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

week 9

PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

Court Orders FG to Pay N37bn Compensation to Odi

A High Court in Port Harcourt has ordered the Federal Government to pay N37.6bn as compensation to victims of the military invasion of Odi community in Bayelsa State. The court ordered that a special damage of N17.6bn and a general damage of N20bn be paid to the community as compensation. It also issued a permanent injunction restraining the respondents and their agents from attacking Odi again. Soldiers had on November 20, 1999, invaded Odi community after 12 policemen were killed by a group of militants within the area. But the people of the area in Bayelsa State had dragged the Federal Government to court, demanding N20bn as damages for gross violation of the their rights. The presiding judge, Justice Lambo Akambi, also ordered that the payment be made within the next 21 days.

Six Foreigners Kidnapped in Bayelsa

Armed pirates, last weekend, stormed an oil service ship off the coast of Bayelsa state, and kidnapped six foreigners. They have demanded a $1.3 million ransom for their release, the police and military said on Wednesday. Three of those abducted are from Ukraine, two from India, one from Russia, state police spokesman, Fidelis Odunna said. The Armada Tuah vessel operated by the Lagos-based Century Group with a crew of 15 was attacked by gunmen 40 nautical miles off southern Bayelsa state at about 4pm penultimate, the JTF spokesman, Colonel Nwachukwu Onyema, said. The vessel was on route Port Harcourt to Abo, the site of a key deep-water oil field, when the incident occurred.

Man in Court for Impersonating NESREA

A man, who allegedly impersonated the National Environmental Standard Regulatory and Enforcement Agency (NESREA), was, on Wednesday, arraigned before the Federal High Court sitting in Enugu. Jude Alagbado was arraigned on a four-count charge bordering on forgery and plans to dupe some corporate bodies. The suspect allegedly forged the signature of the Director-General of NESREA and illegally issued compliance verification demand notice and penal fees to the organisations. The defense lawyer explained said the accused was involved in an accident and would not be able to appear in court before June 2013. The Judge, Justice D.V. Agishi, said adjourned the case till June 19 to enable the accused recover from his ailment.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

Military Displays Cache of Surrendered Arms, Bombs in Delta

At least 14, 586 weapons of different types, surrendered by ex-militants in Delta State, were displayed by the Inter-Agency Task Force on Thursday at 3 Battalion, Nigerian Army, Effurun. The display was a product of a mop-up exercise of weapons and ammunition surrendered to the JTF and other security agencies up till March 2012. The 2heaps of assorted weapons included AK47, FN riffle, MK4 (locally made), G3 Air riffle (locally made), SMG, Pistol (locally made, Pump Action, Machine Gun, Single Barrel Gun (foreign), catapults, axes and cutlasses, among others. The ammunition included 7.62mm and several cartridges. The weapons also included lethal ones like bombs, rocket launchers and dynamites which were loaded into two hilux vans and taken to bomb disposing unit for destruction.

Gunmen Kill Mobile Policemen, Abduct Oil Workers

Gunmen, on Monday, killed two escort mobile policemen and kidnapped four worker of Agip Oil Company in Okpai in Delta State. The gunmen, numbering about six, accosted the coastal bus conveying the workers back home from work at the Agip Okpai/Beneku field operated by Agip and Sterling at about 4pm and shot dead the two policemen before carefully selecting four persons from the bus, taking them to an unknown destination.

4 Killed in Delta Communal Clash

Four persons have lost their lives at Ohoror-Uwheru, Ughelli North LGA of Delta State following fresh communal crisis that erupted in the area. The crisis was said to have erupted between Fulani herdsmen and the villagers over grazing field on Tuesday and continued on Wednesday. The crisis was confirmed by villagers and the police. On Wednesday, youths of the area made bonfire, displaying bodies of the victims on the East-West road, precisely at Bomadi junction. Traffic flow was cut off and passengers were stranded as a result. Two tractors belonging to a construction firm working on part of the East-West road, close to the crisis point, were torched.  Security agencies, including the military moved in earlier to prevent escalation of the crisis.

Delta Re-Strategizes against Kidnapping

Delta State Government has deployed a multi-pronged security strategy aimed at addressing cases of insecurity and other violent crimes in the state. The State Governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan, said explained that the three-point agenda of peace and security, human capital and infrastructural development of his administration were “informed by the realisation that sustainable development is impossible in an atmosphere of insecurity and chaos.” He added that the state government has also donated other sets of operational vehicles to security agencies and paramilitary bodies. He said that this was part of measures designed to fight the scourge of crimes like kidnapping and armed robbery.

Army Dismisses Soldier over Involvement in Kidnapping, Robbery

A soldier attached to the 3 Battalion, Nigerian Army, Effurun, Delta State, has been dismissed and handed over to the police for prosecution over his alleged involvement in kidnapping and armed robbery. The dismissed soldier and others were said to have formed  a kidnap/armed robbery syndicate, which  specialized in kidnapping drivers and hijacking loaded petroleum trucks, within and outside Delta State. They would hold their victims as hostage until the hijacked product was sold and discharged. Members of the gang, who were arrested, last year, by the police confessed the involvement of the soldier, but the police could not arrest him because of the misunderstanding with the army authorities on his complicity. Delta State Commissioner of Police and internationally acclaimed crime fighter, Ikechukwu Aduba, confirmed that the army private had been handed over to the police

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

Man, Lover Arrested for Kidnap
…SARS Kills Eight Robbery Suspects

Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr Umar Manko, has confirmed the arrest of a 28-year-old man and his girlfriend for abducting a 14-year-old boy, Daniel Olumide, on February 2. The kidnapper had kept the victim in his girlfriend’s apartment for some days after the abduction, demanding N2 million as ransom for his release. Parents of the victim were confused on how to handle the matter but a neighbour reportedly alerted the Police of seeing the victim with the suspected kidnappers minutes before the victim was declared missing. The commissioner said the Police swung into action, arresting the suspect and rescuing the boy. In another development, Manko announced that officials of SARS in Lagos last Sunday killed eight suspected robbers during a gun duel. He said in a battle within the week, his men recovered a Toyota Camry, which was snatched from its owner by robbers.

Man, 56, Docked for Defiling Minors

A 56-year-old security guard, Adebisi Abdullahi, was on Monday charged before a Surulere Magistrates' Court, Lagos, for allegedly defiling two sisters aged 11 years and 13 years. Abdullahi, who resides at Itedo village in Eti-Osa LGA, where the offence took place, is facing one-count charge of defilement. The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge. The prosecutor, Cpl. Iseghede Jimah, told the court that the accused had on February 9th lured the sisters to his room and defiled them. The Magistrate, Mrs A.A. Oshoniyi, granted the accused bail in the sum of N200000, with two sureties in like sum, and adjourned the case till April 8 for mention.

Woman Gets 6 Years Imprisonment for Burying Son Alive

A Magistrate Court sitting in Osogbo, Wednesday, sentenced an 18-year-old mother, Adeola Joseph, to six years imprisonment with hard labour for burying her son alive for three days. Magistrate Olusola Aluko ruled that the convict “is callous and may not change from her devilish act.” According to the Police Prosecutor, Solomon Oladele, Joseph buried her child in the early hours of February 18, 2012 and the child was rescued after two days by one Prophetess Tunrayo Akinwande, who lived around the area. Oladele noted that the intervention of Akinwande and other residents of the area, who exhumed Fatia from the grave and took him to the hospital, saved the child. The convict claimed that her parent were not favourably disposed to her marriage with the father of her child and had since been living alone without any assistance from any individual, hence her resolve to terminate the life of the baby.

Pastor Rapes 12-Year-Old Housemaid

Members of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) in Abeokuta, Thursday, arrested pastor with the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) for allegedly raping a 12-year old girl. It was gathered that the pastor, committed the crime in his home while his wife was away. Luck ran against the randy pastor when the girl reported the incident to her parents, which prompted his arrest. The embattled pastor, who is also a commercial photographer, confessed to the crime, saying he was influenced by devil.

Pastor, 3 Others, Docked over Sale of Month-old Baby

A 60-year-old self-acclaimed Pastor, Simon Dike, and three others were, Thursday, arraigned before an Ebute-Metta Chief Magistrate Court in Lagos, for allegedly selling a month-old baby boy for N60, 000. The accused include Joy Uzochukwa, 27, the mother of the baby; Margaret Obinwa, 49, an auxiliary nurse and Chibuzor Ogbonna, 50, the father of the baby. The prosecutor said that Uzochukwa signed an undertaking not to demand for the baby after collecting the money. “Uzochukwa left Ogbonna who impregnated her because he didn’t take care of her and married another man, called Kingsley, who later hatched the plan to sell the baby boy to the men of Oodua Peoples’ Congress, OPC, that later reported the case to the police,” the prosecutor added.

Extra Judicial Killing: Widow Awarded N300m for Slain Husband

Justice Idris Muhammed of a Federal High Court in Lagos has awarded N300 million to the widow of Friday Orjieh, an operator of a bureau de change, who was said to have been killed in 2009 by a soldier attached to “Operation MESSA”, a crime-fighting unit established by the Nigerian army to help rid Lagos State of crime. Orjieh was reportedly shot dead by one Private Aminu Audu after a female customer, Elizabeth Olubunmi, alleged that he had cheated her in a transaction. Justice Muhammed granted the plaintiff, Adiza Orjieh’s prayers, the judge awarded N300 million to the plaintiff as general and exemplary damages for the breach of the victim’s fundamental right to life. The judgment was awarded against the Nigerian Army, which was alleged to have shielded the alleged killer-soldier, the Chief of Army Staff, Elizabeth Olubunmi and Aminu Audu.

Man Rapes Recuperating Mentally-Ill Teenager

Policemen in Lagos have arrested a business man, who allegedly raped a recuperating mentally ill teenager where she was chained in an apartment at Egan, a Lagos suburb. The suspect, Gowo Ewhe, sneaked into the teenager’s apartment, on Tuesday, after her parents and other occupants had gone out and allegedly had carnal knowledge of her. But the bubble burst following the discovery of the teenager’s blood stained underwear by her mother on arrival in the evening. Out of curiosity, she asked what happened only to be informed by her daughter of what transpired earlier. The alleged perpetrator, who is married with three children was apprehended and handed over to the police. The suspect reportedly claimed he was tempted beyond his capability.

Policeman Shot Trying to Prevent Kidnapping

Gunmen numbering three, Wednesday, shot a Police Corporal for attempting to save a Lebanese from being kidnapped at an eatery in Festac Town, Lagos. The gunmen reportedly stormed the eatery at about 9.30 pm and made straight for where the owner, a Lebanese, was. During the scuffle between the kidnappers and the Lebanese, the Police Corporal intervened. But he was taken by surprise as one of the kidnappers reportedly opened fire on him. During the shooting spree, the Lebanese was said to have managed to escape.

Police Arrest Suspects in FESTAC Blast

The police in Lagos have arrested some persons in connection with Monday’s explosion at the Miracle Sand Beach, FESTAC, in Amuwo Odofin. The explosion from an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) killed the chairman of the Sand Dredger Association, Oladele Pius, and injured a policeman. It was gathered that some of the persons that were arrested were those who had called the deceased on the phone minutes before the device went off. According to police sources, the police had to tow that line of action in order not to leave any stone unturned in uncovering the masterminds of the heinous act. It was also gathered from sources close to the family that they had encouraged the police to tow that line because the deceased was reluctant to go the office until some phone calls came in and changed his mind.

Police Arrest Two for Possession of Human Parts

The Lagos State Police Command, last weekend, arrested two suspects, a prophet, Dare Akinrosoye, with the Star Glory Church and his accomplice, Kunle Olaide, for being in possession of fresh human parts. Some of the fresh human parts concealed in the bag were five fingers, human heart, liver, kidney, intestines, two pairs of slippers, as well as blood filled in two water bottles. Olaide and his partner, who fled from the police, had slept in a church the previous night and were going home the next morning when they were accosted by the police, who were on patrol. The officers requested to see the contents of the bag, but one of the suspects fled. The state Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Chukwuma Ozoani, confirmed the arrests, adding that investigations are on-going.

Masqueraders Arraigned over Murder of Islamic Cleric

The Ogun State Police Command, Tuesday, arraigned three masqueraders before a State Magistrate Court, for allegedly killing an Islamic cleric, Lateef Amusa, during an Egungun festival. The men are standing trial over their involvement in the alleged killing of Amusa during the festival held at Ijaye. Amusa was shot dead during the festival in Ijaye area of Abeokuta, leading to the arrest of the suspects while the masquerade was said to have escaped. The prosecution counsel, Augustine Ozimini, told the court that two of the suspects, who were first and second defendants  in the suit were charged to court for conducting masquerade procession without permit from the state government. Granting their bail application, Magistrate Idowu Olayinka   said only two of the three accused persons would be granted bail in the sum of N500, 000 each with two credible sureties in the like sum.

GENERAL

Kidnapped French Family Found in Nigeria
…As Boko Haram Denies Involvement in Kidnap

Operatives of the Joint Task Force (JTF) and other security agencies, Thursday, surrounded an area between Dikwa and Ngala area in Borno state, where seven French nationals were believed to have been held hostage. French gendarmes backed by Special Forces arrived in northern Cameroun on Wednesday to help locate the family, officials said. French Minister, Laurent Fabius, has vowed that France would not give in to “terrorists” after the kidnapping of seven members of a French family in northern Cameroun. But in a surprise development, the family of seven was found abandoned in a building. It is thought that the kidnappers may have had a rethink about holding them hostage. While officials linked the kidnapping to Boko Haram sect in Nigeria, leaders of Boko Haram have denied involvement in the kidnap.

2,094 Soldiers Graduate from Counter-Terrorism Training

The Nigerian Army Training Centre (NATRAC) in Kontagora, Niger State has graduated another batch of 2,094 soldiers trained in basic counter-terrorism. The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, who disclosed this at the graduation of the soldiers last weekend, said those trained included 225 female soldiers. He urged the soldiers to maintain the high level of discipline inculcated in them during the training in the discharge of their duties. He stressed the need for prudent management of resources. NATRAC commander, Major General Sylvester Audu, commended the Chief of Army Staff for providing training facilities and other infrastructure at the centre as well as opportunity for foreign training for officers and men of the army.

Army, SSS Raid Terrorists’ Hideout in Bauchi

Security operatives comprising of Army and State Security Services (SSS), last Saturday, attacked a house suspected to be a hideout for insurgents in Bauchi. The house is located behind Federal Government Girls College Bauchi in the Abujan Kwata suburb of Bauchi metropolis. The hoodlums reportedly opened fire and threw explosives at the security operatives. The hoodlums, whoever escaped through the backyard but many explosives were recovered.

Soldier Kills Varsity Staff in Jos

A soldier attached to the Special Task Force (STF) on Jos Crisis has shot and killed a security officer with the University of Jos along Yakubu Gowon Way, penultimate Saturday. The victim, a passenger in a commercial car was hit after the bullet passed through the hand of the driver to hit him on the chest. The driver of the commercial vehicle, Salisu Musa, was said to have driven against traffic on the dual carriage road, prompting a soldier at a checkpoint to ask him to reverse and return to his lane. But as he reversed, another soldier opened fire on the vehicle, resulting in the death of the deceased, Dauda Wagley. Spokesman of the STF, Captain Salisu Mustapha, who confirmed the incident, said that the soldier is in custody and undergoing investigation.

15 Arrested Russians Arraigned for Arms Deal

The 15 Russians arrested by the Nigerian Navy in October 2012 were, Tuesday, arraigned before a Federal High Court in Lagos for alleged unlawful importation of firearms and ammunition. The Russians, who were arraigned before Justice Okechukwu Okeke on a four-count charge, pleaded not guilty, while they were remanded in Ikoyi Prisons pending the determination of their bail applications. The Russians were alleged to have failed to declare the content of the vessel, contrary to the law. The prosecutor, Ernest Ezebilo, told the court that the accused and their vessel had entered the Nigerian territorial waters without due licence and clearance from the Nigerian Customs Service. According to Ezebilo, the accused had also refused to declare the content of the vessel and when the vessel opened by the Naval officers, a cache of firearms and ammunitions was discovered concealed in it.

Gunmen Attack 2 Police Stations, Kidnap 6 Expatriates in Bauchi

Gunmen, last Sunday, attacked two police stations in Jama’are and Ganjuwa LGAs of Bauchi State, in separate attacks in which one security guard of a construction company was killed and six people, including two expatriates, were kidnapped. The attackers also attacked the prison yard in Jama’are town, while another group of attackers attacked the police station in Ganjuwa LGA. The hoodlums, it was further gathered, burnt down two vehicles found on the premises of the police station in Jama’are before they swooped on Setraco Construction Company, kidnapping 6 expatriate workers. Meanwhile Setraco has evacuated all its expatriate workers from the area. The Public Relations Officer of the company, Abu Malik, said that the operation of the company in Jamare has been shut down temporarily for peace. The Police Commissioner, Mohammed Ladan, stated that investigation is still on-going on the abduction of the expatriates.

Senate Okays Death Penalty for Terrorists

The Senate, Wednesday, recommended a capital punishment for those found guilty of the act acts of terrorism. Considering a report on “a Bill for an Act to amend the Terrorism (prevention) Act, 2012”, the Senate in a unanimous resolution, held that there was no alternative to punishing terrorism offenders than death. All the senators who contributed to the issue, did not spare persons or corporate bodies linked to terrorism in the country as they said people knowingly in or outside Nigeria directly or indirectly and who “willingly assist, facilitate, organise or direct the activities of persons or organisations engaged in acts of terrorism are liable on conviction to maximum of life imprisonment.” The new version of the bill stipulates that the AGF is to ensure conformity of Nigeria’s counter-terrorism laws and policies with international standards.

Niger State PDP Chieftain Shot Dead

A chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Magama LGA of Niger State, Alhaji Azi Magama-Daji, was, last weekend, killed by suspected armed robbers, who invaded his home at Magama Daji area of the community. The robbers entered the bedroom of the deceased, where an argument was said to have ensued and the robbers allegedly threatened to kill him, after which gunshots were heard. The PDP chieftain was said to have been killed later in the attack, while two of the robbers were also killed. Other members of the gang fled the scene, as the villagers allegedly mobilised a counter attack. Meanwhile the wife and children of the gang leader immediately sought refuge at the police post for fear for their lives, after the villagers discovered the identity of the gang members. Police spokesman, Pius Edobor, said the police had commenced investigation.

Gunmen Raze Relief Materials’ Warehouse

Unknown gunmen, on Wednesday, set ablaze the warehouse accommodating the relief materials meant for distribution to the 2012 flood victims in Benue State. This was coming just as the Benue State Committee on Relief and Rehabilitation of Flood Victims was distributing the donated relief items to flood victims. The fire incident lasted for more than two hours and fire fighters in the state could not quickly arrive to put it off. The warehouse is a converted building of a new primary school called LGEA Wurukum, located on Iorchia Ayu road Makurdi. The head teacher of the school, Mrs. Laadi Ngbeha, said that the inferno was caused by an explosion which, she said happened in the block of the building when she had already closed from school.

Nasarawa Adopts Measures to End Violent Clashes

Nasarawa state governor, Umaru Al-Makura, has announced a three-pronged measure adopted by the state government to end the incessant violent communal clashes in the state. Al-Makura said that emphasis had been placed on religious tolerance in order to guarantee freedom of worship of all citizens without inhibition. He also explained that community and opinion leaders were co-opted to help stem the tide of violent clashes in the state as part of the community-based conflict resolution initiative of the state government. Al-Makura noted that a grazing reserve and cattle route committee had been constituted to adjudicate in cases of disputes between farmers and herdsmen with a view to resolving their differences amicably.

FG Engages Britain, Others in Fight against Oil Bunkering

The Federal Government has taken the fight against crude oil bunkering to its foreign counterparts in Europe and other parts of the world. The Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, said that the Federal Government had realised that those behind oil bunkering in Nigeria have international backers. She said they neither sell the stolen crude to West African countries nor use West African financial systems to conduct transactions. According to her, the president has been talking to his colleagues all over the world on how they can assist Nigeria in freezing their accounts.

Gunmen Torch Police Station, Kill 3

Fresh violence erupted in Borno State on Monday and Tuesday, as gunmen suspected to be members of Boko Haram sect, in separate operations, torched the Konduga Divisional Police Station, killing an inspector and two others in Lassa town. The gunmen, according to an eyewitness, used Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and petro-bombs in torching the police station and vehicles packed in the place. At Lassa, police sources also said that gunmen had on Monday evening stormed two houses and killed a member of a vigilance group and farmer. A Lassa resident claimed that the victims were alleged to be informants to the security agents. The State Police Public Relations Officer, Gideon Jibrin, confirmed the incident, adding, however, that no arrests had been made.

Thugs Kill Six, Torch 20 Houses in Benue

Armed men suspected to be political thugs, Monday, shot six persons dead and set ablaze over 20 houses in Tor Donga area in Katsina LGA of Benue State. It was gathered that the attack was caused by a fight among the political thugs for superiority in the area. It was also gathered that the leader of one of the groups, called Terzungwe Akwaza (aka Gana) had, days ago, launched an attack on some Fulani herdsmen in a nearby village contrary to the wish of the other youth group in the area. The action, which was said to have infuriated the group members, spurred them to connive with the Fulani herdsmen to mount reprisal attack on Gana’s group. Police Public Relations Officer, Daniel Ezeala, confirmed the incident.

SSS Parade Suspects as Iran is Linked to Terrorist Plot to Kill IBB, Dasuki

Three persons, including the leader of an Islamic sect based in Ilorin, Kwara State, are in the custody of the Department of State Security Services (SSS) over a plot to assassinate former military president, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, a former Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Ibrahim Dasuki, as well as American and Israelis targets in Nigeria. The leader of the group, Abdullahi Mustapha Berende, and two others were paraded on Wednesday in Abuja by the SSS. The fourth member of the group is on the run. The Islamic leader, along with three of his accomplices, were said to be collaborating with some unnamed Iranians, known to be operating a high profile international terrorist network, to carry out the killings. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru, summoned the Iranian Ambassador to Nigeria, Saeed Koozechi, over the allegation that his country is involved in espionage in Nigeria.

Four Killed in Explosions, as Boko Haram Denies Ceasefire

Four persons including the bombers were, Wednesday and Thursday, killed in Maiduguri. The Wednesday explosion targeted a moving patrol vehicle of the Joint Task Force (JTF). While that of Thursday was detonated at the Customs Roundabout of Gambouru Ward, while an AP filling station and several shops were torched. Meanwhile pamphlets were distributed by suspected members of the Boko Haram sect in parts of the town insisting that there was no resolution to cease fire by the group. The JTF spokesman, Lt. Col. Sagir Musa, confirmed the killing of the three persons including the bombers as a result of the explosion. He equally revealed that two persons were injured. Musa urged law abiding members of the public to totally disregard such publication and consider it as part of the terrorists’ propaganda strategy to keep the civil populace in captivity and perpetual fear with the view to unleashing more terror on innocent citizens.

Seven Boko Haram Suspects Arraigned for Bank Robbery

Seven persons alleged to have robbed some banks in Bauchi State in 2011 for the purpose of raising funds to support the Boko Haram sect were, Wednesday, arraigned before a Federal High on a 13-count charge. The accused persons had on July 18, 2011 and December 4, 2011, armed themselves with dangerous weapons and robbed Unity Bank of Nigeria Plc, Alkalari branch in the state, carting away the sum of N17.8 million. The robbery was allegedly carried out with the intention of funding Boko Haram activities. Meanwhile, about 20 Boko Haram suspects awaiting trial in Kuje Prison have protested their non-trial since last year. The inmates, who expressed their displeasure to the Minister of Interior, Comrade Abba Moro, when he visited the maximum prison, claimed that they have been in detention for a period of one year without being trial in court.

Plateau Speaker Escapes Assassination

The Speaker of Plateau State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. John Clark Dabwan, on Tuesday escaped assassination as some gunmen stormed a church he was attending during an evening programme, injuring nine worshippers. Eyewitnesses said the gunmen entered church and freely wielded their dangerous weapons demanding the whereabouts of the Speaker. They alleged that Dabwan drove into the premises and shortly after, the attackers followed and began shooting sporadically into the crowd. The intervention of the Special Task Force (STF) scared away the attackers, who held the worshippers hostage, while searching for the Speaker. Confirming the incident, the chief press secretary to the Speaker, Nandak Shingle, said the Speaker was there at the church when the gunmen struck, adding that he was however not hurt.

Indians, Nigerians Arraigned for Pipeline Vandalism

Two Indians and three Nigerians were, on Wednesday, arraigned before Justice A.R Mohammed of a Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged damage of oil pipeline in Okene, Kogi State. Counsel to two of the accused persons, R. Lawal-Rabana (SAN), however brought an application for bail on ground that the fifth accused person had chronic hypertension and had been at Force Headquarters medical centre, saying that he needed a medical doctor to place him on observation. He added that the offence to which the accused were alleged to have committed was bailable. Rabana further told the court that he had a bundle of invoice and waybills, which would serve as evidence of transaction between the accused persons and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation. He urged the court to take judicial notice of the invoice.

Killing of Polio Workers: Government Suspends Radio Station

The Federal Government has suspended the operating license of Cool FM/Wazobia in Kano state after it allegedly broadcasted an inciting programme criticising the polio programme, which allegedly instigated the murder of seven polio immunisation workers and three others earlier this month in Kano State. Consequently, the Federal Government said it had directed that disciplinary action be meted against the media house for inciting the action which led to the killings. Minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu, who stated this, said both the Federal Government and Kano State government have submitted their claims on the matter to the Nigerian Broadcasting Organisation (NBC). According to him, police in the state had arrested and charged three radio journalists, all of whom  have been released on bail, who did the hatchet broadcast job.

INTERNATIONAL

Bangladesh Amends War Crimes Law

Bangladesh's parliament, in meeting with the demands of protesters, amended a law allowing the state to appeal any verdict in war crimes trials it deems inadequate and out of step with public opinion. Tens of thousands of demonstrators jamming central Shahbag Square for nearly two weeks, burst into cheers as the assembly approved the changes. The protesters have been demanding the death penalty for war crimes after a tribunal this month sentenced a prominent Islamist to life in prison in connection with Bangladesh's 1971 war of independence from Pakistan. The life sentence pronounced on Abdul Quader Mollah, assistant Secretary General of the Jamaat-e-Islami party, for murder, rape and torture had stunned many Bangladeshis. The amendment sets a timetable for the government to appeal against Mollah's sentence and secure a retrial.

Three Militants Shot Dead in Russia

Security officers shot dead three militants in Russia's volatile North Caucasus republic of Dagestan, the epicentre of an Islamist insurgency, reports say. Russia has tightened security in the surrounding region less than a year ahead of the 2014 Winter Olympics, which it is planning to host on the western side of the Caucasus Mountains, 1,000 km from Dagestan. The militants were hiding in a wood and opened fire on security officers searching the area in the early hours of Sunday morning. There are no injured among the law enforcement officials, according to reports. Russia is struggling to quell the persistent Islamist insurgency more than a decade after it fought two separatist wars in the adjacent republic of Chechnya.

Blasts in Baghdad Shi'ite Districts Kill 20

A series of car bombs exploded in mainly Shi'ite neighbourhoods across the Iraqi capital Baghdad, penultimate Sunday, killing at least 20 people and wounding dozens, police said. The bombs detonated in Sadr City, Habibiya, Qahira, and at least two other districts of the capital. Bombings have increased since the start of the year with a wave of suicide attacks against Shi'ite targets and security forces as Sunni Islamist insurgents step up their campaign to revive widespread sectarian violence in Iraq. A suicide bomber killed a top Iraqi army intelligence officer a day earlier in his home in a northern town. No-one claimed responsibility for the attacks.

Pakistanis Protest after Bomb Kills 81

Pakistanis, last weekend, protested across the country, demanding protection for Shiite Muslims after a bomb blast targeting the minority community killed 81 people. A banned militant group, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ), claimed responsibility for the penultimate Saturday attack for previous attacks on the snooker hall and a February 1 attack on a Shiite mosque in northwest Pakistan that killed 24. There was anger and frustration among Shiites at the apparent inability or unwillingness of the authorities to tackle the LeJ. The bomb containing nearly a tonne of explosives, hidden in a water tanker, tore through a crowded market in Hazara town, a Shiite-dominated area on the edge of Quetta. This was also followed on Sunday by a spate of bombs explosion in Baghdad, which killed no fewer than 21 people and wounding 125 others, police said.

EU Gives €20m Aid, Germany Approves Troops for Mali

European Union (EU) announced Tuesday it was sending an additional €22 million ($29 million) in humanitarian aid to victims of the conflict in Mali. Also, the German government announced it had approved sending up to 330 soldiers to help train the Malian army and support the French-led international deployment against Islamists.  Similarly, Britain said her soldiers will be deployed to Mali for up to 15 months to carry out infantry and artillery training. British Defence Secretary, Philip Hammond, said the UK would contribute 40 personnel to the EU training mission due to start in the spring. This is in support of Malian troops fighting Islamist extremists in the West African country. Hammond stressed that UK forces will not be involved in a combat role. Troops from France and the Czech Republic will provide military protection for the training team. Mali’s Prime Minister, Diango Cissoko, said that major military operations against Islamist rebels in the country were coming to an end.

Sudan Rebels Launch Attack to Retake Town

Rebels in a Sudanese border state say they have occupied an airport and are fighting with government troops to retake a town that became a flashpoint during the civil war, but the army denied it had lost any territory. The SPLM-North, rebels from the south who were left in Sudan after South Sudan seceded, said their fighters had reached Kurmuk, which they lost to the Sudanese army in late 2011. The clashes undermine African Union efforts secure a border still disputed nearly two years after South Sudan became independent, set up a military-free buffer zone and restart oil production, which the countries' economies desperately need. The state is rich in chrome and also a production site for gum arabic, a gum gained from trees used as stabilizer in soft drinks. Sudan's military spokesman al-Sawarmi Khalid denied rebels had reached Kurmuk, which is also near the border with Ethiopia.

Tanzania Destroys 3,000 Illegal Firearms

Authorities in Tanzania, last weekend, destroyed over 3,000 illegal firearms, in an operation aimed at curbing violent crime in the East African region. The country’s Vice President, Mohamed Gharib Bilal, witnessed the burning of 3,181 illegal firearms at Ukonga Prisons’ grounds on the outskirts of Dar es Salaam. Bilal said the destroyed firearms were used by people to commit armed robberies within the Eastern Africa countries of Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Burundi and Rwanda. He said most of the armed robberies occur on borders, adding that it was estimated that there were 500,000 illegal firearms in the region.

20 Killed in Rocket Attack on Aleppo

A Syrian army rocket attack on a rebel-held district in the city of Aleppo killed at least 20 people, opposition activists said on Tuesday. The missile was identified from its remains as a Scud-type rocket that government forces have increasingly used in areas under opposition control in the province of Aleppo and in the province of Deir a-Zor to the east, they said. The bodies are being dug up gradually. Some, including children, have died in hospitals, Mohammad Nour said. He said testimony from survivors indicated that 25 people were still under the rubble. Syrian opposition fighters have captured several army bases in Aleppo in the last two months, depriving the army of secure sites from which troops have been firing artillery at rebel-held districts of the city and surrounding rural areas.

Robbers Make-away with Gigantic Diamond Heist in Brussels

Armed robbers have made off with a gigantic haul of diamonds after a rapid raid at Brussels Airport. They broke through a fence on Monday evening and stole gems which could be worth 50m euros, as they were being loaded from a Brinks security van onto a Swiss-bound plane, reports say. They escaped back through the same hole, without firing a shot or getting anyone injured. Police later found a burned-out vehicle close to the airport. They used two vehicles, the raid was over in a matter of minutes, and they made off into the night. An airport spokesman, Jan Van Der Crujsse, said the robbers made a hole in the perimeter fence and drove up next to the Swiss passenger plane that was preparing to leave.

French Soldier, 20 Rebels Killed in Mali

A French soldier and more than 20 Islamist rebels were killed during what appeared to be the first clashes in the Adrar des Ifoghas mountain range where militants have taken refuge in northern Mali, French sources said on Tuesday. French President, Francois Hollande, said serious fighting had broken out and was continuing in the remote Adrar des Ifoghas Mountains, resulting in several casualties among the rebels and one among the French. The soldier is the second French casualty since the intervention began in January to oust al Qaeda-backed rebels from northern Mali. The French defence ministry said in a statement that a parachute regiment of 150 soldiers supported by a heavy vehicle patrol and Mirage fighter jets had come under fire on Tuesday morning.

Five Workers Shot, One Killed at Amplats Mine in SA

At least five workers were shot, and one feared killed, on Monday, after security guards at an Anglo American Platinum mine in South Africa opened fire following clashes between rival union factions. Union and company officials were not immediately available for comment, reports Reuters. Anglo American Platinum, or Amplats, in January raised the ire of labour and the government when it said it planned to mothball two South African mines, sell another and cut 14,000 jobs. The world's largest platinum producer was hit by violent strikes last year, sparked in large part by a turf battle between rivals unions for membership.

Kenyan Man Killed Assembling Bomb

A man was killed when the bomb he was trying to assemble exploded near a Kenyan primary school, penultimate Sunday. The explosion in the eastern frontier town of Garissa occurred while the people prepared for a presidential candidate's rally. Martha Karua, the only female presidential candidate in the March 4 election, had been expected to speak at the grounds on Sunday afternoon, regional police chief Charlton Mureithi said. "Our initial assessment reveals the man was trying to set up an IED near the dais, but killed himself as the device exploded on him, ripping his body into pieces," Mureithi told reporters. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the intended attack, police said.

Russia, Arab League Propose Direct Syria Talks

Russia and the Arab League say they want to broker direct talks between the Syrian government and opposition in a bid to end the country's civil war. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said violence was "a road to nowhere". The move comes as the opposition Syrian National Coalition is due to begin a two-day meeting in Egypt to discuss a framework for a possible solution. Some 70,000 people have died since the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad began in March 2011, the UN says. Lavrov said the Kremlin and the Arab League wanted to establish direct contact between the Syrian government and the opposition. No conditions for the negotiations have been set, they said.