Villeworth Security Services Ltd

week 22

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PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

JTF Arrests Ship with Stolen AGO

The Joint Task Force (JTF) on the Niger Delta has arrested an ocean going vessel laden with over 600,000 metric tonnes of stolen diesel oil along the waterways of Akassa, an island on the Atlantic Ocean, near Brass, Bayelsa state. Also arrested aboard the vessel, marked MV Tamuno Ibi, were 18 men. The JTF operation was led by Captain Rasheed Kolawole. Documents bearing the logo of PWS Integrated Services Ltd. were found on the captain of the impounded vessel, identified as David Aguwo. The documents showed that he was supposed to load 100,000 litres of petroleum product from ROH II at the Brass terminal, but he allegedly navigated into the creeks of Akassa, where the vessel was filled with 600,000 litres of AGO. According to the JTF, the modus operandi of the oil thieves included the use of naval permit with their loading document.

Kidnappers Kill Abducted Cleric

A cleric in Imo state, Anslem Iwuala, who was abducted recently on his way from Aba to Owerri, has been killed after 7 days in captivity, even after a ransom was paid. A family member, Odinakachukwu Iwuala, lamented that his brother could be abducted and killed after seven days in such manner, after the family had paid the ransom of N500,000 out of N100 million demanded by the abductors. Odinakachukwu urged the law enforcement officers to fish out the killers of his brother and make them to face the law.

Vigilante Group, Fans Clash in Ebonyi

Four persons were injured, last weekend, at the Amike-Aba area of Abakaliki following a clash between a vigilance group and jubilant Chelsea FC fans after the club’s European Champions League victory. The clash occurred when the vigilance group members were attracted by the unrestrained manner in which the fans celebrated. The vigilance group urged the fans to be moderate in their celebration, an advice that did not go down well with the fans. The situation led to a fracas after a fan that had lost control of his motorcycle almost ran into the vigilance group members. Following the fracas, the vigilance group officials caught some of the fans while the others escaped.

Man, 27, Kills Ex-Girlfriend

A 27-year-old man, in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa-Ibom State, has been arrested for killing his ex-girlfriend and burying her in a shallow grave: an old neighbourhood toilet. The suspect simply identified as Etido, was said to have beaten and strangled her, penultimate Tuesday at her residence. Etido reported himself when he called the deceased younger brother and inform him that he had killed his sister. Etido’s eldest brother, who went to confirm the information, found where the lady was buried and the police was called in. The State Police spokesman, Etim Dickson, confirmed the report.

Gas Explosion: Bayelsa Communities Demand N3bn Each from Chevron

Some communities in Southern Ijaw LGA of Bayelsa State, have demanded N3 billion for each of the riverine settlement impacted by the January gas explosion from facility of Chevron Nigeria Limited. The gas explosion had culminated in spill, pollution of rivers and environmental degradation of the affected communities. Each of the communities is demanding N3billion compensation for damage to the ecosystem and farmlands in the area. President Goodluck Jonathan visited the scene of the explosion and ordered immediate compensation to affected communities without delay

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

JTF Destroys More Illegal Refineries

The Joint Military Task Force (JTF), last weekend, stormed a secret camp at Owhawha Village in Ughelli South LGA of Delta State where petroleum products were being illegally refined and sold. Thousands of drums containing diesel, which were stored in ramshackle store houses were said to have been set ablaze by the JTF. The operators hastily left the camp, abandoning thousands of plastic drums of petrol and diesel and two motorcycles, which were impounded. The Commanding Officer 222 battalion, Lt.-Col. A. H. Rasheed, said the JTF got useful tips from some members of the community and swung into action.

Two Suspected Robbers Killed in Delta

Two members of a robbery/kidnap gang have been killed in a gun battle with soldiers of the Joint Task Force (JTF) in Oza-Nogogo, Ika-South LGA of Delta state. Two other members of the gang, which included a woman, Clara Elume and one, Omenonye Igbenigun, suspected to be her boyfriend, were later picked up at their hide-out. According to the Commander of the Military Base at Owa-Ekei, Captain Ubachukwu Agbo, who led the operation, the dead robbers were said to be the kingpins of the syndicate that also involves in kidnapping.

Man Jailed 17 Years for Kidnapping

A 30-year-old man, Emeka Chukwuji, has been sentenced to 17 years imprisonment by an Asaba High Court in Delta State for kidnapping one Sunday Akpan. Akpan was kidnapped over his refusal to allow Chukwuji and his collaborators to re-sell a parcel of land belonging to his boss. Prosecution told the court that following the refusal of Akpan to cooperate with the convict’s master now at large to resell a parcel of land, which he earlier sold to Akpan’s boss; Chukwuji inflicted machete cuts on him and kidnapped him thereafter. Justice C.O. Ogisi convicted the accused on the 4 counts and sentenced to 10 years imprisonment in counts 1, 2 and 3 and 7 years imprisonment in court 4. The sentences are however to run concurrently and start to count from 24th June 2008 when the accused was remanded in custody.

4 Arraigned Over Illegal Procurement of Voter Cards

Four persons have been arraigned at the magistrates’ courts in Afuze and Ubiaja in Edo State, over electoral offences.  They were alleged to have conspired in the procurement and dealing in voter cards of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).  The first three accused had four-count charge listed against them, while the fourth accused and others still at large had three-count charge listed against them.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

Police Arrest 8 Traffic Officials over Death of Security Officer

For allegedly beating a security officer, Mr Samuel Adole, to death in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Wednesday, eight officers of the state Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE) have been arrested by the state police command. The 36-year-old father of two was alleged to have been stabbed to death, for daring to ride on a 2.4 kilometre road yet to be commissioned by the state government. The TRACE officials said to be 15 in number, according to an eyewitness, claimed that the late Adoke contravened the road diversion order banning persons not to ply the road for now. The state’s police spokesman, Muyiwa Adejobi, confirmed the development.

Nine Person in Court over Abduction, Killing

Three years after the former Managing Director of Ore-Irele Oil Palm Plc, Richard Awofisayo, was kidnapped and killed by his abductors, nine persons were on Tuesday charged with the offence. The accused persons, eight men and one woman, pleaded not guilty to the charges. Attached to the statement of offence were the proofs of evidence, which included the confessional statements of some of the accused persons that admitted to the crime of kidnapping and murder. One of the suspects, Oluwatobi Omobamijo, admitted that four of them killed Awofisayo and burnt his corpse to cover any evidence.

LASTMA Officials Remanded in Prison for Extortion

Three officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and two others have been remanded in prison custody by a Magistrate Court for allegedly collecting bribe from motorists. The accused pleaded guilty to the offence and were granted bail, but could not meet the bail conditions. The LASTMA officials were arrested by the LASTMA Monitoring Team at Tollgate for allegedly extorting motorists, after a motorist alerted them to the incident. Taskforce Chairman, Bayo Sulaiman, said the law must take its course and that the culprits must be punished according to the laws of the state.

Lawyer Remanded in Prison over N36m Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Tuesday, arraigned a legal practitioner, Odi Okereke, before a Lagos High Court for allegedly stealing N36million belonging to another lawyer, Emeka Nwajiuba. Okereke was arraigned on a three-count charge of stealing, fraud and fraudulent conversion of the money said to have been entrusted in his care and that of his company, Natuzzi Nigeria Limited. According to the EFCC, Okereke and his company allegedly issued a dud cheque of N4million to Nwajiuba knowing he had insufficient funds in his account. The accused pleaded not guilty while counsel for the EFCC asked that the defendant be remanded in prison custody until trial.

Man, 27, Commits Suicide in Osun

A 27-year-old man, Muili Awolumate, has allegedly hanged himself in Ifon area of Osun state. Awolumate’s corpse was found hanging on a tree with a belt believed to be his. A knife and a wire were also seen on the scene of the tragedy. His death marked the third reported case of suicide in the state this year. The Head, Disaster Management, Nigeria Security Civil Defence Corps, Olaniyi Babalola, said the remains of Awolumate had been buried in line with Islamic rites. The deceased, who reportedly graduated three years ago, was unemployed at the time of his death.

Pregnant Woman Killed as Chelsea Fans Celebrate in Lagos

A pregnant woman was killed while two others sustained injuries, penultimate Saturday, as fans of Chelsea FC celebrated the clubs’ European Champions league victory over German side, Bayern Munich. The woman was killed by gunmen who took advantage of the jubilation to rob residents. A witness said that some gunmen went into her shop, robbed and shot her before fleeing. In a similar incident, a man was reportedly stabbed in the eye after being unable to pay up his bet on the game. Another man, whom residents identified simply as Obi, was also stabbed in the eye for mocking football fans in Orile area of the state. Police spokesman, Joseph Jaiyeoba, said he was not aware of any death or pandemonium associated with the match.

IGP Warns Against Attack on Police Formations

The acting Inspector-General of Police, Alhaji Muhammed Abubakar, on Monday, sounded a note of warning to attackers of police formations and other public places. He also threatened to charge any police officer who committed extra-judicial killing with murder, insisting that the force would no longer condone such killings. Abubakar, during his tour of Lagos State, said the police would no longer fold their hands and allow crime and criminality to prevail. He reiterated the commitment of his administration to fighting crime in the country.

Lagos Rape Cases Hit 283

Lagos State Government Tuesday put cases of rape committed in the state at 283 in 2011. Special Adviser on Youth Social Development, Dr. Dolapo Badru, revealed this, calling for collateral action against rape. Badru expressed profound concern of the state government to bring the trend to the barest minimum. He also lamented the high rate of abandoned babies, child abuse, sexual abuse and lack of care for people living with disabilities. He said a total of 497 abandoned babies were rescued and taken to various government homes and private orphanages.

OPC Arrests Butcher for Killing Bike Rider

The Lagos State Police Command has apprehended a butcher, Bidemi Akande, for the alleged murder of a commercial motorcyclist, Francis Jibel, in the Ajah area of the state. Akande allegedly stole the motorcycle after killing Jibel with a knife. It was learnt that the butcher was accosted by members of the Odua People’s Congress (OPC) a few metres away from the scene of the crime after seeing him with the blood-stained bike. The OPC members were said to have led him back to the crime scene and on seeing the corpse handed him over to the police. Akande however admitted stealing the bike but denied killing the victim.

One Killed in Poly Cults Clash

One person was reportedly killed and another critically wounded in a clash involving two cult groups at Osun State Polytechnic, Iree. It was learnt that members of one of the groups allegedly launched an attack on the other in a supremacy battle. Five persons had been arrested in connection with the matter. Osun State Police Commissioner, Mrs. Kalafite Adeyemi, confirmed the incident. The institution said it has handed over two students allegedly involved in the fracas to the police.

Man Gets Jail Term for Fraud

A Lagos High Court in Ikeja, on Monday sentenced a 39-year-old man, Ifeanyi Eze, to two years imprisonment for defrauding a Turkish national, Mr. Yildirim Babadogun, of $35,000. Justice Habeeb Abiru, who endorsed the plea bargain agreement that Eze had with the prosecution – the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission – ordered the convict to return the total sum of $35,000 to the owner as restitution. Eze was sentenced to two years imprisonment for each of the nine counts preferred against him. But the judge held that the jail term should run concurrently from May 21, 2012 and excluding the two years he had spent in prison when he could not perfect his bail terms. The said amount was Eze’s share from the total sum of $181,000 fraudulently obtained from the Turkish citizen under the guise of supplying him used rail scraps.

GENERAL

Nigeria Opposes Terror Group Designation for Boko Haram

Nigeria has kicked against moves by the US to designate Boko Haram a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO). The Federal Government raised its objection to the plan because it might subject Nigerian travellers to the kind of intensive search and scrutiny around the world, especially in western capitals and cities after the Farouk Abdulmutallab incident in December 2009. Nigeria’s US Ambassador, Professor Ade Adefuye, in his defence of government’s action, said he feared the likelihood of Nigerians being opened to all kinds of harassments at international airports once such a designation comes from the US. The envoy said the government would on its own contain the Boko Haram menace.

Chief Killed in Jos, As Robbers Kill Kaduna Monarch’s Aide

A village head was shot dead by unknown gunmen in Sop Village, Riyom LGA of Plateau State on Monday night. The gunmen, suspected to be Fulani herdsmen, were said to have stormed the village and started shooting sporadically. The ward head, Emmanuel Babale, was said to have been hit by bullets during the attack. Lawmaker representing Riyom constituency in the state House of Assembly, Hon. Daniel Dem, who confirmed the incident, decried what he described as a siege on the local government by Fulani herdsmen. Similarly, suspected armed robbers attacked the paramount ruler of Kwoi in Jaba LGA of Kaduna State, the Kpop Ham, Dr. Danladi Gyet Maude, and killed one of the monarch’s guards, leaving four others were seriously injured.

4 Killed in Maiduguri Explosion

An Improvised Explosive Device (IED), planted by suspected terrorists in Maiduguri exploded, killing four people, while several others sustained injuries on Tuesday. Immediately the IED exploded, men of the Joint Task Force (JTF), cordoned off the area, a situation that led to a clash between terrorists and the JTF. The JTF spokesman, Lieutenant-Colonel Sagir Musa, said he was aware that a bomb blast occurred in Lawan Bukar/Mafoni ward of the metropolis, but could not give further details on the number of casualties.

Police Arrest 2 Terror Suspects in Abuja

The police in Abuja Monday arrested two terror suspects at different locations in the city. It was gathered that one of the suspected terrorist, Abdullahi Salihu, was detected by the security gadgets. But Deputy Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, said nothing incriminating was found on Salihu. In another incident at the Radio House, one John Akpanum Alakpo, 39, from Nasarawa State was arrested with three hand grenades and AK 47 with 37 rounds of live ammunition, when he was trying to find his way into the hall where ministerial press briefings were taking place. But the Deputy Director of Information, State Security Services (SSS), Marylyn Ogar, said that only three teargas canisters were recovered from the suspect.

Nigeria, S’Africa Relax Immigration Regulation

Nigeria and South Africa, Wednesday, at the 8th session of the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission, agreed to cooperate and remove all impediments against free access to business in both countries. The agreement was ratified at a meeting between Vice-President Namadi Sambo and his South African counterpart, Kgalema Motlanthe, and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed. Both leaders also agreed to explore more trade opportunities between the two countries, while Nigerians should be given free access and business opportunities in South Africa with due respect to their human rights the way Nigeria had done to South Africans.

Navy to Inaugurate Locally Manufactured Warships

The Nigerian Navy has taken a bold step towards in its effort to transform into a modern and effective naval force in Africa through local construction of vessels and first warship to be built in West Africa. This was revealed on Wednesday by the Chief of Policy and Plans, Naval Headquarters, Abuja, Rear Admiral James Oladimeji, at a briefing on the occasion of the 56th anniversary of the Navy. Oladimeji said the Navy Week will be used as an occasion to inaugurate the new camouflage uniform and as well inaugurate the defence boat constructed by the Navy on June 1. This is the first warship constructed locally, which is a clear demonstration of tenacity and ingenious innovation as well as sincere and focused leadership.

Crude Oil Theft Hits 180,000 bpd -NNPC

Nigeria loses about 180,000 barrels of crude oil per day (bpd) to theft and pipeline vandalism, according to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). The Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Austen Oniwon, who stated this while addressing members of the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum (Upstream), said there had been an increase of about 30,000 bpd over a four-month period. Meanwhile, the Chairman of the National Taskforce on Petroleum Revenue, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, said that insecurity in Nigeria’s oil and gas installations was contributing to about 30% of total loss of revenue in the sector.

Sultan Urges Boko Haram to Stop Bloodshed

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has told perpetrators of terrorism and related acts in the northern region to stop. The sultan, who is also President-General of the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), chided the nation’s political leaders for their alleged insensitivity to the plight of the masses, adding that the level of insecurity in the northern states was slowly but surely tearing apart every fabric of the religious, social and economic life of the people. He said that all hands should be on deck in the search for peace and security in the society.

Gunmen Kill 3 People in Kano, Two in Yobe

Unidentified gunmen, at the weekend, shot dead three people in Kano state.State police spokesman, Rilwanu Dutse, confirmed the attack occurred and said a fourth was injured. A witness said the assailants fired at a group of people resting under a tree and then rode off on motorcycles. Meanwhile, in Yobe state, another group of gunmen forced their way into the homes of cleric Usman Muhammad; and a former prison guard next door, and shot them dead. Another Muslim cleric was wounded by unknown gunmen in the state capital Damaturu, residents said. Clerics have been targeted in the past due to their criticism of the sect.

CAN: Silent Killings Continue in Maiduguri

National President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, has raised the alarm over silent killings of Christians in the North. Oritsejafor said it was imperative for Christians to be security conscious at all times. Consequently, he directed that June 16 of every year should be observed as a special day in the Christian calendar for prayer and fasting for the country.

JTF Kills Boko Haram Member in Raid of Hideout

The Joint Task Force (JTF) in Borno State raided a suspected hideout of members of the Boko Haram sect in Maiduguri on Wednesday, killing a suspected sect member during exchange of gunfire. According to the spokesman of the JTF, Lt. Col. Sagir Musa, the siege on the hideout led to the killing of the suspect sect members during the gun duel, while two AK47 riffles, 1623 round of 7.62mm NATO, 32 round of 7.62mm special ammunition were recovered.

Police Inspector, Boy Killed in Sokoto

A gang of four suspected armed robbers also killed a Police Inspector, Mr. Adamu Saidu, and a 20-year-old boy, Sanusi Labaran, at Marna area of Sokoto metropolis. An eyewitness disclosed that the bandits stormed a police station in an attempt to rescue one of their members. He revealed that the slain police officer attempted to prevent them from entering the station and in the ensuing struggle was shot by the robbers and died on the spot. The state Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Aliyu Musa, who confirmed the incident, said the two persons were killed by armed robbers, who attempted to rescue a member of their gang who was detained at the Police station.

Monarchs Want End to Grazing in Troubled Areas

Following incessant attacks on residents of Gwer-West and Guma councils of Benue State by herdsmen, traditional rulers and elders in the area have called on the state government to stop grazing activities in the crisis-ridden zone. This call was contained in a statement signed by 30 community leaders in Gwer-West Local Council where the herdsmen attacked recently, killing 10 people. The elders’ spokesman, Dr. Felix Gbillah, lamented the serial attacks by herdsmen, urging the state government to implement the report of the committee. He also called on both the Benue and Nassarawa state governments to implement the recommendations contained in the report of the Joint Committee on Communal Clashes between herdsmen and Tiv farmers at border communities of the two states, which were constituted in June 2011.

Nigeria Lifts Arms, Others to Darfur

Nigeria has begun the airlift of arms, beddings, operational vehicles and other logistic items to its over 3,300 military peace keepers currently serving under the United Nations – African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID). Nigeria is also planning similar cargo flights for its troops deployed at the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL). The UNAMID airlift followed the approval of landing rights granted by the Sudanese Government to fly the much-needed Contingent-Owned Equipment (COE) for the effective performance of the Nigerian Peace Keepers. Minister of Defence, Dr. Bello Haliru Mohammed, who disclosed this, restated government’s commitment to the peace process in Darfur.

Three Die in Benue School Cults Clash

Three people were killed at the Benue State University, (BSU) Makurdi, when suspected rival cult groups clashed in reprisal attacks over the killing an undergraduate. It was gathered that before the killing of the undergraduate, a rival cult group had earlier on killed another young man. The murder of the young man, it was learnt, prompted a reprisal attack, where a rival cult group killed the student. The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Philip Agena, confirmed the incident, and said that men of the State Police command had been deployed to the area.

Communal Clash Displaces 6000 in Adamawa

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), on Monday, said that about 6,000 persons are internally displaced in the communal clash in which 25 persons were killed in Lamurde LGA of Adamawa State. The North-eastern Zonal Coordinator of the agency, Alhaji Muhammad Kanar, also revealed that property lost to the clash between herdsmen and farmers could run into millions of naira. The NEMA boss urged leaders in the area to be cautious while making statements to avoid creating tension in the area.

Fulani, Tiv Clash Claims 8

A renewed attack by Fulani herdsmen on Tiv community in Gwer West LGA of Benue State claimed eight lives while several were injured. A resident said the herdsmen stormed Tyoughatee and Gbaange-Tongov district, Saturday night killing, maiming and burning; down farmlands, houses and huts. The traditional ruler of Nagi, Chief Daniel Abomtse, decried the continuous attacks on his domain as well as the frequent nonchalant attitude of the government towards the security of the people. Abomtse said he had informed the state government as well as security agencies in a letter dated May 15 of the threat; and frowned on the nonchalant attitude shown by the government and security operatives to stop the attack. The Police Public Relations Officer, Ejike Alaribe, said the police could only confirm five deaths arising from the conflict.

Police Arrest Suspect in BUK Attack

The Kano State Police Command, on Monday, arrested one Augustine Effiong, 25, an indigene of Akwa Ibom State, popularly known as Abubakar Garba, as one of the suspects behind the attack on the Bayero University, Kano (BUK). The State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Idris, said that Effiong had confessed to being one of those behind the attack last month and several other attacks in the state. The suspect was born and brought up in Maiduguri before he later converted to Islam and has been transferred to Abuja for further investigations, according to the police. Effiong was arrested following an attempt to murder a civilian in a Village in Warawa LGA.

JTF Raid Boko Haram Hideout in Jos

The Joint Task Force (JTF) from Borno State, in collaboration with the Special Task Force (STF) in the Plateau, last weekend, raided a haven of a suspected member of the Boko Haram in the Rikkos area of Jos, Plateau State, arresting six women and 11 children, and destroyed the twin bungalows in the compound. It was gathered that the JTF and the STF had placed the entire Rikkos area of Jos on surveillance since Thursday, before the house was eventually located. Spokesman of the STF, Mdahyelya Markus, said that items recovered include laptop, external hard disc, 8 cell phones, 23 sim cards, and 19 improvised explosive detonators. He added that during the search one IED was detonated but no one was injured.

NAF to Partner South Africa

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) will partner South Africa and some other African countries in training, equipment and exercises in order to build a formidable air force in Africa. The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Mohammed Dikko Umar, stated this during the 2nd Nigeria Air Exposition. Umar expressed satisfaction with the participation of foreign companies and especially African countries in the Air Expo and disclosed that bilateral relations have been signed with host of them on joint military training and exercises. The Director, Air Policy and Plans, South African Air Force, Maj-Gen. Zimpande Msimang commended what he described as high level of professionalism and enthusiasm displayed by NAF during the 2012 Air Expo.

Rainstorm Destroys Homes, Property in Makurdi

Rainstorm over the weekend in Makurdi, Benue State, destroyed property worth millions of naira, but no life was lost. Areas mostly affected in the city included the College of Advanced and Professional Studies, (CAPS) as well as the Boys’ hostel at the Benue State University which had its roof blown off. The city has been thrown into darkness while the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) tries to fix the problem as electricity polls were also destroyed. Special Adviser to Governor Gabriel Suswam on Public Utility, Chief Okpe Ogbu, assured that his office had commenced the inventory of damaged buildings and property to assist the victims.

Robbers Kill Student

A 400 level student of the Federal University of Technology Minna (FUT, Minna), Emmanuel Uduak, was shot dead by a group of armed robbers, penultimate Saturday when he attempted to save a female student from being robbed at an off campus hostel. The armed robbers tried to force the lady’s door open but she screamed for help. Emmanuel came out to rescue her, but immediately the hoodlums noticed a movement from his end, they shot and fled. The student Uduak tried to save is now in police custody over investigation into the matter. Police Public Relations Officer Richard Oguche, confirmed the incident, saying that the police had since swung into action and promised to unravel those behind the shooting.

Lovers Found Dead in Car

Two lovers, Najib Yunusa (m) and Nadiya Gwammaja (f), who had gone missing were found dead on Monday in their own car at the premises of Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH) in Kano. Both were in their early 30’s. Nadiya, who separated from her second husband after the collapse of her first marriage, had earlier left information at home that she will take time off to visit the family of her immediate past husband. Spokesman of the hospital, Alhaji Aminu Inuwa, confirmed the incident and said that the hospital was awaiting police report to conduct the autopsy in order to confirm the cause of their death. The Police Deputy Public Relations Officer, Magaji Musa Majiya, said that investigation is going on to ascertain the cause of death.

Police Arraign Prison Guards over Escape of Suspects

The Niger State police command has dragged three armed squad of the Nigeria Prisons Service (NPS), to court over allegations of criminal conspiracy, aiding and abetting the escape of five suspected robbery suspects in their custody. The prison staffers were said to have illegally produced five robbery suspects, who were awaiting trial at the court, even without the instruction of the court and deliberately abandoned them. The five fleeing robbery suspects were identified as Peter Okpara; Yusuf Adamu (a.k.a Dan); Lamir Usman (a.k.a Dan Zamfara); Abdulmalik Mohammed (a.k.a Uba) and one Musa Yusuf. Police spokesman, Richard Oguche, alleged that when the suspects discovered that the prison warder had left the court premises; they beat up the police prosecutor and escaped. He assured that efforts were on to re-arrest them.

INTERNATIONAL

100 Soldiers Killed in Yemeni Suicide Bombing

The UN Security Council has condemned the suicide bombing in the Yemeni capital Sanaa that killed about 100 soldiers. Al-Qaeda's branch in Yemen claimed responsibility for the attack. Yemeni President Abd Rabbo Hadi Mansour promised tougher and more determined action against militants. UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon called on all parties in Yemen to reject violence and "play a full and constructive role in implementing Yemen's political transition agreement". The blast on Monday tore through ranks of soldiers rehearsing for a military parade to celebrate Yemen's National Unity Day on Tuesday. Defence officials say 222 people were injured. Witnesses said the bomber had been dressed in military uniform with a belt of explosives underneath. Most of the casualties were from the Central Security Organisation - a paramilitary force commanded by Yahya Saleh, a nephew of former President Ali Abdullah Saleh.

Lockerbie Bomber Dies at 60

The Libyan, Abdel Basset al-Megrahi, convicted of bringing down a PanAm airliner over Lockerbie in 1988, is dead. Al-Megrahi died of cancer, penultimate Sunday, at the age of 60 at his home in Tripoli. Al-Megrahi, who said he was not responsible for bringing the jumbo jet down on the Scottish town and killing 270 people, was found guilty in 2001 but released in 2009 and returned to Libya because of his terminal cancer as he was not expected to live long. Al-Megrahi, the only person convicted for the bombing, was found guilty under Scots law of secretly loading a suitcase bomb onto a plane at Malta's Luqa Airport, where he was head of operations for Libyan Arab Airlines in December 1988. Al-Megrahi, always insisted that he was merely an airline executive, not a Libyan intelligence agent as prosecutors charged.

No Bail for Italian Sailors in India

An Indian court, last weekend, denied bail to two Italian sailors charged with the murder of two Indian fishermen they mistook for sea pirates. India says the case of marines Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone is a matter for the courts and cannot be influenced by political or diplomatic pressure, but Italy wants the men tried at home. The two sailors, protecting a merchant ship passing the southern Indian coast, fired warning shots at the fishing boat on February 15, believing it to be a pirate vessel. Investigators say the fishing boat was unarmed and the shots killed the two fishermen. Italy says the incident occurred in international waters and that jurisdiction over the marines should lie with Rome. In April, it paid $190,000 to each of the victims’ families as compensation. In return, the families dropped their cases against the marines, but the state's case continues.

Earthquake Kills Six in Italy

A powerful earthquake shook parts of Italy, last weekend, killing at least six people, felling homes and factories. Emergency services said dozens had been injured in the magnitude 6.0 quake. Authorities said the quake's epicentre was the commune of Finale Emilia, 36 kilometres (22 miles) north of Bologna, at a depth of only 5.1 kilometres (3.2 miles). The quake was felt more than 100 kilometres away in Venice, where a Colombian family on holiday in the city said they had woken in panic when the quake shook their apartment. In Finale Emilia, fire-fighters rescued a five-year-old girl who was trapped in the rubble of her house after a rapid series of phone calls between a local woman, a family friend who was in New York and emergency services.

Bomb Kills 9 in Syria, as Govt Alleges Foreign Plot

A car bomb blew up at a Syrian military post in the eastern city of Deir al-Zor penultimate Saturday, killing nine people. The official news agency said the blast had been the work of a suicide bomber. Opposition activists said the target was an intelligence base. The Sunni-led Gulf powers have called for military assistance for the Free Syrian Army, a loosely organised force of defecting soldiers and protesters formed in response to President Assad's bloody crackdown on what began 14 months ago as a peaceful uprising. The U.N./Arab League peace plan drawn up by Kofi Annan aims to mark a political path out of the violence in Syria.

Girl Killed, Two Arrested after School Bomb Attack

Italian police have arrested two suspects over the bombing of a school that killed a 16-year-old girl and seriously injured five other. The men were reportedly identified from security cameras at the vocational school in the southern city of Brindisi, where the bomb ripped through a group of students last Saturday. One of the suspects is an ex-soldier with knowledge of electronics, according to reports. Public prosecutor, Marco Di Napoli, said there was clearly "a wish to carry out a massacre".

Two NATO Soldiers, Two Children Killed in Afghan Attack

Two NATO soldiers were killed in an attack in Afghanistan, last weekend. Two children also died and several civilians were wounded as a suicide bomber targeted a NATO convoy in Tirin Kot, capital of southern Uruzgan province, Afghan police said. At least 162 troops with NATO's International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) have died in Afghanistan this year, while over 3,000 have been killed since the US led an invasion to topple the Taliban regime in late 2001.

Protesters Beat Up Mali’s Interim Leader

Interim President in Mali, Diancounda Traore, was injured, on Monday, after protesters angry at his appointment under a new transition deal burst into his office and beat him. Hundreds of protesters entered Mali’s presidential palace unopposed and said they would remain there until Traore resigned. The protesters called for him to be replaced by Captain Amadou Sanogo, the officer who led the March 22 military coup, a witness said. The protest came after a deal wrapped up by Economic Community of West African States’ (ECOWAS) was signed with the junta to solve the political impasse. The leader of Mali's March 22 coup condemned the beating up of the interim president by demonstrators and called for a peaceful transition.

Kidnap of Lebanese Heightens Tensions in Syria

The Syrian conflict took a broader turn in the region on Tuesday after Syrian rebels reportedly kidnapped 13 Lebanese Shiite Muslims as they were headed home by bus from a pilgrimage in Iran. The kidnappings prompted families of those abducted along with thousands of supporters to gather in the Lebanese capital's mainly Shiite southern suburbs to demand their release. Tuesday's kidnapping came as protesters in Lebanon blocked roads in the northern Akkar region for a third day, a security official said, amid mounting tension. The road closures were linked to the weekend killings of two clerics at an army checkpoint in Akkar, a mainly Sunni region whose inhabitants are hostile to the regime of Syria President Bashar al-Assad. The killings ignited street battles in the capital Beirut on Monday that left two people dead and 18 wounded.

G'Bissau: Army Pledges to Return to Barracks

Guinea-Bissau's armed forces, Wednesday, vowed to return to their barracks after transitional authorities formed a new government under Interim President Manuel Serifo Nhamadjo. An army colonel who did not participate in the coup, Musa Diata, was named as junior minister for veteran affairs in the new cabinet. According to junta spokesman, Lieutenant Colonel Daba Na Walna, the military command and the army will return to their barracks as the transition government has been formed. The country's junta, parliament and a group of political parties, last weekend, signed a roadmap aimed at ending the crisis created by the coup.

US Cuts Pakistan Aid over CIA's Doctor’s Imprisonment

The US has withdrawn $33m in aid from Pakistan in protest against the 33-year jail sentence given to a Pakistani doctor who helped the CIA find Osama Bin Laden. The US Congress is holding back $1m for every year that Dr Shakil Afridi was jailed for treason, according to reports. Dr Afridi was accused of running a fake vaccination campaign used to collect DNA to confirm the al Qaeda leader was in the town of Abbottabad, where he was killed. The US called for his release, saying his work served Pakistani and American interests. The US Congress later passed a motion imposing the freeze on £33m of aid to Pakistan. A spokesman for Pakistan's foreign ministry said the US should respect the court's decision. Reports say Afridi was in poor health and being kept in isolation at the prison due to fears for his safety.

Govt, AU Forces Advance Somali Rebel Stronghold

Thousands of Somalis are reportedly fleeing the rebel-controlled town of Afgooye as the government and African Union (AU) troops are advancing on the town. Somali government forces backed by AU troops on Tuesday launched a major offensive to retake the northwestern town of Afgooye, close to Mogadishu. However, officials said they were trying to avoid civilian casualties and called on residents to stay in their homes as the operation to flash out militants was continuing, but civilians defied the call and started fleeing in their droves back to Mogadishu. Somali government officials and AU commanders said they were advancing along a roundabout route to avoid the main road to enable civilians to flee the fighting. Al-Shabaab has lately been losing ground to Somali government forces and AU peacekeeping troops.

Egypt in Historic Presidential Election

Egypt has wrapped up landmark presidential polls after an orderly two-day vote. Polling stations closed at 9pm on Thursday, after voting was extended by one hour, with only minor violations reported. Turnout appeared to vary across the country, with long queues outside some polling stations, and scant participation in others. The official body supervising the election estimated that around 50 per cent of eligible voters cast their ballot. The powerful Muslim Brotherhood’s candidate, Mohammed Mursi, faces competition from Abdel Moneim Abul Fotouh, a former member of the Islamist movement.

New Zealand Smashes Child Pornography Ring

Authorities in New Zealand gave information that led to the smashing of a global network that used social networking sites to distribute child pornography. Investigators caught 55 people in 20 countries who were distributing child sexual abuse pictures and rescued 12 abused children, some of them babies. The 20 countries where suspects were apprehended included the United States, Australia, Britain, France, Germany, Brazil, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia and South Africa. The operation began in 2010 when the New Zealand’s internal affairs department found significant amounts of images of child sexual abuse were being exchanged on some sites and alerted Interpol and United States (U.S.) child protection authorities, sparking a major investigation.

Russia Tests Secret Missile

Russia has successfully tested a new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) designed to penetrate NATO‘s European missile defence shield. According to Russian defence sources, the test came days after NATO said its system had reached “interim operational capability”. The missile carried a dummy warhead and was fired 6,000 kilometres. Moscow has accused NATO of seeking to undermine its nuclear deterrent but the alliance said its shield is aimed at potential rogue states like Iran. NATO explained that its shield is meant to protect members from a missile fired by a rogue state – understood to mean Iran. It also plans to increase its capability by deploying further assets in the years ahead. However, Russia said the shield upsets the military balance and has threatened to turn its missile launchers on vital NATO sites.