Villeworth Security Services Ltd

week 40

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PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

Pregnant Woman Killed in Ebonyi

An eight months pregnant woman, Grace Nwangwu, was last weekend, killed in Ikwo LGA of Ebonyi State. The woman reportedly woke up around midnight to go ease herself outside the house, but rather went to a farm to harvest some food crops and was killed by her assailant. The deceased’s husband, Mr. Nwangwu, explained that when his wife did not return after a few minutes, he went in search of her and later found her lifeless body and raised an alarm which attracted other villagers to the scene; who then alerted the police before we made a random search for her killer. The villagers traced spills of blood to a nearby cassava farm where it was suspected that the woman met her waterloo. The Ebonyi State Police spokesman, Sylvester Igbo, confirmed the incident, adding that investigation had commenced.

Policeman, Pregnant Woman Killed in Bayelsa Robbery

A policeman and a pregnant woman were killed Wednesday, during an exchange of gunfire between policemen and armed robbers in Yenagoa, Bayelsa. The policeman was said to have fallen from the tail-board of the police pick-up van that was in hot pursuit of the robbers. The pregnant woman, on her part, was said to be a passenger in the car, when she was allegedly felled by police bullets. The woman, her husband, her sister and a driver had gone to collect money from a bank when some men in a bus started trailing them. Sensing that they may be armed robbers, the occupants of the car started shouting for help. Members of the public were said to have alerted the police team nearby, who thereafter, pursued the two vehicles and opened fire, killing the woman, while the bus escaped.

Senate Urges FG to Appeal Ceding of Bakassi

The Senate, Wednesday, urged the FG to appeal the judgment of the 2002 International Court of Justice (ICJ) ceding the Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroun. The Deputy Leader of the Senate, Abdul Ningi, drew attention to the judgment and urged the chamber to ask the executive to do something immediately. The Senate noted that the dateline of the judgment of the ICJ would expire by October 9, 2012, and the territory would belong to Republic of Cameroun forever.  The senate also observed that there has never been a precedent in history where any case of this nature was executed without a referendum as enshrined by the United Nations. It was agreed that the Federal Government should reject ceding the territory while it should also go on appeal.

Gas Leakage: 60 Hospitalised in Okrika

Fear and anxiety have gripped residents of Ibuluya Dikibo community in Okrika LGA of Rivers State following the leakage of a ruptured gas pipeline belonging to the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). About 60 people from community were feared hospitalised following the incident. While youths from the affected community, on Thursday, staged a peaceful protest over NNPC’s failure to urgently repair the pipes and control the leakage, the Chairman of Okrika Council, Tamuno Williams, pointed out that NNPC should not take the health of the people for granted. He urged the NNPC to always check and fix pipelines issues. However, the Manager Public Affairs, Port Harcourt Refinery, Ralf Ogbu, blamed the youths for the delay in repairing the damaged pipes. Ogbu said that engineers from the refinery went earlier to repair the pipelines but were not allowed access by the community’s youths.

RSG Donates 35 Patrol Vans to Security Agencies

Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi, has donated 35 security patrol vehicles to security formations in the state. The security agencies include the Police, Joint Task Force (JTF), Air Force, Nigerian Army, the State Security Service and the Navy. Handing over the vehicles on Thursday, Amaechi urged the security agencies to make judicious use of the vehicles to improve and enhance security operations in the state. He expressed confidence that the release of the security patrol vehicles would sustain the existing peace and guarantee lasting security in all parts of the state. Responding on behalf of service commanders in the state, the commander of the 97 Special Operations Group, Air Vice Marshall Abbah Zanna, assured that the vehicles would be put into proper use to ensure security of lives and property.

Fear of Epidemic as Flood Spreads in Bayelsa

There is fear of outbreak of epidemic in the flood-ravaged Obuwari settlement in Sagbama LGA of Bayelsa State. This is as over 300 buildings in the area have been sacked by the flood, and the number of communities submerged by flood is on the increase with the disaster spreading to Toru-Orua, home town of Governor Seriake Dickson. It was learnt that floods sacked two traditional rulers in Sagbama, Chief Ekadi Aziza and the Ebidaowei of Kabowei Kingdom, Hope Torruo. There were fears that the situation would be fatal following the continuous rise of the river surrounding the communities. Government officials, including the Commissioner for Enviroment, Dr. Sylvanus Abila, and others are said to have toured the affected communities for assessment.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

Gunmen Kill Driver, Abduct Children of Edo Businessman

Gunmen in Benin City, Edo state, on Monday, killed the driver and abducted two children of a Benin City-based businessman, Juande Iyamu. The driver was reported to be taking the children of his principal to school when the gunmen struck near Iyamu's house. Some residents, who heard gunshots and came out to catch glimpses of what was happening, were said to have retreated immediately to their houses on sighting the gunmen who purportedly operated in a brazen fashion. However, some of the residents later rushed to the scene of the incident after the kidnappers had left to provide assistance to the shot driver who was already dead before they reached him.

Court Awards Family N15m against Police over Son’s Death

An Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City, has awarded N15 million damages as judgment sum against the Nigeria Police for the extra-judicial killing of one Baba Isaac Edoh in June 2011 while in custody at the State Criminal Investigation Department. The Court also directed the Police authorities to release the corpse of the deceased to the family members for burial. Justice S.E. Omonua gave the verdict sequel to an application for enforcement of the deceased’s right to life brought by his father, Mr. Isaac Edoh. Justice Omonua condemned the Police for the extra-judicial killing of the deceased undergraduate and ordered the Police to pay N15m damages to the bereaved parents.

Delta, Edo Communities Submerged by Flood

No fewer than 20 coastal communities in Delta and Edo States have been submerged by flood from the overflowing River Niger. Oko community appeared to be the worst hit. Some of the affected families were yet to vacate their submerged homes. The flood has led to the displacement of at least 400 persons and to the death of many others. The state government has set up a refugee camps to accommodate the displaced persons. In Edo state, two children, who were among the displaced victims in Estako Central LGA of Edo State, have died following alleged outbreak of chickenpox. An official of Edo State Ministry of Health confirmed that the children died in one of the six camps, where the flood victims were quartered. The state Health Commissioner, Dr. Cordelia Aiwize, said that the government would do its best to take care of the displaced victims. Health officials have been ordered to the camps.

Abductors Seize Four in Edo

Kidnappers struck in Edo states abducting four persons on Monday. The principal of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) Demonstration Senior Secondary School (UDSSS), Mrs. Julie Oboite, was abducted at the entrance of her residence in Benin, while another secondary school principal was abducted in Aduwawa, a suburb of Benin. Similarly, two other persons, Oil company staff and a medical doctor were also abducted on Monday. It was gathered that the abductors of Mrs. Oboite had demanded N20 million as ransom before she could be released.

Communities Threaten Sale of Oil Facility

Some oil producing communities in Ughelli South LGA of Delta State have threatened to block the sale of an oil facility by Shell. The communities alleged that the company did not secure their consent before putting up for sale an oil facility 15 Oil Mineral Licence (OML) 34. The communities said that it was an aberration for a facility in their domain to be handed over to a new owner without their consent. They insisted that the transaction by SPDC totally negated the provisions of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act of 2010 which gave the local communities the right to have a say on oil facilities in their land. They vowed to resist any attempt to force the new operator on them without resolving the contentious issues by any lawful means necessary.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

Court Martial Declares Naval Officer Guilty of Manslaughter
…As Court Sentences Policeman to Death for Murder of 3-Yr-Old

The Nigerian Navy has pronounced Ordinary Seaman (OS), Moses Joseph, guilty of the three-count charge of kidnapping, murder and gross indiscipline preferred against him. Joseph was alleged to have kidnapped a child, Princess Happiness Moses on February 2, 2012 at Ajegunle in company of six others from her mother, Glory Yusuf. The General Court Martial passed its judgment and found him guilty of allegations. In a similar incident, a 35-year-old policeman, ex-Corporal Ikechukwu Nwabueze, was on Thursday sentenced to death by Justice Olabisi Akinlade of a Lagos High Court for the 2009 murder of a three-year-old-girl, Kausara Muritala, by shooting her in her father’s car at a police check point

Police Nab Lagos Robbery Suspects

Three armed robbery suspects have been arrested by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Lagos, in connection with the September 9, 2012 robberies in parts of Lagos state, which left seven dead. The suspects were arrested at their hideout on September 23 following a tip-off. The suspects were said to members of a much larger group that carried out simultaneous robberies in Gbagada, Agege, Anthony, Ojodu, Itire, Ikeja and Ilasamaja areas. It was learnt that after 23-year-old Okeagbu was arrested, his confession  led to the recovery of a large cache of ammunition, one rocket propel grenade launcher, 225 AK 47 magazines fully-loaded, over 10,000 rounds of AK 47 live ammunition, two general purpose machine guns, 260 rounds of GPMG live ammunition, five dynamite with detonator and nine AK 47 rifles.

Floods Submerge Lagos

Lagos state experienced over eight hours of continuous rainfall on Thursday, triggering heavy flooding in some parts of the city. Many highways such as the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway were almost completely cut off by the flood. Other areas submerged by the downpour included Okota, Isolo, Jakande Estate, Ijora, Lekki, especially the Ibeju area, Victoria Island and some parts of Ikeja. The rain, which started at about 3am, did not stop until Thursday afternoon. Motorists and pedestrians had difficulties commuting within the metropolis.  In order to forestall the loss of lives of schoolchildren as recorded in similar incidents in the past, some schools did not open for studies.

Apprentice Arraigned over Murder of Friend

A 22-year-old apprentice trailer driver, Tomola Ikuemeonisan, was on Thursday, arraigned before a Lagos High Court over the alleged murder of his friend, Simeon Okoboh, by stabbing him in the neck during a beach outing together in 2009. The accused, who was remanded in Ikoyi Prison, was arraigned on a one-count-charge of murder, pleaded not guilty. It was gathered that the accused and his friends, including the deceased, went to Sakpo Beach, Badagry in a bus and when they were about leaving, a fight started when a boy slapped a female photographer, refusing to pay for a photograph he took. This drew the attention of the accused and his friends and the fight spread. The accused said it was another boy that broke a bottle, took a piece of it and mistakenly stabbed the deceased on the neck.

Police Parade Suspected Kidnappers in Lagos

The Lagos State Police Command Monday paraded three suspects, who allegedly kidnapped and subsequently murdered one Akinsanjo Akinlade at the Ikorodu area of the state. The suspects allegedly confessed to have committed the crime, giving graphic details of how they kidnapped the victim from his house, beheaded and dumped his body in a bush in Ogun State in August 31, 2012. The trio were said to have robbed the victim’s apartment before abducting the victim to an unknown destination. They later called his wife to demand for a ransom of N200, 000. The state police spokesperson, Ngozi Braide, said the kidnappers stopped communicating with the victim’s wife when she demanded to speak with him.

Police Arrest NSPMC Staff with Fake Money

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a staff of the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company (NSPMC) for allegedly being in possession of fake N900000. The suspect, identified as Osakpolo Igbinosa, was said to have been perpetrating the act since 2010, as a material security officer with NSPMC. The suspect said he had gone to a nearby Bureau De Change to change some of the money for American Dollars when the Bureau de Change operator raised the alarm and alerted the police.

Fake DCP Arrest in Ogun

Security operatives, on Monday, arrested a fake deputy commissioner of police inside the premises of the Ogun State Governor’s Office in Abeokuta. The fake DCP, TA Banjo, was arrested alongside two other persons. Banjo was apprehended while he and his accomplices were trying to find their way to the office of the Secretary to the State Government. Suspicious of the way the suspects were moving within the Governor’s Office Complex, vigilant security operatives had promptly arrested them. Items including a police officer’s Identity Card with the rank of Deputy Commissioner, a National Identity Card, handsets and objects suspected to be charms were found on the three suspects. The state Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, confirmed their arrest and detention.

Man Arraigned for Raping Daughter, 12,

A middle-aged man, identified as Tajudeen, was on Monday, arraigned before an Osogbo magistrates’ court over the alleged rape of his 12-year-old daughter. Tajudeen was alleged to have had carnal knowledge of his daughter on September 16, 2012, at Ikirun. The police prosecutor, Elisha Olusegun, told the court that the accused forcefully defiled his daughter, knowing fully that she was his biological child, thereby committing an offence punishable under the law. The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the one-count charge. The magistrate, Adewumi Makanjuola, granted the accused bail in the sum of N500, 000 with two sureties in like sum. He thereafter transferred the case to the magistrate courts’, Ikirun.

IGP Sets Up Team on Groom’s Killers

The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Abubakar has set up a team to investigate the killing of a newly wedded man, Ugochukwu Ozuah in Lagos by yet-to-be ascertained gunmen. While the deceased’s family maintains that Ozuah was killed by policemen, the police insisted he was killed by armed robbers in police uniform. Ozuah’s friend, Irikefe Omene, who witnessed the murder that occurred around 10pm, said some policemen in an SUV, opened fire on Ozuah for unknown reasons. A retired commissioner of police, Frank Odita, has said that autopsy will unravel the mystery surrounding the killing. The Lagos State Police Spokesperson, Ngozi Braide, said Ozuah was killed by suspected armed robbers. She said the Divisional Police Officer at Anthony Village ran to the scene when they heard the gunshot and found Ozuah already dead.

Hotelier Kidnapped, Released After Ransom Payment

An Ijebu-Ode hotelier, Segun Oyebolu, was on Tuesday kidnapped by gunmen, barely two days after he organised a birthday party for his father. The kidnappers have reportedly demanded N400 million for his release. Oyebolu was reported to have made an attempt to call his local security man when he noticed suspicious movement around his office but, the abductors stopped him. The Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, confirmed the incident, and the ransom demanded by the abductors. Adejobi said the police are working tirelessly to secure the safe release of the man. Oyebolu, was however, released on Thursday, having parted away with N10 million, reports say.

Two Arrested over Theft of Electricity Cable

The Lagos State Police Command has apprehended a 19-year-old bricklayer, Taiye Mufutau, and a trader, Rabiu Mohamed, for allegedly stealing electric cables belonging to the Lagos State Electricity Board. It was learnt that the suspects were arrested around Eko Bridge on Tuesday after security guards spotted them. The suspects were said to have fled into an electricity unit where one of them was nearly electrocuted. The Head of Electrification Department, Adebayo Adeeko, said vandalism was on the increase and urged members of the public to report such cases to the police.

Rapists, Ritualist Arrested in Ogun

The Ogun State police command, Wednesday, said that it had arrested two teenagers for allegedly raping a palm oil hawker. The two suspects were paraded along with three other accomplices, who were said to have forcefully dragged the victim to a corner and had carnal knowledge of her. A suspected ritualist, Jimoh Olorunwa, was also paraded after being arrested at a cemetery in Ago-Iwoye with a chunk of human flesh. The ritualist was arrested following a report by one Otunba Adekoya, the Chairman of the Christian Committee of Ago-Iwoye in charge of the cemetery that some graves had been broken by suspected ritualists.

GENERAL

JTF Kills Boko Haram Chief, Arrests 156

Men of the Joint Task Force in a raid on Boko Haram’s hideout, on Monday, killed a suspected key commander of the group and arrested 156 others in Mubi, Adamawa State. Operatives of the JTF shot and killed one of the Boko Haram key commanders, believed to be Abubakar Yola, alias Abu Jihad, was killed during a shootout with the group. The security operatives also rescued five women and six children from a house suspected to be an ammunition dump. The Brigade Commander, 23rd Armoured Brigade, Brig.-Gen. John Nwoaga, that over 300 improvised explosive devices already primed for detonation were recovered from the hideout.

Police Seize Arms Cache, Arrest Two in Kano

Kano State Police Command, on Thursday, discovered another bomb factory arresting two suspects in the process. The bomb making factory was discovered at Hotoro Haye quarters on the outskirts of Kano during a raid carried out on the suspects' hideout. State Police Commissioner, Ibrahim Idris, said that the items recovered included two AK47 rifles, two pistols, two bags of TNT and a number of already made Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). According to him, other items recovered were remote control bombs, gas cylinders, a welding machine, one Tiger generator, one Lister generator, three motor vehicles, 90 rounds of live ammunition, drilling machine, 100 detonator heads, pyrotechnics’ and some welding equipment.

Death Toll Hits 104 as Flood Ravages Northern Nigeria

The National Emergency Management Agency has said that 104 persons have lost their lives in the floods that have ravaged the North Central zone of the country in the last two months. NEMA Zonal Coordinator, Mr. Mohammed Abdulsalam, who revealed this on Thursday said more than 50,000 people had been displaced by the floods. The coordinator said that the excessive flooding being experienced in about 26 states of the federation was due to the release of water from dams, opening of spill ways to release excess waters, blockage of drainage system and heavy rainfall. Precarious as the situation is nationwide. One person was killed on Thursday along Okene-Auchi Road as armed robbers attacked officials of the NEMA. Though, it was not confirmed who the dead person was, but NEMA officials said none of its team members or the journalists in their convoy was affected. The vigilantes within the area swiftly intervene leading to some exchange with the robbers.

FG Declares October 1 Public Holiday

The Federal Government has declared Monday, October 1, public holiday, to mark Nigeria’s 52nd Independence anniversary. Minister of Interior, Abba Moro, made the declaration on Thursday. While congratulating all Nigerians, both at home and abroad, Moro urged them to resolve to build more united and virile nation. The minister, however, noted with concern the practice where some foreign organisations and companies deny Nigerians the right to observe and enjoy work-free days declared by the government. He reminded such organisations of the Public Holiday Act, CAP P40 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (2004) and rights of all Nigerians to freedom from discrimination.

Flood to Last Till November -Minister

The Federal Government, on Tuesday, cautioned residents displaced by flooding on the bank of the River Niger not to return home soon because the current flooding devastating parts of the country would continue till November. Minister of Water Resources, Sarah Ochekpe, said that a type of flood called ‘black flood’, which is caused by the arrival of floodwaters from upstream of the River Niger is likely to hit communities close to the river banks between October and early November. But experts from Jebba Dam Authority have warned that people living on the plains of Rivers Niger and Kaduna are to expect more flooding until February 2013, adding that what is being experienced is the white flood, while the black flood is yet to commence which they said comes with more destruction.

IGP Tasks CPs on Anti-Trafficking Units

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Abubakar, has directed Commissioners of Police to set up anti-human trafficking units in their commands as he threatened to hold heads of commands and divisions responsible for any incident of trafficking in women and children in their jurisdictions. The IGP gave the directive in Abuja on Tuesday while addressing police officers in charge of anti-human trafficking unit in the country. He said the police would collaborate with well-meaning agencies to wage a war against the menace.

Night Grazing Banned in Plateau State

As part of the measures to halt the incessant crises in Plateau State, grazing of cattle at night and odd hours has been banned. The agreement to ban night grazing was reached on Monday between the Berom farmers, Fulani cattle breeders, security agencies and the state government. The agreement was reached during a peace parley convened by the Special Task Force (STF) in collaboration with the state government. The stakeholders identified cattle rustling, destruction of farmland, silent killings, among others as a major cause of the protracted and incessant crises in the villages in the state. The Fulani leaders in attendance agreed that the measure to ban it was appropriate as it will also stop cattle rustling at nights.

Kogi Flooding: 8 Die, 40 Villages Sacked

Eight persons were confirmed dead after a torrential rain and the overflow of the River Niger wreaked havoc in Kogi, while more than 40 villages were sacked in Kwara and Jigawa states. These developments came as the Federal Government raised the alarm over imminent food crisis in the country, considering the continued destruction of various hectares of farmlands. While confirming the death of eight persons to the latest flood disaster, the deputy governor of Kogi State, Mr Yomi Awoniyi lamented that over N5 billion worth of properties had been lost to the incident.

Senate Proposes Life Sentence for Convicted Terrorists

The Senate is seeking life sentence for acts of terrorism in Nigeria through the Terrorism Prevention Amendment Bill. Terrorists, who escaped to neighbouring countries, would be trailed if the bill is passed into law. The bill, which is to amend the “Terrorism (Prevention) Act, 2011 and for Other Related Matters 2012,” scaled second reading in the Senate on Wednesday. It also seeks to empower the government to trace and punish any person terrorists in or outside the country and provide stiffer punishment for its sponsors. The Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba, said the bill was to make provisions for extra-territorial application of the Act and to strengthen the section on terrorism financing offences.

Gunmen Attack Ex-SGF’s Residence, Kill 2 Policemen

Unidentified gunmen, On Wednesday, attacked the house of a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SFG), Alhaji Aminu Saleh, killing the two policemen on duty. It was gathered that the incident which took place between 8.30 pm and 9pm was targeted at the former SGF, but the gunmen could not gain entry into his house.

Lokoja-Abuja Road Re-Opened after Flood Disaster

After about five days of closure due to the severe flooding along the Abuja-Lokoja highway, the Federal Government, Thursday, announced the reopening of the road. The Special Assistant (Media) to the Minister of Works, Mr Tony Ikpasaja, said the flooded portion of the Lokoja area, which led to the closure of the road, had been recovered through the joint efforts of three construction companies. An alternative road was also provided to enable travellers to proceed on their journeys.

Muslims Protest Anti-Islam Movie in Kaduna

Social and economic activities in parts of Kaduna State were on Monday disrupted as hundreds of Muslim protested against the anti-Islam movie, produced in the US, which allegedly portrayed Prophet Muhammad in a bad light. The protest, which was organised by the Islamic Movement of Nigeria also known as Shiite Islamic sect, started about 8.30am when members of the sect gathered near the Shiekh Tahiru Usman Bauchi Friday Mosque. The protesters, who were closely monitored by armed security operatives, marched to Bakin Ruwa through Duste-ma road chanting anti-American slogans.

Saudi Arabia, Nigeria in Diplomatic Row over Detained Female Pilgrims

The detention of about 1,000 Nigerian female pilgrims in Saudi Arabia and the deportation of 510 of them could trigger a diplomatic spat between both nations as the FG, on Wednesday, summoned the Saudi Ambassador to Nigeria, Khaled Abdrabuh, to register its displeasure over the incident. The FG gave the Saudi authorities a 24-hour ultimatum to redress the situation. The female pilgrims were deported for not being accompanied by the required male chaperons while trying to enter Mecca to perform the annual pilgrimage. Sultan Muhammadu Sa’ad, who is the Amirul Hajj, condemned the Saudi action in the strongest terms and described it as “an insult to Nigeria and to this country’s millions of Muslims.” Spokesman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, Mallam Uba Mana, said said the commission hoped that the matter would soon be settled.

Boko Haram Torches College in Borno, Kill Drummer

The Mohammed Goni College of Legal and Islamic Studies in Maiduguri, Borno state was, on Tuesday night, torched by suspected members of the Boko Haram sect. According to eyewitnesses, the school was attacked at 10pm by over 30 hoodlums that shot at a security man at the gate, forcing him to open it to them. Immediately the security men were held hostage, the hoodlums who came with various arms and petrol in cans, sprayed the Administrative block, housing the offices of the deans and the council chamber with fuel and setting it ablaze. Meanwhile, suspected Boko Haram gunmen shot dead a drummer of the Shehu of Borno and another person on Thursday. The police spokesman, Gideon Jibrin, confirmed the attack and killing. He said no arrests had been made.

Tanker Explosion Kills 20 in Niger State

About 20 persons were, on Wednesday, burnt to death when a petrol tanker crashed and exploded in Kudu village in Niger State. The incident, reportedly occurred when the tanker was about to negotiate a bend, but fell and exploded resulting in the death of about 20 persons and a policeman. It was also gathered that the explosion caused the burning of several houses. The policeman was killed in the fire as he tried to rescue some trapped victims. The Chairman of Mokwa LGA, Alhaji Adamu Jiya Sonfada, confirmed the incident saying several people were also injured in the disaster.

Policeman Shoots Bike Rider to Death in Kaduna

Kaduna State Police Command, on Wednesday, averted what would have been a breakdown of law and order in the state, following the alleged killing of a commercial bike rider by a mobile policeman. It was learnt that a policeman in a patrol vehicle allegedly fired two shots at the bike rider, whose name was given as Umar Danmichika, killing him instantly. The state Commissioner of Police, Adefemi Adenaike, who confirmed the incident, said the trigger happy policeman would be charged for murder.

Cultist Lynched in Jos

A suspected cult member was, Wednesday, lynched while another was left almost dead, following a shooting incident at the University of Jos in Plateau state during a departmental students’ association election. It was gathered that two men came out of the library complex and fired at a student. The target, however, dodged the bullets but a female student standing by him was hit on the shoulder. Emmanuel Abu, Police spokesman, said that angry students pursued and killed one of the attackers, while the other attacker escaped death, was rescued by members of the Special Task Force (STF). The police spokesman said that a pistol was recovered from the surviving attacker with three live cartridges.

Amnesty Office Suspends Six Officials for Fraud

The Presidential Amnesty Office, on Wednesday, suspended six officials over allegations of fraud in the documentation of Phase Two beneficiaries of the amnesty programme. The directive for their suspension was handed down following alleged confessional statements by some leaders of the ex-militants. The Head, Media and Communications of the Amnesty Office, Dan Alabrah, said the affected officials colluded with some ex-militant leaders to doctor allotted slots and the account details of beneficiaries. About 35 leaders of the former ex-militants were arrested on Tuesday following threats by them to breach the peace in the FCT if the Transition Safety Allowance (TSA) proposed for 6,166 persons enrolled was not paid directly to them instead of the enrolled persons.

Niger Republic Arrest 5 Suspected Boko Haram Members

Niger Republic has arrested five people near the Nigerian border suspected of belonging to the violent Islamist sect, Boko Haram. Niger security officials said that their State Security Police arrested the five suspects, who entered Niger on Sunday through the Zinder region. They have been transferred to Niamey for further questioning. Another security official said Niger had tightened security along its border with Nigeria as the country intensifies its fight against the militant group, which wants to carve out an Islamic state in Northern Nigeria.

Suspected Ritualists Kidnap Benue Teenager

The family of Mr. Onyuna Omale, in Otukpo, Benue State, is in sadness over the disappearance of their 18-year-old daughter, Anne Queen Omale, last weekend. The girl is suspected to have been kidnapped by suspected ritualists. According to her father, he had sent his daughter to buy bathroom slippers from Otukpo main market, but she had not returned since then. Omale stated that all efforts to know her whereabouts were not successful. He, however, said that he received a text message from his daughter a day after, which read, “as I picked a bike to the market, I got lost and found myself in another state. “I heard one of the men say I will be used for money rituals” the message read.

Gunmen Kidnap Bauchi PDP Chieftain, Kill Security Guard

Unidentified gunmen, on Monday, kidnapped a Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain in Bauchi State, Alhaji Mahammadu Sade, and killed his security guard. It was gathered that Sade’s abduction occurred Monday morning in his residence in Bauchi. The state Police Commissioner, Mohammed Ladan, who confirmed the incident, said that the police were still investigating the matter and have arrested one suspect, who is helping the Police in its investigation. Garba Dahiru, a close friend to the victim, said Abubakar was kidnapped on his way to the mosque to perform morning prayers. Garba stated that the kidnappers were about six in number and that no contact had been established with them since the incident occurred.

INTERNATIONAL

US Offers More to Battle Libya’s Militias

U.S. Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, on Monday, offered Libya more help as it seeks to rein in militias. Clinton stressed that the US will remain a firm partner despite the deadly attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, in which the US ambassador was killed. Clinton met Mohammed Magarief, who was elected to head Libya's ruling national assembly, and received his personal apology for the September 11 attack. A senior US official said Clinton reviewed US assistance to Libya as it works to secure chemical weapons and other dangerous armaments and to crack down on armed militia groups. She thanked Magarief for Libya's efforts to investigate the attack.

33 Dead, A Million Displace as Floods, Landslides Hit India

Floods and landslides caused by relentless rain in northeast India have killed at least 33 people and displaced more than a million. At least 21 people were killed in landslides and another eight were missing in the mountainous state of Sikkim, according to government spokesman, A.S. Tobgay. Floods displaced nearly one million in Assam state alone, and many were now sheltering in camps or beside roads, which tend to be built above the land they pass through, a senior official in Assam's disaster management authority said. Four people were buried and killed in mudslides in the state of Arunachal Pradesh, police said. The military and federal disaster response teams have launched operations to move people to higher grounds.

Somalia Alleged Civilian Killings by Kenyan Troops

Seven civilians have been shot dead by Kenyan troops advancing towards the al-Shabaab stronghold of Kismayo, a Somali army spokesman, Adan Mohamed Hirsi, said. The Kenyans are part of the pro-government African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISON), which says it is investigating the incident. Col Ali Aden, a spokesman for the AMISOM, said that appropriate action would be taken after the investigation was completed. Meanwhile, gunmen, had, last weekend, shot dead a member of Somalia's new parliament in Mogadishu. Mustafa Haji Maalim was gunned down after leaving a mosque. The slain lawmaker was the father-in-law of former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, and is the first parliamentarian to be targeted since a new 275-member assembly was selected in August.

14 Get Death Sentence in Egypt over Sinai Attacks

A Court in Egypt, on Monday, sentenced 14 Islamists militants to death by hanging and four to life imprisonment for attacks on army and police forces in the Sinai Peninsula last year. Security forces are mounting operations in the area following the killing 16 Egyptian border guards in August. The court’s decision is likely to go in the way of appeasing Israel, which has voiced concern over the faltering security in Sinai where at least four cross-border attacks took place in just over a year. Israel is now building a fence along the desert border. Restoring security in Sinai is one of President Mohamed Mursi’s main challenges since he became president last June. The men, members of a militant group called Tawheed and Jihad, were charged by the prosecutor with the killings.

Rebels Detonate Bombs in Damascus, Launch Attacks in Aleppo

Bombs planted by rebels exploded at a school building occupied by security forces and pro-government militias in Damascus, the Syrian capital, on Tuesday. Seven improvised devices were set off in two explosions to target a school used for weekly planning meetings between shabbiha militia and security officers," said Abu Moaz, a leader of Ansar al-Islam, one of the rebel groups in the 18-month-old revolt against President Bashar al-Assad. The rebels also claimed to have launched a “decisive attack” on the city of Aleppo as the UN refugee agency warned that about 700,000 refugees could flee the country by year’s end. Faced with the soaring need for aid, humanitarian agencies have increased their call for funds to $487.9 million to sustain operations until the end of the year.

Japan Protests as China Enter Disputed Waters

About four Chinese ships briefly entered what Japan considers its territorial waters near the disputed islands in the East China Sea on Monday, prompting an official protest from Japan and renewed diplomatic efforts to cool tensions between the rivals. China said that two civilian surveillance ships were undertaking a “rights of defence” patrol near the islands. But by afternoon, all four Chinese vessels had moved further away. In a move that could further complicate the territorial row, a group of fishermen from Taiwan, which also claims the rocky isles, said as many as 100 boats escorted by 10 Taiwan Coast Guard vessels were headed for the area. Sino-Japanese relations deteriorated sharply after Japan bought the islands, earlier this month, sparking anti-Japan protests across China

Iran Will Defend against Israeli Attack

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said that Iran does not take seriously Israeli threats of attack, but is prepared to defend itself. Ahmadinejad also went further, saying that Israel has “no roots” in the history of the Middle-East and would be “eliminated.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has hinted Israel could strike Iran’s nuclear sites. Iran denies that it is seeking nuclear arms and says its atomic work is peaceful, aimed at generating electricity.

Plane Crash Kills 19 in Nepal

At least 19 people were killed after a plane crashed near Kathmandu in Nepal on Friday, official s said. The Dornier aircraft, owned by private firm Sita Air, was flying from Kathmandu to Lukla in the Mount Everest region, when it struck a bird and crashed, police spokesman, Binod Singh said. Rescuers were rushed to the site. Nawaraj Giri, a Sita official, said it was the first accident to hit the airline's fleet of Dornier planes. In May this year 15 people were killed when their plane crashed on a hill in the northwest of the country.

US Court Denies Bail for 'Anti-Islam Film' Producer

A man linked to an anti-Islam video that sparked riots across the Muslim world has been held without bond after a hearing in California. A judge said Nakoula Basseley Nakoula, 55, was a flight risk and cited a pattern of deception. Nakoula was investigated for violating probation terms after he was released from prison in 2011 for bank fraud. He has not been detained over the contents of the inflammatory video. Nakoula was banned from accessing the internet or using an alias without an officer's permission under the terms of his probation. US authorities had requested Google, the company that owns YouTube, to remove the clip. The technology firm refused, saying the film did not violate its rules.

Seven Killed in Turkish Bus Blast

A large explosion, targeting a vehicle carrying security forces, has rocked the Turkish city of Tunceli, killing seven people. Fighting between Turkish troops and the PKK - the Kurdistan Workers' Party - has escalated in recent months. Six members of the security forces and one civilian died in the attack, according to reports. The explosive was remotely detonated as an armoured vehicle carrying security forces passed by. No-one has yet said they carried out the attack, but Kurdish rebels are active in the city.

Mali’s PM Calls for Global Force to Battle Insurgents

Prime Minister of Mali, Cheick Modibo Diarra, has urged the United Nations (UN) Security Council to agree to the formation of an international military force to help oust Islamist rebels in its north. French President, Francois Hollande, supported the call, asking the UN Security Council to meet urgently to approve the call for an African-led force to help flush out armed Islamist rebels. Chaos erupted in Mali in March when the military seized power in the capital, ousting President Amadou Toumani Toure, only to see the north and east fall to Tuareg rebels and Islamist militias linked to Al-Qaeda.

Sudan, S’Sudan Sign Deals to Resume Oil Exports, Boost Trade

Sudan and South Sudan, Thursday, signed deals to secure their shared border and boost trade, including a restart of crucial oil exports. But the two countries reportedly failed to resolve other outstanding conflicts trailing the secession of South Sudan from Sudan last year. The deal will throw both ailing economies a lifeline and prevent, for now, a resumption of the fighting that broke out along the border in April. The Sudanese President, Omar Hassan al-Bashir and his South Sudanese counterpart, President Salva Kiir, signed the cooperation and trade deals in a deal brokered by former South African President and African Union (AU) mediator, Thabo Mbeki. The defence ministers of Sudan and south Sudan also signed a deal to set up a demilitarised buffer zone along the joint border.