Villeworth Security Services Ltd

week 29

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PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

Over 100 Die in Petrol Tanker Explosion

Over 100 people scooping fuel from an overturn petrol tanker were killed when the tanker exploded in Okogbe village, in Ahoada West LGA of Rivers State. Although the Zonal Coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Emenike Umesi, put the casualty figures at 95, eyewitnesses said the dead were more than 100, while the Rivers State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Samson Parker, said he counted more than 200 corpses. President Goodluck Jonathan ordered federal relief and health agencies to do everything possible to provide medical attention for the survivors. The fuel-laden tanker had skidded off the road, spilling its content while trying to avoid a head-on collision with a car. When the accident happened, the villagers rushed to the scene to scoop fuel from the upturned tanker. But while they were busy filling their jerry cans, a spark occurred resulting in the explosion of the tanker.

Police Recover Rifles, Ammunition in Anambra

The Anambra State police command, Wednesday, recovered arms and ammunition from suspected criminals in different parts of Onitsha. Operatives of the Anambra State Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), acting on a tip-off, swooped on the shops located in different parts of the city, following a confession by an arrested armed robbery suspect. Commissioner of Police, Mr Balla Nasarawa, said the arms and ammunition, which included three AK 47 rifles, one Brownie pistol, 13 automatic and two manual pump action rifles, 1225 live cartridges and 25 ammunition were recovered after a suspect told the police the whereabouts of the arms and ammunition of his gang. The police said they have launched an aggressive manhunt for the fleeing gang members.

C/River Police Recover Human Skulls, Arms

The Cross River State Police Command has recovered human skulls, charms, assorted rifles and ammunition used by cult members and armed robbers in terrorising the state in the last few months. Displaying the items at the command’s headquarters on Tuesday, the state Commissioner of Police, Osita Ezechukwu, said the last few weeks had been challenging as cult members tried to create panic in Calabar. The items comprise two human skulls, charms, two bottles of concoction, four AK47 rifles, 12 locally-made pistols, four single-barreled rifles, machetes, four stolen vehicles and 13 telephone handsets. The police chief also said five armed robbery suspects believed to members of an eight-man gang were earlier arrested in Boki LGA after an operation.

Supreme Court Awards 76 Oil Wells to Akwa Ibom

The Supreme Court, on Tuesday, ruled in the legal tussle between Akwa Ibom and Cross River states over the ownership of 76 oil wells, giving the wells to Akwa Ibom. The court declared that Cross River State is not a littoral state and dismissed its ownership claim to the oil wells. The apex court verdict has rested the January 4, 2005 political solution evolved by the National Boundary Commission (NBC) and adopted by the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo to end the feud. Under the arrangement, the oil wells were transferred from Akwa Ibom State to Cross River State. But with the ceding of the entire Bakassi area to Cameroun, the ownership of the oil wells reverted to Akwa Ibom State, a decision that did not go down well with Cross River State, which approached the apex court, seeking to claim back the oil wells.

Imo Orders Investigation into Death of 9 Family Members

Imo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Obi Njoku, has ordered for autopsies on nine members of a family, who died in Emekuku, penultimate Sunday. Njoku stressed that the deaths were not natural. He, however, advised the people to remain calm till the results of the analyses were released. The commissioner said he had set up a five-member committee headed by the Director of Public Health, Dr. Johnny Ihebereme, who would liaise with Federal Medical Centre, FMC, Owerri, to conduct the autopsies to determine the actual cause of the deaths. The nine persons died a day after the burial of their mother.

NNPC Urges Communities to Protect Oil Pipelines

The Group Managing Director of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Andrew Yakubu, has appealed to communities hosting oil and gas pipelines to protect them to prevent vandalism and theft. Yakubu made this plea during the re-inauguration of the Pipelines and Product Marketing Depot in Osisioma, Aba in Abia State on Monday. Abia state governor, Theodore Orji, urged the people to be the eyes and ears of government and report every illegal movement around the pipelines to security agents.

Customs Impound N25m Petroleum Product

Men of the Nigerian Customs Service in the Cross River/Akwa Ibom/Calabar Free Trade Zone Command have arrested four persons for allegedly being in possession of stolen petroleum product (diesel) worth N25m loaded in three tankers. The Area Comptroller, Hassan Mundu, said the suspects would be handed over to the appropriate authorities for prosecution. Mundu noted that from January to June 2012, his command had made over eight seizures of contraband goods.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

IG Redeploys Edo Police Commissioner

A new Commissioner of Police, Mr. Femi Adenaike, has been appointed to take charge of affairs in Edo State. The change, it was gathered was made by the Acting Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, after a one-day visit to Edo State on Wednesday. Adenaike takes over from Mr. Olayinka Balogun, who hosted Abubakar earlier in the day. Before he was promoted CP, Adenaike was a deputy commissioner of police in Edo State.

Suspected Killers of Oshiomhole’s Aide Arrested

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Mohammed Abubakar, on Wednesday, announced that the police had arrested the people who, on May 5, killed Mr Olaitan Ojerinde, the Private Secretary to Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State.  He said that the police had arrested four persons who killed Ojerinde. Earlier, Abubakar had warned officers and men of the police against compromising at their posts, declaring that the force would discipline erring personnel.

Oshiomhole Wins Edo Governorship Election

Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has been declared winner of Saturday’s governorship election in Edo state. The Returning Officer, Prof. Osayuki Oshodin, said Oshiomhole scored a total of 477,478 votes (or 73 percent of the total votes cast) to beat his closest rival, Maj. Gen. Charles Airhiavbere of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), who scored 144,235 votes (or 22 percent of the total votes cast). Oshiomhole, who is re-elected for a second tenure, made a clean sweep in all the 18 LGAs of the state. The PDP Agent, Mr. Martin Osakue, commended INEC for the process and the security agencies. He also congratulated Oshiomhole on his victory.”

Ex-Militant Threatens Violence

The amnesty programme of the Federal Government was, Thursday, threatened by the national leader of the Phase Three ex-militants, Mr Trust Ekiobelemo and his followers. The ex-militants threatened to go back to the creeks following the failure to accommodate them in the programme. Ekiobelemo, who spoke during a meeting of the phase three ex-militants in Ughelli, Delta state, also decried the continued detention without trial of ex-warlords by security agents. He called on the international community to prevail on the government of Nigeria to release all their members detained in various police cells across the country.

3 Drown in Edo Boat Mishap

Three policemen and an adhoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) reportedly drowned when a boat carrying them and other officials for Saturday's gubernatorial election in Edo state, capsized in Ethiope River. They were taking electoral materials to riverine communities in Ologbo, Ikpoba Okha LGA of Edo State, when the incident happened. Commissioner of Police, Olufemi Adenaike, confirmed the incident.

Death of Student: Edo Students give Oshiomhole Ultimatum

Edo State students, Monday, gave Governor Adams Oshiomhole a seven-day ultimatum to fish out a security man attached to his convoy that allegedly killed one Osazuwa Ewemade, a student of the state-owned Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Usen. The students, under the auspices of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), told Oshiomhole that he had only seven days to fish out the trigger-happy officer or risk a massive protest. Oshiomhole’s convoy reportedly ran into a barricade by IMT students protesting the lack of basic amenities in the institution and Ewemade was shot in the process. Vice President of NANS, Comrade Ephraim Morino, said that the ultimatum became necessary as the government has so far failed to acknowledge the death of the student.

Kidnapped Corps Member Regains Freedom

A corps member, one Uchenna Abueme, who was kidnapped by a three-man gang in Asaba last weekend, has regained his freedom. It was gathered that Uchenna was kidnapped along with one Chinonso Chris, a sales boy to Uchenna’s father, as they drove in a car. Sources disclosed that when detectives closed in on the hideout of the gang, the kidnappers took to their heels abandoning their victims. The abductees were said to have ran into the bush, while the detectives eventually located and rescued them. The Delta State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Charles Muka, confirmed the incident.

Edo Police Arrest 4 Kidnappers

The Edo State Police Command has smashed a gang of four suspected kidnappers. The suspects -Emmanuel Iziegbe popularly called “Emma Kpoof”, Bright Ehigiator, Reuben Elahor and Garuba Amodu, who is said to be the criminal receiver - who had been on the wanted list of the police, were arrested following a tip off. The suspects had stormed the residence of one Mr. Parry Owie, kidnapped his wife, her baby and her sister. The police claimed that the suspects who stormed the house with dangerous weapons made away with the sum of N1 million cash and Gold worth six million naira. The state Commissioner of Police, Olayinka Balogun, confirmed the arrest and assured that the suspects will be charged to court soon.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

Retired General’s Murder: Police to Commence Joint Patrol

Suspected Fulani herdsmen attacked and killed a retired army officer, Brigadier-General Sylvester Iruh (rtd), on the Lagos/Ibadan Expressway. The police in Ogun State have since arrested five persons in connection with the murder and maintained that investigations had commenced on the matter. The deceased was trying to fix his vehicle that had broken down on the long bridge before Berger Bus Stop in Lagos, when he was stabbed several times by his assailants who were also said to have dispossessed him of valuables. Ogun state police spokesman, Muyiwa Adejobi, confirmed the incident. Following the killing, Assistant Inspector-General of Police, AIG, in charge of Zone 2, Mamman Tsafe, declared that a joint police patrol of Lagos/Ibadan Expressway, by men from Lagos and Ogun state commands would soon start.

Police Recover Guns, Coffins from Robbery Suspect in Ekiti

Police in Ekiti State have arrested one Dele Ajayi, 39, suspected to be a member of a robbery gang. Police spokesman, Victor Babayemi, disclosed that two coffins, four guns and ammunition were recovered from the suspect, who was arrested from his hideout. The police said the suspect was part of the gang that that snatched a car at Akannasan area and killed the owner. Ajayi, who said that he joined the gang in April and had participated in four operations as a driver, however, said he did not kill in anyone during the operations.

Lagos Police Arrest 244 Suspected Robbers in Six Months

Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Umar Manko, has disclosed that 244 suspected robbers were arrested by the police in the first six months of the year. Manko said that the arrest of the ring leaders of the gangs remained one of the biggest achievements of the command. He said 160 guns and 948 rounds of ammunition were recovered from the suspected armed robbers who had been terrorising the state. The police chief said out of the 54 robbery recorded during the period, 59 suspected armed robbers were shot dead while five policemen lost their lives in the various encounters with the bandits. He also said 133 murder cases were recorded in the period under review.

TV Presenter Abducted in Lagos

A television presenter, Alhaji Razaq Gawat, has been abducted in Lagos. Gawat, who is the anchorman of an Islamic TV programme during, E didè e ji sari, was reportedly abducted on Tuesday. One of Gawat’s friends said that the victim’s car was found but no contact had been made with his family. He, however, noted that the incident could still not be referred to as kidnap. The Police Public Relations Officer, in the state, Ngozi Braide, confirmed the incident, adding that the police had commenced investigations into the matter.

Dana Crash Caused by Dual Engine Failure -Report
…Judge Threatens to Arrest Airline Officials

The Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB), Thursday, released a preliminary report on the Dana Air crash of June 3rd that claimed over 150 lives. The report indicates that the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) showed that the captain and the first officer were in a discussion of a “non-normal condition regarding the correlation between the engine throttle setting and an engine power indication.” The airplane was reported to be on the fourth flight segment of the day from Abuja to Lagos when it crashed in a residential area in Iju, Lagos. Meanwhile, the Coroner sitting over inquiry into the crash, Magistrate Oyetade Komolafe, has threatened to order the arrest of the airline officials if they failed to appear before it at the next sitting. Komolafe condemned the failure of the airline officials to appear before the court.

Two Arraigned for Impersonating Police

Two middle-aged men, Ajewole Femi, 54, and Fadolamu Julius, 48, were, on Thursday, arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrate’s Court, Lagos, for allegedly impersonating police officers. The prosecutor, Barth Nwaokeye, said Femi and Julius, between May 20 and June 22 wore uniforms of a Deputy Superintendent of Police and obtained N30000 from one Tope Adebayo under false pretense. Similarly, a 37-year-old car dealer, Adams Adei, was, arraigned before an Ebute- Meta Magistrate’s Court, Lagos, for allegedly duping a 106-year-old traditional ruler of N2.5 million. Adei was alleged to have defrauded Jimoh Abaoba, Baale of Okere town in Ikeja when he presented himself as someone who could help the Baale buy a car, a representation he knew to be false.

Septuagenarian Beaten to Death in Ekiti

A 70-year-old woman, Mrs Rebecca Adewumi, of Omuo-Ekiti, in Ekiti East LGA of Ekiti State was beaten to death by a mob on the allegation of witchcraft. The mob was also alleged to have assaulted her niece, Anike Orojo, who made efforts to save the deceased. The deceased family, in a letter of complaint to the state Commissioner of Police, Sotonye Wakama, listed the names of people they claimed perpetrated the act. The CP said nobody had been arrested because no eyewitness to the alleged crime had come forward to identify any suspect. He said a member of the deceased’s family, who was said to have witnessed the incident, would make a statement upon which the police could base their arrest and subsequent action, and promised that justice would be done in the matter.

Woman Arrested for N28m Fraud

The Police Special Fraud Unit (SFU), Lagos, have arrested a 33-year-old woman, Bunmi Akintoye, for allegedly defrauding various people of over N28m. Head of Public Affairs of the SFU, Pius Afachung, disclosed that the suspect was being investigated due to sundry allegations leveled against her by different persons. Akintoye is alleged to have criminally confused her victim into believing that she was a genuine business woman. Afachung added that investigations were ongoing and that the suspect would be charged to court soon. The Commissioner of Police, SFU, Tunde Ogunsakin, warned people to investigate business proposals before investing.

Police Parade Rapist, Robbers in Oyo, Ondo

Oyo State police command, on Tuesday, paraded three suspected robbers, including one who rapes his victims after robbing them of their belongings. The state deputy commissioner of police, Clement Adoda, one of them was arrested after he had successfully dispossessed residents of two different houses of their valuables. Adoda added that Saheed, after robbing the women, attempted to rape one of them, a policewoman. The Ondo state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Adeniran Aremu, said five suspected robbers were arrested by men of the command at different locations within and outside the state, adding that ammunition belonging to officers that were killed during robbery operations, were recovered.

Business Man Killed in Osogbo

An Osogbo based restaurateur, Tunde Bolarinwa, has been killed by gunmen. Bolarinwa, who ran a Restaurant Osogbo, with his wife, Yetunde, was killed by the gunmen, penultimate Sunday morning at his residence. It was gathered that the killers, allegedly identified the man and shot him several times before leaving without stealing any item. The Police Public Relations Officer, Sade Odoro, said investigation into the case had commenced, adding that the motive for the killing had yet to be determined. Bolarinwa had reportedly received death threats on phone before he was killed. The Police have also mounted surveillance in all parts of the state capital, with a view to unraveling the circumstances surrounding the killing and identifying his killers.

GENERAL

Plateau Bloodbath: Senator, Majority Leader Killed

Senator Gyang Dantong and Plateau State Majority Leader, Gyang Fulani, died of exhaustion on Sunday, it was revealed on Monday. The two lawmakers were among the over 100 persons who lost their lives when suspected Fulani herdsmen began their rampage on four local governments, penultimate Saturday.  A member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Simon Mwadkon, who was present at the scene, confirmed the cause of their death. The two died when they were ambushed on Sunday during the burial of those who died in the attacks of Saturday. The Commander, Special Task Force (STF) in Jos, Major-Gen. Henry Popoola, said the two lawmakers died in the Barkin Ladi stampede, debunking claims that they were shot dead.

Plateau Assembly Demands FG Troops Withdrawal

The Plateau State House of Assembly, Tuesday, accused the FG of failing in its duty to protect the people of the state and demanded that it should withdraw troops deployed in the state. The House, at a session in honour of its Majority Leader, Hon Gyang Fulani, who died along with the Senator Gyang Dantong, representing Plateau North Senatorial District, in an attack, penultimate Sunday, described the incident as the hallmark of the Federal Government’s serial failure since 2010 when it took over the security of the state. Deputy Speaker, Johnbull Shekarau, said the FG should withdraw the troops to allow Governor Jonah Jang, whom the constitution designates as the state chief security officer, to mobilise the people to defend themselves.

Plateau Crisis: Gunmen Raid More Villages

Rather than abate and in spite of the security arrangement in place, the Plateau crisis is assuming a frightening dimension. Gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen yesterday attacked Matse and Shong villages in Barkin Ladi and Riyom councils, resulting in death toll rising to 140. Confirming attacks on Monday, a member representing Riyom constituency in the State House of Assembly, Hon Daniel Dem, said gunmen from the top of the mountains have attacked two more villages of Matse and Shong and reduced them to ruins with no house standing.  He said the gunmen sneaked in, in their usual way and began their sporadic shooting which scared the villagers who fled for their safety. The gunmen set the houses ablaze.

Boko Haram Takes Responsibility for Plateau Massacre

The fundamentalist Islamic sect, Boko Haram, on Tuesday, claimed responsibility for the recent mass killings in which over 100 persons were reportedly killed in attacks on three communities in Plateau state. The sect vowed that there was no going back on the jihad (Holy War) it had launched against Christians and the government. It also asked “Christians in Nigeria to accept Islam” as a condition for a ceasefire. Officials, had, on Monday, said that the group of terrorists that attacked the communities came from Niger Republic and Chad and was yet to be dislodged by security agencies. The group is said to still be hiding in the hills around Barkin-Ladi and Riyom LGAs. Meanwhile, the Acting Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, on Monday, ordered the immediate deployment of over 2,000 policemen in the State.

Senate Confirms Mukhtar as First Female CJN

Senate, Tuesday, confirmed Justice Mariam Aloma Mukhtar as the new Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN). The new CJN pledged before the Senate to lead by example, in stamping out corruption in the judiciary. With her confirmation, Mukhtar made history as the first woman to lead an arm of government in Nigeria. Presidential Adviser on National Assembly Matters, Joy Emodi noted that Mukhtar’s appointment was based purely on merit and not federal character. Mukhtar is also the first female Northerner to become a lawyer and first woman to be appointed justice of the Court of Appeal.

Federal Government Approves PIB

The Federal Government has approved the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), which as part of its provisions will provide for the unbundling of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) into five companies. With its approval by the Federal Government, the PIB will soon be sent to the National Assembly for consideration and passage into law. According to the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, the new PIB would look at a number of areas that are quite critical, including the unbundling of NNPC, the creation of an inspectorate unit, independent regulatory agencies, and the architecture of the fiscal regime in the oil and gas sector.

Nursing Mother, 4 Children Killed As Gunmen Attack Bauchi Family

Gunmen, on Wednesday, killed a nursing mother and her four children in Yong village in Tafawa Balewa LGA of Bauchi State. The five were killed in their farm near their house in the early hours of the day.  The Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Ladan, confirmed the incident.  Ladan said their bodies were found on the farm with gunshot wounds. The widower, Mr. Luke Jumtuk, said his wife and children were killed while working on their farm behind his house. Jumtuk appealed to the Federal Government to intervene in the recurrent attacks in the area.

Communal Clash Destroys 40 Houses in Benue

Several houses including economic trees and farm produce valued at about N200 million, were destroyed last weekend when some angry youths of Mbayangeh and Mbashine communities in Gwer LGA of Benue State clashed over a disputed  piece of land at Ikpayongo. The two communities took up arms against each other few days ago, when leaders of one of the communities allegedly gave out the disputed land to a federal lawmaker for the construction of a private school. No lives were lost to the crisis, but pointed out that so many people were displaced. The Benue State Police Command has deployed men to the troubled communities in order to ensure the restoration of peace in the area

Falana, 24 Others Appointed SAN

The Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee, Thursday, approved the appointment of 25 legal practitioners for the conferment of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). Those who made the list included human rights activist, Femi Falana; Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)’s prosecutor, Rotimi Jacobs; and law teacher, Prof. Akinseye-George and others. Announcing the names, the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Sunday Olorundahunsi, said that the senior advocates would be inaugurated at date to be announced. Olorundahunsi said that the process for their selection was rancour-free.

CP Urges Banks to Put up Proper Lighting

The Jigawa State Police Commissioner, Kayode Theophilus, has cautioned commercial banks against armed robbers and terrorists. Theophilus directed all the banks to increase the lighting system on their premises, to make criminal attacks difficult. He gave all the bank managers one week within, which they should comply, threatening that he would go round to ensure every bank complied with the directive. The commissioner also indicated that the command would embark on a workshop for the private guards in the employ of the banks so that they could work in synergy with the police. He urged banks to ensure good welfare packages for the private guards, as they could be willing tools in the hands of criminals by acting as informants.

Gunmen Kill Man in Damaturu

Three gunmen, Thursday, attacked a mechanic workshop in Damaturu, Yobe State, killing its owner, Musa Toma. The gunmen, according to an eyewitness, Yusufu Audu, had demanded some money from Toma before they shot him dead. State Police Commissioner, Patrick Egbuniwe, confirmed the incident, adding that when they could not get money from him, the robbers shot him dead and fled. The CP maintained that the gunmen were not terrorists, but a bunch of armed robbers desperately looking for money from innocent citizens.

Gunmen Kill Abducted Bursar

Suspected armed robbers, on Friday night, abducted and killed Stephen Omole, a bursary staff member of Federal College of Education (FCE), Okene, Kogi. Omole’s body was found in a bush where his assailants dumped it. A member of the deceased family said that the armed men had demanded for money but Omole was said to have told them that he had no money at home, and offered to part with the keys of his Toyota Camry car. According to witnesses, the suggestion angered the hoodlums who dragged him into a car and drove away. Omole’s body is reported to have been shot in the head. The provost of the college, Prof. Iyela Ajayi, confirmed the incident.

5 Die as Bomber Hits Maiduguri Mosque

A 15-year-old suicide bomber, on Friday afternoon, attacked the central mosque in Maiduguri, Borno State, killing five people. The deputy governor of the state, Alhaji Zanna Umar Mustapha and the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Ibn Abubakar Umar Garbai Elkanemi were in the mosque during the attack but escaped death. Some worshippers said they were about leaving the mosque after the Friday prayer when the attack occurred. It was gathered that the suicide bomber lurched into the crowd of worshippers but was prevented from getting to the Shehu and the deputy governor by security men attached to the two men. The Field Operations Officer of the Joint Task Force in Borno State, Victor Ebhaleme, confirmed the casualty figure.

Immigration Officer Arraigned for Fraud

An Immigration officer, Suleiman Ibrahim, serving in Benue State, has been arraigned before a Makurdi Chief Magistrate’s Court for criminal breach of trust and fraud. The prosecution told the court that one Deboy Ali of Ayangba, Kogi State, had in June 2011 given the accused person, who introduced himself to him as a car dealer, N3.2 million as part- payment of N3.5 million to buy an Infinity Jeep for him. The prosecution further told the court that the suspect had asked the unsuspecting complainant to pay the said amount. The accused person allegedly withdrew the said amount and failed to deliver the car within two months as agreed but instead converted the money to his personal use. The Chief Magistrate, Dan Ogoh, adjourned the case to August 8.

FG Orders Identification of Passengers for Air Safety

The Federal Government has ordered airlines in the country to deny boarding to any passenger not properly identified with international passport, driver’s licence, national identity card or any other authentic photo identity card. Although the airlines have been carrying out this regulation as directed by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) but the government’s new order is not unconnected with the new wave of insecurity ravaging the country. So far, the aviation industry has been spared of bombings or any security threat but government said that the new measure was part of the on-going efforts at strengthening safety and security procedures in and around the nation’s airports.

Abubakar Confirmed as IG

Mr. Muhammed Dikko Abubakar has been confirmed as the Inspector General of Police (IGP). Abubakar was confirmed as the substantive IGP by the Police Council on Thursday. On his confirmation, the IG expressed gratitude to the President Goodluck Jonathan, members of the Nigeria Police Council (NPC), governors and all Nigerians, pledging to double his efforts on the safety of lives and property, proper security management and justice among the officers and men of the force. He took exception to the calls for state police, pointing out that the country was not politically matured to embark on such practice.

Governors Set Up Committee on Insecurity for North

Nigeria Governors’ Forum has set up an Economic and Security Intervention Committee for Northern States. In a communiqué after their meeting in Abuja on Thursday, the governors directed the committee to meet with President Goodluck Jonathan over the security in the North. In the communiqué signed by its Chairman, Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, the NGF also called for the recruitment, intensive training, equipping and proper deployment of security agents across the country. The NGF also resolved to constitute an economic and security intervention committee with the set target of employment generation for the North.

Italy Pledges Support to Nigeria against Terrorism

The Government of Italy has expressed its readiness to assist Nigeria in the fight against terrorism and internal insurrection by training members of the Nigeria Police Force and other Para-military agencies on counter-terrorism. The Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Margrherita Boniver, disclosed this last weekend during a courtesy visit on the Nigerian Minister of Interior, Abba Morro. Boniver assured the willingness of Italian government to assist on curbing the menace of violence in Nigeria. She also delivered a condolence message of Italy to Nigeria over the loss of lives in recent bomb blasts across the country. Morro expressed satisfaction and assured that the FG would collaborate with Italian Government in the fight against terrorism.

ECOWAS Calls for Unity Government in Mali

The Contact Group of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Mali has called for a government of national unity to implement the road map for a peaceful end to the crisis in the country. The government of national unity is also expected to restore the territorial integrity of Mali and organize credible presidential election at the end of the ongoing 12-month transitional period. Chairman of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government and President of Cote d’Ivoire, Alassane Ouattara, reaffirmed the region’s “uncompromising resolve “to return Mali to constitutional rule.

NUPENG, IPMAN Lament Diversion of Crude Oil

National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) have raised the alarm over the diversion of crude oil allocated to refineries for refining. The bodies said the trend has become worrisome and capable of causing scarcity of petroleum products across the country. National President of NUPENG, Mr Achese Igwe, and IPMAN Chairman, Mr. Sunny Nkpe, noted that the crude oil that is officially allocated to Port Harcourt Refineries are being stolen and sold in the open market. They said that the authorities have not questioned those perpetrating the act.

NYSC Insists on Corps Members in Troubled States

The National Secretariat of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), on Monday, insisted on posting corps members to troubled states, despite protests by parents and corps members.  The secretariat urged corps members to report to the orientation camps of the states of their primary assignment and later apply for redeployment. NYSC authorities in Abuja said it had empowered state coordinators to attend to relocation requests in their respective states. The NYSC also said it had concluded arrangement with the state governments to put adequate security measures in place to safeguard the lives of corps members posted to their states.

INTERNATIONAL

Afghan Police Hunt Woman's Executioner

A manhunt was under way Monday for Taliban militants who publicly executed a woman accused of adultery, Afghan authorities said. The commander of NATO in Afghanistan, General John Allen, offered to help local security forces track and capture the men involved in the killing. The brutal shooting of the lone woman before a cheering mob of men is shown in graphic detail in a video of the event in a village in Parwan province, close to Kabul. Parwan provincial governor, Basir Salangi, said the police are searching for the Taliban who are responsible “but the Taliban, including the killer, have fled to the mountains". Roshna Khalid, spokeswoman for the governor, identified the woman as Najiba, 22, who was married to a member of the Taliban and was accused of adultery with a Taliban commander.

Bomb Attack Claims Six NATO Soldiers in Afghanistan

A bomb in eastern Afghanistan, on Sunday, killed six NATO service members. This is as 29 people were killed in roadside bombs and insurgent attacks. NATO said the blast was caused by an improvised explosive device. A surge in Afghan and coalition forces during the past two years routed Taliban fighters from many of their strongholds in the south, but the insurgents have stepped up their attacks this summer to take back key areas, reports indicate. In addition to the six NATO deaths, bombs and attacks killed 16 Afghan civilians, five policemen and two members of the U.S.-led coalition in southern Afghanistan, Afghan and NATO authorities said.

Congolese Warlord, Thomas Lubanga, Gets 14 Years Jail Term

Congolese warlord, Thomas Lubanga, has been sentenced to 14 years in jail for recruiting and using child soldiers in his rebel army in 2002 and 2003. He was convicted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in March - the first conviction since the court was set up 10 years ago. Lubanga had protested his innocence and said he had not supported the use of child soldiers. But in a unanimous decision, the judges said Lubanga was responsible. Lubanga showed no emotion as the presiding judge read out the sentence. Taking into account the time Lubanga has already spent in detention, he will spend eight more years behind bars. A rights group, Human Rights Watch, says more than 60,000 people were killed in the conflict between Hema and Lendu ethnic groups in Ituri, in north-eastern DR Congo.

Ex-Israeli Prime Minister Guilty of Breach of Trust

The corruption trial of former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert ended on Tuesday with a mixed verdict. Olmert was found guilty of breach of trust, but was acquitted on two corruption-related charges. The allegations stemmed from 2002 to 2006, when Olmert served a second term mayor of Jerusalem and held several cabinet posts under then Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. Prosecutors accused Olmert of double-billing government agencies for travel, taking cash from an American businessman in exchange for official favours and acting on behalf of his former law partner's clients. Olmert said he honors the decision of the court.

Russia Suspends New Arms Shipments to Syria

Russia will not deliver new weapons to Syria so long as the situation in that country is unstable, according to Vyacheslav Dzirkaln, deputy head of the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation. Dzirkaln specifically said Russia would not supply Syria with Yak-130 aircraft. Russia has signed a $550 million contract for the delivery of three dozen such planes. Still, it was not clear whether the official was saying Russia would discontinue the delivery of all arms, or whether it was stopping just the supply of "new weapons." The move could be a major blow to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who is fighting to stay in control after more than a year of popular protests and a brutal government crackdown. Russia has been the long-time principal supplier of arms to Syria since the days when it was the Soviet Union.

Over 200 Massacred in Syrian Attack

More than 200 Syrians, mostly civilians, were massacred in a village in the Hama region when it was bombarded by helicopter gunships and tanks and then stormed by militiamen, opposition activists said. It would be the worst single incident of violence in 16 months of conflict in which rebels are fighting to topple President Bashar al-Assad. The Revolution Leadership Council of Hama said that the village of Taramseh was subjected to a barrage of heavy weapons fire before pro-government Alawite militiamen swept in and killed victims one by one. Meanwhile, Syria's ambassador to Iraq defected, on Wednesday, in protest over Assad's military crackdown on a 16-month uprising. Nawaf al-Fares, who had close ties to Syrian security, would be the first senior diplomat to quit the embattled government.

22 Killed in Yemen Academy Bombing

A suicide bomber blew himself up outside a police academy in the Yemeni capital on Wednesday, killing at least 22 people - many of them young police cadets. Policeman Fadel Ali said the cadets were leaving the college when the bomber struck. The bombing Sanaa followed a similar attack in the capital in May, when a suicide bomber in army uniform killed more than 90 people during a rehearsal for a military parade. That attack bore hallmarks of al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). The insurgents have vowed to carry their fight across Yemen.

UN, Congolese Troops Bombard Rebels

United Nations (UN) and Congolese troops, Thursday, bombarded rebel positions in the Congo’s crisis-torn eastern region as mutineers said they had no plans to attack the eastern city of Goma. The M23 mutineers, who defected from the army in April, seized several towns in the eastern DR Congo recently, forcing troops and civilians over the Ugandan border. The UN stationed tanks around Goma on Wednesday. UN chief, Ban Ki-moon, has urged DR Congo and Rwanda to “defuse tensions” over the rebellion. The mutineers are ex-rebels who were integrated into the regular army in 2009 as part of a deal that followed their failed 2008 offensive on Goma. The DR Congo government and a UN panel of sanctions experts have said Rwanda is supplying arms and fighters to M23 rebels. Rwanda has denied involvement.

Togolese PM, Government Resign

Togo’s Prime Minister, Gilbert Fossoun Houngbo, and his government have resigned, but no reason was given for their stepping down. A statement issued on Wednesday, said that President Faure Gnassingbe had accepted Houngbo’s resignation but the former United Nations diplomat would temporarily continue to run daily business. Houngbo was virtually unknown on the Togolese political scene when he was named prime minister in 2008. He was kept in the post following Gnassingbe’s re-election in May 2010. There have been recent protests in Togo ahead of the October parliamentary poll over voting rules.

7 Killed at Political Rally in Pakistan

A bomb planted on a bicycle at a political rally in southwestern Pakistan's volatile Balochistan province killed seven people and wounded 12 on Friday. The blast occurred as the provincial leader of the Awami National Party, part of Pakistan's coalition government, took the stage to speak. The provincial leader, Aurangzaib Kasi, was among the wounded, according to Wazir Khan Nasar, a police official. While there was no immediate claim of responsibility, authorities believe Kasi was targeted because of his party's platform opposing extremism in Pakistan.

Gunmen Kill Seven in Attack on Pakistan Military Camp

Gunmen opened fire, on Monday, on a military camp in eastern Pakistan, killing six soldiers and a policeman, the military said. Police said the gunmen had arrived aboard a car and two motorcycles and had fled after the shooting. Supporters of the hard-line Defence of Pakistan Council had moved through the area overnight on their way to Pakistan's capital Islamabad to protest against the reopening of overland supply routes to U.S.-led NATO troops in Afghanistan. In another attack, gunmen shot and killed nine prison guards in eastern Pakistan on Thursday. Thirty-five prison guards were in the building in the city of Lahore when four to six gunmen entered, said Muhammad Rashid, a Lahore police official. The guards were in Lahore for training. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the act.

Torrential Rains: 19 Killed in Japan

Exceptionally heavy rains have killed at least 19 people and flooded hundreds of houses on the southern Japanese island of Kyushu, authorities said Friday. Besides the 19 people who died, eight people remain missing. The violent rain has damaged 75 houses and flooded more than 500 in the two prefectures. Evacuation orders were temporarily issued for tens of thousands of households as the Shirakawa River, which runs through Kumamoto City, began spilling over its banks. Helicopters plucked some residents from the roofs of their homes. Most of the evacuation orders had been lifted by Friday morning. Kyushu is the third largest island of Japan, located southwest of the main island, Honshu.