Villeworth Security Services Ltd

week 10

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PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

Ex-militants, JTF Clash in Bayelsa

Hundreds of ex-militants, on Tuesday, took to the streets of Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, engaging men of the Joint Task Force (JTF) in a gun battle. The ex-militants, who were said to be protesting their camp allowances and the proposed slots for the newly admitted third phase amnesty militants, destroyed about 10 vehicles, looted shops and hacked off a man’s hand along the busy Mbiama/Yenagoa road. Trouble started following a disagreement between the ex-militants and representatives of the office of the inter task force saddled with the responsibility of accounting for and collecting all the arms submitted by ex-militants. The Taskforce reportedly notified the ex-militants that for every 15 guns submitted by a militant camp, it would be entitled to one amnesty slot training. This enraged the militants who took to the streets in protest, resulting in the gun battle. The spokesman of JTF, Lt. Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, confirmed the protest, adding that it had been put under control.

Kidnapped Sailors Regain Freedom in Bayelsa

The six foreign sailors abducted by unknown gunmen along Koluama waterways in Southern Ijaw LGA of Bayelsa State, have regained their freedom. It was gathered that the two Indians, one Russian and three Ukrainians were freed on Monday night after the leader of the gang identified as Ngopi settled for N1m as ransom. It was gathered that the expatriates were set free from the creeks of Azuzuama community. But the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Kingsley Omire, who confirmed the development, said no ransom was paid to secure the freedom of the expatriates.

Aluu Four: Court Frees Seven Accused Persons

Seven out of the 18 suspects in the October 2012 brutal killing of four students of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) at Aluu community near the school have been set free by the court. A Chief Magistrates’ Court, on Thursday, discharged the seven accused persons for want of evidence of complicity in the crime. The four students were clubbed and set ablaze by a mob, which had accused them of being armed robbers caught by the community’s vigilante group. Using the footages from the circulated video recordings posted on YouTube and sent around on mobile phones, the principal culprits, including the paramount ruler of Omuokiri-Aluu, Alhaji Hassan Welewa, were arrested. The chief magistrate said from the advice of the DPP, no prima facie case of murder had been established against them.

Abia Govt Demolishes Crime Kingpin’s Properties

Abia State Government, Thursday, demolished some property belonging to a suspected kidnap and armed robbery kingpin, Olisagbo Ifedike, “Ofeakwu”. The Government demolished Akoto Bar and Resort Ltd, a relaxation centre allegedly owned by the suspect who was arrested in Anambra State. Also demolished was a twin bungalow in Agbama Housing Estate in the city which also belonged to the suspected criminal. The demolition team was led by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Task Force and Allied Matters, Capt. Awa Udonsi Agwu (rtd) According to Agwu, the demolished buildings, after investigations, were discovered to be property of the suspected kidnapper hence the decision to destroy them.

Ex-Militants Warn against Kidnapping in the Niger Delta

Ex-militant commanders in the Niger Delta region have warned hoodlums to desist from further acts of kidnapping in the region. In a statement under the aegis of Leadership Forum for Peace, the former militant commanders, who spoke through ‘General’ Reuben Wilson, said they would not tolerate further acts of kidnapping for ransom in the region. Wilson said the ex-militant commanders had to locate, secure and release of six foreigners who were recently taken hostage in Bayelsa State. He said they were worried over the damage the rising cases of kidnapping is causing the region, stressing that they were set to rid the region of kidnappers.

Police Nab 3 over Alleged Stealing of 10-Day-Old Baby

The police in Enugu have arrested three persons, including a lady for allegedly stealing a 10-day old baby. The suspects were arrested following the alarm raised by the mother of the child, Chinenye Egwu. The woman told the police that after delivering the baby she and her baby were in good condition. But suddenly one of the nurses gave her an injection and she went into a deep sleep. When she woke up the baby had disappeared. Upon inquiry, the nurses told her that the baby had some problems and was taken away, but she insisted on seeing the baby. Along the line, one of the suspects approached her and made an offer of N46,000 to forget about the baby. When she refused the offer, she was threatened by one of them, a development that forced her to contact the police, leading to their arrest and the recovery of the baby. The State Police spokesman, Ebere Amaraizu, confirmed the arrest of the suspects.

Youths Protest Death of Pupil in Akwa Ibom

Scores of youths in Eket, Akwa Ibom State, rampaged through the town on Wednesday to protest the death of six pupils in a fatal road accident. Eyewitnesses said the pupils died when their school vehicle fell into a ditch on Eket-Ibeno Road, in January. It was learnt that the deaths of the pupils sparked off Wednesday’s protest as youths felt the pupils would have lived if the road was in good order. One of the protesters said because of the dilapidation of the Eket-Ibeno road, many road mishaps had taken place there. Police Public Relations Officer, Akwa Ibom Police Command, Dickson Etim, however, said only one pupil out of eight that were in the school bus that died.

Girls Drown in Ebonyi Ditch

Three girls drowned, last weekend, when they fell into an abandoned ditch at Umuigboke community in Ezza North LGA of Ebonyi state. The incident happened as they went to get water from the ditch. The deceased drowned despite concerted effort by the people in the area to rescue them. An eyewitness revealed that one of the deceased girls slipped into the ditch and as the two other girls tried to rescue her, they too were equally swallowed up by the water. The site over the years had served as the major source of water to the Umuigboke community of Oriuzor despite the construction of manual boreholes in the area. Police spokesman, Sylvester Igbo, stated that the command had begun investigation.

Group Laments Rape Cases in Rivers State

At least 1,200 girls were allegedly raped in 2012 in Rivers State, the Centre for Environment, Human Rights and Development, an NGO, said on Wednesday. Mr. Michael Gbarale, the state Project Officer of the organisation, declared that gang rapes were more frequent. Gbarale, who is also the Chairman of Child Protection Network, said 49 cases were reported to the network, while 800 others were treated by ‘’doctors without borders. He said 44 cases were resolved at different police divisions and communities while two were not reported to the police. He said three persons were convicted in three cases. He urged the police to support the activities of the NGO and also ensure diligent prosecution of such cases to curb the menace. He enjoined parents of rape victims to stop collecting money from suspects to avoid protracted litigations and save the victims’ image.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

EFCC Arraigns 7 for Oil Theft in Benin

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Tuesday, arraigned seven suspected oil thieves before Justice A.M. Liman of a Federal High Court in Benin City, on separate charges bordering on conspiracy and illegal dealing in Petroleum Products. The commission’s spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, stated that the suspects were arrested at different locations and dates. They all pleaded not guilty to the charges against them. Justice Liman granted them bail in the sum of N500, 000 and a surety in like sum respectively. Sureties must have landed property which title deed must be sighted and verified by the bailiff of the court. The matter has been adjourned to 26th March and 17th April, 2013 for trial respectively.

5 Passengers Abducted in Edo

About 5 passengers of a vehicle travelling to Benin were, on Wednesday, kidnapped in Edo State by gunmen on the Benin-Ore Expressway. The passengers were said to be among occupants of a Sienna space wagon bus, traveling from Warri, Delta State, to Lagos. The driver of the bus, who along with a passenger, was allowed to relay the kidnap, said the kidnappers barricaded the Benin-Lagos Expressway at Ogbemudia farms with a truck, forcing him to slow down on sighting the barricade. He added that moments later, gun-trotting men emerged from the bush and took the passengers hostage.

3 Women Mobbed in Asaba over Stolen Underwear

Angry market women, Tuesday, beat three female undergraduates to coma at the Asaba Ogbegonogo market in Delta State for allegedly stealing various pants at the boutique line. Eyewitness said that the suspects were caught with the pants after they had pretended to be customers and paid for two different ones selected from the hangers. Luck ran out on them as the trader quickly noticed the removal of some packets from where they were displayed. They were said to have been beaten severely by the angry market women who raced to the scene of the incident. Police authorities at the ‘A’ Division Asaba confirmed the incident.

Suspected Kidnappers Arrested in Delta

The Delta State Police Command has arrested a four-man gang of kidnappers for attempting to abduct a four-day-old baby in Nsukwa, Aniocha-South Council of the state. The gang, comprising three ladies and a man, was said to have monitored the mother of the infant, one Mrs. Ikokobi, just when she was delivered of the baby before they struck. They were apprehended by the police in Ogwashi-Uku following a complaint by residents who were not comfortable with the suspicious movement of the suspects around the home of the nursing mother. The Public Relations Officer of the Delta State Police Command, Famous Ajieh, confirmed the arrest of the suspects. Ajieh said that the infant was indeed the target of the kidnap suspects, adding that investigations were currently on with a view to unraveling the motive behind the activities of the gang.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

Detained Russian Sailors Released on Bail

A Lagos High Court has granted bail to 15 Russian seamen detained since October last year over alleged illegal possession of arms, fixing trial for April 10. The Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported that a Lagos High Court judge, Justice Okechukwu Okeke, said the crew of the MV Myre Seadiver should be released, following a written commitment by the Russian ambassador in Nigeria to produce the suspects on demand. The court also ordered that the vessel be released after the payment of a bond in the sum of $500,000. Defence lawyer, Chidi Okafor, said his clients were innocent and the ship was contracted to provide security to vessels off the region, which sees repeated pirate attacks. He said permission was also sought and secured before the vessel entered Nigeria’s territorial waters. The MV Myre Seadiver was seized on October 19 off the coast of Lagos by a naval patrol which also detained its 15 crew members. Weapons found on the vessel included 14 AK-47 rifles with 3,643 rounds of ammunition as well as 22 Benelli MR1 rifles with 4,955 rounds of ammunition.

Governor Grants Amnesty to 13 Prisoners

Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has granted amnesty to 13 prisoners of the Agodi Prisons, in commemoration of this year’s Eid-el-Maulud celebrations. In a statement by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adebayo Ojo, the government stated that eight of the prisoners, who had been on death row, had their sentences commuted to life imprisonment while the remaining five, who had been serving jail terms, were granted total freedom by the governor. According to Ojo, the granting of the amnesty was in the exercise of the power conferred on the governor by the 1999 Constitution and subject to the advice of the Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy.

Army Warns Officers against Interference in Civilian Dispute

The Nigerian Army, on Thursday, read a riot act to its men over their involvement in civilian dispute, saying such would no longer be condoned. The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2nd Mechanised Division, Major General Ahmed Jibrin, said this in Akure, the Ondo State, and expressed concern that there had been a lot of complaints from the public about the interference in civilian disputes by men of the Army. Jubrin said stiff disciplinary action would be taken against any soldier found using his position to victimise the people. He also spoke to the soldiers on the need to be loyal and committed to the system, urging them to be proud of being members of the armed forces in the country.

Lagos Shuts Down Ladipo Market

Lagos State Government, on Monday, closed down Ladipo market, reputed to be West Africa’s largest auto spare parts market over what it described as proven cases of environmental nuisance and abused of public installations. Officials of the Lagos State Taskforce on Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit sealed off the multi-billion market almost one week after Commissioner for Environment, Tunji Bello, inspected the market and established gross abuse of public infrastructure and utilities. Consequent upon the unacceptable use of the market, operatives of the taskforce took over and cordoned off the entire area as early as 4 a.m., thereby preventing both traders and buyers from gaining entrance. Chairman of the taskforce, Mr. Bayonle Suleiman, led security operatives to effect the closure and arrest of about ten members of a South-east anti-crime vigilante group, Bakassi Boys.

Police Arrest Two over Alleged Poisoning of Chinese Businessman

The police in Lagos have arrested two men for allegedly poisoning a 61-year-old Chinese businessman, Zhang Bofan, and later stealing N2.5m from him. The suspects, Ifeanyi Ndubuisi and Roland Okorie as well as an unidentified woman, allegedly poisoned their victim, who had just imported mobile phone accessories into Nigeria. Zhang alleged that he fell ill and unconscious, was rushed to a hospital where he was treated after eating a meal prepared by one of the suspects. The suspects allegedly went to his warehouse and started off-loading phone accessories and handkerchiefs stocked in the building. In the process however, they were accosted by Zhang’s cousin, Wenya Umeh, who raised the alarm and drew the attention of the police. According to the police, the suspects, who are planning to flee with the goods, also stole a total sum of N2.5million from Zhang.

One Killed as Hoodlums Clash in Lagos

One person was, Tuesday, killed and several others injured in a clash between some miscreants in Coker area of Orile Iganmu, Lagos. The fight was reportedly caused by supremacy battle between rival groups. Dangerous weapons were reportedly used during the free-for-all which brought commercial activities in the area to an abrupt halt. Motorists plying the route reportedly had their windscreen smashed by the warring miscreants said to have also used the opportunity to rob commuters and other passers-by. A member of one of the factions, allegedly stabbed in different parts of the body, bled profusely and died on the spot. Policemen from Orile Division were said arrived the scene and made some arrests. Spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, Ngozi Braide, said that five persons had been arrested in connection with the clash.

NDLEA Arrests 3 Suspected Drug Peddler

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), on Tuesday, arrested a drug suspect, Ilechukwu Ejikonye, 22, with 1.295 kilogrammes of methamphetamine at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos during an outward screening of passengers of an Ethiopian Airline flight to Thailand. NDLEA Airport Commander, Hamza Umar, said that the drug was carefully hidden in the suspects’ luggage in a bid to beat officers of the agency. He further noted that the agency has also apprehended a 36-year-old suspect, Akpata Martin Chukwudi who ingested twenty wraps of cocaine on his way from Brazil. According to Hamza, the suspect was arrested upon arrival at the Airport during the inward screening of passengers on Qatar Airline flight.

Civil Defence Break Fake Number Plates Syndicate

The Kwara State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), on Wednesday, paraded a syndicate, which specialises in the production of fake number plates and particulars for commercial motorcycles. The state Commandant of the corps, Mallam Yerima Gana, said the syndicate issued a number plate at a fee of N55,000. The commandant, who also paraded one Akanbi Jimoh, for allegedly stealing of a motorcycle, added that the suspect was also arrested with various fake number plates and motorcycle particulars.

GENERAL

Northern Governors Charge Terrorists to Embrace Peace

The Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) has appealed to terrorist groups in the country to give peace a chance. Chairman of the forum and Governor of Niger State, Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, said the senseless killing of innocent citizens in various parts of the North negated all the efforts aimed at restoring peace to the region. The forum expressed serious concern at the attacks on citizens, bomb blast at Gamboru Market in Borno State on Thursday, as well as the killing of 10 people at Kogom Village in Plateau State on the same day. The forum said it was equally alarmed at the killing of five young men playing card game in Gombe town on Friday and the killing of another five persons and burning of houses when Hausas and Jikuns reportedly engaged themselves in a bloody combat. The governors challenged those with grievances to follow the path of dialogue instead of violence.

Mopol Commander Killed in Kano
…Police Vow to Arrest Killers

Unknown gunmen, Monday night, shot dead the Officer-in-Charge of Kano Mobile Police Force at his private residence located at Sabo Gandu quarters of Kano State. The victim was identified as Dahiru Ibrahim Majia and elder brother to the Kano Police Command Public Relations Officer, Magaji Musa Majia. The State Police spokesman, Musa Majia, confirmed the killing. The Police have vowed to find out the killers. The command also hinted that it had made ‘some arrests’ in connection with the killing. The state Police Commissioner, Mr. Musa Daura, described Dahiru as a young man who is very hardworking and dedicated officer.

Jonathan Signs 2013 Budget

President Goodluck Jonathan, Tuesday, assented to the 2013 Appropriation Bill. The president signed the N4.987 trillion budgets passed by the National Assembly on December 20, 2012, into law at a quiet ceremony witnessed by a few top government officials. The Senate, which also spoke on the budget, assured Nigerians that the two arms of government had resolved their differences and the issue of overriding the president’s veto, if the bill was not signed into law after the deadline did not arise. The budget was transmitted to the presidency on January 15 and since then, the executive and the legislature had been holding meetings to resolve some grey areas identified in the document. Among the areas of disagreement between the executive and the legislature are the inclusion of constituency projects in the budget and the provision of zero budgets for the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

France Rules out Negotiation over Kidnapped Family

Foreign Minister of France, Jean-Yves le Drian, has dismissed the demand by the Boko Haram sect that unless arrested Islamic militias were released, it would kill the kidnapped French tourists who were captured in northern Cameroun. Drian said France would not negotiate for the release of the French tourists. In a video on YouTube, showing masked gunmen in camouflage standing over the captives, the gunmen threatened to kill the family if their demands were not met.  He also ruled out any swift withdrawal from Mali, where French forces are fighting intense battles to dislodge militias from the Adrar des Ifoghas Mountains. Execution of French hostages could turn public opinion against the intervention in Mali, which has already cost $133 million. The kidnappers mentioned French military intervention in Mali as one motive for the kidnappings.

Protesting Varsity Students Shot Dead

Four Students of the Nasarawa State University, Keffi, were on Monday shot dead by security operatives in Keffi during a demonstration in the vicinity of the institution. The crisis compelled the authorities to shut down the institution. Police spokesman, Michael Ada, said two students died, while seven others received gunshot injuries. About 17 other students were arrested, including the institution’s President of the Students Union Government. The students of the institution were said to have blocked the Abuja/Keffi road in protest over scarcity of water and power in the institution. But Ada absolved the police of killing the students, saying that any question relating to the incident should be directed to the Army. But the Army also denied the claim that soldiers did the shooting. Apparently enraged by the killing, the House of Representatives has mandated its Committees on Army, Security and Police Affairs to undertake a thorough investigation into the incident.

JTF Kills Boko Haram Top Commander, Arrest 3 Others

The Joint Task Force (JTF) in Maiduguri, on Monday killed a top commander of the Boko Haram sect and three of his lieutenants. Also, three other members of the dreaded Islamic sect were arrested in a “cordon and search” operation at the Kasuwan Kaji areas of the metropolis. The JTF also recovered a cache of arms and ammunition, after the two-hour operations in the area. The JTF’s Spokesman, Lt.-Col. Sagir Musa, disclosed that the killed commander of the Islamist sect was behind the recent bomb blasts and attacks on JTF patrol vehicles at the Post Office Areas and Gambouru areas of Maiduguri, where some civilians, soldiers and policemen were either killed or injured.

Nigeria Completes Troops Deployment to Mali

Nigeria has completed the deployment of troops to the international military coalition raised under the auspices of the African-led International Support Mission to Mali (AFISMA) to dislodge Islamist sectarians from Mali. According to the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), with the latest deployment of another 162 personnel, the total number of members of the nation’s armed forces in Mali is now 1,200 as promised by the Federal Government. The Director of Defence Information (DDI), Col Mohammed Yerima, gave the update Wednesday in Abuja at a press briefing on the activities of the troops deployed for peacekeeping and enforcement in Northern Mali.

ICPC Deploys Assessors to Check Fraud in Ports

Independent Corrupt Practices and other-related offences Commission is to deploy 69 risk assessors to the nation’s ports in check import and export scandals. Already, the assessors have concluded a course on prevention of all manner of abuses in the ports. The ICPC Chairman, Mr. Ekpo Nta, said this on Wednesday in Abuja when the Standards Organisation of Nigeria Director-General, Dr. Joseph Odumodu, visited him. Nta urged SON to set standards for foreign companies that plan to produce goods in the country saying such regulation would make it a punishable offence for any firm that compromises its quality.

Six Killed as Explosions Rock Maiduguri

Six persons were, Thursday, killed as four major explosions rocked Maiduguri, the Borno State capital. This comes as nine governors in the All Progressive Congress, APC, gathered in the city to push the merger plans of opposition political parties. Several others were injured in the explosions. The explosions occurred simultaneously on Baga road, Customs and Gamboru areas, while a fourth exploded at London Ciki. Confirming the incident, the Joint Task Force (JTF) spokesman, Lt. Col. Sagir Musa said that the blasts were targeted at JTF patrol vehicles in various parts of the metropolis. The casualties of the blasts include three soldiers on patrol.

JTF Kills Motorist with Gun in Katsina

Men of the Joint Task Force (JTF), Wednesday, killed a middle aged man at the military check point at Lambar Rimi in Rimi LGA of Katsina State for allegedly trying to exchange gun fire with its operatives after men of JTF on routine vehicle search stopped the man to search his vehicle. Residents said they heard gun shots shortly after the golf vehicle conveying the deceased and one other person stopped at the check point. The JTF spokesman, Ikediche Iweha, said that the soldiers killed the man in self defence, while the other man was arrested.

Gunmen Kill Two in Taraba in Failed Kidnap Attempt

Gunmen, Thursday, stormed a residence that housed foreign workers in Taraba State, killing two police guards. The attack, according to company sources, was a failed kidnap attempt. A company official and other residents said that the Lebanese engineers ran when the gunfire broke out and escaped the incident unharmed. The state police command spokesman, Amos Olaoye, confirmed the attack in Tella village.

IGP Gives N9.8m to Families of Deceased, Injured Policemen

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Alhaji Muhammad Abubakar has donated N9.8 million to families of policemen who lost their lives while in active service, as well as those who sustained various degrees of injury while fighting Boko Haram in Borno and Yobe States. Distributing the cheques to the next-of-kins of the deceased and injured policemen, the IGP advised recipients to make the best use of the token given to them by the police before government paid their entitlements. The Police authorities decided to pay this token to ease burden of the affected families going to Abuja to collect their cheques.

Navy Wants Crude Oil Theft Treated as International Crime

The Nigerian Navy, Wednesday, resolved that it is time to take bold steps in tackling the problem of crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism in the maritime domain. The resolution was made at a two-day retreat by the Navy for Maritime stakeholders. In a communiqué issued at the end of the retreat, participants stressed that efforts should also concentrate on the strategy of severance of links between crude oil thieves and buyers through greater collaboration and application of the instrument of diplomacy with the international community. The communiqué described as grossly inadequate resources made available for the Nigerian Navy to carry out the task of protecting the nation’s territorial domain, which is about 84,000 sq nautical miles.

6 Killed in Yobe Attack

There was a bloody attack, on Monday, with the killing of six in Yobe State when six local vigilante personnel were killed in Nangere on Monday, by men suspected to be members of the sect. Confirming the killing of the six vigilantes in Yobe, the spokesman of the JTF in the state, Lieutenant Eli Lazarus, said that a gang of gunmen attacked the vigilante group during their briefing before setting out for the task of the day. An eyewitness, Yakubu Yahaya, said the gunmen stormed the motor park while the vigilance group was holding its inaugural meeting. He, however, pleaded with Joint Task Force (JTF) and the Police to deploy more officers to the town to prevent further attacks in Ngelzarma.

Kaduna Governor Vows to End Spate of Attacks on Southern Kaduna

The Kaduna State Governor, Alhaji Mukhtar Yero, on Tuesday, declared that his administration would leave no stone unturned to ensure that the perpetrators of the frequent attacks in the southern part of the state were brought to justice. Yero stated this when he visited the victims of an attack in Aduwan village in Zagon Kataf LGA where bandits invaded the village, killing five people and injuring several others. He appealed to the people to remain calm as the state government was doing everything to bring an end to such attacks. The governor reiterated his administration's determination to ensure peaceful coexistence among the citizens of the state, declaring however that he will deal decisively with any person or group found attempting to breach security in the state.

NNPC Deploys New Technology to Bury Pipelines

As part of the renewed efforts to combat pipeline vandalism in the country, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has commenced the process of deployment of Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD), a new technology that buries pipelines very deep inside the ground. This is as vandals, penultimate Sunday opened fire on some Nigerian Army engineers clearing the pipeline Right of Way (ROW) at Arepo in Ogun State. However, no casualty was recorded on the side of the soldiers. The Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Andrew Yakubu, stated that burying the pipelines very deep with the HDD technology would keep vandals away from sensitive NNPC pipelines across the country. He noted that with the technology, the configuration of the pipelines had changed, adding that new pipes are also being used to replace the old ones.

Kidnappers Demand N5m for Lecturer Abducted in Error

The abducted University of Maiduguri lecturer, Dr Abba Kagu, said to have been kidnapped last weekend by gunmen in Maiduguri was reportedly mistaken for an in-law of a top government official in Borno State. Investigations revealed that the abductors had initially demanded N100 million as ransom for the release of the supposed target. The abductors, according to the colleagues of the lecturer realised they were holding the wrong person after they learned his true identity. However, the kidnappers reduced the ransom demand to N5 million instead of 100 million, since he wasn’t their original target.

5 Killed as Football-Pitch Argument Turned Religious Clash

A football pitch argument between two players, last weekend, led to clashes seen as violence in Wukari, Taraba State, leaving at least five people dead. Many others were injured and properties estimated at millions of naira destroyed as Christians and Muslims took on one another in the ensuing violence. According to the reports, the Police immediately swung into action to quell the violence. It was not immediately clear what the argument between the two footballers was all about during a practice session. Eye-witnesses only said one of the players, a Muslim, pulled a gun and shot the other, a Christian and within minutes, the area was engulfed in violence. News of the incident soon spread to other parts of the town and religious zealots on both sides capitalised on the confusion to perpetrate mayhem. Police Spokesman Amos Olaoye confirmed the crisis.

INTERNATIONAL

ECOWAS Seeks $950m for Mali War

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) requires financial aid worth $950 million (€715 million) to sustain and reinforce the ongoing military campaign to flush out Islamists in Mali, according to Cote d’Ivoire’s Foreign Minister, Charles Koffi Diby. Analysts said risks are mounting for French and African forces to become entangled in a messy and sticky guerrilla war as they try to help Mali’s weak army counter suicide bombings, surprise attacks and land mines. The $950 million is twice that of funds pledged by donor countries to the 15-nation ECOWAS to help bring a multinational African military force of up to 8,000 troops being deployed in the strife-torn country. Meanwhile, French warplanes attacked an Islamist base in north Mali at the weekend, wounding four members of the Arab Movement of the Azawad (MAA), after the extremists clashed with Tuareg rebels, security sources said.

Scores Killed in Darfur’s Tribal Clashes

At least 53 people were killed and 83 others injured last we weekend in fresh tribal clashes at Al-Siraif locality in Sudan’s North Darfur state. Another report claimed that over 500 members of an Arab tribe in Sudan’s war-ravaged Darfur region have been killed and almost 900 wounded in seven weeks of clashes. The toll is far higher than figures previously given for the fighting between the Rezeigat tribe and rival Arabs from the Beni Hussein group in the Jebel Amir gold mining area of North Darfur. But a witness revealed that “forces belonging to what is known as Abbala attacked Al-Siraif locality, penultimate Saturday, from three directions with heavy weapons. Similar tribal clashes took place in early January between Bani Hussein and Abbala tribes at Jabel Amer of Al-Siraif locality due to disputes over gold mines in the area, where some 100 people got killed.

Top Al Qaeda Commander Killed in Mali

French forces in Mali have killed Abdelhamid Abu Zeid, a leading field commander of al Qaeda’s North Africa wing, Al-Qeada in Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), according to reports on Thursday. The reports said 40 militants including Abu Zeid were killed in the region of Tigargara in northern Mali on Monday. France launched a whirlwind assault to retake Mali’s vast northern desert region from AQIM and other Islamist rebels on January 11 after a plea from Mali’s caretaker government. The military intervention dislodged the rebels from several main towns they had occupied and drove them back into desert wilds. Abu Zeid has been regarded as one of AQIM’s most ruthless operators.

Israel Tests New Missile Defence

Israel has successfully carried out a test of its upgraded Arrow interceptor system that is designed to destroy in space Ballistic missiles, the Israeli Defence Ministry said on Monday. The US-backed Arrow III system deploys "kamikaze" satellites that target ballistic missiles above the earth's atmosphere, hitting them high enough to allow for any non-conventional warheads to disintegrate safely. Monday's test was the first live flight for the Arrow III, but did not involve the interception of any target, reports say. A ministry official said the test, which was conducted from a site along Israel's Mediterranean coast and lasted six and a half minutes, was "100% successful". Designers say the system has proved a success in up to 90% of previous tests. But the ministry official said the timing of the test, which took months to prepare, was not related to current tensions with Iran or Syria.

Chadian Soldiers Killed in Mali

Ten Chadian soldiers were killed in combat in northern Mali's mountainous border with Algeria where Islamist rebels regrouped after losing urban areas to a French-led offensive, Chad's army said on Sunday. This brings the number of Chadian soldiers killed to 23, as 13 were killed in the same region, penultimate Friday. The casualties are the heaviest by African troops since a campaign against al Qaeda-linked Islamist rebels began. At least 93 rebels have been killed in fighting in the area so far, Chad's army said. Rebels have continued to stage bombings and raids mainly targeting Mali's poorly trained and equipped army in northern cities - including their former strongholds of Gao and Kidal.

Protests in Tunisia against New Islamist PM

Thousands of Tunisians protested on Saturday against the new Prime Minister-designate, Ali Larayedh, a hardliner from the main Islamist Ennahda party. President Moncef Marzouki asked Larayedh to form a government, penultimate Friday, in the aftermath of the February 6 assassination of secular opposition politician, Chokri Belaid. Outgoing Prime Minister, Hamadi Jebali, resigned days earlier because Ennahda rejected his plan for an apolitical technocrat cabinet to prepare for elections. Larayedh, the new premier-designate, is controversial because opposition secularists accuse the Interior Ministry which he headed of failing to curb Islamist violence. Larayedh, 57, is viewed as part of Ennahda's hardline wing, which rejects any role for parties linked to the Ben Ali era. A maritime engineer, Larayedh spent 15 years in jail under Ben Ali.

France Warns Citizens of Kidnappings, Attack Risk in Benin

France said its nationals were at risk of kidnappings or attacks in the West African state of Benin, warning of a specific danger close to neighbouring Niger. The advisory highlighted the threat to French interests in West Africa since Paris deployed thousands of troops to Mali to oust al Qaeda-linked Islamists who controlled the country's north, reports Reuters. It warned its 3,700 citizens in Benin to avoid going out at night and against all travel on the main road leading from Tchaourou, about 350 kilometres north of the capital Porto-Novo, to Malanville and the W National Park on the border with Niger.

Tourists Killed in Egypt Balloon Explosion

A hot air balloon exploded and plunged to earth at Egypt’s ancient temple city of Luxor during a sunrise flight on Tuesday, killing up to 19 tourists, including Asians and Europeans. The balloon carrying 21 people was flying at 300 metres (1,000 feet) when it caught fire, a security official said. An employee at the company operating the balloon, Sky Cruise, said the pilot and one tourist survived by jumping out of the basket before it hit the ground. Both were taken to hospital. The balloon had been floating over the west bank of Luxor, one of Egypt’s most renowned archaeological sites and home to the famous Valley of the Kings and the grand Temple of Hatshepsut. In reaction, the Egyptian government has suspended all balloon flights until investigations are concluded.

Three Killed in Swiss Shooting

Three people have been killed and seven injured during a shooting at a factory near the Swiss city of Lucerne, officials said. The killer is among the dead, police reported. Switzerland has one of the highest rates of gun ownership in the world, but such gun attacks are relatively rare. All healthy Swiss men aged between 18 and 34 are obliged to do military service and all are issued with assault rifles or pistols which they are supposed to keep at home. However, there are more domestic homicides and suicides with a firearm in Switzerland than virtually anywhere else in Europe except Finland, she says.

Syrian Forces, Rebels Clash around Aleppo

Syrian warplanes carried out airstrikes on rebels trying to storm a police academy outside Aleppo on Wednesday, while jihadi fighters battled government troops along a key supply road leading to the south-eastern part of the city, activists said. Aleppo, Syria's largest city and former commercial capital, became a key front in the country's civil war after rebels launched an offensive there in July 2012. The police academy has recently emerged as a new front in the fight for Aleppo, which is considered a major prize in the conflict. Activists say the government has turned the facility into a military base, using it to shell opposition areas in the countryside as well as rebel-held neighbourhoods inside the city, reports say.

Somali President Offers Amnesty to Young Pirates

Somalia’s president has offered an amnesty to young pirates in a bid to end attacks off the Horn of Africa nation’s coast. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said his government has been negotiating with the pirates indirectly through the elders. However, Mohamud said that the amnesty was not open to pirate kingpins, who take the vast majority of the profits from the attacks, and some of whom are wanted by Interpol. Somalia has been ravaged by conflict since 1991 but a new UN-backed government took power in September, ending eight years of transitional rule by a corruption-riddled administration. Large parts of Somalia have been carved up by rival militia forces. Many of the most notorious pirates are based along the northern coastline of the semi-autonomous Puntland region.

Islamist Chief Sentenced to Death in Bangladesh War Crimes Trial

A tribunal in Bangladesh has sentenced Islamist leader, Delwar Hossain Sayeedi, to death for crimes committed during the country's 1971 war of independence.
The Jamaat-e-Islami chief was found guilty of charges including murder, torture and rape. He is the most senior figure convicted so far. The verdict was cheered by his opponents but set off protests in which at least 30 people were killed. Critics said the charges were politically motivated. Lawyers for Sayeedi say they plan to appeal in the Supreme Court. Jamaat was opposed to Bangladeshi independence but denies any role in war crimes committed by pro-Pakistan militias.

Bombs Kill 22 in Baghdad

At least 22 people were killed in a series of blasts in Shi'ite neighbourhoods of Baghdad on Thursday, polices said. No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attacks, but Sunni Muslim insurgents have been redoubling their efforts to undermine the Shi'ite-led government. Two car bombs exploded around sunset and killed at least 18 people in Baghdad's southern Shula district. Another car bomb and six roadside explosive devices planted at a market killed four other people in mainly Shi'ite Mahmoudiya, also in the south of Baghdad. A curfew was imposed on the area following the attacks.