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Latest News: Training and recruitment is ongoing - Wednesday, 02 March 2011 22:54

week 52

PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

Abia Police Suspends Leave for Yuletide

To ensure effective security during the Christmas and New Year festivities, Abia Police Commissioner, Ambrose Aisabor, said Abia police command had suspended all forms of leave for officers. The commissioner said that the suspension would last till the end of January. He said the measure was in line with the command’s commitment to securing live and property during the festive period. He said that officers could take some few hours to rest during the day, adding that in the night, starting from the commissioner of police to the least-ranked person, everybody would be out to check crime. Aisabor added that his target was to achieve the recent paradigm shift to visibility policing.

JTF Shuts More Militant Camps in Niger Delta

The move by some Niger Delta youths to reopen some militant camps in the Niger Delta region has been thwarted by the Joint Military Task Force (JTF). The JTF Commander, Major General Johnson Ochoga, who disclosed this at the headquarters of the security outfit in Yenagoa, said it had continued to maintain zero tolerance for the existence of militant camps in the region. Ochoga said during a raid of some camps, RPG 9 bombs, RPG 7, 40 mm grenade with assorted arms and ammunition were recovered. He further explained that camps operated by Bakassi Freedom Movement (BFM), led by one Lapto Igbo located at Edik Idim and Esighe Creek in Cross River State had been shut down.

Bayelsa: Kidnappers Release Abducted Nigerian, Koreans

The Nigerian, who was kidnapped alongside four Koreans in Bayelsa State on Monday, has been regained freedom. The kidnappers, however, did not set free the Koreans. Gunmen had on Monday raided a Chinese firm, Hyndai Fabrication Company, at Okpoama, Brass LGA of the state, abducting the expatriates and the Nigerian, identified as Austin Giwa. Giwa was dropped at the mangrove swamps of Odioma along the Okpoama waterways. He was said to have been set free after identifying himself as a Nigerian from Brass. The Koreans were released on Friday and handed over to South Korean officials. The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Mr. Fidelis Odunna, confirmed the development and said the police were still on the trail of the kidnappers.

Two Fresh Oil Spills at Ibeno

Mobil Producing Nigeria (MPN), the Nigerian unit of ExxonMobil on Friday reported two oil spills at the Qua Iboe oil fields on December 16 and 19 at Ibeno, Akwa Ibom state. Members of the community said that the new spills have badly contaminated the coastline. Environmental monitors from a local non-governmental organisation, Peace Point Action, said on Friday that the community noticed fresh oil deposits on the coastline at New Barrel and Itak Abasi areas on the Atlantic coastline. ExxonMobil officials had reported to the regulators that the November 9 oil spill discharged a mere 200 barrels of crude into the Atlantic but the oil firm deployed over 600 men to work for over one month to clean up the oil deposits.

FG Commences 3rd Phase of Amnesty Programme

The Federal Government has commenced effective implementation of the third phase of the Presidential Amnesty to ex-militants in the Niger Delta. The Third Phase of the Amnesty Programme involves additional 3,642 ex-militants who were included in the programme following widespread agitations among them for inclusion in the programme. Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and Chairman of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Mr. Kingsley Kuku, said the Amnesty Office would ensure effective funding of the disarmament process of the ex-militants of the third phase for 31 days. Kuku also called on the Chairman of the Inter Agency Task Force, Air Vice Marshal James Gbum, to ensure the reconciliation of arms and ammunition recovered from the militants in various security formations.

JTF Loses Nine Men in Niger Delta

The Joint Task Force (JTF) in the Niger Delta has said that it lost nine men during its operations in the Niger Delta in 2012. The task force said it lost the men by illegal oil bunkerers, pirates and sea robbers who engaged them in armed combat. The task force commander, Maj. Gen. Johnson Ochoga, also disclosed that the security outfit in the past one year destroyed a total of 4,349 illegal refineries in the nine oil producing states in the Niger Delta region. According to him, other challenges faced by the command are support by the people of oil bearing communities to oil thieves and their foreign sponsors, who engaged in illegal bunkering. Ochoga said that the JTF arrested 1,945 suspects, impounded barges, vessels, trucks and other tools used by bunkerers in the year under review.

Abducted Actress Regains Freedom

The Special Assistant to Imo State governor on Public Affairs, Miss Nkiru Sylvanus, who was kidnapped last Sunday by unknown gunmen, Thursday, regained her freedom. The actress was abducted, while returning from a location, where she had gone to shoot a film. Her captors had demanded a N100 million ransom. The state Commissioner of Police, Adisa Bolante, confirmed her release and the arrest of 16 suspected kidnappers in connection with the incident. The state Governor, Rochas Okorocha, expressed dismay over the kidnap.

Three More Suspects in Court over Aluu Killing

Three more suspects were arraigned, on Thursday, before a Port Harcourt Magistrate Court for the October 5, killing of four students of University of Port Harcourt, in Omuokiri–Aluu community. Their arraignment brought to 16, persons charged to court for the killing of the students. The three suspects were brought under a five-count charge of conspiracy to kill the four students. Their pleas were not taken. Chief Magistrate Emmanuel Woke said his court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the case and adjourned the matter till February 28, 2013. The court ordered that the case file be made available to any interested party that demands it. The Human Rights Council of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has applied for the case file of the suspects. Chairman of the branch, Mr. Austin Ojeukeudo, said that the association wants to ensure that there was no miscarriage of justice in the trial.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

Court Orders Edo Police to pay N140m over Illegal Seizure of Vehicle

An Edo State High Court has ordered the state Commissioner of Police to pay one Mr. Omoruyi Ogundezi and six others the sum of N140 million as general damages for the unlawful seizure of their vehicles since 2009. The court order followed an application brought before it by Ogundezi and others against the CP and the divisional police officer in charge of Igarra Police Station. The Presiding Judge, Justice J. O. Okeaya-Inneh, said the respondents’ action of take-over of possession of the applicants’ vehicles since 2009 without justifiable reason amounted to an infraction on their fundamental human rights. He therefore ordered the state CP and the DPO to release the applicants’ vehicles to them forthwith. The vehicles were allegedly seized during the State House of Assembly election in 2009.

Isoko Youths Protest Neglect, Seal-Up LG Secretariats

Youths, identified as members of the Isoko Progressive Youth Centre, on Thursday, sealed off the Isoko South and North LG secretariats in Oleh and Ozoro as well as government-owned transport line, Delta Line. Although no life was lost, the irate mob, numbering over 2,000, invaded the council areas early hours of Thursday, damaging vehicles. Delta Line motor parks at Ozoro and Oleh were not left out as about five buses were hijacked and one damaged and abandoned along Ozoro/Asaba express road. The president of Isoko Progressive Youth Centre, Anthony Ogbalor, said the protest was as a result of negligence by the two LG councils, the governments, oil multinationals and corporate bodies operating in Isokoland. According to him, since the government would not grant them a hearing on their plights in the land, they shall continue with their violence.

NDLEA Destroys Drugs in Delta

The National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has destroyed quantities of illegal drugs seized in Ogwashi-Uku, Delta state. The NDLEA gave a breakdown of the destroyed drugs as 54,479 kg of Indian hemp, 205 grammes of heroin and 33.6 grammes of cocaine while 91 pinches of heroin and 219 pinches of cocaine from street hawkers. The NDLEA Deputy Chairman, Mr. Femi Ajayi, said there was need to celebrate the seizures because of the deep understanding of the averted tragic effects of the drugs on humanity. He stated that about 169,948,112kg of forfeited hard drugs had been set ablaze by the agency in Delta, Ogun, Benue, Kwara, Ondo, Kano and Lagos states since the beginning of the year.

NCC Raids Edo Shops, Arrest 7 over Copyrights Violations

THE Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), on Thursday, raided various outlets in Benin City, Edo state and arrested seven persons for using unauthorised distribution of Digital Satellite Television (DSTV) and other cable networks signals and contents. Those arrested included two females and five males while about 20 decoders of different makes were impounded. Director of Enforcement of the NCC team, Augustine Amodu, warned those engaged in the illegal act to desist as the commission was ready to arrest and prosecute not only those behind it but those who broadcast the signals to illegal clients after collecting fees ranging from N500 to N3, 000.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

Pipeline Fire Breaks out in Lagos

Suspected oil thieves, whose number was yet to be ascertained as at Tuesday, were believed to have been burnt to death while scooping fuel at a vandalised pipeline at Ije-Ododo, near Ijegun in Lagos State. The fire, according to an eyewitness, started around 9pm when about 30 people arrived at the scene of the incident to scoop fuel from the burst pipeline. Minutes later, there was an explosion and fire broke out, consuming those scooping the fuel and their equipment. Men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) officials were at the scene to assess the situation.

Two Killed in Osun Bank Robberies

Two persons were killed, while five others were injured in the robbery attacks on two banks in Ikirun, Osun state on Wednesday. It was gathered that the armed robbers that numbered about six, gained entry into the bank at about 4pm, catching the customers and workers unaware. The robbers shot into the air as they stormed the bank, scaring away customers using the ATM located outside the banking hall. In another incident, the Police in Ekiti State have arrested 15 polytechnic students for armed robbery. The students were said to have carried out some operations on December 14. Police spokesman, Victor Babayemi, said the suspects said to be students of a polytechnic in Kwara State, invaded two filling stations in Otun-Ekiti in Moba LGA and dispossessed the attendants of the sales proceeds for that day. Babayemi said a pistol and a single barrel gun were recovered from the gang.

9 in Court for Attempted Murder

Nine men were, on Tuesday, arraigned before an Ogbese Ayede Magistrates’ Court over an alleged attempt to commit murder. The police prosecutor, Amos Ekupe, alleged that the accused persons attempted to commit felony to wit murder by beating one Ogundele Oluwatosin (female) and Ogundele Femi (male) with iron rods to a state of comma on December 9. He added that the accused persons also assaulted police officers on their lawful duties thereby causing a breach of the peace at the Oba-Ile Police Station. The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the three-count charge. Chief Magistrate Odenusi Fadeyi, granted the accused persons bail for N100,000 each with two sureties each in like sum.

Dana Air Crash: Ground Victims Lament Neglect

Ground survivors and families of ground victims of the Dana airplane that crashed on June 3rd said the airline’s insurers had refused to include them in claims settlement. The ground survivors alleged that some families of the deceased members on board have benefited from the interim compensation of $30,000 per victim’s family, while none of the families of ground victims have received anything. Speaking through their legal adviser and Consultant, Gbenga Eguntola, the survivors said that some ground victims lost their means of livelihood. Eguntola stated that the firm had filed insurance claims for 18 ground survivors on June 20, this year, forwarding various copies to Yomi Oshikoya, the solicitor to the airline and its insurers, but lamented the delay and reluctance of the aircraft insurers to settle their claims.

Court Remands Couple in Prison for Killing Toddler

An Akure Chief magistrates’ Court, on Wednesday, ordered that a man, Oluwaseun Oluwatoba and his wife, Omolara, be remanded in prison custody for allegedly killing a three-year-old baby girl of their co-tenant during a fight. The duo was alleged to have killed the girl, Roseline Adebisi, with a hard object while fighting. The girl was said to be playing in the corridor of the house when the couple picked up a quarrel with her mother, a co-tenant, and engaged in a scuffle. Police prosecutor, Pelumi Adejuwon, prayed that the couple be remanded in prison custody. Chief Magistrate Omotosho Akinyele granted the prayer of the prosecutor and ordered that the couple be remanded in prison custody.

Lagos Sacks 174 LASTMA Officials for Misconduct

At least 174 officers of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) have been sacked by over alleged involvement in corruption, overzealousness and other crimes. It was gathered that the sack was part of moves to weed out bad eggs and reposition the authority for better service delivery and traffic management. It was also gathered that LASTMA had recommended 200 officers for dismissal and their names were forwarded to the Civil Service Commission (CSC) to determine their fate after the affected officers had faced the Personnel Management Board (PMB), a disciplinary organ of the state government. The Head of Service, Adesegun Ogunlewe, had warned that any LASTMA officer found extorting money from motorists in the guise of the new road traffic law would be dismissed.

Woman Bathed with Acid Dies

Twenty two-year-old Chika Egbo, who was bathed with acid by her fiancé, David Sulaimon, in Ikotun, Lagos, died at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, on Thursday. Her death is coming six weeks after the November 5 attack that left her without the use of her nose, eyes and mouth. Chika’s death coincides with the hearing of the case at an Ebute-Meta Chief Magistrate’s Court, Lagos, on Thursday, where Sulaimon is facing trial for the assault and attempted murder. The lawyers informed the court that the victim had died. It was learnt that Sulaimon, who had been granted bail but could not meet the bail conditions, had remain in custody since he was first arraigned. The prosecution applied to the court for a substitution of the attempted murder charge for murder, while the case till January 9, 2013.

Man Stabbed to Death for Mediating Dispute

The police in Lagos State have arrested a commercial bike rider simply identified as Igali for stabbing a father of two, Demola Talabi, 42, to death. The middle-aged Igali allegedly used a screw-driver to stab Talabi on the neck and other parts of his body because he prevented him from stabbing his passenger with whom he had an argument. Talabi was said to be trying to mediate in the argument between Igali and his passenger over destination.

GENERAL

Chopper Crash: Yero Sworn in as Kaduna State Governor

Former Kaduna State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Ramalan Yero, stepped into the shoes of his late principal, last Sunday, with a promise to build on the good works of Late Patrick Yakowa, who died on Saturday, along with five others, in a helicopter crash in Bayelsa State. The state Chief Judge, Justice Rahila Cudjoe, administered the oath of office on Yero, 44, at the Government House. The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has urged the Federal Government to thoroughly investigate the death of Yakowa, former National Security Adviser, Gen. Andrew Azazi (rtd), and four others in the crash. The Bayelsa State Government, in whose territory the accident occurred, declared three days of mourning for the victims.

Navy Promises Thorough Investigation of Crash

The Nigerian Navy has commenced investigations into the cause of the crash of its helicopter at Nembe-Okoroba area of Bayelsa State that killed the Kaduna State Governor, Patrick Yakowa, former National Security Adviser (NSA), General Andrew Owoye Azazi (rtd), and four others. Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Dele Ezeoba, declared that the navy would spare no effort in getting to the root of the crash. President Goodluck Jonathan has ordered an investigation into the crash. There were insinuations that the ill-fated helicopter might have had some technical problems before the crash on Saturday.

Bombers Hit Telecoms Companies in Kano

Two suicide bombers attacked the offices of two Airtel and MTN, both mobile telecommunication companies, in Kano state on Saturday. Reports indicate that the bombers were the only human casualties in both attacks. Islamist sect Boko Haram that has previously blown up telephone masts and offices in the north is suspected to be behind this recent attack. Kano state Police Commissioner, Ibrahim Idris confirmed that the bomber that hit the Airtel office was shot by military men before the bomb exploded, while the one that attacked the MTN office rammed his car into the fence and detonated, but no civilians were killed. One security guard was injured and has been taken to hospital.

Senate Suspends Passage of Anti-Terrorism Bill

The Senate, on Wednesday, suspended the passage of the conference report on Terrorism Amendment Bill amidst arguments over the status of the Office of National Security Adviser (NSA), as the coordinating office of the fight against terrorism. The conference committee had adopted the version that recommended that the NSA’s office should coordinate the war against terrorism, but Senator Ita Enang questioned the legality of the office of the NSA, which he argued did not exist in law. Noting that the National Assembly could not dictate to the President on which of the agencies should coordinate the activities, he called for the rejection of the section of the report. Senate President, David Mark, however noted that the report could not be reviewed because it was a conference report between the two chambers.

Patrick Yakowa Laid to Rest

The remains of former Kaduna State Governor, Patrick Yakowa, were interred on Thursday in his hometown in Fadan Kagoma, Jama’a LGA, amidst tributes from many Nigerians, including President Goodluck Jonathan, Senate President David Mark and governors. Jonathan, who spoke after the funeral mass, said Yakowa epitomised patriotism and service to the nation and urged Nigerians to emulate his virtues. Yakowa’s successor, Alhaji Mukhtar Yero, described his late boss as a man who exhibited uncommon leadership qualities just as he was an embodiment of patience, simplicity, patriotism, peace and was committed to duty. The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Bishop Matthew Kukah, urged the people of Southern Kaduna not to despair over the death of Yakowa.

NASS Passes N4.987tn Budget

The National Assembly, on Thursday, passed a N4.987 trillion budget for the 2013 fiscal year. The approved budget is N63 billion more than the N4.924 trillion proposed by the executive arm of government. The difference arose out of the change in the oil benchmark from $75 to $79. However, there were no major changes in terms of sectorial allocations between what the president had proposed and what has been approved by the parliament. Another notable difference was the reduction of the recurrent budget by about N100 billion and the addition of same to the capital expenditure component. The Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters, Senator Joy Emodi, hailed the National Assembly for the swift passage of the 2013 Appropriation Bill.

EFCC Declares Kogi Ex-Governor, Audu, Wanted

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared former governor of Kogi State, Abubakar Audu, wanted in connection with offences bordering on conspiracy, stealing and misappropriation of public funds during his reign as governor between 1999 and 2003. However, Audu has applied to a Federal High Court in Abuja to stop the anti-graft commission from arresting him. Audu is asking the court to stop the EFCC from launching fresh legal offensive against him on the grounds that it amounted to “an abuse of court process” since he had already been charged on an 80-count charge currently pending at the Kogi State High Court in Lokoja.

Katsina: Gunmen Kill 2, Kidnap Expatriate, Bomb Police Station

Dare devil gunmen, on Wednesday, killed two persons a security guard and his friend; kidnapped a French national, and bombed Rimi police station in Rimi LGA of Katsina State. Eyewitness account said the gunmen numbering 30, arrived Rimi town at the wee hours of the day and launched  coordinated attacks at both the police station  and the residence of the kidnapped French citizen, Francis Colump,  site engineer with S.A Vergnet, the firm handling Katsina Windmill Power project. It was gathered that the armed men used gas cylinder and explosive to bomb the police station before attacking the residence of Colump where they killed two persons and shot a mobile policeman attached to Colump.

Police Raise Education Standard for Recruitment

Police Service Commission (PSC) says holders of Secondary School Certificate would no longer be accepted into the Nigeria Police Force as constables. It said the minimum entry requirement now was Ordinary National Diploma. The commission also stated that Third Class degree holders were no longer accepted as Cadet Inspectors, in line with the reform in the force. PSC Commissioner and Chairman, Public Affairs Committee of the commission, Ms. Comfort Obi, who stated this at a news conference in Abuja on Monday, explained that the commission had reviewed the recruitment process into the police.

FG Declares Public Holidays for Yuletide

Federal Government has declared Tuesday, December 25, and Wednesday, December 26, as public holidays to commemorate the Christmas and Boxing Day celebrations. This was contained in a statement by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Interior, Anastesia Nwaobia. Similarly, the statement said Tuesday, January 1, 2013, had also been declared as public holiday to mark the New Year. It stated that the Minister of Interior, Mr. Abba Moro, declared the holidays on behalf of the Federal Government.

Mobile Police to be Reposition to Tackle Crime, Terrorism

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Abubakar, has said that the Police Mobile Force (PMF) will be repositioned in the bid to address the current security challenges in the country. Abubakar said this on Tuesday at a meeting with Squadron Commanders of the PMF. He said the meeting was called to look at the personnel strength of each squadron, their respective commanders, as well as their readiness and capabilities to tackle challenges. Abubakar said that the preparedness of the police to secure lives and property during the yuletide, as well as general security in 2013 would also be addressed. Abubakar noted that while some of the squadrons and units had recorded successes, others were deficient.

Supreme Court Upholds Presidential Election

The Supreme Court has dismissed an appeal filed by the National Democratic Party (NDP) seeking to nullify the election of President Goodluck Jonathan. In a unanimous decision, all the seven justices of the court who sat on the panel held that the appeal lacked merit. NDP had asked the court to nullify all the elections held under the rescheduled time table issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The NDP had challenged the entire 2011 elections, saying that INEC had no power to cancel the first timetable without giving reasons for the cancellation. The case was earlier dismissed by the Court of Appeal, which described the case as a mere academic exercise.

ECOWAS Finds FG Liable Rights Violation in the Niger Delta

The ECOWAS Community Court of Justice sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria has found the Federal Government liable over alleged violation of human rights and associated oil pollution of the Niger Delta by the six oil companies. In the judgment delivered by the Vice-President of the court, Justice Benfeito Mosso Ramos, on behalf other Justices, the court emphasised that the Federal Government’s non-challant attitude was grossly responsible for the environmental pollution primarily caused by the oil multi-national corporations in the Niger Delta. The judgment followed a litigation filed by the Registered Trustees of the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) against the FG and six oil companies over alleged violation of human rights and oil pollution in the Niger Delta.

UNICEF Wants State Pass, Implement Child Rights Law

State governments still dragging their feet on the Child Rights Law have been admonished to as a matter of urgency, ensure the passage and implementation of the law, which would go a long way in protecting children against violence. The United Nation Children’s Educational Fund (UNICEF) said violence against children would be reduced in Nigeria as soon as the Child Rights Law is allowed. Although 24 out of the 36 states in the country are said to have passed the law, the implementation has continued to take more time than expected.

Senate Suspends Deliberations on PIB

Opposition to the passage of the newly introduced Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) reared its head in the Senate, on Tuesday, as the lawmakers suspended the consideration of the bill, despite spirited efforts by the Senate Leader, Senator Victor Ndoma Egba. The report of an independent consultant engaged by the Northern Senators’ Forum to scrutinise the bill returned a negative verdict. Trouble started early on Tuesday when the Senate Leader, Ndoma Egba, presented the bill, as senators showed a general lack of disposition to the bill and eventually stalled the debate on it.

Police Raise Security for Xmas, New Year Celebrations

To contain insurgency during the Christmas and New Year celebrations, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Abubakar, Tuesday announced that the force would retool its officers and men nationwide, with particular attention to flash points. Abubakar said that Borno, Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe, Adamawa and Kano states were some of the states to be affected by the review. He lamented the attitude of some Nigerians, who he said would not worry about the lives of officers and men of the force.

Agency Alerts on Contaminated Beans in Abuja

The Environmental Health Officers Registration Council of Nigeria (EHORECON) has advised Nigerians to be wary of certain beans in circulation after confiscating and destroying a cache of same worth hundreds of thousands of naira. EHORECON destroyed the beans following a magistrate court order to do so. The 100 bags of beans were seized from one retailer, Mrs. Veronica Mbori, who had purchased them in Katangora Market in Abuja and preserved them with harmful chemical, gamaline. Head of Registration, Ethics and Standards Enforcement of the EHORECON, Abonyi Dominic, urged consumers to have a double look at what they buy.

DPR Shuts Down 10 Filling Stations in Kano

The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) in Kano has sealed up and sanctioned 10 filling stations in Kano and Jigawa states for selling above the government-approved petroleum pump-price of N97 per litre. This measure, according to the Operations Controller of DPR in Kano, Alhaji Sayyadi Suleiman Abubakar, will sanitize the operation of filling stations in the two states during the Christmas and New Year period.

Nigeria, Cameroun to Speed up Boundary Demarcation

Nigeria and Cameroun have agreed to expedite the process for the demarcation of land-based areas, which are yet to be identified in the Bakassi Peninsula. This was after a United Nations-backed meeting between officials of both countries in Abuja last weekend. The meeting was the 30th in a series of meetings on the implementation of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) judgment on the demarcation of the peninsula between the two countries. The joint technical team of surveyors and other experts would be in the peninsula by February 2013 to speed up the process and to commence the pillar emplacement project. The Head of the UN Office for West Africa (UNOWA), Ambassador Said Djinnit, said addressing the needs of the affected citizens of both countries should be given priority.

President Tasks Armed Forces on National Unity

President Goodluck Jonathan has admonished the Nigerian Armed Forces to continue to champion the cause of unity and national cohesion in order to ensure the stability and progress of the country. President Jonathan, who made the call at the emblem appeal launch for the 2013 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration held at the Banquet hall of the Presidential Villa, said: “For me, the strongest message is that of unity. The men and women that we remember today were drawn into national service from all parts of Nigeria and they served gallantly regardless of differences of religion or ethnicity.”

27 Killed in Sokoto Trailer Crash

About 27 people were feared killed, while 15 others sustained varying degrees of injuries in a ghastly accident involving a trailer at Ruwawuri village in Tangaza LGA of the state. Similarly, several cows and sheep were reportedly killed in the incident. The incident occurred on Monday night when the driver of a trailer lost control of the vehicle and fell into a ditch. The Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Aliyu Gumi, said about 27 persons died on the spot, while 15 were injured. He disclosed that the accident occurred as a result of over speeding on the part of the driver of the trailer. He called on motorists to refrain from over speeding during the yuletide to avoid accident. Similarly, 10 persons were killed in a motor accident on Sunday night, in Maiyama LGA of Kebbi State. The accident involved a trailer and a commercial bus that had a head-on collision.

Village Head, 3 Others Killed in Maiduguri

Four people, including a village head of Burbura ward in Konduga LGA of Borno State, Bulama Ibrahim Aisami, were slaughtered in their houses last weekend by yet to be identified gunmen. It was gathered that the gunmen slaughtered three of their victims, Mallam Zakariya Gwoza a bricklayer, Mallam Mustapha a serving policeman, and Mallam Kolo a retired policeman, in the pre-dawn attack. An eyewitness said that the gunmen, who carried out the attack, walked on foot with rifles, knives and cutlasses. The Borno State Police Command spokesman, Gideon Jibrin, confirmed the multiple attacks and killings.

Two Boys Docked for Raping Girl, 15

Two boys aged between 15 and 16 were, on Monday, arraigned before a Mararaba Upper Area Court over an alleged rape of a 15-year-old girl. The police prosecutor, Nasir Shuaibu, said that the two accused persons, alongside three other suspects conspired and raped a 15-year–old girl in an uncompleted building which served as a hide-out for the group. The two accused persons pleaded not guilty to the offences against them. The defense counsel, Charles Acholor, pleaded for bail, but Magistrate Vincent Gwahemba refused the bail for the accused persons, stating that the offence of rape was not a minor case. He ordered that they be remanded in Keffi Prison and adjourned the case to January 14, 2013.

INTERNATIONAL

ICC Acquits Ngudjolo Chui over Congo War Crimes

The Trial Chamber of the International Criminal Court (ICC) acquitted Mathieu Ngudjolo Chui of the charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Congo. The decision was taken unanimously by the Chamber composed of Presiding Judge Bruno Cotte (France), Judge Fatoumata Dembele Diarra (Mali) and Christine Van Den Wyngaert (Belgium). The Chamber ordered the Registrar to take the necessary measures to release Mathieu Ngudjolo Chui. However, as the Prosecutor so requested, it is now up to the Chamber to make a decision on the detention of Mathieu Ngudjolo Chui pending appeal proceedings. Mathieu Ngudjolo Chui, a Congolese national, was charged with three counts of crimes against humanity and seven counts of war crimes allegedly committed in the context of an armed conflict in Ituri, during the attack against the Bogoro village on 24 February 2003.

African Leaders Renew Call for Intervention Force in Mali

African leaders, on Monday, renewed call for the urgent deployment of a regional military force to recapture northern Mali from Al-Qaeda-linked fighters. The West African bloc ECOWAS has 3,300 troops on standby but the United Nations has expressed reservations and warned a deployment could take another year. African Union chairman and president of Benin, Thomas Boni Yayi, said that special emphasis is required on the need to send, without further delay, an international force tasked with removing the terrorist threat from the sub-region. Niger is one of the country’s most at risk of a spillover from the crisis in Mali, where militants groups with ties to Al-Qaeda and drug traffickers took advantage of a failed coup and a Tuareg rebellion to take control of the entire north. A UN resolution authorising a military intervention in Mali is expected by year’s end.

ECOWAS Reassures Member-States on Peace and Security

President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, Kadré Désiré Ouédraogo, has assured citizens of member-states on the organisation’s determination to make the region a zone of peace governed by the rule of law and respect for human rights. Ouédraogo gave the assurance while addressing Ivorien refugees in Liberia on Monday at the PTP Refugee camp in Zwedru capital of Grand Gedeh County more than 450 kilometres south-east of the capital, Monrovia. The ECOWAS chief reiterated the commission’s commitment to resolve existing crises in the region. The ECOWAS chief appealed to the refugees to live in peace and harmony with the host community and thanked the Liberian people and government for their generosity in accommodating refugees from other countries despite the nation’s own challenges.

Afghanistan Mine Kills 10 Girls

At least 10 young girls have been killed and two others injured by a land mine explosion in eastern Afghanistan, officials say. A spokesman for the governor of Nangarhar province said the girls were collecting firewood when one of them hit the mine with an axe, reports the BBC. Most of those killed were aged between nine and 11, officials said. The two girls who are injured were reported to be in critical condition in hospital.

Syrian Jets Bomb Palestinian Camp in Damascus

Syrian fighter jets bombed the Palestinian Yarmouk camp in Damascus, penultimate Sunday, killing at least 25 people sheltering in a mosque in an area where Syrian rebels have been trying to advance into the capital, opposition activists said. The attack was part of a month-old campaign by President Bashar al-Assad's forces to eject rebels fighting to overthrow him from positions hemming in Damascus. Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said the rebels could not win in Syria. Syrian rebels accuse Hezbollah, a Shi'ite Muslim group, of sending fighters to Syria to help Assad overcome the largely Sunni Muslim revolt. Hezbollah denies these accusations.

Militants Battle Pakistani Police

Militants holed up in a half-built house in the northwestern Pakistani city of Peshawar traded gunfire with police on Sunday after taking part in an attack on a nearby airport. The shoot-out erupted hours after the military had declared Peshawar airport secure after killing five attackers who rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into the outer wall of the airfield and battled guards. The Pakistani Taliban said they had sent 10 men to attack the airport. Mian Iftikhar Hussain, a spokesman for the provincial government, said one policeman had been killed and two wounded in the clash. Three militants also were killed, he said. A military official said two or three surviving gunmen had fled to a second building where they had exchanged fire with security forces.

Eight Foreigners Arrested over Nairobi’s Blast

Kenyan police, on Monday, said that they are holding eight foreign nationals from Yemen and Somalia in connection with penultimate Sunday night’s grenade attack in Nairobi’s Eastleigh neighbourhood. Regional police commander, Moses Ombati, said seven Yemenis and one Somali national were arrested after the blast are being interrogated in connection with the latest incident. The police are yet to establish the type of device, which caused explosion along Muratina road, a few minutes from a mosque that was the target of a previous terror attack on December 7. About two people were injured in the attack. The police have vowed to enhance massive operation to flush out illegal immigrants in Eastleigh residential estate in the wake of bomb and grenade attacks in the restive Nairobi.

South Korea Gets First Female President, Park

South Korea's President-elect, Park Geun-hye, has said her victory will help the country's economy recover. Park, daughter of former dictator Park Chung-hee, defeated her liberal rival, Moon Jae-in. She will be South Korea's first female leader. Turnout was high in a poll dominated by economic and social welfare issues. Park, 60, will replace her party colleague, Lee Myung-bak, who is stepping down as the law requires after his five-year term. Park had already served as South Korea's first lady, after her mother was killed in the 1970s.

Yemen Abolishes Major Military Units

Yemen's president, Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, on Wednesday, abolished two major military units. Hadi issued decrees that restructured the armed forces into four major units and abolished the Republican Guard and the First Armoured Division. Brigadier General Ahmed Saleh, the commander of the Republican Guard, had refused orders to hand over long-range missiles to the Defence Ministry, raising fears of a showdown that could threaten a fragile power structure. The general, an opponent of Hadi's, is a son of former president Ali Abdullah Saleh, who made way for Hadi in February after a year of protests under a transition plan backed by Gulf Arab countries and the United States. Meanwhile, a Yemeni military court sentenced 93 members of the Republican Guard to prison terms of up to seven years for an attack on a military complex in August, the Defence Ministry declared.

1,000 Doomsday ‘Cult’ Members Arrested in China

Authorities in China have arrested about 1,000 people in a crackdown on a Christian sect that spread doomsday rumours and targeted communist rule ahead of the supposedly Mayan-foretold apocalypse. Reports indicated that the group “Almighty God” has been accused of spreading doomsday rumours linked to the ancient Mayan Long Count calendar and urging followers to slay the “red dragon” of communism. Police in China detained more than 350 Almighty God members in the southwestern province of Guizhou, while in the northwestern province of Qinghai more than 400 were held for “gathering unlawfully”. Smaller numbers have been held in other areas across the country. Almighty God predicts that three days of darkness will begin on Friday, and has called on its members to overthrow China’s ruling Communist Party, which it refers to as “the big red dragon”.

Ex-Minister Gets 35-Year Term for Rwandan Genocide

Augustin Ngirabatware, a former Rwandan minister, has been sentenced to 35 years in prison for crimes against humanity by a United Nations (UN) tribunal. Ngirabatware was the country’s planning minister at the time of the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, which left some left 800,000 people dead. The victims were mostly from the Tutsi ethnic minority, who were targeted by Hutus over a rivalry that dates to colonial days. The tribunal found Ngirabatware, 55, guilty of directly and publicly inciting the killing of Tutsis at a roadblock in February 1994, and of distributing weapons that were used to kill Tutsis in Nyamyumba commune in April of that year. The tribunal indicted 93 people, and 83 of them have been arrested, with 75 of them prosecuted to judgment.

55 Feared Dead as Boat Capsizes off Somali Coast

About 55 Somalis and Ethiopians have reportedly drowned after their boat capsized off Somalia on Tuesday. The UN agency for refugees said the incident represents “the biggest loss of life” in the Gulf of Aden since February 2011 when 57 Somali refugees and migrants from the Horn of Africa drowned while attempting to reach Yemen. Twenty-three bodies have been recovered, while 32 others are presumed to have drowned. At least five people survived the accident. They said the boat was overcrowded and capsized just 15 minutes after leaving the port of Bosasso in Somalia’s northern state of Puntland on Tuesday.

Dozens Killed in Kenyan Communal Clash

Rival communities armed with arrows and machetes clashed on Friday, leaving 30 people dead in southeastern Kenya. At least 30 others were injured in the clashes between Pokomo and Orma tribes in Tana River district, the Kenya Red Cross said. Deputy police chief, Robert Kitur, said preliminary reports show the attack killed at least 28 people. The number of those injured is still unclear, he said. Pokomo tribesmen initiated the attacks, according to Khadija Kuresha, a human rights activist in the area. Both sides have engaged in retaliatory clashes in recent months. The groups have fought for years over grazing rights, land and water sources. Pokomos are largely farmers while the semi-nomadic Orma tribesmen tend to livestock. The former have accused the latter of grazing cattle on land that does not belong to them.