Villeworth Security Services Ltd

week 34

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PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

JTF Intensifies Patrol of PH Waterways

Men of the Joint Military Task Force (JTF) in the Niger Delta have intensified patrol on the Ikpukulu-Borokiri-Abuloma waterways following the increased activities of illegal oil bunkerers and sea pirates. It was learnt that the water-way is the main route, which those involved in illegal bunkering activities use to ferry their products to their willing buyers. Secretary of Borokiri Council of Chiefs, Chief Levi Tam-George lauded the security outfit for its efforts aimed at bringing sanity to the waterway though its fight against illegal bunkering and sea piracy. Tam-George, however expressed regrets that men of the JTF always arrest innocent residents of the area whenever they raid Borokiri water-front communities in search of those involved in illegal bunkering.

Extra-Judicial Killing: Ijaw Leaders Appear Before Military Panel

Ijaw youth leaders from Bayelsa State, Wednesday, appeared before an investigative panel set up by the Chief of Army Staff over the alleged extra judicial killing of six youths in June by the operatives of the Joint Military Task Force(JTF) on suspicion of being sea pirates. The JTF had in June announced that its operatives, during a gun battle along the water ways and creeks of Agge Community in Ekeremor LGA of Bayelsa State, shot dead six pirates. Traditional rulers, legal practitioners and civil society groups in Bayelsa and Delta States faulted the claim and raised an alarm over the rising tension and anger against the JTF on the alleged use of brutal force against indigenes of coastal communities. The Legal Counsel to the Ijaw People Development Initiative (IPDI), Barrister Omes Ogedegbe and the National Coordinator, Comrade Austin Ozobo, told the members of the panel that the youths were arrested by the men of the JTF before they were allegedly murdered.

Women Threaten Action against Rapists

South East women group under the aegis of Umuada Igbo Nigeria, UIN, a non-governmental organisation, NGO, said that it had taken up some alleged rape cases in the South East and the case of mass rape of women in their 70s and 80s in Enugu State. President of UIN, Mrs. Kate Ezeofor said the cases were the rape of a minors and the Opi Nsukka mass rape allegedly carried out by young men were worrisome. According to Ezeofor, the case of the eight-year-old girl, who was raped by a 46-year-old man, was particularly pathetic because she was presently walking on clutches due to lack of funds for proper treatment. She lamented that cases of rape were on the increase, as she regretted that the victims were often reluctant to report the cases because of the stigmatization and the fear of being harmed by the rapists, while others accepted gratifications to keep the matter secret.

Man Jailed 10 Years for Raping 8-Year-Old

A  High Court in Cross River State has sentenced one Augustine Eyibio Ekanem to 10 years imprisonment for raping an eight years old girl at a waterfall. Justice Franca Isoni passed the sentence after finding him guilty of the offence as charged. The rape victim had told the court that on Sunday, December 19th 2011, Ekanem gained entry through the window of her mother’s room where she was sleeping, pressed her down and tied her mouth with a piece of cloth and threatened her before forcefully raping her after which he jumped out through the window.

Commercial Cyclist Hacked to Death in Enugu

A commercial motorcyclist popularly called Okada was killed in Enugu-Ezike, Igbo-eze North LGA of Enugu State; another commercial motorcyclist has been hacked to death in a similar circumstance. The motorcyclist, Chiedozie Urama, was tricked by his assailant to convey him to Aji, Enugu-Ezike only to be killed and his motorcycle snatched. The killing of Chiedozie at Umuagama, a border community with Aji, raised apprehension among the people that a notorious serial killer identified as Ifeanyi Urama who earlier killed a motorcyclist with Monday hammer, could still be around.  The body of Chiedozie was found in the pool of his own blood by Umuagama Vigilante operatives who reported the matter to the police at Ogrute headquarters of the police division.

Varsity Vice-Chancellor Kidnapped in Enugu

Unknown gunmen kidnapped the Vice-Chancellor of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, (ESUT), Prof. Cyprian Onyeji. An eyewitness said the kidnappers, attacked the police van escorting him, deflated its four tyres and fired bullets into the air to scare away anybody from attempting to thwart their operation. Efforts by the three policemen said to be accompanying the vice-chancellor to engage the gunmen in a duel were futile as they succumbed to the superior firepower from the kidnappers after they sustained serious gunshot wounds. It was learnt that the kidnappers had demanded a ransom of N200m for his release. Enugu State Police spokesman, Ebere Amarizu, confirmed the incident, said the police were already on the trail of the kidnappers and that the vehicle in which Onyeji was taken away, was recovered intact.

Explosion Rocks Plantation in Ogoniland

Two out of three locally made Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), Wednesday, exploded in the state-owned banana plantation located at Soghor in Tai LGA of Rivers state. Two other devices planted within the vicinity of the plantation were diffused and recovered by men of the Police Anti-bomb Unit. Soghor community in Ogoniland has been in disagreement with the state government over the planned citing of the banana plantation in the area. However, reports said nobody was close to the explosion area. The Police said the device may have been planted to cause havoc and described those behind the act as hoodlums who have failed in their bid to wreak havoc on society.

Trigger Happy Cop Arrested for Killing Driver in Yenagoa

The Bayelsa State Police Command on Monday confirmed the arrest of a policeman attached to MOPOL 30 Squadron in connection with the killing of a driver. The State Police spokesman, Fidelis Odunna, confirmed the arrest. It was gathered that a trigger-happy riot policeman shot and killed the driver, Goddy Umorem, during an argument. According to an eyewitness, the driver had been passed by a civilian controlling traffic for Julius Berger Construction Company, working on the road. However, the policeman ordered the late driver to reverse, but appeals by the driver that he could not reverse because there were vehicles behind him was ignored. This was said to have angered the policeman who went to the front of the Hilux van and shot the driver on the head, killing him instantly.

Police Van Crushes Man Dead over Brawl on Missing Fowl

A middle-age man has been crushed to death in Yenagoa; Bayelsa State amid the controversy surrounding a neighbour’s missing fowl. The deceased, Odoko Iwama was crushed dead by policemen. According to investigations, the deceased, Mr Odoko Iwama was informed by his neighbor, Ifeanyi, about his missing fowl. Iwama known in the neighbourhood for being playful had jokingly asked another friend of his called Bomber if he had killed Ifeanyi’s fowl. Bomber, however, took offence over the statement, resulting in a scuffle. Bomber later called in the operatives of security outfit over the matter, but Iwama took to his heels, and the police van in full speed hit him. He died on the spot. Eyewitnesses had reported the matter to Police Station, prompting the arrest of Bomber and the Hilux van.

Policeman, Four Others Killed in Enugu

Suspected cult members from Enugu State University of Technology, on Thursday, shot dead a police officer in Enugu metropolis. Four others, including a former councilor, were killed at different locations. It was learnt that the assailants used cars in place of banned motorcycles for their operations. Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Ebere Amaraizu, confirmed the killings. The PPRO said the police had yet to establish any link between the killings and ongoing cult violence in the state.

NIMASA Hands over Impounded Bunkering Vessel to EFCC

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has seized an illegal oil bunkering vessel, which was suspected to be carrying about 300 metric tonnes of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil, also known as diesel. Spokesperson of the EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, on Thursday, said the vessel, MT Ocean Treasure, alongside eight crew members and three staff of Vital Shipping Limited, Apapa, owners of the vessel, were handed over to officials of the commission. The Principal Maritime Safety Officer of the Nigerian Maritime and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Duniya David, who handed over the vessel and crew, urged EFCC to carry out further investigation on the source of the petroleum product and the operations of the vessel.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

Man Reports Self to Police after Killing Prophetess

A 27-year-old man, who allegedly took part in the kidnap of a prophetess after which the woman was buried alive in his compound, has surrendered to the police eight months after the dastardly act. The suspect complained that the spirit of the prophetess was tormenting him. Delta State Police spokesman, Charles Muka, who confirmed the development, said the case of kidnap and murder of a woman fully dressed in a white garment church attire, was committed on December 30, 2011. Muka said that following the confession of the suspect, another suspect was arrested while efforts were on to exhume the body of the woman. The suspect confessed burying the victim alive in his compound when she became weak. His confession led to the arrest of another suspect.

Suspected Cultists Kill Female UBTH Staff

Suspected cultists shot dead a female staff of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) on Monday. The victim, Mrs. Elizabeth Osayande, was allegedly shot at her residence at Akpata Street, Egor LGA of Edo state. According to sources, the gunmen, who allegedly rode on a motorcycle, had reportedly pointed at the woman, saying “that is the person, shoot her,” before she was shot on the chest. Her son was said to have had an altercation with a boy who parked his motorcycle in front of their residence before the unknown gunmen shot the deceased.

Kidnapped Judge Regains Freedom

The kidnapped Judge of a Delta State High Court, Justice Marcel Okoh, on Thursday regained his freedom after over a week in captivity. Justice Okoh was kidnapped by unknown armed gunmen penultimate Tuesday while traveling to Warri from Asaba. It was gathered that the kidnappers had demanded N40 million as ransom for his release. The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Charles Muka, said that the Judge was released at Abraka. Muka, however, expressed the command’s appreciation to various vigilante groups and stakeholders for their collaborations and synergy in tracking down hoodlums.

JTF Arrests 72-Year-Old Man, Others over Sex with Minors

The Joint Military Task Force (JTF) in Delta State, Thursday, arrested a 72-year-old man and two others for allegedly seducing and having sex with six under-aged girls of ages of 10 and 15. The suspects were arrested by the JTF on patrol in the early hours, with the girls whom they lured into a hideout under the guise of sending them on an errand. The head of the team, Captain U. Agbo said that the six girls were   cajoled into unprotected sex in an uncompleted building after they were offered huge sums of money including some gift items by the suspects. One of the suspects, a retired military officer was alleged to have wooed one of the girls, a JSS 1 student, into sex the previous day. She allegedly organised her friends for the second round of the illicit sex.

Oshiomhole Calls for Probe on Police, SSS over Parade of Suspects

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State Wednesday called on President Goodluck Jonathan to set up a high-powered panel of inquiry to look into the contradictions between the Nigeria Police Force and the State Security Service, SSS, over the killing of Comrade Olaitan Oyerinde, his Principal Private Secretary. Oyerinde was killed by gunmen in his residence in Benin City, on May 4, this year. Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Peter Okhiria, lamented the contradictory statements and said that while the SSS paraded some people alleged to have confessed to the killing of Oyerinde on account of armed robbery, the Nigeria Police also said they have in their custody exactly the same number of persons who allegedly confessed to the killing of Comrade Oyerinde.

SSS Parades Suspected Car Snatchers in Edo

A traditional medical practitioner, Omote Ovie Thomas (aka Yankee), in Isoko North LGA of Delta State, was, on Thursday, paraded by the Edo State Command of State Security Service (SSS), for allegedly  receiving stolen cars. The traditional healer was among eight persons paraded by DSS for car snatching and receiving of stolen items. Omote was alleged to have purchased a stolen Toyota Camry for N160, 000. State Director of SSS, Mr. Tukur Bakori, said the suspects, one Okechukwu Okoro, Solomon Samuel Stephen Okafor and Kingsley Abava snatched the vehicle in Benin City earlier in the year and took it to Delta State, where they sold it to the herbalist.

Undergraduate Killed over Internet Modem

A 24-year-old undergraduate, Solomon Onyeoghani, was last weekend, stabbed to death in Warri, Delta State by one Chukwuka Kelubia, 29, over an alleged missing internet modem. It was learnt that the assailant stabbed him several times in the neck with a broken bottle. Solomon was said to have struggled and ran towards a private clinic but slumped at the gate and died. Kelubia had accused Onyeoghani of being responsible for his missing internet modem an accusation the late Solomon vehemently denied. Sympathizers said Kelubia had been causing residents of the area sleepless nights as he had been severally fingered as a member of an armed robbery gang. A senior police officer at confirmed the incident. Kelubia has been on the run since the incident.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

Man Jailed Over Rape of 3 Minors

An Ikeja Magistrates’ Court on Monday sentenced a 45-year-old commercial motorcyclist and polygamist, Alabi Bakare, to five years imprisonment for raping three minors. The Magistrate said the sentence would be without an option of fine. Bakare was sentenced after he pleaded guilty. Bakare was caught in the act by a co-tenant, who reported the matter. Similarly, a dismissed policeman, Sehinde Joseph, was arrested for allegedly attempting to rape a 5-year-old girl. Neighbours beat him before handing him over to the police. Meanwhile, a group, Women against Rape, Sexual Harassment and Sexual Exploitation (WARSHE), has raised the alarm over the rising incidence of rape. The group said 80% of 3,118 students interviewed had experienced sexual violence and abuse, and most were perpetrated in the homes of the victims.

Gang on Parole Caught in Fresh Robbery

A gang of five suspected armed robbers, who were granted amnesty last year, has been arrested by the Oyo State Police Command in connection with several other robbery attacks. Many ex-convicts or robbery suspects, who were released on bail by courts, were among other suspected criminals paraded by AIG Tambari Muhammed at the Eleyele Headquarters of the command. The five-man alliance started after they were granted amnesty and released from prison and thereafter, it has been terror for Ibadan residents. According to him, the suspects met in prison and regrouped after their release to form a formidable armed gang. Items allegedly found with them included four locally made cut to size single barrel guns and six cartridges.

Five Arrested over Petrol Stored in Sacks

The Lagos State command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps, on Monday, arrested two men after intercepting boats laden with over 12,000 litres of petrol. The suspects allegedly put the petrol in nylon and stored them in sacks. The command also arrested three others with 43 jerry cans of petrol bought from suspected pipeline vandals. The spokesman for the command, Mr. Sunday Eromosele, said the suspects were attempting to smuggle the products to neighbouring countries. It was learnt that the Iddo Waterfront, where some of the products were kept, was a hideout for suspected pipeline vandals who usually conveyed their products through the lagoon despite the presence of security agents.

Drunken Driver Kills Three Pedestrians

Three people were killed while two others were injured on Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway in Lagos on Thursday after an alleged drunken driver, Oladimeji Olaniyi, lost control of his car and rammed into them. An eyewitness alleged the driver was drunk and was on high speed when the accident occurred. The driver reportedly hit and killed three people on the spot while two bystanders at a bus stop sustained injuries.

Robbers Raid Ekiti Police Station, Bank

Suspected robbers on Thursday invaded a bank in Ifaki Ekiti in Ido Osi LGA of Ekiti State and carted away undisclosed sum of money in an operation that lasted for about 20 minutes. The robbers reportedly stormed the town in four vehicles and attacked the police station in the town before the bank. The attack forced other banks and shops in the town to close abruptly with roads deserted. The Commissioner of Police, Sotonye Wakama, confirmed that nobody was killed.

Banker Escapes Murder Charge over Death of LASTMA Official
…Charged for Reckless Driving

Embattled banker, Mrs Yinka Johnson, who was accused of killing 33-year-old Hammed Balogun, a Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA) official, has been charged for driving against the traffic. Based on the findings of the detectives and eyewitness’ accounts, the murder charge was dropped.  Several eyewitnesses, who provided their names and statements, debunked the allegation of murder by LASTMA against Johnson. The police arraigned her on a one-count charge of reckless driving against oncoming traffic. She pleaded not guilty to the charge and was granted bail in the sum of N50, 000 with one surety in like sum. According to the witnesses, the deceased was killed by a commercial bus driver, that later fled the scene.

Robbery Suspect Stones Man to Death

An armed robbery suspect, Jimoh Yekini, on Tuesday in Ibadan, Oyo State, said he “mistakenly” stoned his friend’s father to death. Yekini, 36, said that his usual weapon of attack was a stone. The victim, Kamoru Lamidi, was said to have died after a stone Yekini threw at his son, Sumaila, hit him.  But the police insisted he killed Lamidi when he went to rob the victim’s house. Meanwhile, one policeman and an armed robbery suspect were killed during a shoot-out in the Apapa area of Lagos on Tuesday. It was learnt that the robbery suspects, who were four in number, were operating near Union Bank located on Wharf Road when policemen engaged them in a gun duel. Two of the suspects were arrested while another was killed.

Assault on Journalist: Culprits Arrested

The man who started the assault on a journalist, Mr. Benedict Uwalaka, penultimate Thursday, has been arrested. He was arrested after he showed up at a police station following a manhunt for him. The assailant, Bayo Ogunshola, is son of the owner of Lekan Ogunshola Memorial Morgue, the concessionaire to the LASUTH morgue, Mrs. Taiwo Ogunsola. Ogunshola admitted seizing his victim’s camera but denied joining others in beating him. Efforts of the victim to recognize the other culprit known as Idowu was abortive as the management said there was no one called by that name in its employ, prompting the police to order seven suspects, including Debayo, to write statements as the police begin its investigation.

GENERAL

JTF Kills 22 Boko Haram Suspects, Arrests 31 in Borno, Yobe

The Joint Military Task Force (JTF), last weekend, killed 22 suspected members of Boko Haram in two different clashes in Maiduguri, Borno State and Damaturu, Yobe State. The JTF said that 20 were killed during a shootout on night in Maiduguri. In Damaturu, however, two of the insurgents were killed when a group of the sect engaged the JTF in a shootout, while 31 were arrested. A source said the JTF had launched an offensive against the sect after receiving an intelligence report that Boko Haram members were meeting at one of their hideouts in Maiduguri to finalise plans to attack the town. The Field Operations Officer of JTF in Borno State, Colonel Victor Ebhaleme, said during the attack where 20 sect members were killed, one soldier was killed and two others sustained gunshot injuries.

16 Suspects Arrested over Okene Killing

Sixteen more suspects have been arrested in connection with the killings of 20 members of the Deeper Life Bible Church and two soldiers in Okene, Kogi State recently. The state’s Police spokesman, Simon Ile, who confirmed the arrest, however, denied allegation of high handedness levied against security operatives. Ile confirmed that a former chairman of Okene LGA was one of those arrested. The Police spokesman assured the people that those found not to be involved in the act would be freed after the on-going investigation.

Kano Police Detonate 963 IEDs, Arrest 108 in Eight Months

Kano State Police Command, on Tuesday, said it had detonated 963 Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) of different calibre, as well as arrested 108 suspected criminals at different locations in the last eight months in the state. The state Police Commissioner, Ibrahim Idris, said out of the 963 bombs detonated, two were suicide prime car bombs, adding that all the IEDs were successfully detonated since January 20 to date, without any injury or damage. He disclosed that items recovered within the two weeks include, 26 IEDs, 10 rounds of ammunition, two pistols, pump action guns, one air rifle, nine double barrels, three AK 47 riffles, 226 cartridges, 12 knives, 11 stolen vehicles and 45 rounds of ammunition. He explained that 108 suspected criminals were arrested at different hideouts in the state, while 92 of them were charged to court.

Bombers Die in Untimely Detonation

Part of Kaduna metropolis was on Tuesday thrown into confusion as two suspected suicide bombers blew up themselves, while taking an object suspected to be a bomb to an unknown destination. The two suspects, according to an eyewitness, were on a motorcycle heading towards the northern part of the state at about 3pm when the object exploded killing them on the spot. Another motorcyclist, said to be following the two suspects, had his stomach ripped. Police spokesman, Abubakar Balteh, said confirmed the incident.

Flooding Kills 28, Displaces Several in Plateau, Nasarrawa, Bauchi

Flooding caused by heavy rains in Jos, Plateau state, has killed at least 28 people, with many others still missing. Kemi Nshe, Chairman for the Shendam district, said some 1,500 people were displaced from the rains, last weekend. Similarly, houses, shops and valuables worth thousands of naira were, on Saturday, destroyed as a result of torrential rain that ravaged four different areas in Doma town, Doma LGA of Nasarawa State. Many residents were rendered homeless. Communities in Bauchi state were also devastated by the floods. Bauchi State governor, Isa Yuguda, assured that his administration would do everything possible to ensure that the recent flood did not disrupt the living of the people affected.

STF Arrest Suspects, Recovers Arms in Plateau Villages

Commander of the Special Task Force (STF) in Jos, Plateau state, Maj. Gen. Henry Ayoola, has said the task force has recovered a cache of arms and ammunition during an operation to flush out terrorists from the hills of Riyom and Barkin Ladi LGA. Ayoola said some suspects had also been arrested. The FG had ordered the operation following the July killing of hundreds of people, including two lawmakers in nine villages of the two LGAs. According to Ayoola, successful military operation had taken place in the affected five villages before the villagers were allowed to return, adding that the operation was ongoing in Mahanga. Ayoola described the situation in Plateau as very complex as there were so many interest groups with different agenda.

Minister Advocates Community Policing

Minister of Police Affairs, Navy Capt. Caleb Olubolade (retd), has said the socio-economic development of any nation is directly related to its level of security. Olubolade spoke at a council security summit on ‘Partnership in Community Policing’, by the Kogi State Police Community Relations Committee in Lokoja on Thursday. He called on Nigerians to join hands through community policing in the fight against crimes and terrorism. He stated that the on-going Nigerian Police Reform, which among other issues, places emphasis on community policing, training and retraining of the police for better performance, was aimed at fighting crime and terrorism.

18 Die in Kaduna Road Crash

No fewer than 18 passengers died on the Kaduna-Abuja Road when an 18-seater commercial bus plunged into a river at Rijana Villages near Kaduna. A BMW also plunged into a ditch, killing two persons on road. The first accident occurred on Wednesday at about 9am, according to an eyewitness. The Kaduna State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Olumike Olagunju, confirmed the accident. On Tuesday, two traditional rulers in Niger State were crushed to death on Minna-Bida-Katearegi Road in Katcha LGA of the State. The traditional rulers were returning from a three-day Fida’u prayer in a neighbouring community, when a pick-up van, which lost control after one of its tires burst, hit them from the rear.

NIS Deports 100 Illegal Immigrants

The Katsina state command of Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has deported 100 foreigners from the state for not being in possession of necessary travel documents. The State Comptroller, Umar Bulama said that most of the deportees were citizens of Niger Republic and other neighbouring African countries. This was just as he assured that the NIS would continue to check the influx of illegal migrants in the country. The state comptroller who recalled that the Service  recently arrested a number of persons for alleged human trafficking in Katsina State and had handed the suspects over to the agency in charge of such crimes for further investigation and prosecution, assured that illegal immigrants would have no hiding place in the state.

11 Killed in Makurdi-Gboko Road Accidents

Ten persons were feared dead, Monday, in a motor accident on Makurdi-Gboko Road, involving a 14-seater bus and a trailer loaded with cement. It was gathered that the bus was conveying passengers from Gboko to Kano en route Makurdi, but was involved in the mishap barely 30 minutes after takeoff. It was gathered that the driver of the passenger bus attempted to overtake the trailer few kilometers from Wanun-ne, but unfortunately ran into it from the rear and skidded off the road. The sources claimed that 10 persons died on the spot, while survivors were rushed to the Hospital. The General Manager of the Benue Links Transport Company, Mr. John Baka, confirmed the accident.

Police Arrest Gunman in Riyom

The Plateau state Police Command, on Monday, paraded a middle-aged man suspected to have gone to attack villagers in Kwakwi, a village in Riyom LGA. Commissioner of Police, Dipo Ayeni, said that the suspect was arrested at about 2am by youths in the area after they suspected the man’s intentions because he was carrying an AK 47 riffle. Chairman of Riyom LGA, Sam Audu, has commended the youth for the efforts that resulted into the arrest of the suspect. Audu promised that the local authorities and other stakeholders would continue to create awareness on the need for the people to be the first security agents of their communities.

IGP Warns Officers against Indiscipline, Lawlessness

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Abubakar, on Monday, warned that the current police management would not tolerate any act of lawlessness, disloyalty and disservice by any officer in the force. The IGP gave the warning while decorating one Deputy Inspectors-General of Police (DIG), eight Assistant Inspectors General of Police (AIGs) and 32 Commissioners of Police, just as the chairman of Police Service Commission, Mr Parry Osayande, announced that special promotion had been abolished in the force, because it was breeding indiscipline. The IGP said that it was no more a child’s play for any officer of the service to be upgraded to the next rank, because so much was expected of them in view of the challenges and the current security situation in the country.

Bomber Dies in Attack on JTF

A suicide bomber on a tricycle, Wednesday, attacked a patrol vehicle of the Joint Task Force (JTF) in Maiduguri, Borno State, leading to the death of the insurgent and a civilian. The bomber’s attack in Borno came a few days after the JTF recovered arms and ammunitions and killed suspected terrorists in Maiduguri. The Spokesman for the JTF in Maiduguri, Lt.-Col. Sagir Musa, said people are advised to report any suspicious persons and movements to the security task force and police.

Nine Killed as Gangs Clash in Damaturu

A clash of two gangs in Damaturu, Yobe state, left nine people dead. The clash, according to sources, is a result of the Boko Haram sect going after impostors. Police spokesman, Toyin Gbadegesin, who confirmed the incident, said the police were alerted and the bodies were deposited at the mortuary. Gbadegesin said the affected persons are within ages 18 and 25. He said the bodies were riddled with gunshot injuries and deep knife cuts, indicating intense fighting. Gbadegesin said one person had been arrested. The police were silent on the gangs involved in the clash. Also, some gunmen were said have attacked security agents on Wednesday while retrieving the body of a Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corp (NSCDC) member killed in Gwange ward. Commissioner of Police, Patrick Egbuniwe, said a group of gunmen attacked his men, but no life was lost.

INTERNATIONAL

Over 250 Killed as Earthquake Shakes Iran

Iranian authorities struggled to cope with thousands of earthquake victims just as rescuers raced to reach remote villages after two powerful quakes killed at least 250 people, last weekend. Thousands of Iranians huddled in makeshift camps or slept in streets after Saturday’s quakes in fear of more aftershocks. According to witnesses, lack of tents and other supplies left the victims exposed to the night chill. Casualty figures are expected to rise, as some of the injured were in critical condition while hundreds were trapped under rubbles that remained inaccessible to rescue workers. Similarly, a shallow 6.3-magnitude earthquake shook a remote area of China’s western region of Xinjiang. It was not immediately clear if there was any damage or casualties and rescue teams had been deployed.

UN Ends Syria Mission

The United Nations called an end to its observer mission in Syria on Thursday, while activists reported more bloodletting in Aleppo. The conditions to continue UNSMIS were not fulfilled, according to France's UN ambassador, Gerard Araud. The withdrawal of the observers follows the collapse of a peace plan drawn up by outgoing peace envoy Kofi Annan. Meanwhile, veteran Algerian diplomat, Lakhdar Brahimi, has agreed to replace Kofi Annan as the international mediator on Syria, U.N. sources said. Annan is stepping down at the end of August after six months in the job because he said his Syria peace plan was hampered by a divided and deadlocked U.N. Security Council. Brahimi has demanded "strong support" from the Security Council for efforts to secure a negotiated peace.

Family Slaughtered in Mexico Gang Style Killing

A family of seven, including three young children, were found murdered with their throats slit in a ranch outside the Gulf port city of Veracruz. The bodies were discovered after neighbours noted an awful smell coming from the home outside the town of Manlio Fabio Altamirano, the Veracruz state attorney general's office said in a statement. The state of decomposition suggested they had been murdered at least 72 hours before they were found. Three children aged 9, 7 and 3 were among the victims. It was the second time in less than 7 days that a family was attacked by suspected crime gangs. There has been a rash of deaths and violence in central Mexico, a battleground between rival gangs for control over lucrative smuggling routes to the United States.

Air Raid Kills 30 in Syria

A Syrian air raid killed at least 30 people in a rebel-held northern border town on Wednesday, opposition activists said, and a bomb went off near U.N. and military sites in Damascus. As the violence intensified, U.N. human rights investigators accused forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity. They said rebels had also committed war crimes, but the violations "did not reach the gravity, frequency and scale" of those by state forces and the pro-Assad shabbiha militia. An activist said at least 30 bodies had been found and rescuers were searching for more. Assad's forces have increasingly used helicopter gunships and warplanes against the lightly-armed insurgents.

Gunmen Men Attack Darfur Peace Deal Office

International peacekeepers announced that some armed men seized a hostage and fired shots at the offices of the agency overseeing a peace deal in Sudan’s Darfur region. The attack in the North Darfur was the latest in a series of violent incidents in Sudan’s far western region. The African Union-United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) confirmed the attack on Monday. The Darfur Regional Authority was set up to implement a peace agreement reached last year between the Khartoum regime and an alliance of rebel splinter factions. But key rebel groups refused to sign the deal.

Eight Ugandan Soldiers Survive Helicopter Crash

Ugandan officials said eight servicemen walked away from their helicopter after it crashed in Kenya en route to war-torn Somalia while two soldiers were killed in another crash. Theirs were among three Russian-made Mi-24 combat helicopters that went down Sunday in a remote mountainous region of Kenya. One was found on Monday, with all seven servicemen on board rescued. Uganda has blamed poor weather for the crashes. The eight survivors found Tuesday had trekked some five miles (eight kilometres) through dense forests in search of help.

US Troops Killed in Afghanistan

A senior U.S. Army soldier was killed along with a couple of majors by a suicide bomber in Afghanistan, and three special forces soldiers were gunned down by an Afghan commander who had won their trust and invited them to dinner. The suicide bomber struck, penultimate Wednesday, as a group of U.S. military and civilian officials were in Sarkowi in Kunar Province. The suicide attacker detonated an explosive vest near the group. The explosion also killed American USAID Foreign Service Officer Ragaei Abdelfattah. Another American officer and an Afghan civilian were also injured in the attack. Further gun attacks on NATO-led troops in south Afghanistan have left a total of six soldiers dead, coalition officials say. An Afghan civilian employee shot dead three soldiers at a base in Helmand province on Friday.

Syria, Jordan Clash in Border Area

Fighting broke out between Jordanian and Syrian forces in a border region between the two countries overnight, but a Jordanian source said on Saturday no one on Jordan's side appeared to have been killed. A Syrian opposition activist, who witnessed the fighting, said the clash occurred after Syrian refugees tried to cross into Jordan. Jordanian troops have fired near the border in the past to stop Syrians from shooting at fleeing refugees. Western nations and regional powers fear the Syrian conflict could spill into neighbouring countries. Meanwhile, the US has set new sanctions on Syrian Oil Company and the Hezbollah militant group. State Department spokesman, Patrick Ventrell said the penalties against energy firm, Sytrol, come after it delivered $36 million worth of gasoline to Iran in April.

Nine Shot Dead, Several Missing in S/A Clash

At least nine members of a vigilance group guarding against cattle theft were shot dead in South Africa and some 30 were missing after a revenge attack by villagers in the hills near Pomeroy. Around 30 members of the group were still missing. The group, penultimate Thursday, caught and allegedly beat up a man suspected of stealing cattle, police spokesman, Vincent Mdlunge, said. Local residents then ambushed the vigilantes. Cattle wars are a longstanding feature in the eastern KwaZulu-Natal province. In a separate incident a week ago, five men were shot dead and 17 injured in an attack elsewhere in the province blamed on a clan feud, raising concern over violence in the Zulu-dominated province.

Gunmen Kill Eight at Mexican Strip Bar

Suspected drug cartel gunmen stormed a strip bar and shot dead eight men in the northern Mexican city of Monterrey on Monday. Four victims died on site, and four more died later in the hospital, officials said on Tuesday. Six gunmen, who arrived in three vehicles, entered the bar and began shooting in the latest brutal incident in a wave of recent violence across Mexico. Witnesses said the attackers identified themselves as members of the Gulf cartel, which operates in northeast Mexico, before they opened fire.

Suicide Bombers Kill 28 in Afghanistan

Three suicide bombers killed at least 28 people and wounded more than 70 when they blew themselves up in a busy market in south-western Afghanistan on Tuesday. Eighteen civilians including several children and at least three members of the Afghan security forces were among the dead in the town of Zaranj. The toll is expected to rise, provincial governor, Abdul Karim Barahawi, said. Mohd Musa Rasooli, the Nimroz Police Chief, said three police were among the 28 dead and said the bombers had attacked not only a bazaar, but also the entrance to the local hospital.

Chinese Serial Killer, Robber Shot Dead

Chinese police in the city of Chongqing shot dead a fugitive serial killer and armed robber on Tuesday after a massive manhunt aimed at reassuring people the government would continue a crime crackdown begun by sacked party boss Bo Xilai. Zhou Kehua, 42, who was responsible for nine deaths across several provinces, was finally cornered and shot dead at a Chongqing shoe factory around dawn. Authorities described Zhou, who targeted people withdrawing money from banks, as "ruthless and extremely dangerous".

36 Killed in South African Mine Clash

Dozens of people were killed after South African police opened fire on hundreds of armed workers on a wildcat strike at a Platinum Mine. Police gave a toll of 30 and rising, while the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) said 36 had died in clashes. At the Marikana mine, a force of mostly black officers fired on a crowd of black workers, who police said were advancing on them with guns and machetes. NUM Secretary General, Frans Baleni, put the toll at 36, and blamed the unrest on the radical Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU), which has been trying to grow its membership. The wildcat strike started on August 10, as a group of workers demanded that London-listed Lonmin triple their wages from the current monthly salary of about 4,000 rand ($486, 400 euros).

Gunmen Attack Military Base, Prison in Cote d’Ivoire

About 100 prison inmates were set free after a fresh onslaught was launched by some armed men on an army base, a prison and police stations in Cote d’Ivoire. According to a source in the Republican Forces of Cote d’Ivoire (FRCI), the situation is under control as the forces pushed back the attack. Two police headquarters and the town’s prison also came under attack, while a member of parliament, Mohammed Sess Soukou, said some 100 prisoners had escaped. The attacks in and around Abidjan have sparked a sharp rise in tension in the country.