Villeworth Security Services Ltd

week 28

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PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

JTF Arrest 1,653 Illegal Bunkering Suspects

A total of 1,653 suspects were arrested within the past 12 months and 3,778 illegal refineries destroyed in the ongoing fight against illegal oil bunkering patrols by the Joint Task Force (JTF) in the Niger Delta, according to Minister of State for Defence, Dr Olusola Obada. In addition, 120 barges, 878 Cotonou boats, 161 tanker trucks, 178 illegal fuel dumps and 5,238 surface tanks were also destroyed by the Task Force within the same period. Obada said that the nation’s military has “enhanced protection of oil and gas facilities through air and ground patrols of pipeline networks to deter vandals from sabotage activities. Troops were deployed on most critical platforms on a 24/7 basis to enhance their security. While criminalities in the industry have not been completely eliminated, efforts of the Joint Task Force have reduced the level crude oil theft drastically.”

Shell Decries Rising Oil Spills and Sabotage

Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC), Tuesday, said it had recorded eight crude oil theft and sabotage related spill incidents at the Adibawa field also in Eastern Niger Delta between January and June this year. The Adibawa oilfield straddles Biseni, Edagberi and Ikarama communities in Rivers State. Shell’s Corporate Media Relations Manager, Tony Okonedo, said that majority of the spills were caused when unknown persons inflicted extensive hacksaw cuts on pipelines. Okonedo said a joint team comprising regulators, government ministries, SPDC and communities investigated each of the spills and confirmed their findings in signed-off reports. According to him, the latest spills occurred on the Adibawa-Okordia pipeline at Ikarama on May 24 and June 4 respectively, adding that the largest individual spilled volume of 447 barrels came in June.

Gunmen Kidnap Corp Members in Rivers Community

Three corps members serving at the Ogonokom Community Secondary school, in Abua/Odua LGA of Rivers State, were, penultimate Friday, kidnapped by gunmen. According to the state Police Public Relations Officer, Angela Agabe, the victims were abducted at the school’s “corper’s lodge” penultimate Friday. It was gathered that the kidnappers shot indiscriminately in the air before whisking their victims to an unknown destination. The abducted Corp members were two males and one female. The trio was, however, released on Saturday after police stormed their hideout and arrested the gang leader. A senior officer with the State National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) said Corps members at Ogonokom Community had been relocated temporarily to a nearby community for safety. He added that they might go back to the community when their security is guaranteed.

NLNG Declares Force Majeure after Blockade by NIMASA

Nigeria’s export of gas has suffered a major setback as the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG), Monday, said it had declared force majeure on its exports of liquefied natural gas as a blockade by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) over a tax dispute, which entered its second week. The blockade, which has prevented LNG tankers from accessing the company’s loading terminal in Bonny Island of Rivers State, is due to a long-standing dispute between the company and the maritime regulator over the payment of duties on freight and exports. NIMASA’s acting Director in charge of Shipping Development, Capt. Warride Enesuoh, had insisted that the agency embarked on the blockade due to NLNG’s disregard and unwillingness to abide by the country’s maritime laws.

Man Arrested over Rape of Seven-Year-Old Girl

A 35-year-old man, identified as Bassey Ekpo-Efiok, has been arrested by the Cross River State Police Command for allegedly raping a seven-year-old girl in Calabar. Father of the victim, Mr. Patrick Eyo-Ita, said the incident happened between 9.30pm and 10pm on June 17 at his residence. He alleged that the culprit defiled his daughter shortly after he strolled out of his compound while she was asleep. Eyo-Ita said when he returned a few minutes later, he couldn’t find his daughter where he had left her, prompting him to search for her before he heard her scream from the suspect’s apartment. He said the suspect fled initially but was eventually arrested on July 1 by policemen. A child rights activist, who facilitated the arrest, Mr. James Ibor, said the action of the suspect was criminal as he had jeopardised the life of the little girl.

Bishop Arrested over Rape of 15-Year-Old

Chairman of All Bishops in Rivers State, Bishop Chibuike Nwabueze, has been arrested and paraded by the police for allegedly raping a 15-year old girl. The Bishop, who confessed to the crime, said he was hypnotised, adding that he was set up by the pastor of the church where the incident occurred. He denied raping the underage girl, but admitted that she removed her clothes after he finished praying for her in the office and before he could shout ‘the blood of Jesus,’ he was already all over the girl. The Bishop said he was set up by his fellow Bishop, who was also contesting for the post of Chairman of All Bishops in the state with him. Nwabueze described as untrue, allegation that he made the girl abort a pregnancy from the incident. According to him, it was the girl’s father that did it but he took care of the bill.

Gunmen Abduct 65-yr-Old Woman

Gunmen have kidnapped the 65-year-old mother of a Port Harcourt based Journalist, Deaconess Rose Benson. Her son, who is the Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Port Harcourt Spectator Newspaper, Mr Parry Benson, the mother was abducted, yesterday in Baen community, Khana LGA of the state. He said he had reported the matter to the Police and Department of State Security Services, (SSS), adding that the kidnappers had not called for ransom.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

SSS Parades Suspected Kidnappers in Benin City

Three members of a gang that kidnapped the wife, daughter and driver of a judge of the Supreme Court, Justice Bode Rhodes-Vivour, in May, this year, were among the seven suspects paraded by the State Security Service (SSS) in Benin City, on Tuesday. The other suspects paraded were three extortionists who threatened to kill their victim if he didn’t pay up and a musician who was paraded for trafficking in persons. Edo State Director of SSS, Bello Bakori, who paraded the suspects, said the suspects had confessed to the crime and that three members of the kidnappers’ gang who abducted the judge’s family members were still at large. Governor Adams Oshiomhole expressed joy that the security agencies were able to arrest the gang that kidnapped the wife and daughter of the Supreme Court justice.

13 Killed as Ijaw Youths Attack Itsekiri Community

The casualty figure in the crisis hitting Warri North LGA of Delta state, Thursday, shot up to 13 with the discoveries of more bodies following Tuesday’s attack on several Itsekiri villages by suspected armed Egbema Ijaw youths.  Itsekiri leaders have, however, pleaded with Itsekiri youths to resist the urge for retaliation. The Itsekiri leaders hinted that they were in dialogue with eminent Ijaw leaders who had dissociated themselves from the dastardly act, which they blamed on common criminals. Nine corpses were recovered when security personnel deployed to halt the violence combed the surrounding bushes. Four persons were reported killed on Tuesday following sporadic attacks by the militant youths allegedly belonging to Egbema Radical Youths that reportedly burnt over 50 houses and sacked about seven villages. The Itsekiri National Youth Council (INYC), which had condemned attacks, said it was not considering any revenge.

Edo Assembly Pledges to Probe Police Killing of Under Graduate

The Edo State House of Assembly, Wednesday, said it would set up an independent panel of enquiry into the death of the University of Benin student, Ibrahim Momodu allegedly killed by the police in the state recently. The speaker of the state assembly, Uyi Igbe, stated this when a coalition of civil society groups, students and family members of Momodu staged a peaceful protest round the city centre calling for a probe into the killing.  The protesters also went to the palace of the Benin monarch, the state Ministry of Justice and the state secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists where they harped on the need for panel of enquiry to be set up into extra judicial killings in Edo State with specific reference to the case of Momodu and that of the late Principal Private Secretary to the Edo State Governor, Comrade Olaitan Oyerinde.

FG Deploys More Troops to Warri, as Ijaw, Itsekiri Clash Brews Tension

Following renewed ethnic clashes between neighbouring Ijaws and Itsekiris in Warri North LGA of Delta State, the Federal Government has deployed more soldiers to the warring communities being an aftermath of Tuesday’s killing of innocent persons by some militant groups, alleged to be Ijaws. Many Itsekiris had fled their war torn abode to seek refuge in towns like Warri and environs. The State Government Wednesday announced measures to check the escalation of the crisis and declared curfew in the area. The government also banned movements on waterways between dusk and dawn as part of the measures to halt the spate of violence. Also banned from operating on the waterways in the area are all speedboats with two horsepower and above.

Police Parade Alleged Homosexual Pastor, 25 Others

The police in Edo State, Wednesday, paraded 26 suspected criminals including a pastor identified as Philips Ogbebor, who was alleged to have had carnal knowledge of a 20-year-old male member of his church. The pastor was alleged to have had intercourse with the victim and told him he would die if he ever disclosed what happened. Also paraded by the state Police Commissioner, Folusho Adebanjo, were two suspected cultists believed to have participated in the recent rival cult clash in the state and seven suspected pipeline vandals and operators of illegal refineries. In addition, two suspects were held for allegedly raping a 20-year-old lady in the bush; just as five other persons including a middle-aged woman, were accused of burning to death one Funmi Abiodun on the suspicion that she was a witch, who caused the death of a relation, were also paraded.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

Father Demands Justice for Slain Son

Father of 20-year-old Olayinka Kolawole, a student of Tai Solarin University of Education, Ogun State, who was killed by policemen attached to Ejigbo division in June 2013, has cried out for justice. The father of the deceased, Prophet Omisande Kolawole, disclosed that his son had gone to attend a friend’s birthday party but was killed on his way home. Omisande said since his son’s killing, life had not been the same. He said his wife was hospitalised and was only recently discharged due to shock over the incident. Omisande described his son as a responsible boy and wondered why the police would attempt to cover up his murder. Spokesperson for the state police command, Ngozi Braide, confirmed Olayinka’s murder.

Police Re-Arrest 54 Fleeing Prisoners after Ondo Jail-break

Police authorities in Ondo State, said 54 of the 175 prisoners that escaped in a jail-break, penultimate Sunday, have been re-arrested and returned to the prison custody. A statement by the image maker of the command, Wole Ogodo, in Akure, on Monday, said the fleeing prisoners were picked up in neighbouring villages and towns. It was gathered that following tip-off by some village heads in nearby villages and towns, the police swooped on the escapees. Ogodo who confirmed that some of the prisoners were re-arrested in brothels and neighbouring towns of Owo, Ondo, Idanre and Akure the state capital, added that they had been returned to the Olokuta prison yard. Ogodo also clarified that no death reported was recorded.

Lagos Assembly Demands Tight Security over Rising Cases of Armed Robbery

The Lagos State House of Assembly has urged Governor Babatunde Fashola, to order the deployment of security men, especially the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), in every part of the state in order to beef up security. The Speaker of the House, Adeyemi Ikuforiji, said the measure would go a long way in curbing the new wave of robbery attacks in the state. The member representing Lagos Mainland II, Moshood Oshun, had raised the alarm over the incessant robbery attacks on the people of his constituency, especially Iwaya. He had also reiterated the need for RRS personnel to be deployed across the state. The Assembly has also directed both committees of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation and Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Public Petitions to look into the Child Rights Law with a view to make amendment to it. The statement said the directive was sequel to increase in cases of rape and defilement of minors in the state.

Families Demand N1bn Damages from Police over Death in Custody

Families of two suspected kidnappers - Philip Tomi and Joel Wolomo- that were allegedly killed in police custody in Lagos, have asked a Lagos High Court to award N1bn damages against the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Umar Manko, and two of his subordinates. The families are also asking the court, presided over by Justice Yetunde Idowu, to direct “investigation and prosecution” of Manko and two others by the “appropriate agencies of government”. The police, represented by Friday Igbinosa, had filed an application giving excuse for their late response to the suit and also declared that the suspects died during investigation. The police counsel said the suspects confessed to the crime of kidnapping and were shot by their gang members when policemen escorted them to their hideout for further investigation.

Police, Family Allege Customs Killing of Car Dealer

The Lagos State Police Command has commenced investigations into the murder of a 30-year-old car dealer, Uririnke Onojorhoevwo, who was allegedly killed by officials of the Nigerian Customs Service in Iyana Ipaja area of the state. According to the police, the Delta State indigene was shot to death on June 16, 2013, after being pursued by customs men attached to the Federal Operation Unit. Some policemen attached to Gowon Police Division, who witnessed the incident, said after the killing, the customs men fled. A policeman said that the police, had on June 16, around 5am, seen customs men in a Toyota Hilux van, pursue an unregistered Audi Station wagon, before shooting at it, and killing the driver. The policeman said there was no evidence to prove that the driver was a smuggler. Public Relations Officer, Federal Operations Unit, Zone A of the NCS, Mr. Uche Ejesieme, said investigations were ongoing.

Bags of Indian Hemp Found in Ekiti Classroom

Ekiti State command of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has announced the discovery of 122 kilogrammes of cannabis sativa, more commonly known as Indian hemp, hid inside a classroom in a private secondary school in Ado Ekiti. The NDLEA said that the hemp was inside 10 sacks and were dumped there by unknown drug dealers. According to the Assistant Commander of NDLEA in the state, Mr Samson Ofila, following the dislodgment of the drug dealers at Atikankan and Ojunmose, the dealers were looking for all kinds of space to hide their illicit merchandise. Officials of the Operations and Intelligence unit of the command explained that the owner of the school saw the exhibits and quickly came to report his finding to the NDLEA.

Court Dismisses Suit as Police Arraign Innocent Man for Murder

Shock pervaded the quiet atmosphere of the Ebute Meta Magistrate’s Court, Lagos, after an investigating police officer, Corporal Alagbe Olumide, admitted that he was forced to arraign a murder suspect, Ayodimeji Alegbeleye, for the crime he never committed. Alegbeleye, 29, was being tried for the murder of one James Igbahan in January 2013 at Ajah. The prosecution lawyer filed application for his remand in prison custody, but the defence counsel protested the application, saying the accused knew nothing about the crime. The magistrate, Mrs. M.O Tanimola, thereafter summoned the police to give an account of what had transpired. In his report, Olumide said he was told to arraign the accused, adding that the investigation had shown that he was only a friend to the real suspect. The magistrate further queried why the defendant was charged when he was not the suspect, saying that there were no grounds for remand. The case was subsequently struck out.

Masquerade, Residents Clash in Ibadan

Supporters of the Oloolu masquerade and residents of the Popoyemoja area in Ibadan, Oyo State clashed on Wednesday, leaving at least 16 vehicles vandalised. Already, three persons have been arrested by the Oyo State Police Command in connection with the fracas. According to a source, the incident happened when the masquerade visited two chiefs in the area, and thereafter unleashed terror on their perceived enemies. Dangerous weapons were said to have been freely used. One of the attackers was quoted as saying it was to revenge what happened to the masquerade during last year’s festival. The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Olabisi Ilobanafor, said some hoodlums attempted to attack the masquerade with dangerous weapons.

GENERAL

18 Soldiers Court Martialled

A lieutenant in the Nigerian Army, one Warrant Officer and 16 soldiers were on Monday arraigned before a General Court Martial for offences ranging from communicating with the enemy, cowardly behaviour, murder and manslaughter, among other offences. They were being tried by the 3 Armoured Division in line with its operational responsibility. The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Armoured Division, Major-General Ebiobowei Bonna Awala, remarked that the accused soldiers deployed to the Joint Task Force (JTF), Maiduguri and Special Task Force (STF), Plateau State, had been duly investigated for the various offences they were alleged to have committed. Awala said for effectiveness, the legal system must be fair and just and implored the court martial to ensure that no effort is spared to achieve the three-way traffic of the justice system for the accused, the Nigerian Army and the state.

High Court Nullifies Appointment of Service Chiefs by Presidency

A Federal High Court in Abuja Monday nullified the appointment of all service chiefs of the federation on the grounds that their appointment was carried out in violation of the constitution. Justice Adamu Bello declared their appointments unconstitutional, illegal, null and void, because President Goodluck Jonathan failed to secure the approval of the Senate. The service chiefs affected by the court’s declaration are the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Azubike Ihejirika; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Dele Ezeoba; and Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh. The court also restrained the president from further appointing them without the approval of the Senate. Delivering judgment in a case instituted in 2008 by Mr. Festus Keyamo, Justice Bello issued a restraining order against the president from further appointing service chiefs without first seeking and obtaining the concurrence of the Senate.

Police Arrest Ombatse Notorious Member over Nasarawa Killings

A notorious member of the outlawed Ombatse militia group, who was alleged to have played a vital role in the killings of over 90 security operatives at Alakyio village in Lafia East Development Area of Nasarawa State on May 7, has been arrested by the Police. Investigation revealed that the suspect had confessed to committing the crime, and told the police that he killed many mobile Police officers during the attack. Meanwhile, the Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF), on Thursday, donated N100 million to the wives and relatives of security operatives that were killed during the attacks by the Ombatse militiamen. The chairman of the forum and Niger State governor, Dr Babangida Aliyu, announced the donation at Government House in Lafia, during the NSGF’s condolence visit to the state.

Police to Phase out Black Uniform

Indication emerged on Monday that the Federal Government has given approval for the phasing out of the police black uniform. The uniform had been in existence for over 30 years, until recently a new blue and camouflage uniform was introduced as service dresses for the force. Force spokesman, CSP Frank Mba, who confirmed the phasing out of the black uniform said it will be done in phases, and gave part of the reason as reducing the chances of criminals counterfeiting it. He said that as part of the security measures to check the abuse of the new uniform, all police uniforms coming in will have security features, and this will checkmate criminals faking it. Mba added that International best practices worldwide shows that blue is regarded as police colour, hence the adoption of the practice.

Boko Haram Kills Soldier, Kidnaps Three Others

Suspected Boko Haram gunmen, on Thursday, attacked a military post of the Joint Task Force (JTF) in Potiskum, killing a soldier and abducting three others. The attack comes barely 24 hours after members of the Presidential Committee on Dialogue and Resolution (PCDR) arrived in Damaturu, Yobe State. An eyewitness said the assailants arrived in three unmarked vehicles and a tricycle. They threw Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) at one of the checkpoints along Potiskum-Kano Road and fled to an unknown destination with the abducted soldiers. Gunmen also attacked the Shehu of Bama’s palace on Tuesday, while the committee members, led by the Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Alhaji Kabiru Taminu Turaki, paid a courtesy visit to Ibrahim Kyari Umar El-Kanemi. JTF spokesman, Lt. Eli Lazarus, however, said that only a soldier was injured, and confirmed the killing of seven students and two teachers at the school. Soldiers in Yobe State also discovered a Boko Haram hideout, recovering arms and ammunition, including police jackets and helmets.

JTF Kills 3 Armed Men Disguised as Women in Maiduguri

Operatives of the Joint Task Force (JTF) yesterday gunned down three suspected Boko Haram members who disguised as women while 20 others who also dressed like women were arrested while attempting to attack the Ibrahim Taiwo Police Station along Baga road. Witnesses said over 20 men, clad in Hijab (flowing cloth and veil, popular among Muslim women) and Abaya (a long rob also popular among women in Borno) were arrested around the Police station. A security source said the incident happened around 2pm, adding that all the suspects had AK47 Rifles and Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs) concealed in beneath their cloth. The source said the attempted attack was repelled because a combine team of soldiers, policemen and SSS were keeping watch at the station which is directly facing the Baga Market.

House Bars Electoral Offenders from Holding Public Office
…Grants LGs Autonomy

The House of Representatives Thursday unveiled the report of its Ad hoc Committee on Constitution Review, in which it proposed the establishment of an Electoral Offences Commission and barred persons convicted of an electoral offence from holding public office. The report said such convicted persons would also be disqualified from contesting future elections. The report also recommended full autonomy for the LGAs, recognising them as the third tier of government having elected administrations with a fixed term of four years. Similarly, the report made provisions for independent candidacy in elections in Nigeria, subject to conditions under the Electoral Act. Deputy Speaker of the House and Chairman of the committee, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, however, said the committee was unable to treat any of the over 35 requests for new states as none of the requests complied with the procedure for creation of states outlined in the constitution.

NSA Calls on Civilians for Support to Military over Security Challenges

National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd) has called for support for the military to enable it tackle the security challenges facing the country. According to him, the military alone cannot suppress the security challenges without the support of the civil populace. Dasuki, speaking at a session of the National Civil-Military Dialogue in Abuja, explained that the past one decade had witnessed various forms of crime, including armed robbery, kidnapping, electoral, communal and ethno-religious violence as well as terrorism, all of which have made the presence of the military within Nigerian communities a routine. He said such routine presence of the military in communities had often affected the level of professionalism of the military, while also generating new dimensions of conflicts between the military and civilians; thus, the need for closer ties between the military and civilian.

FJSC Dismisses Six Workers over Leaked Judgment

The Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC) has dismissed five Supreme Court workers and a member of staff of the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, for their involvement in the leakage of an undelivered judgment in the case of SC 179/2012 Senator Alphonsus Uba Igbeke Vs Lady Margery Okadigbo and three others. The commission had also recommended to the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister for Justice to consider whether the alleged mastermind of the leakage, Senator Alphonsos Igbeke, had breached the law for which he should be prosecuted. Olorundahunsi said the six judiciary workers through investigation conducted internally as well as police investigation, were found to have conspired amongst themselves and allegedly with Igbeke and Mr Collins Okechukwu, to leak the judgment before it was delivered on May 31.

Airlines to Compensate Passengers for Delayed Flights, Others - NCAA

Foreign and domestic airlines operating in the country will from August pay heavy fines and compensations for flight delays, cancellations, lost baggage and other related anomalies with the scheduled implementation of the Passengers Bill of Rights. The Director-General, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Dr. Fola Akinkuotu, made the disclosure at an open forum held at the NCAA’s office in Lagos on Thursday. He said the Passengers Bill of Right would be circulated to all stakeholders in the sector before the end of July. The NCAA boss said it was high time airline operators stopped maltreating their passengers, adding that the implementation of the bill of rights would help put an end to unfair practices by airlines. The regulatory body, however, noted that the new regulations would not apply to passengers travelling free of charge or at reduced fares not available directly or indirectly to the general public.

Police Launch Investigation into Suspicious SMS

Police have commenced investigation into the activities of a company circulating online and unsolicited short message service (SMS) to members of the public, posing as agents of the security outfit. The investigation, according to the force, would help to establish the persons, institutions and other circumstances surrounding the suspicious messages, some of which requested citizens to dial a short-code number so as to obtain information on general and specific security issues, among other things. Force spokesman, Frank Mba, in Abuja, on Thursday, said one of the messages currently in circulation read: “The Nigeria Police is aware of fake men, posing as real policemen! Avoid falling prey. Dial 7411 now to get ways in identifying real policemen. Call charges N50 per minute.” He noted that most of the information being provided by the organisation about the Nigeria Police were false and misleading, with the capacity of undermining national security.

Senate Rejects Ban on Armed Vigilance Groups

The Senate, Thursday, refused to approve a motion seeking to stop governors from establishing armed vigilance groups in the country. The position was made known after a thorough debate on a motion sponsored by Bashir Garba Mohammed (Kano-Central) and 50 others, which specifically identified Zamfara as an example of states where governors have allegedly procured arms to boost the activities of vigilance groups. The Senate, however, resolved that “the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria be urged to deploy more security personnel to Zamfara and other states with similar security challenges. Mohammed said he was alarmed by the easy access to arms by groups that were neither trained nor authorised to bear arms, as well as the rate at which groups and individuals took to armed resistance.

20,550 Borno Residents Flee to Cameroun over Boko Haram Crackdown

No fewer than 20,550 residents of 15 border communities in Gwoza Local Council of Borno State have fled to Cameroun. The residents fled after two weeks of Boko Haram gunmen’s attacks that resulted in the destruction of property and killing of 23 people, including clerics, traditional rulers and teachers. Gwoza is a border town, 135 kilometres south of Maiduguri, and an epicentre of Boko Haram’s activities in the northeast sub-region of Nigeria. Abdu Asghashiya and four other community leaders yesterday told the Borno State Deputy Governor, Zanna Umar Mustapha, at Ashgashiya that over 20,550 residents of communities at the foot hills and mountain top settlements of Gwoza Local Council fled. He said that the houses of the fleeing residents were torched and their grains and livestock carted away by the Boko Haram gunmen.

JTF Rescues Abducted Girls in Maiduguri

Men of the Joint Task Force (JTF) in Maiduguri, Borno State, penultimate Friday, rescued three girls allegedly abducted by suspected Boko Haram gunmen. The abductors had fled from their destroyed training camps and hideouts at Sambisa Games Reserve Forests (SGRF) and Kirenoa in the northern part of the state. The rescue, according to JTF sources in Maiduguri, followed the uncovering of a new method of kidnapping by suspected Boko Haram insurgents. This entails disguising as taxi drivers to pick teenage girls to unknown destinations in Maiduguri metropolis. JTF spokesman, Lt. Col. Sagir Musa, said the insurgents are currently using taxicabs, mostly Volkswagen Golf or Toyota Starlet with one or two disguised passengers.

Irate Youths Attempt to Torch Sheriff’s Residence in Maiduguri

Convinced that some of the political elite in the state are behind the unending attacks by the Boko Haram Islamic sect, irate youths in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, on Monday attempted to raze the exquisite mansion of former governor of the state, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff. Sheriff is being accused of complicity in the founding and funding of the dreaded sect, Boko Haram. The youths, however, succeeded in torching the house of the state chairman of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Alhaji Mala Othman, for the same reason. The vigilante youth group, popularly called Civilian JTF, has been seeking to bring the party chairman to "justice" for his alleged complicity in the acts of terrorism for the last one week without success as he was believed to have fled his house.

NUPENG on 3 Day Warning Strike

The federal government, on Monday, convened an emergency meeting with leaders of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and management of Chevron, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and Agip Oil Company as part of efforts to avert a looming fuel scarcity caused by oil workers’ strike. NUPENG had embarked on a three-day warning strike to protest alleged inhuman treatment by management of the affected multinational oil companies. The strike, which was suspended on Wednesday, was also to protest the refusal of the Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) to implement the signed collective bargaining agreement with the petroleum tanker drivers and the sorry state of roads across the country. However, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has allayed fears of fuel scarcity during the warning strike, saying it has enough petroleum products in stock to last 32 days.

Jonathan Orders Prompt Action to Prevent Flooding

President Goodluck Jonathan has ordered heads of all federal ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) responsible for flood prevention and control to take all necessary actions to prevent a recurrence of the flooding that wreaked havoc in many parts of the country last year. Jonathan warned that he would not tolerate any excuses for a repeat of the disasters caused by last year’s incident. President Jonathan, according to his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati, also directed the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Flood Prevention and Control, which includes the ministers of Environment, National Planning, Water Resources, Finance, Health, Transport and Aviation to establish effective liaison with governors of all flood-prone states and ensure that there is proper coordination between federal agencies and the states in the implementation of flood control measures.

Reps Probe 'Secret' Amendment to Armed Forces Act

The House of Representatives, on Tuesday, mandated its committee on Justice to investigate an alleged usurpation of the constitutional powers of the National Assembly in the secret amendment to the Armed Forces Act. The move to conduct the investigation followed a motion sponsored by Hon. Ibrahim El-Sudi, who alleged that the Act had been secretly amended through the revision of the Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN), 2004. The Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja, had on Monday voided the appointment of the current service chiefs because their appointment was done in violation of the constitution, which empowers the Senate to ratify their nomination. El-Sudi disclosed that the legislative power appears to have been usurped going by the alteration made to the Armed Forces Act. He alleged   that the amendment of the Act by removing the powers of confirmation by the National Assembly was effected by the Law Revision Committee without resort to the National Assembly.

70 Dead as DCO’s Body is Recovered after Plateau Mayhem

A member of the House of Representatives representing Langtang North and Langtang South Federal Constituency of Plateau State, Hon Beni Lar, on Tuesday put the death toll in the attacks on some villages in the state at 70. Lar said apart from about 70 persons that were killed, many were still missing, as he stated that the herdsmen invaded the villages with the intention of wiping them out. Meanwhile, the body of the Divisional Crime Officer (DCO) DSP Talfa Wuyep declared missing during the crisis in the council has been found with gunshot and machete wounds. Wuyep who was an indigene of the troubled area was on assignment on the day the suspected Fulani attackers struck and nobody could trace his whereabouts until his body was found in Karkashi village by some security on patrol of the area. The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Chris Olakpe, further disclosed that two policemen attached to the command have been arrested in Jos for selling arms and ammunition to criminals.

HRW Warns against Amnesty for Boko Haram

Human Rights Watch (HRW), has cautioned the federal government’s Committee on Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution of Security Challenges in the North against granting amnesty to members of the Islamic sect, Boko Haram, who have committed serious human rights violations, including extra-judicial killings. Chairman of the Presidential Amnesty Committee and the Minister of Special Duties, Senator Saminu Turaki, Tuesday clarified that the committee had neither made payment nor decided on any mode of compensation for the victims of Boko Haram terrorist attacks. Africa Director of HRW, Daniel Bekele, warned the committee not to overlook such serious crimes committed either by members of the sect or government’s security forces.

Ex-pension Director Remanded in Prison Indefinitely

The trial of a former Director of Pensions at the office of the Head of Service, Dr Sani Shuaibu Teidi, and his co-accused, Omoefe Uduesegbe, assumed another dimension yesterday as a Federal High Court in Abuja ordered their remand in prison indefinitely pending the outcome of a petition they wrote to Chief Judge of the Federal High Court. Justice Adeniyi Ademola adjourned the trial indefinitely and ordered that Teidi be remanded in prison custody. The action of Justice Ademola was predicated on the fact that Teidi, in the course of the trial, recently wrote a petition to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court against the trial judge, alleging bias and lack of diligent prosecution. Justice Ademola said it would be best to await the Chief Judge’s directive in respect to the petition.

Civilian JTF, Boko Haram Engage in Gun Duel in Maiduguri

Members of the Civilian JTF, a vigilante group in Maiduguri, the Borno State, and those of the outlawed Boko Haram sect, Wednesday clashed, resulting in the death of unspecified number of people. Members of the vigilante group, which was formed in the wake of the military expedition occasioned by the declaration of state of emergency in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States,   have in recent times  launched a manhunt for the insurgents, forcing many to flee the troubled town. The outlawed sect, Wednesday, attacked the youths, who had invaded the Jajeri stronghold of Boko Haram, in search of the insurgents.

Group Flays Killing of 10 Ibadan Traders in Borno

The O’Odua Nationalist Coalition (ONAC), a league of several Yoruba self-determination groups, Wednesday, warned that the killing of 10 Ibadan traders on Monday, in Borno State, could spark off ethnic reprisals with Hausa-Fulani residents in the South-west as prime targets. In a statement by ONAC’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Mr Popoola Ajayi, the group warned that the Yoruba people would not allow the killings to continue. ONAC said it was surprised about the seeming 'cold conspiracy' of northern leaders in the wake of the unending bloodletting in their area. Ajayi urged the South-west state governors to set up vigilante groups to stem the tide of the rising violent crimes and terrorism. The group further stated that the victims were murdered in the most gruesome manner, as they were shot several times and their bodies mutilated with bullets.

INTERNATIONAL

Battle for Syria: Assad's Forces Battle to Tighten Control

President Bashar al-Assad's forces pounded Sunni Muslim rebels in the city of Homs with artillery and from the air on Sunday, the second day of their offensive in central Syria. Activists said that rebels defending the old centre of Homs and five adjacent Sunni districts had largely repelled a ground attack by Assad's forces, backed by guerrillas from the Lebanese Shi'ite group Hezbollah. Mohammad Mroueh, a member of the opposition "Homs Crisis Cell" said at least 25 loyalist troops including four Hezbollah fighters had been killed in Homs on Sunday. The offensive follows steady military gains by Assad's forces, backed by Hezbollah, in villages in Homs province and towns close to the Lebanese border. Opposition sources said the loyalist advance had tightened the siege of Homs and secured a main road link to Hezbollah strongholds in Lebanon and to army bases in Alawite-held territory near the Syrian coast, the main entry point for Russian arms that have given Assad an advantage in firepower.

Several Killed in Bombing, Drone Strikes in Pakistan

At least 45 people have been killed and dozens have been injured by bomb attacks in the Pakistani cities of Quetta and Peshawar. A suspected suicide bomber killed 28 people in an attack on a Shia area of Quetta, while a bomb attack on security forces in Peshawar in the north-west left 17 people dead and more than 40 injured. The attacks came as PM Nawaz Sharif pledged new action on terrorism. So far it is not clear which extremist groups were behind attacks on Sunday. Meanwhile, about 17 people were killed in a suspected US drone strike on a compound in north-west Pakistan, officials say. At least two missiles were fired at a house in the North Waziristan tribal region early on Wednesday, reports the BBC. Reports citing local officials said most of those killed were thought to be from the militant Haqqani network. The Pakistani government strongly condemned the attack as a violation of the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Bomb Attack Kills 12 Players, Fans in Iraq

A bomb planted near a yard where people were playing soccer in Iraq killed 12 people on Sunday, police said. A further 24 people were wounded in the blast in the town of Nahrawan, south of the capital Baghdad. The violence is part of a trend of increasing militant attacks since the start of the year, which claimed more than 1,000 lives in May alone. In recent days, men playing in local soccer fixtures and watching matches have been the targets - after spates of attacks on Sunni and Shi'ite mosques, markets and the security forces. The reason for targeting soccer players is not clear.

S'Arabia Urges EU to Arm Syrian Rebels

Saudi Arabia has urged the European Union (EU) to arm Syrian rebels without delay, following similar action by the United States. The European Union lifted restrictions on arming the rebels in May when it failed to renew a weapons arms embargo before it expired on June 1. But Britain and France, which had advocated lifting the ban, said they would not send weapons before August 1. "The Syrian opposition is not only fighting an illegitimate regime, but also fighting a foreign occupier," Saudi state news agency SPA quoted Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal as telling an EU-GCC ministerial meeting in Bahrain on Sunday. Gains by Assad's forces and Hezbollah's involvement have prompted the United States to promise the rebels military aid beyond the non-lethal equipment it had previously supplied.

France Apologises to Bolivia over Jet Row

France has apologised to Bolivia for refusing to allow President Evo Morales' jet into its airspace, blaming "conflicting information". Bolivia accused France, Italy, Spain and Portugal of blocking the plane on the belief that US fugitive Edward Snowden was on board. President Morales was flying back to Bolivia from Moscow when the plane was forced to stop in Vienna. The episode sparked angry reactions from heads of state across Latin America. Demonstrators marched on the French embassy in La Paz, burning the French flag and demanding the expulsion of the ambassador to Bolivia. Snowden has applied to Russia for political asylum, a Russian official says. Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow "never hands over anybody anywhere and has no intention of doing so". He flew to Russia soon after revealing himself to be the source behind the leaking of thousands of classified documents showing the extent of US email and telephone surveillance.

Egyptian Army Ousts President Morsi

The Egyptian army has announced fresh presidential and parliamentary elections after ousting Mohamed Morsi from power. In an address, commander of the armed forces, Abdul Fatah Khalil al Sisi, said Morsi had failed to meet the demands of the Egyptian people. He announced the temporary suspension of the Egyptian constitution and said the army had agreed a new political road map with other political and religious figures. Tens of thousands of anti-Morsi protesters erupted into cheers at the news. Meanwhile, the top judge of Egypt's Constitutional Court, Adly Mansour, has been sworn in as interim leader. Protesters accused Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood of pursuing an Islamist agenda for the country and of failing to tackle Egypt's economic problems. But a number of people were killed as clashes erupted overnight between Morsi supporters and the security forces in Cairo and Alexandria. Gehad el-Haddad, a spokesman for the Muslim Brotherhood, said that the ousted leader had been put under house arrest and the "entire presidential team" was in detention.

Fire Fighters Die in Arizona

At least 19 US fire-fighters have been killed battling a wildfire in central Arizona. They died while fighting the blaze threatening the town of Yarnell. The fire was started by lightning on Friday and spread rapidly amid high heat, low humidity and strong winds. At least 200 homes were burned. Arizona and other parts of the western US had near-record temperatures over the weekend. It is the highest death toll for fire-fighters in a single incident since 9/11. Arizona Governor Jan Brewer said it could take "days or longer" to reveal how the deaths occurred. The fire-fighters were part of a specially trained "hotshot" unit who had battled other wildfires in New Mexico and Arizona in recent weeks, officials say. Two other members of the elite unit who suffered severe burns have been flown to a burn treatment centre in Phoenix.

Obama Urges Africa to Unite Against Terrorism

United States’ President, Barrack Obama, on Saturday, linked growing terrorism in Africa to bad governance but insisted that, “in the case of the Boko Haram sect, there is (also) the religious rationale for what they are doing.” Obama said the war on terror is not the exclusive preserve of the United States but a global issue. According to Obama, regional terror gangs like the Boko Haram in Nigeria, may not have grown transnational in capacity like others but they are doing a great harm in Africa. He explained that the US does not necessarily wish to get involved in war militarily, even as he stressed that his country will not likely intervene in specific matters but expects that the whole of African countries will collaborate to fight terrorism.

Taliban Kills Six in Attack on Supply Base

Taliban insurgents including a suicide bomber in a truck killed six people in an attack on a foreign logistics and Supply Company in Kabul on Tuesday, police said. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the early morning attack in an area in the north of Kabul used by a number of foreign companies supplying NATO forces in Afghanistan. Violence is escalating across Afghanistan as NATO-led combat troops prepare to leave by the end of 2014. Kabul police chief, General Ayoub Salangi said two truck drivers working for the foreign logistics company and four Nepalese guards were killed in the attack. Three other employees were wounded, he said. The attack began when one of the insurgents drove an explosives-laden truck into a vehicle bay in the compound north of Kabul airport, detonating an explosion. Three other attackers then engaged in a gunfight with Afghan security forces for up to an hour before they were killed.

22 Killed in Deadly Attack on Iraq Mosque

At least 22 people were killed in a suicide bomb attack targeting a Shia mosque in the Iraqi town of Muqdadiyah on Monday. The attack came on the same day the UN mission in Iraq released figures indicating that over 2,500 Iraqis have died in violent attacks since April. Iraq has been suffering its worst sectarian violence in several years with May the bloodiest month since June 2008, according to recent figures. However, the UN's latest casualty figures show a drop in the number of fatalities from 1,045 in May to 761 in June. A suicide bomber set off his explosive belt at the funeral ceremony of a police officer in Muqdadiyah late on Monday, police say. The police officer was reportedly killed in a recent roadside bomb attack. The explosion brought down the ceiling of the mosque, with people still believed to be trapped beneath the rubble.