahmed Bani, the official spokesman for the Ministry of Defense, said the capture had not been confirmed.

8 Killed in California Salon Shooting

Police will continue to look for answers Thursday in a deadly Southern California shooting that killed eight people and critically injured a ninth. Six people were found dead Wednesday afternoon inside the Salon Meritage after Seal Beach police responded to a call about shots being fired inside the business, Sgt. Steve Bowles said. The suspect, 42-year-old Scott Evans Dekraai of Huntington Beach, was arrested without incident as he was trying to leave the scene in a vehicle, a police statement said. The motive of the shootings is under investigation. Authorities are investigating what relationship the gunman had with anyone inside the salon.

Thailand Braces for Flood

Thailand's capital was braced for unprecedented flooding Tuesday, amid the monsoon rains that have overwhelmed much of the country and neighboring Cambodia in recent weeks. So far 269 people have been killed in Thailand, according to the country's Flood Relief Operations Command. In Bangkok officials beefed up flood prevention measures as waterways, including the main Chao Phraya River, became bloated by rising water. Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra ordered canal dredging and reinforcement of flood-prevention embankments to protect the city. The prime minister called on the private sector to support the mitigation measures.

Court Suspends Death Sentence for Killer of Pakistani Politician

A Pakistani court has suspended the death sentence of Mumtaz Qadri, a security guard, who killed a liberal politician over the latter's remarks on the nation's controversial blasphemy law. "Qadri was provoked by the governor and should therefore be tried for murder, not an act of terror which is what he was tried for earlier" said his attorney Raja Shuja Ur Rehman in confirming the judge's decision. A terror court had earlier sentenced Qadri to death. The Islamabad High Court suspended the sentence Tuesday until the appeals process is complete. Police said Qadri, a policeman serving as a security guard for Punjab Gov. Salman Taseer, fatally shot him in a market in Islamabad on January 4 because of Taseer's remarks on Pakistan's controversial blasphemy law. Police said Qadri confessed to gunning down the man he was supposed to be protecting.

Trial of Arms Dealer Opens in New York

After evading international authorities for nearly two decades, alleged international arms and drug smuggler Viktor Bout, widely dubbed the "merchant of death" by his accusers, will go on trial in New York. The Russian businessman is charged with a wide range of counts, including conspiracy to kill Americans, attempting to sell arms to undercover federal agents, wire fraud and violating U.N. Security Council sanctions. Bout pleaded not guilty to all charges last year. According to a 2008 federal indictment, undercover agents, posing as rebels from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, attempted to buy larges caches of weapons from Bout. They told Bout that they wanted the arms "to kill Americans," to which Bout said that he "was going to prepare everything the FARC needed."

29 Killed as Storms Ravage Central America, Mexico

Two storm systems left 29 people dead and forced tens of thousands from their homes as heavy rains battered Central America and Mexico's Pacific coast, officials said. Central America alone accounted for 24 of those dead and nearly 60,000 people made homeless by the storms, according to local authorities. Another five people were killed in Mexico, where Hurricane Jova's torrential rains forced at least 4,000 people to leave their homes. The storms triggered heavy flooding, blocked roads, and caused electricity outages and mudslides. In hard-hit Guatemala, where 15 people died and over 52,000 were forced from their homes, torrential rains destroyed and carried away bridges. Four people remained missing.

Syrian Death Toll Rises to 3000

The United Nations on Friday raised its death toll in the Syrian unrest to more than 3,000 following security forces' raids on cities in search of dissidents. The total includes at least 187 children, the United Nations said as it called on the international community to help protect civilians. The new numbers come as the Gulf Cooperation Council urged an immediate meeting of Arab League states to discuss the violence in the nation. The meeting should be at the foreign ministers level, the council said in a statement Thursday without providing details. At least 15 people were killed Thursday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. At least 31 people were killed across Syria in a series of shootings penultimate Sunday

4 Survive as Plane Crashes in Papua New Guinea

An Airlines PNG turboprop aircraft crashed near a coastal city in Papua New Guinea on Thursday, leaving a number of people unaccounted for, the airline said. The Dash 8 plane was carrying 28 passengers and four crew members, the airline said. Airlines PNG operate flights between Papua New Guinea and Australia. The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said local authorities reported four survivors, including one pilot from Australia and one pilot from New Zealand. It wasn't immediately clear where the flight originated or where it was headed. The aircraft crashed near Madang, on Papua New Guinea's northeastern coast, the airline said.