Villeworth Security Services Ltd

week 48

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PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

JTF Arrests Suspected Oil Thieves in Rivers

Two surveillance staff of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) have been arrested by the Joint Task Force (JTF) for alleged crude oil theft in Ogoni, Rivers State. The spokesperson of JTF, Major Michael Etete, revealed troops on patrol discovered a pipe break and an illegal connection on Shell’s pipeline in Kporgho community in Gokana LGA of Rivers State. Two surveillance staff found at the scene, suspected to be responsible for the vandalism, were arrested and transferred to NSCDC for prosecution, Etete said. Similarly, the Nigerian Navy in Port Harcourt said it arrested six persons involved in oil theft and destroyed 51 illegal refineries and four boats in two communities of Rivers state.

ExxonMobil Shuts in Production after Oil Leakage in Akwa Ibom

Oil giant, ExxonMobil, has forced to shut down production as it battles oil leak at its Ibeno facility offshore Akwa Ibom State. The oil company on Wednesday, declared force majeure due to the difficulty in meeting projected liftings because of repair work on a section of pipeline affected in a November 9 oil spillage. The cause of the leak remains unknown as ExxonMobil has not said anything regarding its preliminary investigations into the spill. ExxonMobil said the source of the leak was identified and the pipeline was isolated and shutdown.

Police Nab Notorious Robbery Gang in Akwa Ibom

Police in Akwa Ibom State have apprehended a woman-led robbery gang. The robbery gang, it was learnt, specialised in robbing their victims of cars, motorcycles and valuable items. The operation was carried out by combined teams from Ukanafun Police Division and Rivers State Police Command, according to the Akwa Ibom state Police spokesman, Etim Dickson. Dickson said the three-person robbery gang was arrested at a black spot in Okoyo along Ukanafun-Azumini Road following a tip-off. One of those arrested, Ubong Dickson, an indigene of Okoyo community, served as a linkman to other members of the gang. Ubong is said to have admitted to taking part in crimes.

JTF Destroys Fuel Trucks with Stolen Products in Calabar

Five illegal petroleum trucks have been impounded and destroyed in Calabar by the Joint Task Force (JTF). The Commander of 13 Brigade, Brig. Gen. Shehu Yusuf, said the products were intercepted on Sunday morning. According to him, the trucks were carrying 200,000 litres of diesel. He said that the products believed to be from illegal bunkering were coming from Calabar South adding that the trucks’ drivers escaped and ran into the bush.

Imo Gets New Security Outfit

Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, has inaugurated Imo State Security Network and Emergency Service to assists security agencies in apprehending criminals in the state. Okorocha vowed that his administration will deal ruthlessly with criminals and politicians, who sponsor them to carry out their nefarious activities. The Commissioner for Special Duties, Ifeanyi Nwachukwu, explained that members of the state Security Network and Emergency Service were trained to work under the state police command and were divided into nine units with each comprising thirty six members. The state Commissioner of Police, Adisa Bolanta, urged members of the state security network and emergency service not to use their position and equipment to intimidate innocent people.

UN Suspends Demarcation of Nigeria, Cameroun Maritime Boundary

The demarcation of the maritime boundary between Nigeria and Cameroun has been suspended indefinitely.  The Joint Technical Team made up of officials of the United Nations (UN), Nigeria and Cameroun announced this on Thursday in Calabar, Cross River State. The suspension is sequel to the demonstration against the demarcation exercise by some indigenes of Bakassi on Wednesday. But after a closed door meeting attended by the leaders of the displaced people of Bakassi, Chief Maurice Ekong and Chief Ani Esin and the UN team, it was unanimously agreed that since the atmosphere was not conducive, the planned demarcation exercise should be put on hold even as the demonstrators were advised to put down their grievances in writing for onward submission to the UN.

Hotel Staff Found Dead in Pool

Police are investigating the possible cause of death of one Wisdom Edu, 19, who was a staff of a hotel in Calabar, Cross River State. Edu was found dead in the swimming pool with a deep cut on his head, just as the tree beside the swimming pool where his body was discovered was said to have ‘mysteriously’ withered within 24 hours after his death. About five persons, including the manager of the hotel, had been quizzed by the police over the incident. His corpse was discovered by some naval officers who were lodged at the hotel on November 9th.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

Musician Jailed for Abducting Seven-Year-Old

A teenage musician, Chijioke Okeke, was on Thursday, sentenced to nine years imprisonment with hard labour by an Asaba High Court for abducting a seven-child. He was convicted on a three-count charge of abducting, conspiracy and demanding with menace. The child was abducted in December last year from Anambra State and taken to Oko near the Delta State capital from where they established contact with the boy’s parents, demanding N7 million as ransom before security operatives swooped in on and rescued the boy. Justice Cletus Emifoniye sentenced the accused to three years imprisonment with hard labour on each count which would start running as at the time he was taken into custody, adding that the terms would run concurrently.

Senate Warns against Resurgence of Niger Delta militancy

Senate Committee on Niger Delta on has warned of a possible resurgence of militancy in oil producing areas if ex-militants are not properly re-integrated into society at the end of their training. Chairman, Senate Committee on Niger-Delta, Senator James Manager, raised the alarm on Thursday while receiving the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta, Kingsley Kuku, who appeared before the Committee to defend the 2013 budget of his office. Manager, who commended the success so far recorded in the amnesty programme, noted that the exercise would amount to nothing if jobs were not provided to integrate the ex-militants into the society.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

Ex-Fashola Aide Shot Dead in Sagamu

A former Special Adviser to Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, Toyin Hamzat, was penultimate Sunday, shot dead by unknown gunmen in Sagamu, Ogun State. It was gathered that the deceased had dropped off a female companion when he was attacked in front of the woman’s house in Sagamu at about 9.30 pm. Police spokesman, Muyiwa Adejobi, confirmed his death and the arrest of suspects. The woman, other sources said, was one of the wives of the Sagamu Commander of the Ogun State Vigilante Group. According to sources, the vigilante commander had warned Hamzat to stay away from her, as he suspected Hamzat was having an affair with his wife. The woman, her husband and three others working with the man have been arrested in connection with the killing.

Men Arraigned in Court for Alleged Abduction of Girls

Police have arraigned two men, Samson Igwe and Chukwualuka Nweke, before a Lagos State Magistrate Court over the abduction of three girls. They were arraigned on a four-count charge of abducting and unlawful administration of noxious drug before Magistrate Olagbegi Adelabu. They both pleaded not guilty. The police prosecutor, Isaac Oseni informed the court that the defendants aged 32 and 26 respectively, with others still on the run, committed the offence on August 21, 2012. Magistrate Adelabu however granted them bail in the sum of N250,000 each with two responsible sureties.

Man Arraigned for Defiling 10-Year-Old Step Daughter

The police in Ogun, on Monday, arraigned a 62-year-old man, Alabi Ibrahim, before a Magistrate court in Abeokuta, Ogun State, for allegedly defiling his 10-year-old step daughter. The suspect had earlier evaded arrest when police attempted to interrogate him and allegedly took refuge in the home of a top politician in the town. He was later arrested, interrogated and subsequently charged to court. A Non-Governmental Organisation, Child Protection Network, had reported the alleged crime against the 10-year-old girl to the police. During interrogation, the victim was said to have told the police that the suspect had had sex with her on several occasions. The Magistrate remanded the suspect in prison and adjourned to November 29th.

Robbers Take Abducted Man on Robbery Operations

An armed robbery gang operated in parts of Lagos State, last weekend, using the vehicle of an abducted man, Uche Ochuriuzor, whom they locked in the boot of his car. The robbers, who took Ochuriuzor round during the robbery spree, also killed an unidentified man. Ochuriuzor said the robbers held him for 17 hours. Ochuruizor, who was locked up in the boot of his Toyota Sequoia after the robbers had fled, was rescued by passersby who were attracted by his continuous shout for help. It was learnt that when the bandits noticed that one of the front tyres of vehicle was about going flat, they transferred their loot and fled. Ochuruizor revealed that the robbers carried out at least five operations during the period of his abduction. Police spokesperson, Ngozi Braide, confirmed and said investigations were ongoing.

Drug Dealer Jailed 10 Years Jail Term

Justice Ibrahim Buba of a Federal High Court in Lagos, on Thursday, sentenced Martin Ikechukwu, 45, to 10 years imprisonment for unlawful importation of cocaine. Ikechukwu faces another sentencing for similar offence on November 27. Ikechukwu had pleaded guilty before Justice Benedicta Molokwu of the same court. Before his conviction by Buba, Ikechukwu, who was granted bail after he had earlier pleaded not guilty, absconded after the prosecution called two witnesses. He was later arrested for a similar offence he was facing trial for. This development informed his second arraignment before Molokwu.

Ondo Court Jails for Dumping Baby in Pit Toilet

A 25-year-old woman, Toyin Akinbobola, has been sentenced to two and a half years imprisonment for dumping her day-old baby inside a pit toilet at her residence in Idanre, Ondo State. Akinbobola, who was found guilty, dumped the baby in the toilet minutes after giving birth to her on October 18. A young boy who wanted to use the toilet moments after Akinbobola carried out the act had drawn the attention of other neighbours to the cry of the baby. Residents immediately reported the matter to the Police. The police acted promptly and rescued the baby girl, who was rushed to the hospital. Although the baby’s life was saved, medical reports indicated that one of her ears and left eye were not functional again. Akinbobola, who fled the town, was later sighted at Omifun village where her mother had a farm and was arrested by the police.

3 Die, 42 Hospitalised in Osun Cholera Outbreak

At least three persons have died while 42 others have been hospitalised in an outbreak of an ailment suspected to be cholera in Ede North and South LGAs of Osun State. The affected people were struck with the sudden but profuse dual symptoms of vomiting and stooling. The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Temitope Ilori, who confirmed the outbreak, said that officials of the ministry had been drafted to the town to assist the victims. She said the state government was working tirelessly to curtail the spread of the epidemic beyond the immediate environment where it had been reported.

Robbers Kill Policemen in Ogun State

Suspected armed robbers on Monday killed two policemen in Ogun State during a robbery operation. The dead policemen had responded to a distress call from Fulani herdsmen who had been attacked by the robbers. The robbers were said to have fired at the policemen as soon as they sighted the police patrol vehicle, resulting in their death of the policemen. Two other policemen on the police patrol team were also seriously injured. The bandits were said to have succeeded in robbing the herdsmen of a large sum of money. The Ogun State Police Spokesman, Muyiwa Adejobi, confirmed the incident, adding that the police would do everything to arrest the culprits.

Robbers Terrorise Ogun Residents

A gang of robbers terrorised residents of Agbado, Ogun State in the early hours of Wednesday, carting away valuables worth millions of naira. It was learnt that the robbers attacked seven houses and beat up some of the occupants before fleeing in the operation which lasted for over two hours. The eyewitness said robbery had become common in Agbado, a boundary town between Lagos and Ogun states. The Police Public Relations Officer, Ogun State Command, Muyiwa Adejobi, confirmed the incident and said policemen had been deployed in the area.

Collapsed Building Kills Two in Lagos

Two sisters were killed in their sleep on Wednesday in a building collapse in Lagos.  According to sources, the sisters lived with their widowed mother, who had planned to pack out of the building by the end of this month, following a notice from the owner to pave way for renovation. The occupants of the other five flats had complied with the directive while two young men, who needed a temporary place, occupied a flat.

Passenger Arrested with $320,000 at Lagos Airport

An airline passenger was, on Monday, arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos while trying to travel out of the country with $320,000. The Airport Command of Nigeria Customs Service announced the arrest the passenger identified as Onwuekwe Anthony Chidi. Chidi was said to have declared the money but could not explain the source of the currency as well as show adequate proof of his business to justify being in possession of such a huge amount. The passenger and the money have been handed over to officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigations. In recent weeks, travellers have been apprehended for being in possession of cash above regulatory limits.

PDP Calls for Transfer of Ekiti Police Boss

Following the rising wave of violence and other criminal activities in Ekiti State, the state chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has called on the Inspector General of Police to transfer the state Commissioner of Police, Soyonye Wakama, out of the state. The PDP Director of Information, Media Communication and Publicity, Mr Gboyega Aribisogan, said the action of the police boss gave room for suspicion. Aribisogan accused the command of turning itself into the security arm of the ruling Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the state.

Lagos-Ibadan Expressway Concession Revoked

Bi-Courtney Highway Services, owned by lawyer-entrepreneur, Dr. Wale Babalakin, on Monday, lost the concession to repair, upgrade and manage the 106-kilometre Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. Bi-Courtney got the concession in 2009 at N89.53 billion for 25 years. The contract has now been re-awarded to Julius Berger and RCC Nigeria Limited, both of which are expected to start working immediately. Meanwhile, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Wednesday, filed a 20-count charge against Babalakin (SAN), at the Lagos High Court over his alleged involvement in the laundering of about N2 billion belonging to the Delta State Government on behalf of its former governor, Chief James Ibori, who is currently serving a 13-year jail term in the United Kingdom.

GENERAL

Assailants Kill Five Children, Seven others in Borno

Gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram members, on Wednesday, moved from Shokari ward to Sulemanti ward of the metropolis, killed five children in two houses and torched Joel Temai’s House. The hoodlums went further to attacked five other residences during which they shot dead seven people in Lawan Bukar ward. Three of the children killed were of children of an operative of the State Security Service (SSS), while the other two were neighbours. The throats of the kids were slit by the assailants. The Borno State Police Command Spokesman, Gideon Jibrin, confirmed the attacks.

11 Die, Several Injured in Kaduna Church Bombing

Eleven people were killed and about 30 injured in Sunday's suicide bomb attacks on a church within the premises of Nigerian Armed Forces Command and Staff College in Jaji, Kaduna state. Army Spokesman, Brig.-Gen. Bolaji Koleoso, confirmed that two suicide bombings rocked the St. Andrew Military Protestant Church at the Jaji Military Cantonment. He said a bus rigged with explosives rammed into the church and exploded about five minutes after the service, while another explosive-laden Toyota Camry parked outside the church detonated 10 minutes later. The army spokesman said investigations had already begun into the deadly attacks.

Nigeria offers Millions in Rewards for Top Boko Haram Members

Nigeria’s military has offered about $1.8 million in rewards for information leading to the arrest of top members of Boko Haram Islamist sect. Spokesman of the Joint Military Task Force (JTF) in Borno State, Lt. Col. Sagir Musa, in a statement, said the bounty for Boko Haram sect leader Abubakar Shekau is N50m, while information on four other named top sect officials would earn the informant about N25m each. It then listed 14 “commanders” and each had N10m bounty on them. He added that the identities of the informants would be protected.

Four Killed in Kano

About four people were, Thursday, feared killed in Bichi town in Kano State when Muslim youths went on rampage after rumours went round that someone blasphemed the Prophet Mohamed. However, the Police insist that no life was lost, but have imposed restriction on motorbikes. According to reports, a mispronunciation taken to be blasphemous in Bichi sparked the riot Muslim youths. Four people were reportedly killed, while a church and shops were torched. Police Commissioner, Ibrahim Idris, explained that a Christian tailor mispronounced the name of a dress while chatting with his Muslim neighbour in Hausa, changing the meaning to ‘the Prophet has come to the market’.

Police Strategise against Crime, Extra-Judicial Killings

The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, on Tuesday, met with command Commissioners of Police and zonal Assistant Inspectors-General of Police to strategise against violent crimes, extra-judicial killings by policemen and corruption in the force. He warned the CPs against complacency in the fight against armed robbery, kidnapping, and extra-judicial killings by police personnel, adding that any senior officer found wanting would be sanctioned. Abubakar said though crime has reduced in the states, he challenged the CPs to redouble their efforts to ensure that crime is reduced further during the Yuletide season.  He said further that the force is concerned over the continued terrorist activities in Yobe, Borno, Kaduna, Zamfara, Taraba and other states.

DHQ Demands Apology from Reuters over Malicious Video

The Nigerian Defence Headquarters has demanded an unreserved apology from Reuters International and its reporters over the release of video clip alleging that soldiers killed unarmed civilians in Maiduguri Borno State. Reuters said that a soldier filmed his colleagues purported to be members of the Joint Task Force (JTF) while they were summarily executing civilians in Maiduguri. They have however withdrawn the reports, citing lack of authenticity. The military demanded that despite the fact that Reuters had withdrawn the report, it should in its apology give it same level of publicity it gave the video publication. The Director of Defence Information (DDI), Col Mohammed Yerima, explained that the video clip was false in its entirety and fabricated for sinister motive.

Floods: FG Releases N9bn for Food Production Plan

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to alleviate the hardship faced by flood victims with the release of N9.7 billion through the National Flood Recovery Food Production Plan. The FG has also commenced the free distribution of 900 metric tonnes of assorted grains to victims of flood disasters in Ondo State at the 25,000 metric tonnes capacity silos along Oda Road in Akure. Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, who announced the release of the fund Wednesday, while commencing the distribution of grains from the Strategic Grains Reserve Silo in Makurdi, for onward distribution to flood victims across the country, said the aim was to boost the food needs of the flood victims.

CJN Cautions Advises Judges on Ethical Behaviour

Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mariam Aloma Mukhtar, Monday, advised judges to be above board, sit promptly and be fair to all patrons of their courts or be ready to face appropriate sanctions. Speaking at the opening of the 2012 Biennial Conference of All Nigeria Judges of the Lower Court, the CJN noted that the values for which judges were known had changed drastically. She called on judges to reform themselves, and not be allowed to be pushed into reform. The CJN further advised them to lead their staff by example adding that by so doing, the image of the judiciary would continue to receive high rating in the opinion of the public.

Pakistan Offers Nigeria Military Training Support

A team of military officers from Pakistan will soon visit Nigeria to assess the needs of their Nigerian counterparts and assist in training. Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Pakistan, Ambassador Dauda Danladi, said the two countries were working together to see how officials of the Pakistani Air Force could help build the Nigerian Air Force Industrial Complex that could maintain its fleet. The envoy said seven Nigerian officers above the rank of colonel were currently undergoing training at the Pakistan National University. He added that five other officers were undergoing pilot training while 10 ordinance officers were undergoing training on the provision of minor logistic equipment for the armed forces.

JTF Kills Boko Haram Commander in Borno

The Joint Task Force (JTF), supported by armoured personnel carriers (APCs) with helicopters, conducted a major offensive operation, killing a high profile Boko Haram commander, Ibn Saleh Ibrahim, in Borno state. Spokesman of the JTF, Lieutenant-Colonel Sagir Musa, on Wednesday, said a major commander of the Boko Haram sect, commanding the North-West and the North-East of Maiduguri, Ibrahim, alongside some of his commanders and foot soldiers were killed by the JTF troops. The JTF spokesman said several weapons, ammunitions and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were also recovered from the operation.

District Head, 10 Others Killed in Renewed Violence in Nasarawa

About 10 persons and the district head of Gidan-Rai, Zhe Meri, were, on Thursday, killed in Agyaragu in Nasarawa State as clashes between two ethnic groups degenerated. Chairman of Jenkwe Development Union, who led the state Deputy Governor, Dameshi Luka, and security chiefs in the state on an assessment tour of the area, confirmed the casualty figure. According to the chairman, the crisis began on Wednesday morning following the apprehension of a boy by a vigilante group over an allegation of a motorcycle theft. He said efforts by the vigilante to arrest an accomplice of the suspected thief were resisted by a group of armed men, resulting in a shootout between the vigilante and the group. The state Deputy Governor, Dameshi Luka, described the incident as ‘Barbaric’ given the level of devastation caused by the crisis.

Police Arrest 50 Suspects in Taraba Crisis

More than 50 suspected militias have been arrested by the Taraba State Police Command in connection with the ongoing crisis in Ibi Local Council. The arrest was said to have been effected after a series of gun battles between the militias and security operatives. Police Commissioner, Ibrahim Maishanu, did not give the actual numbers of suspects so far arrested. The suspects, it was gathered, were heavily armed with various weapons of mass destruction and dressed in full military uniforms. While some stakeholders blamed the crisis on religion and politics, the police are yet to ascertain the actual cause. According to a source, the suspects, who are in the custody of the command, are neither indigenes of the council nor residents of the state. About 10 people are feared dead and several injured in the violence.

Blair Launches Initiative to Curb Religious Acrimony

Former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, on Thursday, launched an initiative to improve relations between Muslims and Christians in Nigeria. The task is being executed under the aegis of the Tony Blair Faith Foundation. The President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar III, lauded the initiative, which they hoped would help in reducing rancour between adherents of the two religions. However, President Goodluck Jonathan, who also spoke at the launch of the programme, described religious tension in the country as politically motivated.

New Appeal Court President Named

President Goodluck Jonathan, Thursday, approved the nomination of Justice Zainab A. Bulkachuwa as the acting president of the Court of Appeal. Justice Bulkachuwa of the Yola Division of the court will replace Justice Dalhatu Adamu, who was appointed into the position in August 2011 following Justice Ayo Salami’s suspension over allegations of gross misconduct.  Justice Adamu’s appointment as acting president of the court expired on Friday. Justice Bulkachuwa, who was recommended for the job by the National Judicial Council, becomes the first woman to hold the position, albeit, in an interim capacity.

NHRC Cautions against Indiscriminate Arrests of Women

The Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission, Prof. Bem Angwe, on Monday said the indiscriminate arrest of female Nigerians perceived to be prostitutes was a violation of their rights. Angwe said it was wrong to assume that every woman in the streets of Abuja was a prostitute. He said Nigerians, including women, were free to go about their daily activities without molestation. Angwe urged security agencies to avoid the indiscriminate arrest of women and advised that suspects be charged to court when apprehended. Angwe further identified non-observance of the rights of various persons and ignorance of the rights of people as a great problem facing Nigeria and assured of the commitment of the commission to protecting the rights of all Nigerians.

Woman in Court for Abducting Baby

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Police Command has arraigned a 41 year old woman, Comfort Amos, and a man, Tunde Iyohmahon, before a chief magistrate court for abducting a nine months old baby at a church. According to the Police charge, Comfort had, under the pretense of assisting the mother of the baby on September 23, taken the boy away and demanded ransom from his mother. The police said the accused person moved the baby to Benin City and conspired with Iyohmahon to demand for N500 million as ransom. The accused persons were arrested with the abducted child in Benin. The arrest followed payment of N2 million by the baby’s parent into a bank account number Comfort provided.

Yobe Violence Escalates

Violence continued in Yobe State, on Monday, as gunmen suspected of Boko Haram members killed the owner of a pharmacy in Buni/Yadi council of the state. An eyewitness said that after assassinating the pharmacy owner, the gunmen rode on two motorcycles to the houses of two politicians, Alhaji Dipcha Liman and Dipchi Kura and robbed them of undisclosed amount of money and fled towards Biu-Gombe road. The Yobe State Police Commissioner, Patrick Egbuniwe confirmed the incident, adding that no arrest had been made, but urged residents to report any suspicious movement of individuals to the police.

PDP, ACN Supporters Clash in Benue

No fewer than 14 persons were, Tuesday, injured while 15 houses including People’s Democratic Party (PDP) secretariat and the house of a former Commissioner were razed at Annune in Tarka LGA of Benue State, following a clash between PDP and Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) supporters. An eyewitness said the crisis started at Asukriya community, close to Annune where supporters of ACN had gone for a rally preparatory to the local government polls. It was alleged that after the ACN rally, the members matched through the streets in the town, harassing anyone identified to belong to PDP.

Nigeria to Send 600 Troops to Mali

Nigeria will send about 600 troops to Mali as part of a West African military force to wrest control of northern Mali from Islamist extremists. Nigeria is expected to send about 600 troops out of the 3,300 pledged by ECOWAS, Minister of State for Defence, Olusola Obada, disclosed. Tuareg rebels and armed Islamists, some with links to Al-Qaeda, took control of the vast northern region of Mali after a coup in March 2012 created a power vacuum. European Union foreign ministers have agreed in principle to send a military mission to train Mali combat units. The African Union has also endorsed a plan for military intervention to regain control of Mali’s desert north and restore the authority of the state.

Gunmen Shoot 12 Fulani Herdsmen in Plateau

A group of gunmen in Barkin Ladi LGA of Plateau State, on Monday, waylaid Fulani herdsmen at Bisichi village and opened fire on them, killing 12 cows while 12 of them were also hit by the assailants’ bullets. The Special Task Force (STF) Media/Information officer, Captain Salisu Mustapha, said the affected people and the cows were migrant Fulani herdsmen moving from the LGA to Songa council area of Kaduna State when they were attacked.

HIV Infection Reduces in Africa –UN Report

A UN report says there has been reduction of more than 50 per cent in the rate of new HIV infections across 25 countries in Africa. The report said that the reduction was an indication that unprecedented acceleration response to HIV issues had produced results. It said that UNAIDS increased HIV treatment by 75 per cent in the last two years by ensuring that 1.7 million people had access to life-saving treatment. According to the report, in some of the countries which have the highest HIV prevalence, the rates of new HIV infections have been reduced drastically since 2001.

20 Killed in Zamfara Road Accident

At least 20 people, on Monday, lost their lives in a ghastly motor accident involving a bus and a car along Sokoto-Gusau road in Zamfara State. The bus was said to have left its lane and collided with the oncoming car, thereby, killing 17 people in the vehicles. Six other people were said to have died when another bus veered off the road and crashed into a nearby bush.

Plateau Workers on Five-day Protest

Local government workers in Plateau State under the aegis of Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), on Monday, defied the order by the state police command and embarked on a one-week protest across the 17 LGAs in the state. The Chairman of Jos North NULGE, James Nyam, decried the attempt of the state government to coarse workers into resuming work, by threatening them with sack, when their demands had not been met. Nyam said the workers have been reasonable enough, and have tried to resolve the crisis amicably “but government has been unrealistic by ordering people to work.

INTERNATIONAL

India Executes Convict in Mumbai Attack

Mohammad Ajmal Amir Qasab, the sole surviving gunman from the 2008 Mumbai attacks, has been hanged. Qasab's plea for mercy to Indian President Pranab Mukherjee was rejected. He was executed in prison in Pune on Wednesday, the Home Ministry said. The 60-hour siege of Mumbai began on November 26, 2008. Attacks on the railway station, luxury hotels and a Jewish cultural centre claimed 166 lives. Nine gunmen were also killed. Qasab and an accomplice carried out the assault on the main railway station, killing 52 people. He was convicted of murder and other crimes in May 2010. The Supreme Court upheld his death sentence in August.

Syrian Rebels Win British Support, Take Capture Army Positions

Syrian rebels have received a diplomatic lift with Britain officially recognizing the opposition Syrian National Coalition as the Syrian people's legitimate representative. It is the ninth country to do so following France, Turkey and the Gulf Arab states. This is as Syrian government troops backed by tanks battled to oust rebel forces from an opposition stronghold in a Damascus suburb on Tuesday. Rebel fighters stormed an air defence base that President Bashar al-Assad's military had used to bombard areas near the Turkish border. The rebels have captured several army positions in outlying regions in the last week, including a Special Forces base near Aleppo, Syria's commercial hub. But as the rebels seized new territory in the eastern Euphrates valley, they ran into resistance from Kurdish militia on the Turkish border, leading to a clash.

France Withdraws Combat Troops from Afghanistan

France withdrew its combat troops from Afghanistan on Tuesday, marking the end of its battlefield role in the NATO-led war. Four hundred French troops returned to the Afghan capital after four years of combat operations in nearby Kapisa province and Kabul's Sarobi district, a spokesman for the French military, Lt. Col Guillaume Leroy, said. Leroy said the remaining 1,000 troops will help return military equipment to France and 500 will stay on to provide training for Afghanistan's fledgling army. France is strongly criticized by NATO for accelerating the withdrawal two years ahead of the alliance's timetable.

Syria: NATO to Supply Turkey with Missile Defense

NATO member states have agreed to supply Turkey with an advanced Patriot missile system to defend against Syrian attacks and talks on its deployment are in the final stage, Turkey's foreign minister said on Tuesday. Turkey has been talking to NATO allies about how to shore up security on its 900-km (560-mile) frontier with Syria after mortar rounds landed inside its territory, increasing concerns about the civil war spilling into neighbouring states. Only the United States, the Netherlands and Germany have the appropriate Patriot missile system available. NATO Secretary General, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, said that that any missile deployment would be a defensive measure to counter mortar rounds, not to enforce a no-fly zone over Syria. Syrian rebels have called for an internationally enforced no-fly zone.

Israeli, Hamas Agree to Ceasefire

Israel and Hamas, on Wednesday, agreed to the end the bloodshed that has claimed over 150 persons in recent days. However, Egypt and the United States (U.S.) said the truce that would take effect from Wednesday night. The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said he was prepared to give peace a chance. International efforts to finalise the ceasefire were stepped up after a night of renewed Israeli air strikes in Gaza and sporadic Hamas rocket attacks. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon, were in Cairo for talks with Israeli leaders.

AU, Others Condemn Fresh Fighting in DR Congo

Fresh fighting reportedly broke out Monday around the key eastern DR Congo city of Goma after the government rejected a rebel ultimatum in the country. Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, decried the violence targeted at the civilian population and urged that every effort be made to ensure unimpeded humanitarian access. The European Union (EU) foreign ministers also condemned the armed offensive and demanded an immediate cessation of hostilities. In reaction, the UN unveiled plans to move ‘non-essential staff’ from Goma because of growing rebel attacks. UN peacekeeping spokesman, Kieran Dwyer, said that UN peacekeepers that came under heavy mortar fire from the rebels near Goma would stay in the city. Meanwhile, Rwanda accused the DR Congo’s army of firing into its territory amid growing acrimony between the two over the rebellion in eastern DR Congo.

Rebels Over-Run DR Congo’s Goma, Execute Opponents

Rebels and government forces were reportedly preying on civilians in eastern DR Congo city of Goma in what is termed as a widespread campaign of looting and extortion. The rebels are also alleged to be carrying out “summary executions” of local leaders. Anti-poverty group, Oxfam, said the civilians are not only suffering violent abuse on a massive scale – including rape, kidnap and murder – but are also being subjected to an unprecedented level of financial exploitation, as belligerents loot and extort illegal taxes in their battle for control. The rebels said they had seized control of the town and the airport and that government troops were on the run. The M23 rebels called on all government soldiers and police to surrender, but the government forces on Thursday, fought back the rebels as residents fled the hostilities. The UN accuses neighbouring Rwanda and Uganda of backing the M23 rebels, charges both countries deny.

Malaysian Authorities Seize ‘Cocaine Cocktail’ from Nigerian Syndicate

Malaysian narcotics agents have foiled a Nigerian syndicate’s bid to smuggle cocaine worth $7.1 million hidden in coconut milk cans, a top police official said. Acting on a tip-off from the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, authorities found the drugs in a container at the country’s top port, Port Klang, Noor Rashid Ibrahim, narcotics criminal investigation director said in a statement. Noor Rashid said the liquid drugs seized could produce about 76 kilogrammes (168 pounds) of cocaine when processed. Their modus operandi has become more sophisticated, hiding drugs by dissolving it in liquid form to avoid detection, he said. In Malaysia, the death penalty is mandatory for convicted drug traffickers.

Roadside Bomb Kills 17 in Afghanistan

A roadside bomb exploded in western Afghanistan, penultimate Friday, killing at least 17 people and wounding others returning from a wedding. It was reported that the bombing took place in the province of Farah and was detonated as a procession of vehicles following the bride and groom passed along a rural road. Most of the victims are women and children, according to Abdul Rahman Zwandai, a spokesman for the local government. He blamed the Taliban for the attack.

Islamists Group Chases Tuareg Rebels from Northern Mali

Backed by Al-Qaeda’s North African wing, an Islamist group has chased Tuareg rebels from the northern Mali town of Menaka. Fighters from the Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa (MUJAO) took control of Menaka after a small clash with Tuareg fighters of the Azawad National Liberation Movement (MNLA), a regional source said. Both sides confirmed the information, adding that Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) backed MUJAO in the clashes. Islamist group Ansar Dine (Defenders of Faith) and MNLA had announced Friday they were ready for talks with the government, as the government tries to dislodge the Islamists from the north.

Indian Woman Arrested over Facebook Comment

Police in India have arrested a woman alleged to have criticized, on Facebook, the shutdown of the city of Mumbai after the death of politician, Bal Thackeray. A woman friend who “liked” the comment was also arrested, they said. The women, accused of “hurting religious sentiments”, were released on bail after appearing in court, police said. The death of the controversial Hindu nationalist politician, last weekend, brought Mumbai to a halt. News of his death saw businesses shutting and taxis staying off the roads amid fears of violence by supporters of the right-wing Shiv Sena party he founded. In recent months, police have arrested a number of people in cases which are being seen as a test of India’s commitment to freedom of speech.