Villeworth Security Services Ltd

week 43

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PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

Police in Extra-Judicial Killing in Bayelsa

Incessant accusations of alleged extra-judicial killings trailing the Nigeria Police continued, on Sunday, in Bayelsa, as another unidentified person was allegedly shot to death around 1.30pm in Yenagoa. Eyewitness disclosed that the person believed to be coming from the church was said to have allegedly engaged some security operatives in an altercation. The eyewitness hinted that the person was shot at a very close range. Three patrol vans marked Ops Department of the Bayelsa State Police command came few minutes after to evacuate the mutilated body of the deceased. The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Eguaveon Emopkae, confirmed the incident, saying that it occurred under the Asikoro Division, but said he was still garnering more information on the circumstances surrounding the act.

JTF Arrest Oil Thieves, Seize Vessels

The Joint Military Task Force (JTF) in the Niger Delta has confirmed that it had arrested 46 suspects and seized a vessel laden with stolen refined petroleum products at River Akassa in Bayelsa state. Presently, the oil vessel is detained at the government jetty in Yenagoa," spokesman Timothy Antigha told reporters. He said 14 boats ready to offload the stolen petroleum products from the vessel were also impounded by the military during the operation on Thursday. The seizure was the latest by the task force in recent weeks in the restive oil-rich region. Recently, the military claimed the arrest of 50 suspected oil thieves in the past three months and destroyed some 2,000 illicit refineries this year in the region.

Two Killed in PH Bank Robbery

Daredevil armed robbers attacked a Hilux van, killing a Mobile Police escort and the driver of the van before they made away with about N28 million. Some of the robbers were dressed in Mobile Police and military uniforms, according to Rivers State Zonal Editor of Vanguard Newspaper, Mr. George Onah, who escaped death during the attack. Onah had tried to drive into Ikwerre Road when, unknown to him, the robbers had surrounded a commercial bank, waiting for the van conveying cash. The robbers thought that Onah wanted to block their getaway car and decided to demobilise him. Commercial activities and traffic were disrupted as bullets flew in different directions, forcing traders and pedestrians to scamper for safety. Policemen later arrived at the scene to remove the corpses.

Bomb Scare in Akwa Ibom

Disaster was averted, Monday, at Akwa Ibom Broadcasting Corporation transmission station when fire broke out after a vehicle packed on the premises exploded. The arrival of the state fire service saved the situation. According to an eyewitness some cans of unidentified chemicals, suspected to be explosives, were found around the car that exploded. The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase had visited the scene of the incident and security beefed up in the area. He advised staff of the station to go about their duty, as the situation was under control, adding that henceforth police will provide 24 hours surveillance of the station.

JTF Arrests 53 over Illegal Bunkering in Three States

At least 53 persons suspected to have been involved in illegal bunkering have been arrested by the Joint Task Force (JTF) otherwise called Operation Restore Hope in three Niger Delta States of Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta. The arrests, according to the spokesman of the Joint Task Force, Lt. Col Timothy Antigha took place in the last three months. He spoke in Yenagoa on while parading some of the suspects who were arrested in the riverine Akassa area of Bayelsa. The JTF Spokesman said preliminary investigations showed that “the suspects were in two categories, namely suspected key perpetrators and those arrested within the vicinity of the illegal oil refineries.

Dutch Officials Wade into Niger Delta Environmental Crisis

Top officials of the Dutch government deliberated on efforts to bring lasting stability to the Niger Delta. The position of the government was articulated by Dutch parliamentarians and a representative of the country’s Foreign Affairs Ministry in charge of West Africa. A Dutch parliamentarian, Sharon Gesthuizen, specifically tasked Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) to clean up oil spill in all contaminated sites in the Niger Delta. Shell admitted that oil spill in the Niger Delta was wrong and it would do its best to remediate areas affected. She observed that the Netherlands government had over the years not paid adequate attention to the situation in Nigeria, particularly in the Niger Delta where she said people were living in abject poverty in the midst of abundant natural resources.

Governor Donates to Families of Slain Policemen

Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State has approved N1 million each for families of six policemen killed recently by suspected armed robbers in Uyo. The slain policemen were killed by dare-devil armed robbers in an exchange of gunfire. Announcing Governor Akpabio’s gesture on Monday, the State Police Commissioner, Solomon Arase, disclosed that besides the monetary donation, the slain police officers would be posthumously honoured with the Commissioner of police Certificate for Gallantry, Dedication to Duty and Zeal. Arase also stated that the authorities of the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) would ensure that the deceased officers are paid their official death benefits, insurance claims and sundry entitlements, adding that these were already being processed.

Residents Lament Brutality of Operatives of Road Agencies

The activities of the Anambra State Transport Agency (ASTA) and Anambra State Road Decongestion Unit (ARDU) have recently become a major source of worry for residents of the commercial city of Onitsha, Anambra State, as the two groups have been accused of being responsible for the many road mishaps, and battery of unsuspecting members of the public. According to Mr. Vincent Ezekwueme, ARDU was saddled with the responsibility of maintaining free flow of traffic in some cities of the state by promptly evacuating broken down vehicles and wrongly parked ones. Ezekwueme also said that the groups originally had the state government backing through the state Ministry of Works and Transport.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

SSS Operatives Arrest Kidnap Gang Leader

Operatives of the State Security Service (SSS), Delta State command, have arrested a notorious kidnap gang leader, Matthew Ejedegba, also known as Iroko. The suspect was apprehended after over a year of surveillance on him. Ejedegba had allegedly been a terror involved in violent criminal activities in Delta South senatorial district. It was gathered that the suspect, who was lured out by SSS operatives for a business transaction, was caught with charms at the point of his arrest. Nigerian Tribune learnt that Ejedegba was not wanted for kidnapping matter alone but also for murder.

2 Robbers Mobbed, Burnt to Death in Warri

Two suspected armed robbers were set ablaze along Airport Road, Warri, Delta State, last weekend. It was gathered that the bandits had at about 7:30am snatched a lady’s handbag and sped off. But the victim raised the alarm, which attracted passersby, including bike riders, who quickly blocked the thieves from escaping with their loot. The bandits got the beating of their lives before they were set ablaze. In contrast, a middle aged-man, penultimate Friday, lost N.4m to thieves at a fuel station along the same Airport Road. The thieves, who stormed the filing station pretending to be buying fuel, confronted the man on gun point and took away a bag containing the money. No arrest was made.

Ijaw Group Pleads with Militants over Threat of Retaliation

A Niger -Delta group has appealed to militant groups in the region to have a rethink over the ultimatum given to Northerners resident in Niger Delta, over their bomb threat. The Niger Delta militants had threatened to bomb all Muslim worship centres across the South-South if the bombing by the Boko Haram sect continues in the nation. In a statement signed by Yusuf Eregbene and Ozobo Austine, President and Secretary of the National Council of Ijaw activists, said attacking the Muslim worship centres in a retaliatory measure to avenge for their lost brothers killed in the North will be too hazardous as innocent lives who may not even be northerners will be lost. The group therefore called on Arewa Consultative Forum, the umbrella body of the Northerners to urgently call their subjects to order.

Edo Police Task Ondo Police on Security

The Ondo State Police Command has been charged to live up to its responsibilities in the fight against intra and inter-states crime. The Deputy Commissioner of Police, Edo State, Mr. Mohammed Hurdi, who gave the charge in Benin recently, maintained that operatives of Edo Police Command have on several occasions been inundated with activities of criminals who he stated, attempted to use Edo State as escape route after their successful operations in Ondo State. The state Deputy Commissioner of Police expressed reservation at the unfortunate incident, noting that if their counterparts in Ondo State adequately secured their domain; such criminal activities would not spill over to neighbouring states.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

Two Aged Women Killed in Lagos Building Inferno

A Midnight fire killed two aged women in Ajegunle, Lagos state, last weekend. The inferno, which began at about 11.25 pm and was put out at 3 am, destroyed the top floor of the one-storey building, and property worth millions of naira. The landlady, Mrs Christiana Ugutanyin, who was said to be about 100 years old and her tenant, Mrs. Esane Aburimo, also aged were burnt to death. Both Ugutanyin and Aburimo could not walk, so the fire devoured them. The fire was said to have been caused by power surge. The Divisional Police Officer of Ajegunle Police Station, Mr. Abayomi Agbana, quickly arrived at the scene with a team of policemen. Agbana and residents of Ajegunle made several calls to the fire service and also tried to put out the fire on their own. But all their efforts were in vain as the fire raged on and the fire service did not show up until well over two hours.

EFCC Arraigns Bank Manager over Fraud

A senior manager with Zenith Bank, Lagos, Olajuwon Enilolobo, has been arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over an alleged N12 million fraud. Reports say that Enilolobo, 40, was charged before an Ikeja High Court alongside his company, Teamserve Resources Nigeria Ltd on a seven-count of fraud and issuance of dud cheques. The EFCC Prosecutor alleged that Enilolobo had defrauded West Global Trust Ltd of $80,000 after he approached the Lagos-based firm to transfer the money to the bank account of Long Tech. Global Investment in China on his behalf. The prosecutor alleged that Enilolobo had assured the firm that he would repay the equivalent sum in naira once the money was successfully transferred, but has failed to do so. Enilolobo pleaded not guilty to the charges and was granted bail in the sum of N2 million with two sureties in like sum.

Girl, 14, Escapes Ritual Killing in Ekiti

A 14-year-old girl in Ado-Ekiti, Ranti Openiye, recently, escaped death after she was abducted by suspected ritual killers and spent 4 days in captivity. Openiye said she found two other young girls in the bus in which she was taken away. According to her, six men in a bus parked beside her and controlled her into the bus, covered her face as drove straight to the opposite of the direction she came. She added: “They took us to a cave where I saw bodies of people who had died and those who were still alive. “They removed all the hair on my body.” She said when they wanted to take her into the cave, she struggled with them and cried so much that a man emerged from the cave, ordered that she should be taken out of the place to where she was taken from, and that was how she escaped.

Lagos Police Arrest Man for Stabbing Wife’s Eye

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested one Sylvester Emezi, who fled Port Harcourt, Rivers State, for Lagos, after allegedly piercing his wife’s eyeball with a sharp object during a scuffle. Emezi was arrested at a hotel in the Festac Town, last weekend, and during investigation, it was discovered that he was preparing to flee the country. The suspect, it was gathered, allegedly used the sharp object on his wife, Deanne, a youth corps member, at their residence in Port Harcourt on October 7, 2011, after she complained about his uncaring attitude. After the alleged deed, 34-year-old Emezi reportedly locked his wife and their one-year-old baby inside, leaving her apparently to bleed to death.

Party Youth Leader, Others Drown in Lagos Flood

A 35-year-old man, Nurudeen Opeyemi, and two other persons, including the youth leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) popularly known as Nasiru, were swept away by flood in Agbado, Oke-Odo Local Council Development Area of Lagos State, following the rain that fell on Monday. It was learnt that Opeyemi missed his step while trying to cross a trench and fell into the flood while Nasiru fell from his motorcycle and got drowned. Mrs Idowu Dada, a resident in the area, said pictures had been sent to the state government to show the extent of the damage done by the rain and to solicit for prompt action. However, some youths in the area had vowed to disrupt the forthcoming election in the area if the state government failed to address the recurring flood in the community.

Herbalist Commits Suicide after Police Detention

A 52-year-old herbalist ended his life tragically as he committed suicide on Monday in Abeokuta, Ogun State. The herbalist, Kamoru Gbogbolegbo took his life after the controversy which trailed the delivery of a baby boy in his maternity home and his subsequent arrest by the police. Kamoru had allegedly committed a criminal act by giving a baby boy who he delivered of a woman last week to another woman for a fee.

CNPP Gives Fayemi Ultimatum on Killers of Politicians

The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNNP) in Ekiti State has issued a 21-day ultimatum to Governor Kayode Fayemi to prosecute the killers of former World Bank Consultant, Dr. Ayodeji Daramola, and a Germany-based Ekiti indigene, Mr Tunde Omojola. The CNPP Chairman in the State, Prince Tunji Ogunlola, alleged that the killers are walking free on the streets of Ekiti without the law catching up with them. Daramola, a People’s Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant in the state during the build-up to the 2007 elections, was murdered on August 12, 2006 in his country home, while Omojola was killed in Ifaki- Ekiti during the 2005 councillorship election in the town.

OPC Kill Man in Lagos

There was pandemonium in Oduduwa, Aguda area of Lagos State after the corpse of a 24-year-old man, Yusuf Balogun, was discovered on Monday morning. It was gathered that the deceased was allegedly shot by members of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) attached to a hotel on the same street. A relative of the deceased, who identified himself simply as Akeem, said although the corpse was discovered on Monday morning, Balogun was killed on Sunday night when the hoodlums allegedly entered the bar and started shooting sporadically. Balogun was shot in the mouth and the chest. Akeem maintained that even after sustaining gunshot wounds, Balogun was still alive but later died due to the police negligence. Akeem added that the policemen immediately locked the bar and left Balogun inside there till the following morning (Monday) when he eventually died.

Customs Intercepts N20m Worth of Indian Hemp

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Wednesday intercepted 23 compressed wraps of substances suspected to be Indian helm from Gbaji-Agbara axis of Lagos. The Indian hemp was concealed inside an 18-seater bus, which was intercepted yesterday by some officials of the Federal Operations Unit (FOU). A suspect, Muyideen Mufutau, has been arrested in connection with the incident. Acting Customs Area Comptroller (CAC), Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone ‘A’, Mr. Victor Dimka, who confirmed the seizure, said the street value of the 23 wraps of cannabis was about N20.3 million. About 117 bags of Indian hemp were seized along the Iwoye- Imeko bush part, which has a border town between Nigeria and the Republic of Benin in Ogun State, and the Oyo axis in Oyo State about 3 weeks ago.

GENERAL

2 Killed As Two Banks Robbed In Kaduna

Armed men at the weekend robbed two banks and burnt a police station at Saminaka, in the Lere LGA Kaduna state. They also bombed the doors of the bank to gain entry. The armed men reportedly killed a policeman at the police station and a guard at one of the banks. Kaduna Police Commissioner, Bala Magaji Nasarawa confirmed that a policeman was killed and two others injured as fire razed the building. He also informed that two banks were robbed and a security man guarding one of the banks was killed by the suspected armed robbers.

24th Person Dies after UN House Bombing

One of the victims of last August 26 bombing of the UN House in Abuja has died in South Africa where he had been undergoing treatment of injuries sustained in the blast. A statement by the UN on Tuesday, said the victim, Mr. Sunday Nwachukwu, died on Sunday, October 9, 2011. Nwachukwu was one of the first 12 critically injured UN staff members. The UN Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Daouda Toure, who has consoled the family of the victim, described the late Mr. Nwachukwu as “a hard working colleague and a friendly brother”. The death toll from the bomb blast now stands at 24.

Reporter Killed in Maiduguri

A cameraman for a television network was, reportedly by suspected Islamist militants during the week. Alhaji Zakariya Isa died after being shot in the head and chest at his home in the northern city of Maiduguri, a military spokesman said. The authorities in Nigeria have blamed the attack on the Islamist sect, Boko Haram. The sect has claimed responsibility for series of attacks in the north in recent months. Boko Haram had threatened journalist after it claimed spokesmen who were not part of the sect were being quoted by the media.

Boko Haram Kills Three in Borno

Members of a radical Islamist sect shot dead three people in Borno State, northeast Nigeria on Wednesday, authorities said. Boko Haram has been behind dozens of shootings and bomb attacks in and around Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, which sits on the borders with Niger, Cameroon and Chad. One person was killed by Boko Haram in Mairi ward in the early hours of Wednesday while the others were shot dead later in the day by the sect gunmen," said Hassan Mohammed, an officer in the joint military task force. "We are still combing the Abbaganaram ward where two people were killed to look for weapons which might have been used to kill the victims," he added.

D8 Seeks Joint Ventures on Maritime with Nigeria

The Group of Eight Developing Countries (D8) has asked its members to enter Joint Venture Agreements (JVA) with Nigeria and other members within its fold that are desirous of developing their maritime sectors. At the end of its second Expert Working Group (EWG) meeting in Abuja on Thursday, members were also mandated to establish “maritime joint commissions for collaborative ventures.” The group held that the establishment of Automated Maritime Data Access (AMDA) was expected to facilitate the promotion of collaboration between member countries towards empowering their people.

2 Killed in Bauchi Crisis

Two people were killed, while many others were wounded, following crisis which erupted in Yelwa, a suburb of Bauchi Metropolis Thursday. Reports revealed that the crisis had claimed the life of a woman identified as Charity Augustine, who was allegedly shot by soldiers, and a boy. An eye witness revealed that the boy was killed by men of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) drafted to quell the crisis at Anguwan Ngas in Yelwa area of the state. When contacted, the husband of the woman, who was allegedly killed by soldiers, Mr. Augustine Igbo, said they were in their house when three soldiers approached the house and shot his wife twice on the chest. The spokesman of the 33 Artillery Brigade, Major Etete, he would investigate if any soldier was involved.

4 Killed as Gunmen Attack Policeman in Gombe

A police officer and three civilians were, penultimate Sunday, killed when unknown gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram members attacked 34 Squadron Mobile Police Base on the outskirts of Gombe metropolis. Security has been beefed up in Gombe with multiple checkpoints as every passing vehicle is now being stopped and search the armoury was blasted with explosives. The Gombe State Commissioner of Police, Orubebe Gandi Ebikeme, confirmed the attack and deaths but said they were still working on the details of the attack which took place at about 2am Sunday.

STF Soldier Slain in Jos

A soldier attached to the STF, Sgt. Baba Wuya, was last weekend, killed along Lasisi Street of Ali Kazaure area of Jos North LGA of Plateau state. The sergeant was said to have been lured by some youths in the area into a corner where he was killed in cold blood. This angered the other soldiers, who mobilised and launched a reprisal, resulting in the death of a civilian, the Ward Head of Ali Kazaure, Alhaji Ahmadu Ali Kazaure, while several others were said to have been seriously injured. A resident of the street said the soldiers raided Lasisi Street in great anger and shot at random, killing the man and injuring several others. A statement from the STF spokesman, Cpt. Charles Ekeocha, confirmed that the soldier, an STF member, was killed while on duty.

10 Killed in Benue Violent Protest

At least 10 persons were killed and over 50 houses burnt in a violent protest on Monday in Ugbah, Logo LGA of Benue State. According to eyewitnesses, a young money lender was killed by yet to be identified hoodlums inside his house a day earlier, but while the police were trying to unravel those behind the murder, some youth suspected to be members of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) mobilized and started attacking the homes of prominent PDP members in the area. In the ensuing protest, no fewer than 10 persons were either hacked down or shot dead while over 50 houses were completely razed down.

FG on Joint Border Patrol with Neighbouring Countries

As part of its efforts to stem the infiltration of foreigners into the country, the Federal Government has introduced joint border patrol with neighbouring countries. The Minister of Interior, Mr Aba Moro, who stated this, disclosed that the ministry had played host to police authorities from Niger in its bid to fashion out ways of curbing infiltration of militants into the country. He added that similar efforts were being made with authorities of security agencies in other neighbouring countries, adding that government was determined to curb the illegal movement of foreigners into the country. The minister called on Nigerians to be security conscious, and to always report strange movements or strange people to security agents.

Court Rules: El-Rufai to Face Trial

A Federal Capital Territory High Court presided over by Justice Sadiq Abubakar Umar, Tuesday, turned down an application filed by a former Minister of the FCT, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai and two others to quash the charges of misconduct and abuse of office filed against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). In his ruling, Justice Umar said the consolidated motion on notice filed by the accused persons is unmeritorious and has failed the test of law. He ordered that the three accused persons must face trial to defend the charges against them. The two other accused persons are a former Director-General, Abuja Geographic Information System (AGIS); Altine Jubrin, and a former General-Manager of the AGIS, Ismail Iro.

Doma, Goje Remanded in Custody

A Federal High Court sitting in Lafia, Nasarawa State has ordered former governor of the state, Aliyu Akwe Doma and eight others arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), over money laundering charges to be remanded in the Commission’s custody, pending the determination of their bail applications, by Justice Marcel Awokulehin. Doma was docked on Tuesday on a 17-count criminal charges of laundering stolen state funds totaling over N15 billion. Meanwhile, former governor of Gombe State, Senator Danjuma Goje, and four others who are facing an 18-count charge of money laundering and diversion of public funds preferred against him by the EFCC, was on Tuesday, October 18, 2011, admitted to bail on stringent conditions by a Federal High Court, sitting in Gombe.

NNPC Suspends Further Deductions from Federation Account for Fuel Subsidy

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has suspended further deductions from the Federation Account in the name of subsidies for petroleum products which the state governments described as illegal and objected to. The Minister of State for Finance/Chairman of Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC), Dr. Yerima Lawan Ngama, said the NNPC on Wednesday agreed to stay action on further recovery on backlog of subsidies due it from the Federation Account. The States’ Commissioners of Finance had planned to engage in a showdown with the Minister of State for Finance and Chairman of the FAAC over the sum of N250 billion deducted by the NNPC and the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency, PPPRA, from the September federation accounts for oil subsidies.

IGP Supports Establishment of NYSC Distress Call Centre

The Inspector General of Police, IGP, Hafiz Ringim, has thrown his weight behind the proposal by management of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), to establish a distress call centre at its headquarters in Abuja. Ringim, who gave his support when the Director-General of NYSC, Brigadier-General Nnamdi Okore-Affia, paid a courtesy call on him, assured of the full cooperation of the Police Force towards the realisation of the centre. He described the idea as a step in the right direction, in view of the present security situation in the country and the need to ensure the safety of corps members who in recent times had fallen victims of unwarranted and unprovoked attacks by hoodlums.

Borno Lawmaker Shot Dead at Residence

Suspected Islamic fundamentalists reportedly shot dead a lawmaker representing Konduga constituency in Benue state House of Assembly, Alhaji Modu Bitumbe. The deceased was killed in front of his house. Both the police and the military task force confirmed the killing of the lawmaker. The state Commissioner of Police, Mr Simeon Midenda, said “the pattern of the killing is similar to the Boko Haram attack.” Also, Colonel Victor Ebhaleme, the head of operations of military task force, confirmed the killing. The Joint Task Force (JTF) in Borno has called on persons, who are in possession of illegally acquired arms and ammunition as well as explosives to surrender such before October 31 in their own interest. The killing of the lawmaker came some hours after the chief of vigilante group in Maiduguri, Ali Banga, was killed in his residence by gunmen.

500 Nigerians in UK Prisons -Envoy

About 500 Nigerians are languishing in the United Kingdom, (UK)’s prisons for various offences ranging from immigration issues to criminal activities, Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the UK, Dr. Dalhatu Sarki Tafida, has disclosed. He further said the UK was no longer a safe haven where Nigerians could easily travel to and eke out a livelihood. Tafida regretted that a lot of Nigerians in the UK were surviving via illegal means. He warned Nigerians wishing to visit study or settle in the UK to ensure they had genuine papers and confirmed businesses before travelling.

NLC Vows to Mobilise Against Fuel Subsidy Removal

The planned removal of subsidy on petroleum products is a declaration of war on Nigerians, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) said. NLC said it would mobilise Nigerians against the plan to remove the subsidy. At a retreat held in Abuja last week by the Federal Government, the Organised Private Sector (OPS) endorsed the subsidy removal. The phased subsidy withdrawal will begin in January 2012. The government said N1.2 trillion to be saved from the exercise will be used as “safety net” for the masses. Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, said the subsidy only benefits a few people to the detriment of generality of Nigerians. NLC acting Secretary General, Owei Lekemfa, will mobilise Nigerians against the removal of the subsidy.

INTERNATIONAL

Kenyan Troops Enter Somalia to Pursue Kidnappers

Kenya says it has sent troops into Somalia to pursue militants it suspects of carrying out a spate of kidnappings. Government spokesman Alfred Mutua said troops were targeting Somali al-Shabab militants across the border. Several Westerners have been seized in Kenya by suspected Somali militants and taken into Somalia. Two Spanish aid workers were abducted from Kenya's sprawling Dadaab refugee camp on Thursday. A British woman and a French woman have been kidnapped from remote beach resorts over the past month, dealing a major blow to Kenya's tourism industry.

Malaria-Induced Deaths Reduce by 20% Globally

The huge number of persons killed by malaria annually across the world has dropped by 20 per cent in the last decade, a report by the World Health Organisation (WHO) has said. The report further said that one-third of the 108 countries where malaria was endemic were on course to eradicate the disease within 10 years. Experts said if targets continued to be met; a further three million lives could be saved by 2015. Malaria is one of the deadliest global diseases, particularly in Africa. In 2009, 781,000 people died from malaria. The mosquito-borne disease is most prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa, where 85 per cent of deaths occurred, most of them children under five.

320 Killed in Thailand’s Worst Flooding

Thai authorities on Monday moved to ease fears that the devastating floods that have engulfed much of the country will swamp the capital. The country's Flood Relief Operation Command (FROC) reported that flood defense measures in low-lying Bangkok have held and that the bloated Chao Praya River has not risen any further. There had been fears that further heavy rain over the weekend combined with the spring high tides would overwhelm parts of the city. However, Irrigation department director general, Chalit Damrongsak, warned the situation remained critical as water from low-lying areas north of Bangkok still needed to drain. So far, about 320 people have been killed during months of monsoon rains across Thailand.

Mexican Police Arrest Alleged Drug Gang Leader

Mexican federal police say they have detained the leader of a drug gang locked in a bloody battle for control of the resort city of Acapulco. The Public Safety Department says Christian Arturo Hernandez Tarin was detained Tuesday in the central state of Mexico. The department says that Tarin led a gang known as "the street sweeper." His gang has been fighting against the local Independent Cartel of Acapulco for control of the Pacific coast city since the 2010 arrest of suspected drug capo, Edgar Valdez Villarreal, known as "La Barbie." The department said both groups broke away from Valdez's organization because they didn't like the group's new leader, sparking a wave of violence that has terrorized people in Acapulco.

Kurdish Rebels Kill 26 Turkish Soldiers

At least 26 Turkish soldiers have been killed in clashes with Kurdish rebels at police and army posts in south-east Turkey, the government says. The attacks, in the mainly Kurdish province of Hakkari, are thought to have inflicted the biggest loss on Turkish security forces in years. In response, Turkish troops are reported to have crossed into northern Iraq where the rebels are based. President Abdullah Gul has vowed a "great vengeance". The attacks come a day after a blast in the south-east Bitlis province killed five police officers and three others.

Violent Protest in Greece over Austerity Measures

Protesters and police clashed violently in front of the Greek parliament building Wednesday, as tens of thousands of demonstrators gathered in Athens on the first day of a two-day general strike over austerity measures. At least six protesters and 15 police officers were injured amid the disturbances, police said, and at least 15 people were arrested. Strikers in Greece aim to shut down wide sectors of the country, as lawmakers passed the new austerity law. Parliament must still vote on each article of the legislation Thursday before it can become law. Violence broke out around lunchtime in one corner of the square, beside Parliament House, as a group of protesters dressed mostly in black threw rocks and Molotov cocktails at police. Police estimated that more than 70,000 people were protesting in Athens.

Woman Rescued Bleeding Toddler Left for Dead

Money rewards are coming in for a woman who rescued a bleeding toddler left for dead last week by multiple passersby in southern China. Two hit-and-run drivers rammed into Wang Yue, 2, one after another, as she walked on a narrrow street in Foshan. More than a dozen people walked, cycled or drove past as she lay bleeding in a busy market, sparking a global outcry on the state of morality in a fast-changing society. Wang is in critical condition, her brain showing little activity despite earlier subtle movements in the lower body, said her mother, Qu Feifei. Chen Xianmei, 58, moved the baby to safety. "I just wanted to save the girl” she said. Two government offices in Guangdong province, where the hit-and-run occurred, offered the Good Samaritan a total of 20,000 yuan.

Gadhafi’s Death Sparks Jubilation in Libya

Wild jubilations among Libyans greeted the news that ousted leader, Colonel Muammar Gadhafi, had been killed. Gadhafi was killed in crossfire after being captured in his birthplace of Sirte, NTC officials say. Acting Prime Minister Mahmoud Jibril said he had been shot in the head in an exchange between Gadhafi loyalists and NTC fighters. He confirmed that Col Gaddafi, who had been taken alive, had died before reaching hospital. World leaders have all agreed that this would bring great relief to the people. NATO's governing body would meet to declare an end to its Libyan bombing campaign, which began after Libyans cried for help following Gadhafi’s violent crackdown on protesters that demanded an end to his 42-year regime.

Suicide Car Bomb Kills Four in Mogadishu

A suicide car bomb exploded near the Somali Foreign Ministry, killing no fewer than four people. Police official, Ali Hassan, confirmed that the attack outside the ministry also killed the bomber and three other people while six people were wounded. The blast came as Kenya’s ministers of defense and foreign affairs are in Mogadishu to meet with government leaders after Kenya on Sunday launched military operations in southern Somalia against al-Shabab militants. Earlier this month, al-Shabab militants unleashed a suicide bombing in Mogadishu that killed more than 100 people. Meanwhile, Kenyan troops using aerial cover advanced on Thursday on a strategic rebel-held Somali town. Kenyan troops have pushed at least 120 kilometres into Somalia to reach Afmadow region since it declared war on the al-Shabab militia and confirmed it had sent its army across the border on Sunday.

French Hostage Abducted from Kenya to Somalia Dies

A French woman kidnapped from Kenya by suspected Somali militants this October has died, say French officials. Diplomats said they were told of Marie Dedieu's death by contacts negotiating her release. The exact date and circumstances of her death are not known, but her poor health and the fact medication had been withheld had led to fears this "tragic outcome was highly likely", they said. Mrs Dedieu, 66, was one of four Westerners taken from Kenya in October. In September, Briton David Tebbutt was killed and his wife Judith abducted on the Kenyan coast. Two female Spanish aid workers were also seized from the Dadaab refugee camp near the Kenya-Somalia border. The finger of blame for the spate of kidnappings has been pointed at the al-Shabab Islamist militant group in Somalia. Kenya has responded to the spate of kidnappings by sending troops into Somalia to fight the militants.

UN Urges Ban on Protracted Solitary Confinement

The UN's lead investigator on torture has called for governments to end the use of long spells of solitary confinement in prison. Juan Mendez said such isolation could cause serious mental and physical damage and amount to torture. He said it should not be used on people with mental disabilities or juveniles. Mr Mendez said short term isolation was permissible for prisoner protection but all solitary confinement longer than 15 days should be banned. He told a UN General Assembly human rights committee that solitary confinement as practiced in a majority of countries was "subject to widespread abuse". Mr Mendez also criticised Chinese authorities for keeping a woman in isolation for two years out of an eight-year sentence for supplying state secrets to foreigners.

Haqqani Network Infiltrates Afghanistan from Pakistan

NATO and U.S. forces are seeing a marked increase in infiltration into Afghanistan from Pakistan by the militant Haqqani network, a senior NATO official said on Tuesday. There has been a significant increase in the Haqqani network's activity in Khost, Paktia, Logar and Wardak provinces which are used in that order as an infiltration route from Pakistan. Haqqani fighters are blamed for killing more than 1,000 coalition and Afghan forces. The official said Haqqani militants were behind a series of "spectacular attacks", including a 20-hour attack on the American Embassy, last month, and an assault on Kabul's InterContinental Hotel, in June, which left at least a dozen people dead. NATO officials said there had also been a marked increase in the number of cross border attacks from Pakistan.

US Troops to Help Nab African LRA Leader

US President, Barack Obama, is sending about 100 US troops to Africa to help hunt down the leaders of the notoriously violent Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) in and around Uganda, according to reports. It was reported that Obama authorized a small number of combat-equipped U.S. forces to be deployed to central Africa to provide assistance to regional forces that are working toward the removal of Joseph Kony, head of the LRA, from the battlefield. Obama noted that the group "has murdered, raped, and kidnapped tens of thousands of men, women and children in central Africa" and "continues to commit atrocities across the Central African Republic, the DR Congo and South Sudan. The United Nations estimates that over 380,000 people are displaced across the region because of LRA activity.

Ugandan Police Arrest Opposition Members

Ugandan police said on Monday that they have arrested 12 opposition activists for planning violent anti-government demonstrations. But opposition leaders denounced the moved, describing it as harassment. Opposition-led demonstrations hit the East African country in April and May stoked by soaring food and fuel prices and a government crackdown to quell the protests left at least nine people dead. Opposition activists have since tried to rally large demonstrations without much success, especially as protest leader Kizza Besigye has largely stayed away from the gatherings. Police spokesman, Ibn Senkumbi, said those detained were members of Activists for Change, an opposition pressure group that led the 'walk to work' protests this year.

Tibetan Nun Sets Self Ablaze in Religious Protest

A nun has died after setting herself on fire in southwestern China, the first Tibetan woman known to have killed herself in this way, the London-based Free Tibet campaign group said Tuesday. According to the group, Tenzin Wangmo, 20, called for religious freedom in Tibet and for the return of the Dalai Lama as she set fire to herself on Monday. Free Tibet, which advocates Tibetan independence, also reported that two Tibetans were shot and wounded on Sunday by security forces during a protest outside a police station in the prefecture of Ganzi. China has rejected accusations of oppression of Tibetans, saying its rule has greatly improved living standards for the Tibetan people. The Dalai Lama's representative signed an agreement with Beijing in 1951 to affirm China's sovereignty over Tibet but also grant autonomy to the area.

300 Arrested in Indonesia over Declaration of Independence

Indonesian security forces arrested about 300 protesters who gathered on Wednesday in the eastern province of West Papua to declare independence, Human Rights Watch said. Soldiers swarmed in soon after members of the Papuan Peoples' Congress read their declaration in the provincial capital, Jayapura, the group said. The soldiers fired shots in the air and used batons and canes to disperse the crowd. About 300 protesters were then taken into custody. West Papua and the nearby Papua province have long had a low-level insurgency that demands independence from Indonesia, saying the government is trying to take its land to steal resources.