Villeworth Security Services Ltd

Week 25

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PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

Lawmaker, 5 Others Arrested over Communal Clash in Cross River

Leader of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Mr Moses Abeng Onor, and five other members of Oyadama community have been arrested by the police in connection with the killings and devastation of their neighbouring community, Inyama, recently. The Assembly Leader, according to the Inyama’s petition, is alleged to have sponsored the conflict and should therefore be held responsible for the havoc committed. Mr. Rekpene Bassey, the State Security Adviser could not be reached on phone but DSP John Umoh, spokesman of the Cross River State Police Command said the arrest of Onor and others was to let the police get to the root of the constant conflict in the area and the attendant killings which have become really worrisome have to stop. The village of Oyadama attacked Inyima and destroyed over 50 buildings with over five persons burnt inside their homes following dispute over the ownership of a parcel of land along their common border.

Rivers Chiefs Charged with Theft of Halliburton Largesse

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has charged four persons: Saro Manson, Stepbere Kristen, Hannah Baghabo and Chilsom Uwazie, before Justice J.Ahiakwo of the State High Court Port Harcourt on 12-count charge bordering on conspiracy, stealing and money laundering. The accused allegedly diverted N209.2 million, being the compensation paid to ACM Industrial Community, Trans Amadi, Port Harcourt by Halliburton Energy Services Nigeria Limited, to their use. The accused who were agents and representatives of the community allegedly collected the sum on behalf of other members of the community following a judgment obtained from the State High Court in December 2004 against Halliburton. The accused persons pleaded not guilty to all the charges and were admitted to bail with sureties. Sureties must be recommended by counsel, own property in Port Harcourt which value must not to be less than one million naira. The case was adjourned to August 7, 2013 for trial.

Autopsy Confirms Murder of Ezu River Victims

Indications have emerged that the corpses dumped inside Ezu River in Amansea, Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State, some weeks ago, were murdered. This was contained in a report by the Senate Joint Committee on Police Affairs, National Security and Intelligence, which was saddled with the responsibility of uncovering the mystery surrounding the floated bodies found in Ezu River. It was gathered that the joint committee revealed that instead of 30, the victims of the incident were 19. According to the autopsy reports, 15 out of 19 bodies were seen, while six bodies had evidence of gunshots. Suspected cause of death, the reports said, was haemorrhage resulting from unattended gunshots. Though the committee submitted a detailed report, it could not establish who did the killings.

Man Kills Co-Tenant over Electricity Bill

The Police in Enugu State have arrested a tenant identified as Uzodinma Eneh for allegedly stabbing his co-tenant, Prince Uzor, to death at their Aguabor residence in Trans Ekulu area of Enugu. It was gathered that Uzor was allegedly stabbed with a knife by the suspect following a hot argument that ensued between them over sharing of electricity bill incurred by the tenants. The victim was said to have been rushed to the Hospital by sympathizers but he died shortly after arriving the hospital. The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, who confirmed the incident, said the suspect was already helping the police in their investigation. The police spokesman also said police operatives nabbed two robbery suspects who allegedly attacked a manager of a petrol station along Igogoro road with guns.

Two Killed as UNIUYO Students Protest Hike in Transportation

The University of Uyo (UNIUYO) in Akwa Ibom State has been shut down indefinitely, following the death of two students during an encounter with the Police. The students had embarked on peaceful protest on the campus Wednesday, over the introduction of a new transport fare regime for the engineering and science students from the town campus to permanent site. Following the killing of the two students, some buildings on the campus were torched, including the offices of the Vice-Chancellor and Registrar. Trouble escalated when the students broke the rule to move their protest outside the school premises, thereby meeting stiff resistant from security operatives. In the violent confrontation, the police opened fired and tear gas on the students resulting in the death of the two students.

Psychiatric Patient Commits Suicide in Hospital

A mentally unstable person, Joel Uduak, has committed suicide by hanging himself at the Federal Psychiatric Hospital in Calabar, Cross River State. The incident, which happened around 2am on Sunday, allegedly took the medical staff by surprise as the hospital had ensured that its structures were built to make suicide impossible. A source said Uduak, who was in his late 20s had been an out-patient until he was admitted three weeks ago when his situation became critical. Confirming the report on Monday, the Head of Clinical Services Department of the hospital, Dr. Essien Ekpe, said the patient’s action took everyone by surprise as he did not show any sign that he was overwhelmed by his ailment. Ekpe said it was the second suicide ever recorded in the hospital since it became a federal institution in 1995.

Ex-Cop Admits Police Killing of Civilian at Bayelsa Checkpoint

One of the three dismissed policemen who are standing trial for the killing of a 20-year-old Emmanuel Victor at a checkpoint in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, has admitted that they fired the gunshots that killed Victor. Victor was killed on October 16, 2011 in the presence of his mother who tried in vain to stop the policeman from killing her son. He was allegedly killed for condemning extortion and bribery at the checkpoint. After the shooting, the police were said to have removed a copy of the Bible he held in his hand and replaced it with a pair of scissors. But Lucky Oberemelu, who was cross-examined at the Nembe High Court, Yenagoa, on Tuesday, said the deceased died from a gunshot fired by one of them. In a desperate effort to exonerate himself from the shooting, he said his colleague, Mathew Ighaghe, pulled the trigger that killed Victor.

Gunmen Kill Anambra Businessman

Dare-devil gunmen suspected to be armed robbers, Tuesday, allegedly shot and killed a businessman at Nkpor, Idemili North LGA of Anambra State. The incident occurred when the bandits stormed the phone accessories shop at the popular Nkpo Junction by Obosi Road. According to the source, on arrival at the shop, the robbers discovered that the iron rod protector at the victim’s shop was locked up, while the victim and his sales girls were inside rounding up their business for the day. Confirming the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mr. Emeka Chukwuemeka said it was a robbery incident and not assassination case, as speculated by some passersby, adding that the victim died on his way to the Crown Hospital.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

Commercial Motorcyclists Protest Ban in Edo

Following the state government’s announcement, on Monday, banning the operations of commercial motorcycles popularly called ‘Okada’ in three local government areas of Benin City metropolis, in Edo State, the operators, on Wednesday, took to the streets protesting the ban. The protest which lasted for several hours, disrupted human and vehicular movement as the protesting commercial bike riders took their agitation to the State House of Assembly and Government House respectively. Besides, the protest curried the sympathy of the people as youths and others joined in the protest at the Ring Road barricading all entrance to the ever busy city centre. A combined team of security operatives, drafted in, however, dispersed the protesters before serious damages could be caused. One of the protesters, Emmanuel Okobia, said the state government erred in the ban of their activities without serving them notice early enough.

Jilted Man Bathes Lover with Acid

An Ikpoba-Okha Area Customary Court in Benin City has remanded a 22-year-old man, Cyril Okosun, in prison for allegedly bathing his girlfriend with acid. The accused was alleged to have on April 19, 2013 at Dumez Road in the state metropolis poured acid on the face and body of the girl after she decided to quit their relationship. Counsel to the accused, Fidelis Oriafo, pleaded for his bail which was opposed by Police prosecutor, Inspector Victor Ehiorobo, on the ground that the victim, Blessing Ikhumuhi, was still in a critical condition at the UBTH. President of the court, Princess Esther Eweka, adjourned the case to July 23, 2013 for hearing.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

Fire Razes 30 Shops in Lagos

Over 30 shops were razed and property worth millions of naira destroyed in an inferno at Speedwell Plaza in Apapa, Lagos, an area densely populated by tank farms.  The late afternoon fire, it was learnt, was caused by an electrical surge in one of the many shops located in the plaza. The combined efforts of the residents as well as that of the Lagos State Fire Service and Julius Berger Fire Service helped to bring the inferno under control. The fire was said to have started at about 2pm after an electrical surge occurred in one of the shops upstairs. According to eyewitness accounts, the surge could have been caused by the force at which current came back to the electrical wires after two weeks of blackout.

22-Year-Old Remanded in Prison over Abduction, Rape of Girl, 15

A 22 year old man, Moyinoluwa Tosin, has been ordered by an Osogbo Magistrate court to be remanded in Ilesha prison for allegedly abducting and raping a 15-year-old girl, Tope Adeniyi. The Police prosecutor, Solomon Oladele, told the court presided over by Magistrate Olusola Aluko that the accused person and others who are at large, conspired to abduct the 15-year-old girl, while Moyinoluwa allegedly defiled her at Egbatedo area of Osogbo. The accused told the court that the victim often slept in his house, adding that there was no way he could have raped his girlfriend who had on many occasions slept with him. He therefore pleaded not guilty to all the charges. Counsel to the accused person, Mr. Daniel Agbara prayed the court to grant the accused person bail, but the court declined the plea and asked him to make a formal application.

Doctor Arrested after Mutilation of Baby’s Corpse

The Ogun State Police Command said it has arrested the proprietor of Ajike Medical Centre, Sango Ota, for suspected ritual activities and disrespect to the corpse of a 13-month-old baby who died in his hospital, penultimate Saturday. According the Police spokesman, Muyiwa Ogunjobi, the police discovered that the boy’s corpse was mutilated, with the eyes, tongue, two lips, two ears, private part, nails and the left hand and veins cut off at the hospital. The child’s father, identified as Obinna Oleh, said that he and his wife had rushed the child to the hospital but the child died, and that since they could not clear the bills that day, they had to leave the corpse behind. But they returned the next day to find the mutilated body. Meanwhile, the police are combing the nooks and crannies of the state and other environs in frantic search for the owner of a black jeep that reportedly drove into Ajike Medical Centre the night the body was mutilated.

Cultists Stab 19-Year-Old to Death

Suspected cult members killed a 19-year-old boy, Obunneke Osondu, in Bariga area of Lagos State. Obunneke was killed, penultimate Saturday, by members of Eiye Confraternity, shortly after leaving his home. He was said to have had an altercation with the assailants in a bar as they accused him of being friends with members of a rival cult, Aiye Confraternity in a bar. The assailants then stabbed Obunneke many times as he ran away from the hotel. A tricycle driver attempted to take him to the Hospital, but a policeman asked that the bleeding Obunneke be brought down from the tricycle until his mother came around, but he died before she arrived. It was learnt that the incident worsened when policemen from Somolu Division stormed the area and started shooting indiscriminately. Another youth was said to have died while trying to escape. The deputy Police Public Relations Officer for the state command, Damascus Ozoanni, confirmed Obunneke’s murder.

Grandfather, Granddaughter Killed in Kerosine Explosion

An 82-year-old grandfather, Samuel Adeola, and his 12-year-old granddaughter, Mariam Adeola, were killed when fire gutted their residence at Baiey Street, Agbado crossing, Ogun State. The octogenarian and his granddaughter died in their four-room apartment when the girl was preparing food at the corridor, and the stove she was using suddenly exploded. Confirming the incident, Director, Lagos State Fire Services, Mr. Razaq Fadipe, said the incident was aggravated by Mariam’s inability to shout for help as soon as she noticed the fire. He urged teenagers to be at alert and seek help whenever the situation arises.

Customs Seize 20,000 Cartons of Contaminated Poultry Products

About 20,000 cartons of contaminated frozen turkey have been intercepted by men of Nigeria Customs, Oyo/Osun Command. The banned items were being conveyed in an articulated truck to an undisclosed destination. According to the Deputy Controller, Administration, Bumba Usman Mohammed, the trailer load of frozen poultry products was arrested on old Abeokuta-Bakatari Road through intelligence gathering. He warned people in Oyo and Osun to “desist from buying and eating frozen poultry products because they are hazardous to health and hinder growth of national economy, as this frustrates the efforts of local farmers”. Three weeks after intercepting over 56, 000 live ammunition, he hinted that the command had made another 25 seizures comprising 497 bags of rice, 139 bales of prohibited textiles, 621 used tyres, 600 bags of animal feeds, six cars, three trucks and one tipper lorry.

NDLEA Nabs Illicit Drugs Traffickers as Suspect Alleges Threat by Baron

Three persons have been arrested by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA), for attempting to smuggle illicit drugs in and out of the country.  The suspects were apprehended at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, MMIA, Lagos for ingesting 161 wraps of narcotics weighing 3.085kg. Two of the suspects were importing the drugs into the country while one was caught attempting to export the drugs to London. One of the suspects alleged that drug barons were after his life for excreting the drugs he ingested at the airport toilet in Doha. NDLEA Airport commander, Mr Hamza Umar, confirmed the arrests. The 28 suspect, Elioku Simon Chibuzor said that he ingested 80 wraps of drugs but he excreted the drug in Doha. He was arrested during the inward screening of passengers on Qatar airline flight.

Woman, 25, Docked for Attempted Robbery

A 25-year-old woman, Esther Obianuju Ihedime, was on Tuesday brought before a Lagos High Court, over alleged attempt to rob one Miss Rukayat Abdulsalat of her valuables while armed with a toy gun. The accused was arraigned before Justice Christopher Balogun on a two-count charge of conspiracy and attempted robbery, but she pleaded not guilty. It was gathered that the accused, while armed with a toy gun, conspired with her friends to rob Rukayat of her valuables, and when the victim screamed for help the accused was apprehended while others escaped. Similarly, a commercial bus driver, Steven Emeka, 24, and his conductor, Tosin Kadri, 20, were last Monday, remanded in prison custody for alleged armed robbery. The police prosecutor, Inspector Samson Ekikere, alleged that the suspects conspired amongst themselves to commit armed robbery, stating that while armed with a gun and other dangerous weapons, they robbed one Mrs Augustina Ikhra of her bag containing valuables.

Lagos Cracks-Down on Touts, Nabs 46

Lagos State Task Force on Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement Unit) says it has begun a fresh crackdown on touts, popularly called agberos, who collect illegal dues outside motor parks. Task Force Chairman, Bayo Sulaiman, said on Sunday that since the state Road Traffic Law 2012 prohibits collection of dues by union members and others outside their parks, the task force had a duty to enforce it. Sulaiman said the task force arrested 46 agberos between Mile 12 and Agric Bus stop on Ikorodu Road, who were collecting illegal dues. The task force boss said the unit’s officials had been going round the state in under-cover vehicles to make it easy for them to nab violators of the traffic law.

School Proprietor Caught Defiling 11-Year-Old Pupil

There was outrage at Olope area of Ado Ekiti, on Wednesday, as a man said to be in his 40s and proprietor of a nursery/primary school was caught by members of the community as he was having sex with an 11-year-old pupil of his school. It was gathered that enraged members of the community descended on the proprietor, Tunde Ibitoye, and nearly lynched him but for the timely intervention of the men of the police. He was said to have been caught by a 30-year old mechanic, Kayode Ayeni, while allegedly committing the act. The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of Ekiti police command, Victor Babayemi, said Ibitoye was currently being detained at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) at the state police headquarters. Ayeni, who caught them in the act, disclosed that the suspect was a regular caller at a market under construction in the area, and alleged that the location had become a hideout for criminals in recent times.

Cleric Arrested for Dealing on Human Parts

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested Gazali Akewadola, a self-proclaimed Islamic cleric and native doctor, for selling human parts. The 60-year-old suspect was also accused of killing people and using their parts for ritual purposes. The police added that Akewadola was a member of the gang that was recently arrested for exhuming corpses and selling their parts. According to Police authorities, Akewadola was nabbed after five arrested suspects made confessional statements and led policemen to his hideout. The native of Owode Yewa, Ogun State, said he initially started buying heads from Sanni at the cost of N3,000 but he discovered that this was not lucrative and then decided to start buying human beings and then dismembering the corpses which he would use for various purposes.

Ondo Oil-Producing Communities Threaten Face-off with Chevron

The people of the oil-producing communities in Ondo State have issued a seven-day ultimatum on the management of Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) to commence the implementation of the General Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) signed with the oil producing communities. The oil communities under the auspices of Understanding the Ilaje (Ugbo) Coastal Communities Development Committee, in the letter addressed to the governor and signed by the leader, Oba Obafemi Ogbaro, the Secretary, Kunle Alli, and 13 others, accused Chevron of not implementing the GMoU in the last three years. The letter threatened that at the expiration of the seven-day ultimatum, no one would be able to guarantee the safety of CNL offshore facilities. The committee stated that the GMoU was initiated to regularise and coordinate the dealings between the company and the host communities with a view to providing enabling environment for the company.

Man in Court over Sex with Mentally Ill Patients

Twenty-one-year-old Sulaimon Lateef was, Thursday, arraigned for sleeping with two female inmates at the Rehabilitation and Training Centre (for mentally infirm persons) in Owutu, Ikorodu, Lagos. Lateef was charged before the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Court, Alausa Ikeja. He pleaded not guilty to the four counts instituted against him. The prosecutor, Babatunde Sunmonu, explained that the accused could not be charged with rape due to the mental status of the victims. The accused was therefore charged with causing breach of peace, conducting himself as a disorderly person and obstructing one Olasunkanmi Hassan, an official of the rehabilitation centre. Lateef, who was said to have first visited the centre seeking employment, was allegedly attracted to the inmates, two of whom he allegedly induced with N200 and N100 and allegedly slept with them on different occasions. The presiding magistrate, Mrs. Jadesola Adeyemi, granted the accused bail in the sum of N50,000 with two sureties in like sum. The court adjourned till July 11 for mention.

Ghanaian, Beninoise Remanded in Prison for Murder of Co-Tenant, Wife

An Ebute Metta Magistrates’ Court, Thursday, remanded a 50-year-old Ghanaian, Kwasi Abubakar, for allegedly killing a co-tenant. Also, yesterday, another Ebute Metta Magistrate Court remanded a 36-year-old Beninoise, Daniel Gajo, at the Ikoyi Prisons, over the alleged murder of his wife, Esther. In the case involving the Ghanaian (Abubakar), Magistrate O. A. Komolafe, ordered that the accused be kept behind bars, pending advice from the state Director of Public Prosecutions, DPP. The prosecutor, Frank Inah, had told the court that the accused allegedly killed a co-tenant, Mr Ranti Elegbede. The incident happened after the accused fell into the gutter at night and the deceased along with others tried to help him out. But he surprised everyone when he turned to the deceased, gave him a blow, which made him pass out. He confirmed dead at the hospital.

Syndicate Arrested over Hijack of Loaded Trailers

A seven-member robbery syndicate which allegedly specialized in hijacking trailers loaded with goods has been arrested by soldiers at the boundary town between Ekiti and Kogi States. The suspects prefer trailers loaded with building materials, provisions, motor spare parts, electronic gadgets and other goods worth millions of naira. Commander of the Internal Security outfit in the 32 Artillery Brigade in Akure, Ondo State, Col Muhammed Zubairu, said the suspects who were paraded, on Thursday, have confessed to the crime of hijacking of trailers loaded with goods worth several millions of Naira. Items recovered from them included locally made revolvers, rounds of 97.62mm loaded, locally made pistols with cartridges, single barrel guns, 16 rounds of cartridges, empty shells of cartridges, ATM cards, seven telephone sets, charms and hamlets, amongst other items. One of the suspects confessed that they had a godfather, Alhaji Bello, who after a successful operation ensured that the trailers and the goods were transported to Niger Republic where a ready buyer would be waiting.

GENERAL

Arrested Lebanese File Suit against SSS, Demand N50bn Damages

The co-owner of Amigo Supermarket, Mustapha Fawaz, and three other Lebanese that were arrested over the armoury and Hezbollah terror cell uncovered in Bompai, Kano State have filed a suit before the Federal High Court, Abuja. They are demanding  N50 billion as compensation from the State Security Service (SSS), the Director General of SSS, Ekpeyong Ita and the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke (SAN), for their unlawful arrest and detention without trial. The Lebanese businessmen have also asked the court to stop the respondents from extraditing them except by a procedure permitted by law. In the application for the enforcement of their fundamental rights, filed by Mr. Bamidele Aturu,  the applicants asked the court to declare their arrest and continued detention without trial by the SSS on various dates as “illegal, unlawful, unconstitutional, null, void and of no effect whatsoever”. The applicants also demanded for a public apology by the respondents in three newspapers widely circulating in Nigeria for the violation of their rights.

Court Admits Arrested Kogi Lawmaker to N5m Bail

An Abuja chief magistrates’ court, on Tuesday, admitted a member of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Friday Sani, a.k.a Makama, to bail in the sum of N5 million with one surety, who must reside in Abuja and must be a Grade Level 15 officer and above. The court also granted Sani’s co-accused, Job David, bail in the sum of N1 million and one surety in the like sum. Friday Sani (aka Makama) and Job David were arrested in possession of AK47 rifle with 35 rounds of life ammunition and police walkie-talkie and in the course of investigation it was discovered that he aided and abetted Emmanuel Shuaibu (aka Action), Mohammed Musa (aka Let’s Go), Friday Abams and Adeboni-Musa to possess fire arms including an AK47 rifle and ammunition by issuing them with AK47 rifle and ammunition, and you thereby committed the above-mentioned offences. The chief magistrate, Usman Shuaibu, however, ordered that the lawmaker be remanded in the police custody, following further allegations by the prosecution counsel, Simon Lough, who alleged that the police had arrested two robbers who made confessional statements that the lawmaker was the one supplying them with arms and ammunition.

CAS Tasks NAF Personnel on Discipline

The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Alex Badeh, has tasked all the field commanders and personnel of the Nigerian Air Force to comply with the rules of engagement and be well disciplined in their operations, especially in the enforcement of the state of emergency in some parts of the North-east. Badeh gave this order Thursday in Abuja during the interactive meeting with all the Air Officers Commanding (AOCs) and field commanders of NAF, warned that all officers and commanders must adhere strictly to the chains of authority within the service, saying that if any officer misbehaves, the AOC would be held responsible. He noted that the meeting has become necessary to keep the field commanders abreast of the new developments within the NAF management, ranks and file.

Gunmen Kill Villagers, Security Personnel in Kaduna

Gunmen, on Thursday, attacked Kwasakwasa Village in Birnin Gwari LGA of Kaduna State, killing several people, including security personnel. The attack was said to have occurred at about 6am on Thursday. A resident of Kwasakwasa also disclosed that four vehicles belonging to the security personnel were also burnt. He said several other villagers and security men were injured, but added that the bravery of soldiers and other security officers helped to fend off the attackers. Secretary of the local government, Zubairu Zakariya, confirmed the attack, but could not give the casualty figure.

Boko Haram Gunmen Kill 13 in Borno

Gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram members, who hid their guns inside a coffin, penultimate Friday, launched an attack against a group of vigilantes in Maiduguri, killing 13 persons before being shot by security forces. Soldiers, had, on Thursday, shot dead eight suspected Boko Haram gunmen, leaving their bodies in a ditch. Sources said Friday’s attack targeted members of a new youth vigilante group in Maiduguri which provides information to security operatives on the activities and movement of the insurgents. The gunmen were said to have hidden their Kalashnikov assault rifles inside a coffin as they drove through the various military checkpoints without being searched. They were said to have opened fire on members of the vigilantes, who were driving in a van, killing 13 of them instantly. They continued shooting until they ran out of ammunition, then some courageous youth rounded them up and handed them over to the soldiers, who shot them dead, according to reports.

Military Offensive on Boko Haram Pushes 6,000 Refugees into Niger

The military offensive against Islamist militants in some parts of the north has forced more than 6,000 refugees to flee to neighbouring Niger, the U.N. refugee agency (UNHCR) said on Tuesday. The military declared that they have regain control of most parts of the states and have destroyed key bases and arrested more than 150 suspected insurgents in the states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa. Islamist groups like Boko Haram and the al Qaeda-linked Ansaru have become the biggest risk to stability in Nigeria. But rights groups and aid agencies fear the longer it goes on, the more the region's vulnerable local population.

IGP, CPs, Others Plan New Strategise to Counter Terrorism

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Abubakar, Wednesday met with state commissioners of police and other top officers to deliberate on the state of emergency in three northern states and roll out new strategies to combat terrorism. The IG said the parley would review strategies against kidnapping and armed robbery, internal conflicts and cross-border crisis in different parts of the country. He expressed frustration over the payment of ransom to kidnappers by family of kidnapped victims, noting that the security forces do not always know when payments are made to abductors in most cases. According to him, the police would have easily resolved most kidnapped cases but for the poor telecommunications system in the country which affects the police tracking system. He pledged that the police would continue to improve on its service delivery to Nigerians as he solicited for public support.

NSCDC Wants Synergy on Counter-Terrorism

Mr Gabriel Abafi, the Director of Training of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), has called for synergy between the corps and the Nigerian Army on the training of NSCDC personnel on counter- terrorism. Abafi said that this would enhance the country’s battle against the activities of insurgents and other national security challenges. He spoke at the Nigerian Army Training Centre (NATRAC) in Kontagora, during the passing out parade of 462 officers of the corps trained by the Nigerian Army in Basic Counter-Terrorism Course. Abafi also appealed to the states and Local Government Councils to provide logistic support to the corps to enable the NSCDC discharge its duty of protecting lives and property. The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, had earlier told the graduands that the war against insurgency was everybody’s duty. A total of 462 NSCDC personnel, made up of 396 males and 66 females underwent the training.

FG Gives Agencies 45-Day Ultimatum on Port Security

Following the ultimatum the United States Government gave to Nigeria to improve on the security situation at the nation’s seaports, the Presidency, Monday, said that Nigeria cannot afford to take the threat lightly, and that if the issue is not treated with urgency and accuracy, it will lead to high freight rate and the economy will suffer. The Presidency has given the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, and other operators, 45 days ultimatum to put necessary measures in place with a view to securing the ports. Senior Special Assistant to the President Goodluck Jonathan on Maritime Affairs, Leke Oyewole, said the country cannot afford to allow the United States ultimatum catch up with the industry.

2 Men Remanded in Prison over Killing of Housewife

Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Lokoja, Kogi State, on Tuesday, remanded two Fulani herdsmen in prison custody for allegedly killing a housewife over allegation of witchcraft. The accused, Anaruwa Illiyasu (25) and Abdulrahman Yusuf (30) were arraigned for criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide. Illiyasu conspired with Yusuf to kill Mallama Hajia Illiyasu, his wife, over allegation that she was a witch. One Illiyasu Abu had reported to the police that both men armed themselves with gun and killed the woman. Investigations led to the arrest of the two accused. The prosecutor said the accused confessed to have committed the crime. But the accused, who were not represented by any counsel, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

JTF, Youths Arrest 30 Suspected Boko Haram Terrorists

The Joint Military Task Force (JTF) and youth associations in Maiduguri have arrested 30 suspected Boko Haram members in various parts of the metropolis. The youths, led by their chairman, Abubakar Mallum and deputy, Isa Musa, carried out the raid in five separate locations. Confirming the youths’ role in the arrest of suspects in Maiduguri, the JTF spokesman, Lt.-Col. Sagir Musa, commended the youths for assisting soldiers to arrest these terrorist suspects, adding the youths have also renewed their efforts in supporting the JTF in its current operations.

New Immigration Chief, Paradang, Assumes Office

A substantive Comptroller-General (CG) of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has being appointed, as five deputies are to proceed on retirement. The new CG, David Paradang, after being decorated by the Minister of Interior, Abba Moro, vowed that the spate of illegal migration into the country would be reduced drastically. Paradang assured that “we are going to make sure we get rid of people walking freely in the country without valid documents so that the country could get some level of peace.”

5 Dead as Herdsmen, Farmers Clash in Benue

Five people have been killed in the fresh crisis between Fulani herdsmen and farmers in Ichama area of Okpokwu LGA of Benue State. According to sources, the Fulani herdsmen were said to have invaded the area, killing five people before carting away 40 cows belonging to the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo. Chairman of the council, Mrs Julihana Obetta, who confirmed the invasion at Ichama, said that only one person was killed. Obetta said that there was a recent report of a truck that brought some Fulani herdsmen to Ichama, stressing that she promptly alerted policemen but with no traces of the invaders. She further said the police authorities had dispatched men to the troubled area so as to beef up security. The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Dan Ezeala, confirmed the invasion and the arrest of two suspects. Ezeala said that the suspects were apprehended by security agents while attempting to escape to

Woman Killed 10 Days after Wedding

Tragedy struck on Wednesday in Kano when unknown assailants strangled to death the wife of the Director of Information in the Kano State Ministry of Information and Sports, Hajiya Hadiza Usman. The incident happened at her residence in Sabon Gandu quarters at about 11 am when the unknown assailants forced their way into the apartment. Hadiza, 21, got married to the Director of Information, Alhaji Usman Yakasai ten days before the incident. According to the deceased’s husband, between 10am and 11am on Tuesday, some unknown assailants forced their way into the apartment when she was home alone and strangled her to death. The state police spokesman, Magaji Musa Majiya, confirmed arrest of suspects, adding that investigation is continuing on the matter.

INTERNATIONAL

Several Killed in Deadly Attack in Iraqi Market

At least 12 people have been killed in a series of bombings in a market north of the Iraqi capital. Two car bombs went off and a suicide bomber blew himself up in the predominantly Shia town of Judaida al-Shat in Diyala province, reports say. Dozens of people were wounded in the attacks. It is the latest in a series of almost daily attacks across Iraq, raising fears of a return to the worst levels of sectarian violence in years. Reports say the near-simultaneous car bombs ripped through the vegetable market in the town, just outside the provincial capital, Baquba, 60km (35 miles) north- east of Baghdad. No group has admitted carrying out Monday's attacks, but Sunni militants linked to al-Qaeda have previously used coordinated explosions to target Shia Muslims, whom they regard as apostates.

Six Sentenced to Jail over Plot to Bomb EDL

Six men from the West Midlands have been jailed for up to 19-and-a-half years each for planning to bomb an English Defense League (EDL) rally. Omar Khan, Jewel Uddin, Mohammed Hasseen, Mohammed Saud, Zohaib Ahmed and Anzal Hussain had all admitted terrorism offences in April. The men, who all lived in or near Birmingham, were caught by chance after a car being used by two of them, and carrying weapons, was stopped by police on the M1 after the rally and found to have no insurance. At the Old Bailey, Khan, Uddin and Ahmed were sentenced to 19-and-a-half years in jail, with a five-year extension on license. Hasseen, Hussain and Saud were jailed for 18 years and nine months, with a five-year extension on license.

Gun Battle Rattles Afghan Airport

Afghan security forces have tackled heavily-armed militants, who seized a building near the main airport in Kabul. Officials said seven gunmen were killed in the five-storey building under construction near the airport. The Taliban earlier said that they carried out the assault. The incident began shortly after dawn on Monday. Exchanges of fire went on for some hours with the Taliban firing rocket-propelled grenades into the surrounding streets. All flights were cancelled in and out of Kabul international airport, which is home to a large NATO-led military base. Nearby roads were closed.

Two Children in Beheaded in Southern Afghanistan

Two young boys, ages 10 and 11, were, penultimate Sunday, beheaded as a warning to villagers not to cooperate with the Afghan government, officials said. The boys, named Khan and Hameedullah, had travelled to Afghan army and police checkpoints near their home in the southern province of Kandahar, scrounging for leftover food to bring to their families. The militants have beheaded dozens of people in the last two years, accusing them of aiding the government and its foreign backers led by the United States, reports Reuters. A Taliban spokesman, Qari Yousuf Ahmadi, however, said the group was not involved in the boys' killings. Meanwhile, on Monday, six insurgents with suicide vests and heavy guns attacked a government compound in the provincial centre of Zabul, wounding at least 18 people.

Sudan Suspends Oil and Security Deals with South Sudan

Sudan has put on hold nine security and economic pacts with South Sudan, including on vital oil shipments, but said it remained committed to good relations if South Sudan ended support for rebels. Information Minister Ahmed Bilal Osman said his country was still committed to have good relations with South Sudan and if they are serious about implementing the nine agreements, they can cooperate. He had earlier warned the South over backing rebels, who analysts say humiliated the authorities with recent attacks. South Sudan’s government in Juba denies supporting insurgents in the north, and in turn has accused Khartoum of backing rebels on southern territory. However, South Sudan claimed Sudanese troops had pushed southwards across the demilitarised buffer zone into South Sudan’s Upper Nile state.

Britain Compensates Kenya over Torture, Abuse of Mau Mau

The British government has announced a compensation and costs deal worth £19.9 million for more than 5,200 elderly Kenyans who were tortured and abused during the 1950s Mau Mau uprising against colonial rule. Making this known Thursday, Foreign Secretary William Hague stopped short of a full apology, but said Britain “sincerely regrets” the abuses. Hague’s statement follows a four-year legal battle in which Britain maintained it was not liable for the abuse – which remains its position – claiming legal responsibility had passed to the Kenyan government after independence in 1963. A British law firm Leigh Day, which has pursued the case, welcomed the deal and said it had been agreed with all of its 5,228 Kenyan clients. After £6 million legal costs are deducted, the remainder will be shared equally between the Kenyans.

Austria Commences Withdrawal of Peacekeepers from Golan

Austria has begun withdrawing peacekeepers from the Golan Heights, winding down a four-decade mission due to spill-over fighting from the Syrian civil war, the defence ministry said. The Austrians have patrolled the buffer zone between Israel and Syria as part of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force, known as UNDOF, since it was set up in 1974. The Vienna government said last week it would pull out after worsening fighting between Syrian rebels and government forces sent its soldiers running for cover. Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger said Austria would now negotiate with the United Nations about an orderly handover to the next contingent, "if there is one," but reserved the right to stick to its timetable for a full exit within four weeks.

Turkish PM Issues Threat to Protesters

Turkish Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has warned that he will not show "any more tolerance" for protests. He vowed to end the demonstrations after police cleared Istanbul's Taksim Square, the focal point of unrest for nearly two weeks. Police used water cannon, tear gas and rubber bullets, causing many to flee the square into adjoining Gezi Park. The unrest began after a crackdown on an environmental protest over Gezi Park's redevelopment. The protests then widened, with demonstrators accusing Mr Erdogan's government of becoming increasingly authoritarian and trying to impose conservative Islamic values on a secular state. The prime minister defended the police intervention on Tuesday, saying that an environmental movement had been hijacked by people who wanted to harm Turkey.

Rwandan General to Command UN Force in Mali

Rwandan General, Jean-Bosco Kazura, has been appointed to command the United Nations peace-keeping force in Mali, Rwanda’s Foreign Minister, Louise Mushikiwabo, disclosed on Tuesday. Kazura, formerly second in command of African Union troops in Sudan’s western Darfur region, will lead the UN force being deployed in Mali, known under the acronym MINUSMA. The UN Security Council in April approved the force for Mali, to be made up of 12,600 international troops and police to take over from French and African forces. Kazura, 50, fought in the 1990s in the ranks of the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), the rebellion led by now President Paul Kagame, who took power in Kigali in 1994 to end the genocide in Rwanda. Kazura later ran Rwanda’s military academy and was a security adviser to Kagame.

93,000 Killed in Syrian Conflict –UN report

At least 93,000 people have been killed in Syria since the start of the conflict, according to latest United Nations figures. This represents a rise of more than 30,000 since the UN last issued figures covering the period to November 2012. There were "cases of individual children being tortured and executed, and entire families, including babies, being massacred - which, along with this devastatingly high death toll, is a terrible reminder of just how vicious this conflict has become," said OHCHR head Navi Pillay. The revised toll came the day after a separate global UN report called the number of deaths among Syrian children "unbearable". The study said government forces and rebels were using boys and girls as "suicide bombers or human shields". The report accused Syrian troops of torturing children suspected of having links to rebel groups. But it said armed opposition groups, including the Free Syrian Army, were also using children, both in combat and in support roles.

US Pledges Military Aid to Syrian Rebels

The United States dramatically toughened its line on Syria, accusing it of using chemical weapons and promising military aid to the opposition, as regime forces on Friday battled rebels in Aleppo city. The US government said that it had conducted a review of intelligence reports and concluded that Syrian regime forces had used banned arms, including sarin nerve gas, in attacks that killed up to 150 people. Officials refused to rule out moving towards arming anti-regime rebels or imposing a no-fly zone over Syria, and said it would provide backing to opposition armed wing the Syrian Military Council (SMC). Syria’s main opposition National Coalition welcomed increased US assistance including direct military support. Meanwhile, Despite Hezbollah’s involvement in Syrian government’s war with the rebels, Lebanon’s Army warned that it will hit back against any new attacks from Syria. The warning came after a helicopter gunship struck a Lebanese eastern town.

Tsvangirai Rejects Polls’ Date

Zimbabwean Prime Minister, Morgan Tsvangirai, declared on Thursday that President Robert Mugabe has acted “unconstitutionally” by declaring an election date. Tsvangirai’s comment came after Mugabe set the polls for July 31 – the deadline given by the Constitutional Court. The Prime Minister has been pushing for key reforms as a condition for elections. The president named the election date using a presidential decree to bypass parliament. Tsvangirai told journalists in the capital, Harare, that Zimbabwe could not hold elections before 25 August. However, Tsvangirai said the court should be asked to review its decision, as more time was needed to prepare for elections.

Whistle Blower under Criminal Investigation - FBI Chief

Director of United States (U.S.) Federal Bureau of Investigation, Robert Mueller, on Thursday, revealed that American government has launched a criminal investigation and is taking “all necessary steps” to prosecute Edward Snowden for exposing the controversial secret surveillance programmes. Mueller said that the disclosures have caused significant harm to the safety of the nation. The FBI chief’s comments offered the first explicit confirmation that the US government was pursuing Snowden, the 29-year-old American IT specialist who has admitted to leaking information about far-reaching surveillance programmes. Snowden, who worked as a subcontractor handling computer networks for the National Security Agency (NSA), is in Hong Kong, a semi-autonomous Chinese territory, where he has vowed to contest any possible extradition in court.