Villeworth Security Services Ltd

week 33

PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

Kidnap, Robbery Kingpins Killed

The police in Rivers State have killed three suspected kidnappers, including one Nzeribe, the alleged second-in-command to the late crime kingpin, simply known as Osisikankwu in Abia State. The suspects were arrested in Aluu, Ikwerre LGA when they attempted to abduct a man. The police also arrested four suspected kidnappers in Ogoni area. Police spokesperson, Ben Ugwuegbulam, disclosed that while taking the suspects to their hideouts to recover their weapons, they attempted escaping before they were shot. He listed said the deceased suspects were responsible for several murder and kidnap cases in the state.

Police Arrest Man for Killing Father and Uncle

Ebonyi State Police Command, said, it arrested one Mr. Udoka Onwe, 22, for allegedly killing his father, Mr. Peter Onwe Elum, 60 and uncle, Mr. James Elum, 52, from Umuogodo Akpu Ngbo of Ohaukwu LGA of the state. The suspect reportedly confessed that he decided to kill his father and uncle because they were wizards and wanted to use witchcraft to kill him, saying he killed them before they could kill him. Police spokesman, Sylvester Igbo, who confirmed the murder incident, said that it occurred on Wednesday morning.

ACN Condemns Murder of Spokesman’s Mother, Brother

The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has condemned the gruesome murder of Mrs Erasmus Effanga and Mr Basil Effanga, mother and brother of Akwa Ibom State spokesman of the party, Mr Francis Effanga,  whose corpses were found in a room at their residence in Mbinkpa Atan village, Akwa Ibom State, on Sunday, August 5, 2012. ACN’s national Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, described the gruesome murder of Mrs Effanga and Mr  Effanga as a further proof of the culture of violence and systemic decimation of its members in Akwa Ibom State.

Bakassi Declares Independence

Indigenes of Bakassi, in a bid to express their anger over the ceding of the peninsula to Cameroun, without their consent, have declared independence. The International Court of Justice (ICJ), 10 years ago, ruled that the Bakassi did not belong to Nigeria but Cameroun. They hoisted their official flag and launched a radio station. The Bakassi Self-Determination Front (BSDF) is the rallying point.  Already, the Camerounian soldiers have piled up arms in the peninsula as the Bakassi group had issued a two-week ultimatum to its people still living within the ceded territory to vacate. A group ‘Bakassi Freedom Fighters’ had threatened to seek independence if Nigeria renounced sovereignty. Nigeria security operatives deny knowledge of the declaration.

Kidnapped Monarch, Doctor Regain Freedom

The kidnapped traditional ruler of Ukpo town, in Dunukofia Council of Anambra State, Igwe Robert Eze, has been released. Eze was said to have been abducted by unknown gunmen on his way to church on July 29. The traditional ruler was reportedly rescued around Ozubulu by security agents. It was not clear whether any ransom was paid to secure his freedom. The State Police spokesman, Raph Uzoikwe, said police had no knowledge of any ransom paid. In a related development, a medical doctor, Blessing Obidike, who was kidnapped in Port Harcourt penultimate Sunday, by unidentified gunmen, Thursday, regained her freedom. Since her abduction and release, nobody knew her whereabouts and the kidnappers had not communicated to her family.

Four Kidnap Suspects Arrested in Anambra

Security operatives in Anambra State Sunday arrested four kidnap suspects. This comes as the state government sealed-off Arthur Garden Hotels at Nkpor, where the suspects were quartered. The state governor, Peter Obi, who personally led a team of security operatives to the hotel, said the state government would work round the clock to prevent resurgence of violent crimes in the state. The governor however vowed that once the law establishes that the hotel harbours kidnappers, the state would be demolished and the land confiscated.

Flood Claims 7-Year-Old Girl

The flooding caused by the sudden overflow of the Cross River, Wednesday, claimed the life of a 7- year-old child, while two others were declared missing. The incident occurred when flood water inundated the community of Umon Island in Biase LGA of Cross River State. Other victims, a woman and a man, who narrowly escaped death, were injured when their house collapsed on them. Over 40 houses were submerged in flood water and about 1,500 people were displaced and seen squatting in a primary school and elsewhere in the area.

NHRC Probes Alleged Rights Violations in Port Harcourt

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has visited Port Harcourt to investigate allegations of gross human rights violations in the demolition of waterfronts by Rivers State government. The Executive Secretary of the rights commission, Prof. Bem Angwe, said the visit was to enable them have first-hand information concerning the exercise after it received over 200 petitions. According to him, the commission was yet to understand whether the government took appropriate before demolishing the Abonnema Wharf waterfront. Governor Chibuike Amaechi had, last weekend, blamed rival gang clash for the abrupt demolition of the slum.

FG Begins Clean-up of Ogoniland

The FG has announced that it has commenced the implementation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report on the clean-up of Ogoniland, damaged by years of oil exploration. Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, disclosed this. In a swift reaction, the United Nations welcomed the decision to clean up Ogoniland, a year after UNEP submitted a scientific assessment of oil pollution in the community to the government. The Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP) had last week declared statehood in the environmentally devastated area of Rivers State. MOSOP said it accepts the Hydro-carbon Pollution Restoration Programme (HYPREP) for the implementation of the clean-up.

JTF Destroys 5,000 Illegal Bunkering Drums

The Joint Military Task Force (JTF) in Calabar, Cross River State has destroyed about 5,000 drums containing 225,000 litres of petroleum products  worth N100 million, which it impounded from suspected bunkerers. This is the second time in three months government is carrying out raid on the hideouts of illegal bunkering in the state. The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the 13 Amphibious Brigade, Captain Joseph James, said that the impounded products were recovered from those involved in bunkering after a careful monitoring of their activities, in an operation that was led by Major A. J Mohammed.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

ACN Calls for Probe of SSS over Parade of Suspects

Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has called on the Presidency and the National Assembly to investigate claims by the State Security Service (SSS) that it had arrested the suspected killers of Olaitan Oyerinde, an aide to Edo State Governor. ACN’s National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said it was compelled to make the call following the riddle posed by two pictures carried by a national newspaper, penultimate Sunday, which seemed to show that the security agency might be recycling the same suspects for different offences. It said the three suspects in the first picture, who were paraded by the SSS on March 14 for allegedly kidnapping and murdering two foreigners in Sokoto, appeared to be the same as three of the suspects in the second picture, who were recently paraded by the same SSS for allegedly killing Oyerinde.

Man Kills 8-Day-Old Daughter

An eight-day-old baby girl was, last weekend, killed by her step father for ritual purposes in Jesse, Delta State. The suspect, who confessed that he carried out the act on the orders of a spiritualist in Ghana, is currently in police custody. Police spokesman, Charles Muka, who confirmed the development, said that the mother of the child, Gladys Emafuru, reported that while sleeping with her baby, the child’s step father, walked into the apartment and killed the baby with a cutlass, opened the stomach and collected the intestines and other vital parts. Muka added that the suspect concealed the parts in a black cellophane bag and was about escaping to Ghana when he was caught.

Lawyers Boycott Courts over Abduction of Judge

Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Warri branch, Delta State, on Thursday instructed its members to boycott all courts in the state until the release of Marcel Okoh, a High Court Judge, who was kidnapped on Tuesday by gunmen in Abraka. A human rights group, Access to Justice, condemned the abduction of Okoh, and said it was disappointed with security agencies for their inability to guarantee the safety of the judge. Okoh, who drove in his SUV at the time he was abducted, is in charge of High Court Four, Warri.

Delta Community Loses Fish Ponds to Oil Spillage

The people of Idjerhe in Ethiope West LGA of Delta State have said that they had lost fish ponds worth N445 million to the pollution of River Ethiope through the activities of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and SPDC. The traditional ruler of the community, Erhiekevwe I, who disclosed this, said that they have petitioned relevant authorities to come to their aid as the oil companies that allegedly caused the spills have refused to clean up the river. River Ethiope is the only source of water for the people who are said to have lost six persons as a result of the polluted water in the past few days, while lamenting that many of his people were currently admitted in hospitals.

Three Killed in Edo Clashes

Two persons were feared killed and another critically injured from gunshots at the university town of Ekpoma, in the two days following a clash between suspected members of rival cult groups. It was gathered that a member of the Ambrose Alli University (AAU)’s Anti-Cult Campaign Organisation of Nigeria (ACCON) who had renounced his membership of a cult, allegedly shot a member of another cult, but the issue was said to have been settled on the intervention of the management of the university. But shortly after resumption, the rival group was said to have arranged a reprisal attack where one person was shot dead and the other critically injured.

Ex-Militants Invade Warri NUJ Office

Hundreds of ex-militants invaded the office of the Nigeria Union Journalists (NUJ) in Warri, Delta State, demanding to be aired on television. The ex-militants were protesting their unpaid monthly stipend. The rampaging ex-militants said they were trained in the phase two programme of the Amnesty Prgrammme. The ex-militants destroyed properties, physically assaulted some journalists and threatened to burn down the NUJ House because reporters were not on ground to hear their grievances. A militant group, Niger Delta Liberation Force, NDLF, has criticised the attack and warned youths, who cause insecurity in Niger Delta in the name of ex-militants to desist from doing so as their serial protest had drawn the anger of NDLF.

MD of Anti-Piracy Company Killed

Suspected sea pirates, Tuesday, killed Captain Romeo Itima, Managing Director of Global West Vessel Specialist Limited, a surveillance company owned by ex-militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, providing security against oil thieves. It was gathered that Itima, who was in pursuit of oil thieves in Escravos, was killed by suspected sea pirates on Tuesday. Itima died after bullet proof boat crashed into stone breaker in rough tide.

Army Arrests Fake Cadets in Delta

Men of the 3rd battalion, Effurun, Delta State at the weekend raided institutions in the state where certain organisations claiming to be offshoot of the Nigeria Army operate. The members of the purported organisations wear full army gear. Over 14 members of the organisations were arrested including their leader. The commanding officer of the battalion, Lt.-Col. Ifeanyi Otu, said the action was carried out because in recent activities of criminals dressed up either in army or police uniforms. Several bags filled with army uniforms, belts, boots, berets, and other military paraphernalia were seized when soldiers raided camps of the alleged fake cadet at Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku and the Asaba campus of the Delta State University.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

Man Dies after Soldiers Brutality

Soldiers attached to the Flag House, Force Road, Lagos, have been accused of killing a 61-year-old man, Adewale Olupitan-Hazzan. It was learnt that the soldiers, who were driving in a military convoy on Ikorodu Road on July 15, went on the rampage and brutalised Adewale, for allegedly breaking the side mirror of one of the vehicles in their convoy. Adewale’s brother, Adedotun, said a military officer identified simply as Capt. Peter, who was just passing by was moved by his predicament and urged the rampaging soldiers to release him. A death certificate issued by LUTH indicated Adewale suffered from subdural hematoma following a head trauma. The family wants the military authority to bring the perpetrators to book.

Teacher Accused of Defiling Three-Year-Old

The police are nvestigating a teacher, Patience Orunma, for allegedly defiling a three-year-old pupil. The incident was reported after the victim’s mother spotted blood in her genitals when bathing her. The victim told her mother that the teacher used a pencil to prick her vagina in the school toilet. The spokesperson for the state police command, Ngozi Braide, confirmed the incident. Similarly, a 43-year-old commercial bus driver, who allegedly raped a 17-year-old food vendor, penultimate Monday, appeared before a Yaba Magistrates’ Court. Felix Adedayo pleaded not guilty, and was granted bail.

Activist Wants FG to Probe Alleged Murder of Six Youths

Following the alleged murder of six Ilaje youths in Ondo State by security officials, a Lagos based lawyer and human rights activist, Ebun Olu-Adegboruwa has called on the Attorney-General of the Federation, (AGF), Mohammed Adoke, to institute a judicial commission of inquiry to unravel the circumstances leading to their death and to bring the perpetrators to justice. The incident, which occurred on July 29, happened when a lawmaker, Raphael Nomiye, was distributing welfare packages to his supporters. The place became rowdy and the security details of the politician and naval officers present allegedly shot and killed six youths and wounded 15 others.

2 Die as Soldiers, Herdsmen Clash in Akure

Two people died on Wednesday while a boy had his hand chopped off during a clash between herdsmen and soldiers in Akure. It was gathered that the boy had attempted to arrest a herdsman for bringing his cows to his father’s farm, but the herdsman brought his cutlass and sever the right arm of the boy. The soldiers mobilized to the herdsmen camp, where the head of the camp tried shielding the culprit. This angered the soldiers, who then opened fire, killing two. Similarly, a member of a church was reported to have lost one of his arms to another herdsman for daring to challenge him for bringing his cows to the church premises in Akure, while a commercial motorcyclist was, on Monday, stabbed in the stomach by two suspected herdsmen along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. It was learnt that a motorist later rescued cyclist and rushed him to the Lagos State Accident and Trauma Centre at Tollgate.

Cleric Leads Robbery Gang

An Ogbomosho-based prophet, Tunde Adeyinka, has been arrested for alleged armed robbery. Investigation revealed that Adeyinka, until his arrest, headed a deadly eight-man gang that had been terrorizing Ogbomosho and its environs while also wreaking havoc on motorists on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. The detectives that arrested him found various weapons including AK 47 rifles, Dane gun, pump action rifles, and cartridges. He allegedly prepared charms for his gang before going for any operation, and has reportedly confessed to being the leader of the gang.

Retired Police Officer Murdered in Lagos

A retired deputy commissioner of police, Pullen Agbonifor, was, on Tuesday, killed by gunmen suspected to be assassins in Lagos. Agbonifor was shot by a four–man gang, who invaded his Idimu Egbeda residence. Policemen arrived on the scene, after one of the sons of the deceased sneaked out to report the incident at the police station. The gunmen allegedly followed the driver of the deceased into the compound and threatened everybody there, before they shot him and escaped. Police spokesperson, Ngozi Braise, confirmed the incident.

Woman Beats Foster Son to Death

A woman has been arrested for beating her ward to death in Lagos. The woman identified simply as Iya Anu, allegedly beat the 16-year-old boy, Seubow, to death for allegedly stealing N50. It was learnt that Iya Anu usually inflicted injuries on Seubow, her husband’s nephew and her children whenever they erred. When she realised that the boy had lost consciousness, she cried for help, and attempted to run away but was rounded up by neighbours. In another incident in Lagos, a 40-year-old woman, Kuburat Bello, allegedly pushed her neighbour’s 4-year-old daughter into a dry well, following a quarrel between the two women. Kuburat was arrested after her own daughter told neighbours that it was her mother who pushed the girl into the well.

Suspected Robbers Killed in a Gun Battle with Police

Two suspected highway robbers were killed by men of the Ogun State Police Command last weekend along the Sagamu-Ore-Benin Expressway. Police spokesman, Muyiwa Adejobi, said policemen were on highway patrol when the armed bandits engaged them in a gun duel after hijacking a bus and robbing the passengers of their valuables. The passengers, were, however, freed unhurt. Adejobi said two of the robbers were found unconscious in the bush with bullet wounds, but they later died. Similarly policemen attached to the state CID, last Sunday, intercepted a robbery gang along Ewekoro area of the State. Two of the suspects were arrested with four cartridges, a gun and a motorcycle while others escaped with bullet wounds.

Couple, 2 Others Arrested With Indian Hemp

Men of the Oyo State police command have arrested a couple and two others with dried weeds suspected to be Indian hemp worth N1.7 million in Ibadan. Deputy Commissioner of Police, Clement Adoda, said that the suspects were arrested while trying to move the illicit drug to the north. The suspects were said to have kept the substances in a shop at the motor park, while making efforts for transportation. He said that it was when they were doing this that policemen, acting on information, rounded them up at the park. He added that some of them escaped.

Three Killed as Container Crushes Car

Three persons were killed in Lagos, last weekend when an unlatched container fell off a truck and crushed their car as the ascended the Anthony Bridge at about 7pm. The 40 foot container suddenly slipped off the flat-bed and fell on the car and its three passengers. It was difficult for passers-by to help as the container was tilting at a dangerous angle. A crane arrived at about 10pm and lifted the container off the mangled car.

GENERAL

Gunmen Will 18 Worshippers in Okene Church, Mosque Attacks

Gunmen, on Monday, invaded a Deeper Life Church in Okene, killing 16 worshippers and leaving many others wounded. The Commander of the Joint Military Task Force (JTF) in Lokoja, Lt-Col. Gabriel Olorunyomi, confirmed the incident, adding that the casualty figure might rise considering that some sustained heavy injuries. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack as yet. Four of the suspects, including the gang leader, have reportedly been arrested after a shootout with the police. One AK 47 rifle with 30 rounds of live ammunition was also recovered from them. Suspected terrorists continued their siege on Okene on Tuesday as they struck at a mosque and killed two soldiers. One of the gunmen was allegedly killed during the attack. Objects suspected to be bombs were also discovered in Lokoja. A bomb was allegedly detonated near a filling station while experts attempted to contain it. No casualty was recorded.

Police Arrest Killer of Soldier, 27 Others

Plateau State Police Command has disclosed that it has arrested 28 persons, including the killer of a solider attached to the Special Task Force (STF) on Jos Crisis. The state Commissioner of Police (CP), Dipo Emmanuel Ayeni, disclosed this on Monday. Others arrested include four members of an armed robbery syndicate who always terrorise people in Mangu area of the state. He said they were smashed through meticulous and dexterous use of intelligence by the state CID personnel in Jos, and items recovered from them include five empty shells of 5.5mm and two empty shells of 7.62 mm ammunition, one plate cover penetrated with bullets, and money.

IGP Orders Mass Transfer of Policemen

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Muhammed Abubakar, has ordered the immediate transfer of all general duty police personnel of all ranks in all formations and commands, who had spent more than two years in their present duty stations. The IGP lamented that some officers and other ranks had stayed more than 10 years in their present duty posts and as such some officers “tend to fraternise with criminals in their localities”. The IGP further directs that officers and men should not be repeated on the same duty post earlier vacated until it is absolutely necessary.

JTF Alerts on Car-Snatching by Terrorists

The Joint Task Force in Borno State has called on the general public to be on the alert following security reports that terrorists were making desperate moves to snatch vehicles for suicide bombings. A statement from the JTF, which was signed by Colonel Victor Ehbaleme and made available to the Nigerian Tribune, called on those whose vehicles had been stolen to immediately report such incidents to the police or to the JTF. According to the statement, failure to do so will result to owners of such vehicles being treated as collaborators when intercepted.

Military Trains 439 on Anti-Terrorism

The military has trained another batch of 439 soldiers on counter-terrorism. The military, under the auspices of the Nigerian Army Counter Terrorist and Counter Insurgency (CTCOIN) Centre, trained the anti-terrorism experts. The Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Infantry, Maj.-Gen. Kenneth Osuji, urged the trained soldiers to display a high level of professionalism when they were deployed for various assignments. The CTCOIN Director, Brig.-Gen. Tijjani Golau, said that the soldiers had acquired the relevant skills that would enhance their performance.

JTF Discovers Bomb Factory in Kano

The Joint Task Force (JTF) has discovered a bomb factory at an isolated part of Tamburawa Bridge in Kano state. Three people suspected to be terrorists were arrested during the raid by JTF on Sunday. The director of State Security Services (SSS) in Kano, Bassey Eteng, said items recovered include eight AK47 magazine, one SMG magazine, one SMG rifle, twelve primed IED, nine un primed IED, high calibre IED, assorted army uniform, chemicals used to make the bomb and six hundred and thirteen rounds of ammunition. Six gunmen, had, on Monday, stormed the Kantin Kwari textile market and carted away large sum of money.  The Police spokesman, Rilwanu Dutse, confirmed the attack and said there was no loss of life.

JTF Kills 20 Suspected Boko Haram Islamists in Gun Battle

The Joint Military Task Force (JTF) said it killed at least 20 suspected Boko Haram Islamic militants after a gun battle in Maiduguri, Borno state on Saturday. The Field Operations Officer of the JTF, Victor Ebhaleme, said one soldier was killed and two others were wounded. According to him, the JTF got reports that suspected Boko Haram terrorists were having a meeting at a location, and they stormed the place. But the terrorists opened fire on the JTF, leading to the shootout. Boko Haram, however, denied that its members were killed. In another incident, gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram members shot dead a policeman after an attack on a church in Gombe state. Police spokesman, Pwaje Attajiri, confirmed that a soldier was also killed in the city.

Police Arrest 17 Suspects in Kogi

The Kogi State police command has arrested 17 suspected criminals and recovered 19 locally made anti-personnel bombs, 1,501 rounds of AK-47 live ammunition, action pump guns and other weapons. It also recovered 11 cars. The state Commissioner of Police, Muhammed Katsina, paraded the suspects on Monday. Also paraded is one Abdullahi Kolawole, who allegedly killed two mobile policemen. The police further recovered improvised explosive device (IED) mobile armoury, a car, 16 locally made anti-tank bombs, eight charged and eight uncharged and seven units of power sources, four units of AK-47 riffles, one Mark 4 rifle, five automatic pump action rifles, 21 single barrel guns and three locally made pistols, amongst other weapons. Security operatives, on Thursday, embarked on a house-to-house search in an intensive arms mop-up.

NLC Gives FG Strike Notice

The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, on Thursday, issued a one-week ultimatum to the Federal Government to withdraw armed soldiers from the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) headquarters and other installations and commence meaningful negotiations with the workers on the outstanding labour issues or face a nationwide industrial strike. This came as it demanded far reaching action on insecurity in the country, corruption, crude oil theft, trial of fuel subsidy scam suspects, murder of Olaitan Oyerinde, among others. It insisted on prosecution of all the accused and warned against the frustration of the trial process in any way or form.

Ex-Commissioner, Immigration Officer Killed in Maiduguri

Gunmen suspected to be members of Boko Haram, penultimate Sunday, shot dead former Borno State Commissioner for Environment, Alhaji Kadiri Kaza’a; and a senior officer with the Nigeria Immigration Services (NIS), Mohammed Lawan, at their residences. Kaza’a and Lawan’s deaths also came on the heels of another suicide attack in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, where the Joint Task Force (JTF) military post was attacked, leaving six soldiers and two civilians dead. It was gathered that Kaza’a and Lawan were killed by the Boko Haram members in the presence of their wives and children in Maiduguri. Borno state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Gideon Jibrin, confirmed the incident. Boko Haram claimed responsibility for the attacks in Yobe state.

ICPC Assures Whistle-Blowers of Security Cover

The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) has assured Nigerians, who blow whistles against corrupt public officers of their safety. The acting chairman of the ICPC, Mr Ekpo Nta, who gave the assurance on Wednesday, stressed that civil servants need not be afraid of exposing corrupt superiors or colleagues in their respective offices, as the commission would guarantee the confidentiality of whatever petitions they might have filed before it to prevent their possible victimisation.

Clinton in Nigeria, Meets with Jonathan, Ministers

Security and bilateral issues dominated discussions between United States Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, and President Goodluck Jonathan, along with other top government officials. Clinton, who was in Nigeria as part of her whistle-stop tour of 11 countries in Africa, during her discussions with Jonathan, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), and service chiefs, pledged to continue supporting Nigeria to tackle insecurity. She offered the US assistance to help Nigeria develop forensic and investigative procedures that will strengthen the fight against terrorism.

6 Killed in Borno, Bauchi States

Suspected gunmen on Monday evening killed a Christian cleric, Ali Samari, at his Maiduguri residence by two gunmen that trailed him. It was learnt that the Boko Haram sect had early this year warned Samari to vacate his residence, but the warning was however dismissed. In Bauchi state, two policemen were, Wednesday, shot dead by unknown gunmen at a check point in Gubi village. The Bauchi state Commissioner of Police, Muhammad Ladan, confirmed the incident. Similarly, three civilians at Unguwar Karofi in Bauchi metropolis were also killed on Tuesday when some political thugs, raided the place. Similarly, a tea vendor was, on Wednesday night, killed at his Gomari ward shop by suspected terrorists. Two of his customers were also injured.

Communal Clashes Claim 12 in Benue

Twelve people were feared killed, while about 20,000 others were displaced in a communal clash between inhabitants of Ojantele and Ijegwu communities in Otukpo and Obi LGAs of Benue State. It was gathered that properties worth several millions of naira were destroyed during the clash. An eyewitness account said fighting broke out between the bordering communities late Tuesday, following renewed dispute over a piece of land being claimed by both community. Another witness account said houses, huts and economic trees were also destroyed as a result of the crises.

Navy Searches for Kidnapped Sailors

Nigeria Navy on Sunday said it had intensified its search for four foreigners kidnapped during an attack on a vessel belonging to an oil services company. The suspected pirates stormed the vessel belonging to the Sea Trucks Group penultimate Saturday in the Gulf of Guinea, killing two Nigerian naval guards and kidnapping four foreigners. A spokeswoman for Sea Trucks Group, which provides support vessels to oil companies operating in Nigeria, said that her company was focused on the safe release of the hostages.

146 Trafficking Suspects Convicted - NAPTIP

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons and Other Related Matters (NAPTIP) has said that about 146 suspects have been convicted and over 90 cases are currently in court. The Director of Intelligence and International Cooperation, Mr Tsumba Terna, said the agency was winning the war gradually, as he advised parents to stop sending their wards into child labour. He said they were vulnerable to many dangers, while the girls were also exposed to sexual abuse. He called for better synergy between the agency and the security agencies in a bid to curb child abuse and human trafficking in the country. Also speaking, Director, Investigation and Monitoring of NAPTIP, Ezekiel Kura, stated that they were in the state following the report of the arrest of 268 victims and the human traffickers in Kogi State by the JTF.

Emir Escapes Death As Suicide Bomber Strikes Yobe

The Emir of Fika, Yobe State, Dr. Muhammadu Abali Ibn Muhammadu Idrissa, escaped death, penultimate Friday, when a suicide bomber detonated an explosive near the monarch as he made his way out of the Potiskum Central Mosque after the Jumaat prayers. The blast ripped off the arm of the emir’s police orderly who shielded him from a direct hit. An eyewitness, said that an unknown person was initially sighted sitting among the Emir’s entourage and was asked to leave the place. Immediately after the prayer, the same person was sighted rushing towards the Emir. The police orderly quickly pushed the man away but the bomb exploded, ripping off the policeman’s arm and injured many people.

Bomb Courier Dies in Kaduna

A suspected suicide bomber was, penultimate Thursday night, killed in Kaduna when the explosive device he was carried went off on him. Eyewitnesses said the suspected suicide bomber, in the company of some accomplices, had entered the Afaka district to eliminate the district head, Abduwahab Aliyu. However, youths in the area who suspected that something sinister was in the works mobilised themselves and were able to apprehend the suspect. But unknown to them, he had a bomb strapped to his body, which later exploded, killing only him. Kaduna Police public relations officer (PPRO) Abdulrazaq Balteh, who confirmed the incident, said that no arrests were made.

Flood Sacks Yobe Community

Three communities in Nguru Local Council of Yobe State have been sacked by flood caused by a six-hour heavy downpour. It destroyed 50 houses while 10 residents were rushed to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) for treatment over injuries and shock they received during the disaster. There was however no loss of life. The rain, which started on Sunday afternoon, continued till Monday with several buildings in Bulabulin, Old Nguru and Kanuri submerged. The ward head of Old Nguru, Malam Hassan Umar, said the flood had brought hardship to his people.

Police Foil Bomb Attempt on Party Secretariat

Police, on Wednesday, foiled the attempt to bomb the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) secretariat in Sokoto. An unidentified person riding motorcycle dropped a black cellophane bag near the PDP secretariat. The policeman guarding the secretariat became suspicious and alerted the state police command to the development. A combined team of detectives and bomb experts found a high calibre IED inside the bag. The Deputy Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, confirmed the development. Gunmen, had, Monday, invaded a police outpost in Shagari LGA and set ablaze part of the building, but nobody died.

INTERNATIONAL

Late Ghanaian President, Atta Mills, Laid to Rest

Late President John Evans Atta Mills, the first Ghanaian president to die in office, was on Friday laid to rest at the end of three-day burial programme, which began on Wednesday. Mills was buried on the grounds of the seat of government at Osu Castle in Accra, the Ghanaian Capital. Some 16 heads of state in addition to other foreign dignitaries, including the US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, are expected at the state burial service, according to Chairman of the funeral committee, Kofi Totobi-Quakyi.

Seven Dead in Sikh Temple Shooting

At least seven people were killed, including the suspected gunman, in a mass shooting at a Sikh temple in Oak Creek, south of Milwaukee, last weekend. An officer who responded to the scene engaged with the suspected gunman in the parking lot, but the gunman later shot himself in the head. The veteran officer was shot multiple times and is hospitalised, according to Police Chief, Bradley Wentlandt. A spokesman for the Hospital said three victims were in critical condition.

Suicide Bomber Kills 30 in Yemen

A suspected suicide bomber has struck a village in the southern Yemeni province of Abyan, killing at least 30 people. Dozens more were wounded in the attack on a funeral service in the city of Jaar, Yemeni officials said. Military officials said the funeral was for a man linked to militias which had helped the army in their fight against al-Qaeda. They said five suspected al-Qaeda militants had been killed earlier in the day. The men were killed in a suspected US drone strike on their vehicle in Hadramawt province. Local governor Jamal al-Aqal said in a statement that an investigation had been opened into the "criminal and cowardly" attack on the funeral service.

Iranian Pilgrims Abducted in Syria

Some 48 Iranian pilgrims have been kidnapped from a bus in the vicinity of a Shia shrine in Syria. Iranian diplomats blamed the abduction on armed groups. Meanwhile, fresh fighting has been reported around Damascus, and in the northern city of Aleppo, where rebels are trying to secure their positions. The Iranian consul in Damascus said the whereabouts of the abducted pilgrims was known. Thousands of Iranians travel each year to Syria to visit the pilgrimage site in the mostly Shia district of Sayyida Zainab, which has seen heavy fighting in recent weeks. There have been several other reports of groups of Iranian pilgrims being kidnapped in Syria.

19 Die as Kurdish Rebels Attack Turkish Soldiers

Six Turkish soldiers, two state militiamen and 11 Kurdish militants were killed when the rebels attacked military outposts in southeast Turkey. Turkish Prime Minister, Tayyip Erdogan, accused unnamed foreign countries of backing the fighters who attacked at least three military bases near the town of Cukurca in Hakkari province, which borders Iraq. Clashes between the army and the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) have intensified in recent weeks in a conflict that has lasted 28 years and killed 40,000 people, mainly Kurds. In the latest attack in Turkey, a large group of PKK fighters armed with guns and rocket launchers crossed over from northern Iraq, where the organisation’s leaders are based, to strike the outposts, the security officials said.

Egypt: Soldiers Killed 20 Suspected Militants

At least 20 militants were killed when Egyptian forces engaged in a crackdown on suspected militants after Islamist gunmen killed 16 policemen near the Israeli border. An Egyptian official has said “Jihadist elements” crossed from the Gaza Strip into Egypt before leading the assault on a border station. They then stole two armoured vehicles and headed to nearby Israel, where they were killed by Israeli fire. Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak, Monday, said that eight assailants died in the attack. Egypt’s military, said it had been patient until now in the face of the instability in Sinai, and began a crackdown on suspects. Egypt’s army, Wednesday, declared tentative victory in a crackdown on Islamist militants in Sinai.

15 Killed as Gunmen Attack Ivoirien Military Camp, Darfur Market

Gunmen, Monday, killed five soldiers and seized weapons in a pre-dawn raid on an army camp in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire. Five soldiers were killed in a similar attack on a police station and army roadblock in another part of Abidjan a day earlier. Fighting lasted nearly three hours before the army took back control of the area. Interior Minister, Hamed Bakayoko, has blamed fighters loyal to former President Laurent Gbagbo for the attacks. Similarly, in Darfur, Sudan, four people were killed when gunmen looted a market and set fire to a police station during several days of violence in Sudan's Darfur region, international peacekeepers said on Monday. Violence has since subsided from its peak, but law and order has collapsed in many parts of the vast territory and clashes have continued to erupt between rebels and government forces.

Philippine Battles Severe Flooding

At least eight people have been reported dead as torrential rain caused flooding in parts of Manila, capital of the Philippine. The flooding forced thousands of people to flee their homes. Eight members of one family died after a landslide hit shanty houses in Quezon City, reports said. Widespread flooding has been reported in the capital and the surrounding provinces, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. Aside from the landslide casualties, four people were reported to have drowned in another province. Weather officials warn that the floods could get worse.

Iran Backs Assad as Battle for Aleppo Rages

Syria's President Bashar al-Assad won a pledge of support on Tuesday from Iran. Assad was shown on television meeting a senior Iranian official. Saeed Jalili, head of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, said Iran would not let its close partnership with the Syrian leadership to be shaken by the uprising or external foes. Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said he wanted to work with Turkey to resolve the crisis. Meanwhile, rebels trying to fight off an army offensive in Aleppo said they were running low on ammunition as the battle for Allepo raged. Assad has reinforced his troops to recapture the districts of Aleppo after repelling fighters from most of Damascus.

Uganda Deploys Air Force against Somali Militants

Uganda's military, which forms the backbone of the African Union peacekeeping force in Somalia, has deployed an air force contingent to reinforce troops trying to retake a city from al Qaeda-linked militants. A combined force in Somalia is planning an onslaught on Kismayu, Somalia's second biggest city which is a hub for the al Shabaab Islamist militants. Lt. Moses Omayo, spokesman for the Uganda Air Force, said that the contingent comprising transport and combat helicopters left Uganda for Somalia on Monday.

NTC Hands Power to Libyan Assembly

Libya's National Transitional Council (NTC), Wednesday, handed over power to an elected national assembly. In a ceremony held under tight security in Tripoli, the NTC handed over to the national congress, elected in July. NTC Chairman, Mustafa Abdel Jalil, symbolically passed on the reins to the oldest member of the new 200-member assembly, Mohammed Ali Salim. Jalil, who announced he would retire after ending his NTC chief post, acknowledged that mistakes had been made during the transitional period and said security and disarmament issues had not been resolved in time. The congress will name a new chairman while the NTC will be disbanded.

UN Laments Growing Terrorism in Mali

The United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon has warned that Mali was becoming a safe haven for “terrorist and criminal” groups. The warning came as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) pushed for the UN Security Council to back the deployment of troops to stabilize the country. The UN scribe said that the Islamists had illegally imposed Sharia law in the north of Mali, where the security situation was now volatile and unpredictable. Islamist militant groups control about two-thirds of Mali after hijacking a secular rebellion earlier this year, and then seized more territory after a March 22 military coup toppled President Amadou Toumani Toure. The conflict has displaced more than 174,000 people within Mali and more than 253,000 had fled to neighbouring countries.