Villeworth Security Services Ltd

week 31

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PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

Enugu Police, Robbers Engage in Gun Battle

The Police in Ogui division, Enugu State Command last weekend, arrested two suspected armed robbers while three escaped with bullet wounds.  It was gathered that the operatives acting on a distress call at about 2am that robbers were robbing residents of the area, responded quickly to the call by proceeding to the scene and on sighting the operatives, the hoodlums believed to be numbering about five, opened fire on them, leading to a gun battle, during which two of the hoodlums were hit by bullet and later arrested while others allegedly escaped with bullets wounds. The two arrested suspects are said to be helping the police in their investigation. Meanwhile, the suspected robbers have been identified by residents as those terrorizing the neighbourhood in recent times.

Police Detain Rivers Assembly Leader, Chidi Lloyd

The Majority Leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Chidi Lloyd, on Tuesday showed up at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, exactly seven days after he was declared wanted by the police over the violence that broke out at the Rivers State House of Assembly complex. But the Aide-De-Camp to Governor Rotimi Amaechi,   Debeware Semeikumo, and the Chief Security Officer, Tony Iwelu, shunned a similar invitation to them. Lloyd, Semeikumo and Iwelu were invited   on July 16   to explain their roles in the July 8 free-for-all in which some lawmakers were injured. The Majority leader, who had earlier been declared wanted by the Rivers State Police Command in connection with the fracas, arrived at the Force Headquarters and was immediately directed to the Force Criminal Investigation Department, where he was asked to write his statement. A top Police source, who confirmed the lawmaker’s arrival, said it was unlikely that he would be released on Tuesday as a team of investigators needed to interrogate him.

2 Suspects Arrested over Kerosene Explosion

Ebonyi State command of Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested two persons suspected to be involved in the adulteration of kerosene that led to the death of a 13-year-old girl and injuring of two others currently on admission at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki (FETHA). It should be recalled that the explosion, which led to the unfortunate demise of Nwoba, as she was trying to put on a stove to prepare breakfast for her siblings. The stove allegedly burst into flames and burnt her to death before neighbours could put out the flames. The Corps Public Relations Officer, Emmanuel Nwali, stated that the suspects were arrested because of the alleged role they played in the explosion.

Committee Arrests CDC Members for alleged Diversion of Flood Relief Materials

The Bayelsa State Post Flood Management Committee has arrested five community leaders involved in the diversion of relief materials meant for flood ravaged communities in 2012. The Chairman of the committee, Chief Francis Doukpola, said that the five community leaders diverted bags of cements supplied by the committee to the communities in their areas. He said the culprits were members of the Community Development Committee (CDC) in Ogbia, Ekeremor and Southern Ijaw LGAs. The chairman said the committee was still investigating the incident to ascertain the exact numbers of bags of cement diverted. Doukpola also disclosed that a study being conducted by the committee on drainage management in Yenagoa had shown that over 13 water channels had been identified in the state capital. He said that construction of flood gate was being proposed to regulate the inflow of water into the Epie Creek to forestall flood.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

18 Die in Benin-Lagos Road Accident

An accident along the Benin-Lagos express claimed at least 18 lives when a Toyota Hiace bus and a truck loaded with gravel were involved in a head-on collision near Okada, Ovia North-East LGA of Edo State. The accident led to a serious gridlock as passengers and drivers made frantic effort to save the life of the victims. Edo State Sector Commander of Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, Mr. Kenneth Nwaegbe, confirmed that the victims were burnt to death in the accident, while two children survived. Among the dead were said to be 15 adults and two kids.

19 Arrested after Mob Attack on Police Station

Mob numbering over 200 have sacked a police station at Ashaka in Ndokwa East LGA of Delta State in protest of the death of a young man who drowned in the river as police raided some hideouts. It was gathered that a combined team of policemen and anti-cult group from the community carried out an early morning raid at some hideouts where cannabis are sold. And in course of the raid some persons running away from being arrested jumped into the Ase creek. Angered by the death of the young man the mob marched to the police station. State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Lucky Uyabeme, said that “mob numbering over 200 persons attacked and destroyed the police station windows, charge room including two patrol vehicles parked in the station”. He further stated that “one Emeka and other principal suspects have been arrested. At least 19 suspected hoodlums have been arrested over the attack. He warned fleeing suspects to surrender themselves to security agents.

Police Nab Suspected Child Traffickers

Police in Delta State have smashed a child trafficking/kidnap gang, including two mothers, a couple and nurses. Five of the suspects were arrested by the police at Akwukwu-Igbo in Oshimili North LGA. Two members of the gang, operating on a motorcycle, last Monday, abducted a one year, four-month-old boy, while he was playing with other children in Atuma community, near Akwukwu-Igbo. He was released from jail about two months ago, where served term for a similar incident. The Divisional Police Officer of Akwukwu-Igbo Police Station, acting on a tip-off, asked his men to storm the residence of the principal suspect, who was shot on the leg as he tried to disarm a police officer and arrested. Police recovered the child unhurt at Igbodo, near Umunede, while the mother and wife of the principal suspect, believed to be part of the gang, were in police custody.

Police Compensate Families of Dead and Injured Officers

Families of officers and men of the Nigeria Police in Zone 5 who died or became incapacitated while carrying out their official duties have been compensated by the Inspector General of Police, Muhammed Abubakar, under the Nigeria Police Group Personal Accident Insurance Scheme. The beneficiaries received sums ranging from N100,000 to N1,000,000. Making the presentation on behalf of the IGP, AIG Hashiru Argungu said the beneficiaries were drawn from Edo, Delta and Bayelsa states that make up the zone. He urged them to make good use of the money. He said a total of 27 beneficiaries were for accident which they suffered in the course of duty and for some who died in line of duty.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

4 Killed in Lagos Building Collapse

Four persons, including a 15-year-old bread hawker, penultimate Sunday, lost their lives after a two-storey building under construction, collapsed in Surulere, Lagos State. Three people were rescued. An elderly man at the scene, who identified himself as Abubakar Sule, said the two of the dead were his relatives. He said the men were tailors but had only come to the building to help convey building materials to the top floor. Officials of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, the National Emergency Management Agency, the state fire service, the police, army and other relevant agencies were at the scene. Chairman, Adeniji/Itire/Ishaga Community Development Association, Tajudeen Bello, said he had warned the developer of the building of the imminent collapse.

NDLEA Seizes N2.3bn Worth of Illicit Drugs in 6 Months

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at Murtala Mohammad International Airport, Lagos, arrested 41 suspected drug traffickers in the first half of the year. In the statement issued by the spokesman for NDLEA, Mitchell Ofoyeju, the agency also stated that it recovered drugs valued at N2.3 billion. The drugs were intercepted between January and June 2013. Those arrested include 39 males and 2 females,’’ the agency said. Methamphetamine alone weighed 169.290kg. This was followed by cannabis with 47.230kg. It said that the successes recorded were as a result of incentives and motivation for officers, ranging from promotion, commendation letters and cash rewards. The agency said that three Bolivians and a Colombian were among persons arrested over suspicion of running illicit drug laboratories.

Ogun State Police Arrest Suspected Boko Haram Member

The police in Ogun State on Tuesday said they had arrested a 22-year-old man, Giraima Suri, suspected to be a member of Boko Haram in Isheri-Kara area of Ifo LGA. The police said the suspect from Bulunkutu Kasuwa, Maiduguri, Borno State, was arrested by detectives acting on a tip-off. The command added that the suspect had already confessed his membership of the sect. The Police spokesman, Muyiwa Adejobi, said the suspect told policemen that he fled Maiduguri to the South-West following aggressive manhunt for members of the sect by security operatives in the Borno State. Adejobi further said state Commissioner of Police, Ikemefuna Okoye, reassured the public of adequate protection of lives and property as well the confidentiality of any information given to the police.

Woman Beats 11-year-Old Maid to Death

A middle aged woman, simply identified as Madam Agnes, has been arrested and is being detained at the State Criminal Investigations Department, SCID Panti, for allegedly beating her 11-year-old ward to death. The deceased identified as Angelina, was reportedly taken from her parents in Ogoja, Cross River state by Agnes, with a promise to send her to school, when she was barely four years old. But after Angelina turned 6, she was reportedly made to carry out overwhelming house chores. Initial rebuff of such attitude from neighbours was reportedly greeted with an outburst. The dehumanising treatment on Angelina reached its peak penultimate Friday, as she was reportedly beaten to death by her madam, for failure to carry out chores as instructed. A pestle with blood stain was seen at the scene of the crime and neighbours concluded she could have used it on Angelina.

Kidnapped Briton Rescued by Police

Lagos State Police Command on Sunday rescued a Briton, Lee Dixon, who was kidnapped penultimate Thursday. Deputy Police Public Relations Officer for the command, Damasus Ozoani, confirmed Dixon’s rescue. It was learnt that after kidnapping Dixon, the kidnappers had demanded $1m (N159m) as ransom. The spokesperson for the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Yakubu Dati, had said the victim, who arrived on KLM from Amsterdam, was kidnapped around 8.30pm on July 18, 2013. Dati said the driver of the victim, Kojo Jacobs, was driving him in a black Kia Sportage, when they were accosted by gunmen.

Hoodlums Attack Ogun Monarch

Hoodlums, on Thursday, stormed Ehin-Ogbe community, a border town in Ogijo, Sagamu LGA of Ogun State, and beat up the monarch, Oba Akeem Elupepe, and some residents. Elupepe accused a rival to the throne, whom he identified as Moshood Okeowo, of sponsoring the hoodlums, adding that the suspected sponsor of the hoodlums used policemen in Lagos State as shield. He added that before the hoodlums attacked the village with the assistance of policemen led by a sergeant from a police station in Ijede, Lagos State, he had reportedly been along with four others over a petition written by Moshood Okeowo, Taiwo Okeowo and Bashiru Okeowo for alleged rape. It was gathered that the monarch and four others sustained some injuries following their attack by the hoodlums who chased them out of the community.

Teacher Arraigned in Court for Impersonating Governors’ Wives

The Lagos State government, on Thursday, arraigned a 53-year-old teacher, Mrs Asogbon Victoria Abosede, before a Lagos Magistrate Court for allegedly impersonating the wives of the Lagos State Governor, Mrs Abimbola Fashola and her Osun State Counterpart, Mrs Sherifat Aregbesola. She was alleged to have at various times represented herself as Mrs Fashola and Mrs Aregbesola through text messages to some individuals and collected huge sums of money and Ramadan gifts, and other favours from them. Asogbon pleaded not guilty to all the charges. Magistrate Eniola Fabamiwo subsequently granted her bail in the sum of N1million with two sureties in like sum. The court further ordered that Asogbon should deposit N250,000 with the court as part of the conditions for her release. The matter has been adjourned till September 2, 2013 for commencement of trial.

Lagos Pastor Killed During Argument with Neighbour

The police in Lagos have commenced investigations into the death of a 67-year-old cleric, Monday Ojajuni, who was allegedly killed by a woman, Temidayo Oladele, in front of his church in Mile 12. It was learnt that the deceased, who was the Superintendent Evangelist of Celestial Church of God, Mile 12, died during a confrontation with Oladele over the latter’s decision to scoop some sand in front of his church. Daughter of the deceased, Oluwaseun, said she witnessed the incident on July 19, 2013. According to Oluwaseun, the woman, who was told not to pack sand in front of the church, turned violent and pushed him. He fell and hit his head on the pavement. Police sources said Ketu Police Division had arrested Oladele, while the case had also been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Yaba. The suspect, who claimed to be 65 years, said she did not kill the cleric, and that he died during a struggle with her.

Couple Docked for Impersonation

A couple, Mr and Mrs Frederick and Ayobami Famiyesin, were on Wednesday arraigned before an Akure Magistrate Court for allegedly impersonating officials of National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). The couple have allegedly defrauded the people of Okitipupa in Okitipupa LGA of Ondo State of millions of naira pretending to be officials of NAFDAC. Aged between 42 and 52 years, the accused persons gave out fake appointments to unsuspecting people in the council area, thereby committing offence contrary to laws of the state. Police Prosecutor Atanegbe told the court to issue bench warrant against the couple and their sureties because they were not present in the court to answer the charges prefer against them. But counsel to the accused said the accused had accident on their way to the court and were receiving treatment in hospital. They pleaded with the court to give them a date within which to produce the accused.

Father, Mother, 2 Children Killed in Midnight Inferno

Residents of Kajola-Ijesha in Atakumosa West LGA of Osun State were thrown into mourning following the death of four members of a family, who were burnt to death in a midnight inferno on Monday. Those who lost their lives were the father, mother and two of their children, while two other children who went for night prayers escaped. An officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, said the fire was caused as a result of power surge, stressing that the entire house was affected.

Cholera Outbreak Kills 5 Persons in Ogun State

Five persons have reportedly lost their lives following an outbreak of Cholera in Abeokuta South and North LGAs of Ogun State. The state government, which confirmed the outbreak, however, claimed that only one person died as a result of poor hygiene on the part of the residents. Findings revealed that the incident was linked to a septic tank, which spilled its content into major water sources in the area, thereby contaminating them. Fear has however, gripped residents of Abeokuta who are reportedly apprehensive about drinking water from water pipes in their areas. The State Commissioner  for Health  Dr. Olaokun Soyinka, who confirmed the incident also named Abeokuta North and Abeokuta South council areas as being sources of the outbreak ”with poor sanitation, particularly faecal waste management.”

Father Arrested for Alleged Rape of Daughter, 16

A 54-year-old man, Toyin Sodimu, has been arrested for the rape of his 16-year-old daughter in Abeokuta, Ogun State. Sodimu was arrested on Tuesday by policemen after the victim reported the rape. The state police spokesman, Muyiwa Adejobi, said that the incident occurred on Saturday. According to him, the victim reported the incident to the police after her father had forcibly had carnal knowledge of her in her room at about 2am. As part of investigation into the allegation, the police took the victim to the General Hospital, Abeokuta for examination and treatment. The state Commissioner of Police, Ikemefuna Okoye, appealed to parents, particularly mothers, to keep a watch on their children and avoid divorce or separation, which is perceived to encourage such an abuse.

6 Killed in Lagos-Ibadan Road Accident

About 6 people died in an accident that occurred on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, while eight others sustained serious injuries. It was gathered that the accident involved a commercial bus and a truck. It was learnt that the 14-passenger bus skidded off the road and ran into the truck parked by the roadside. Confirming the accident, Assistant Corps Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, Oluyole Unit 1, Mr. Sanya Adeoye, explained that the corpses of the victims were taken to the morgue, while the injured were rushed to University College Hospital, Ibadan.

Pregnant Woman Arrested for Murder

Thirty-year-old pregnant woman, Fatimoh Issa, has been arrested by the Kwara State Police Command for allegedly killing her first husband, Issa Yunusa, 48. It was said that Fatimoh abandoned Yunusa after he had an accident and became financially incapacitated, and met another man, Gani Ajibade, 25, with whom she started another relationship. But when Fatimoh was informed that Yunusa had fully recovered, she decided to go back to him and he welcomed her back. But the following morning, July 17, the neighbours were woken up about 5am by shouts from Fatimoh. Some of the neighbours rushed into Yinusa’s house to help, found Yunusa in a pool of blood. The police subsequently arrested and detained Fatimoh and Ajibade after Yunusa was confirmed dead. The Kwara State Police spokesman, Olufemi Fabode, on Sunday said that Fatimoh had confessed to having committed hitting Yunusa with a heavy object.

GENERAL

Air Force Develops Robot to Defuse Bombs

The Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), Kaduna, has developed a robot capable of remotely defusing bombs and disposing Improvised Explosive Devices (IED). AFIT also upgraded the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), codenamed AMEBO 111, so as to provide area surveillance of any troubled spot in Nigeria. The Commandant of AFIT, Air Vice Marshall John Oshoniyi, said that AMEBO 111, which is an improved version of AMEBO 1 and 11, had been designed and produced to higher precisions, when deployed for surveillance of troubled areas. The efforts of the institute, he said, had started attracting international attention, particularly from overseas companies which were seeking to collaborate in the areas of manpower and research and development activities.

UK Declares Boko Haram as Terrorist Organisation

The government of the United Kingdom has followed the example of Nigeria to declare the Boko Haram sect as a terrorist organisation that must be dismantled. This is coming as the federal government is seeking the cooperation and assistance of international communities, especially friendly countries to criminalise crude oil theft and companies patronising it. The British Minister for International Security Strategy, Andrew Morrison, declared this on Tuesday, when he visited the Minister of State for Defence, Mrs. Olusola Obada, to seek ways of cooperation and partnership. Morrison expressed the concern of UK over the security situation in Nigeria and assured that they would help in any way to secure the territorial integrity of the country. He said proscription of the Boko Haram sect was in order and that the UK was in support of the Federal Government, which recently designated the group as a terrorist organisation.

Police Arraign Man in court Dangerous Driving Causing Death

The Police on Monday arraigned a 41-year-old driver, Salihu Mohammed, before an Abuja Magistrates’ court for alleged dangerous driving and causing death. The Prosecutor, Inspector Jeremiah Elijah, told the court that the crime was committed on June 21, when the accused person drove his vehicle in a very dangerous manner which resulted in an accident and eventual death of a middle-aged woman identified as Hassana Ziladiami.’ Elijah said the deceased sustained serious injuries which resulted in her death later that same day. The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges levelled against him. The Chief Magistrate, Usman Shuaibu, granted the accused bail in the sum of N500,000 and a reliable surety in like sum.

3 Boko Haram Members, 2 Others Killed In Borno, Kaduna Attacks

A clash between suspected gunmen and local residents, last weekend, led to the killing of two gunmen at Madauchi area near Fadan Kaje in Zango Kataf LGA of Kaduna State. The police spokesman, Aminu Lawan, said that the two were overpowered by the locals and killed. The gunmen allegedly raided the area in the night and stole cows belonging to inhabitants of the area, but the locals with the help of security agents, overpowered the intruders and killed two of them. In another incident, three suspected Boko Haram terrorists who invaded the El- Amin Daggash Mosque in in Maiduguri, Borno state, were lynched by angry mobs. Meanwhile, a young killed in the stampede as pandemonium broke out in the mosque.

CAN President to Lead Protest against Senators over Child Marriage

President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, on Tuesday said he would lead Nigerians to protest against the Senate resolution to amend Section 29 (4) (b) of the 1999 Constitution under which married underage girls are deemed to be adults. The association also frowned on the comment credited to former Governor of Zamfara State Ahmed Yerima that the proposal for the deletion of the section contravened Islamic Law. Oritsejafor described Yerima’s argument as offensive, saying, “It presupposes that Nigeria, a secular state, is populated only by Muslims.” The CAN President, who urged the Senate to revisit the child marriage issue, also called on Nigerians to reject the resolution which he described as provocative and dehumanising.

British Police Probe Shell, Eni over Nigerian Oil Block Deal

The British police are probing an allegation that the $1.3 billion Nigerian oil block deal involving Royal Dutch Shell and Italy’s Eni SpA may have fuelled money laundering as most of the cash paid was allegedly paid to a company linked with a former Minister of Petroleum, Chief Dan Etete. Global anti-corruption crusaders, who asked the British investigators to investigate the Oil Prospecting Licence (OPL) 245 deal, alleged that Shell and Eni used the federal government as a go-between to create the false impression that they were dealing with the government and not the former minister. Located in the deep offshore waters of the Gulf of Guinea, the OPL 245 is estimated to hold at least nine billion barrels of crude reserves worth $1 trillion. OPL 245 is an ultra-deep-water block off Nigeria and two discoveries in that block during the second half of the last decade suggested the area contains large oil reserves. A spokeswoman for London's Metropolitan Police was quoted by Wall Street Journal (WSJ) to have confirmed investigation into the matter. Royal Dutch Shell and Eni have not been accused of wrongdoing in relation to the investigation, the WSJ reported.

Senate Approves Takeover of Rivers Assembly

The Senate, Thursday, resolved to take over the functions of the Rivers State House of Assembly in consonance with the earlier resolution of the House of Representatives in accordance with Section 11 (4) of the 1999 Constitution, until peace is restored to the crisis-ridden state. The House of Representatives had on July 10, a day after the fracas in the Rivers State assembly, passed a resolution to take over the functions of the state legislature. With the Senate’s concurrence, the National Assembly would assume all the functions of the state legislature. The crisis in the state reached a head recently when five members of the state House of Assembly attempted to remove the Speaker, Hon. Otelemaba Amachree. The parliament also asked the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Abubakar, to as a matter of urgency redeploy the state Commissioner of Police, Mbu Joseph Mbu, because of irreconcilable differences between him and Governor Chibuike Amaechi. The Senate also resolved that its President, David Mark, should mediate in the crisis by reconciling the principal actors with a view to ensuring that peace returns to Rivers State.

2,000 Nigerian Fishermen Flee Cameroun over Threat to Life

About 2,000 Nigerian fishermen have fled Cameroun Republic because of violence and extortion by soldiers and the local tribes in the country. James Audi, who identified himself as the leader of the fleeing fishermen in Cameroun, said despite being in possession of resident’s permits, they were being subjected to constant harassment, incarceration and extortion by gendarmes who seem not to accord recognition to the residency permits in their possession. Audi further said apart from the constant harassment they face from security operatives, the local Banana and Musku tribes with whom they have cohabited for decades are threatening them with violence. He appealed to both the Nigerian and Cameroonian authorities to come to their rescue so that they could go back to fishing.

15 Slain Soldiers Buried Abuja

The remains of the two officers and 13 soldiers of the Nigerian Army, who died in the military operations against terrorists in some northern states of Nigeria, and in Peace Support Operations in Darfur, were laid to rest. Fourteen Eleven of them lost their lives in operations in the North and one died, while serving on peace keeping mission in Darfur. President Goodluck Jonathan, while paying his last respect to the fallen officers and soldiers at the burial ceremony at the National Military Cemetery in Abuja, assured that their death was not in vain. Jonathan said the country would keep introducing new strategies to defeat the Boko Haram terrorist, as he assured the families of the deceased officers and soldiers of their full entitlements and benefits. Also, the Minister of State for Defence, Olusola Obada, commended the efforts of the Nigerian Armed Forces, towards peace, stability and upholding the territorial integrity of Nigeria. The COAS, Lt-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, assured their families of full support of the Nigerian Army.

Nigeria Navy, US to Collaborate on Gulf of Guinea Security

Following the recent arrest of over 40 vessels involved in illegal activities at the Gulf of Guinea, the Nigeria Navy is now collaborating with the United States and other member-states of the region for a holistic policing. Based on this, it is organising Maritime Awareness Capability conference in Calabar, the Cross River State capital. The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Eastern Naval Command (ENC), Rear Admiral Joseph Aikhomu, stated this on Thursday in Calabar. Aikhomu said the Gulf of Guinea was facing numerous security challenges like piracy, crude oil theft and illegal bunkering, unreported and unregulated fishing, drug and human trafficking as well as proliferation of small and light weapons. These challenges which he described as disturbing, prompted the Nigerian Navy to collaborate with the US Office of Security Cooperation (OSC) to bring to the fore “the necessity of improving maritime domain awareness of the Gulf of Guinea and the need for member-states to collaborate in terms of intelligence gathering and information sharing.”

Man Abducted, Killed by Friend in Benue

A 39-year-old man, Tartseagh Boshien, was reportedly kidnapped and killed by a gang led by his friend in Makurdi, Benue State. It was gathered that the deceased left his Makurdi home last weekend to attend a wedding ceremony but was kidnapped and taken to Adaka, a community by his friend and a gang of hoodlums. The kidnappers, reportedly made him drink a substance, after which, he was asked to make a call to his wife and family members to bid them farewell. But while making the call, he passed out and his abductors, who were led by his supposed friend, abandoned him in the bush and fled. A group of farmers discovered him and used his cell phone to contact his wife, who hurriedly got to the scene from where they took him to the hospital. He was able to narrate his ordeal before he died and his people immediately alerted the Police. The friend, who trailed him to the hospital, probably to ensure that he actually died, was immediately arrested by the Police and is currently being detained and interrogated by police detectives.

Senate President Pledges Reconsideration of Resolution on Child Marriage

President of the Senate, David Mark, has promised that the Senate will revisit its decision to amend Section 29(4)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, which defines the full age of a woman seeking to renounce her citizenship. The Senate Committee on Constitution Review led by Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, had recommended that sub-section 4b be deleted because it was “discriminatory.” It   suggested that a woman of any age, once married, was an adult. Although Section 29 deals with the right of citizens to renounce their citizenship and subsection 4 defines the age at which a citizen could do so, a religious connotation brought in by Senator Ahmed Yerima swayed Senators’ votes to retain the clause. While receiving a Non-Governmental Organisation, Gender and Constitutional Reform Network, in the Senate on Wednesday, Mark admitted that religious sentiment played a role in the final outcome of the voting on the clause.

Senate Asks NIMC to Reinstate Sacked Workers

The Senate Wednesday asked the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to reinstate 96 of its 4,029 members of staff who were laid off on September 10 last year and also canvassed for the payment of one year salary as take-home severance allowance for them. The severance package, according to the committee, should be paid using the formula employed in producing the earlier approved package with the minimum as N621,953.00 and N1,441,735.60 as the maximum. This came as the Senate also received the report on 2013 budget amendment proposal which scaled second reading on Tuesday. The parliament also advised any of the disengaged workers who is aggrieved by his dismissal to seek redress in a law court as it disclosed that cases of misconduct, which led to the sack of the former workers of NIMC were established during Senate’s investigation into the mass dismissal by the commission.

Drunken Driver Crushes 3 to Death in Nasarawa

The Sector commander of Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) in Nasarawa, Francis Udoma, has confirmed that three persons were, penultimate Saturday night, crushed to death by a Toyota Camry that veered off its lane and ran into pedestrians. He said the incident happened at about 8:45 p.m. in Bukan-sidi area, along Lafia-Jos road. The sector commander said two of the deceased were brothers, aged 9 and 16 years. He said the accident was due to over speeding, alleging that the driver was drunk and thereby lost control of the car.

Brother Nabbed over Attempt to Kidnap Sister

The Kogi State police command has foiled an attempt by a brother to kidnap his elder sister for a ransom, over alleged failure to offer him financial assistance. Ahmed Momoh, 35, a native of Auchi in Edo State, with two others, had planned to kidnap his sister and demand for a ransom of N500000. While parading the suspects before newsmen on Tuesday, the state Commissioner of Police, Hillary Opara, said Momoh was a notorious kidnapper based in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Items recovered from them, according to the police boss, included a Nissan Sunny, one locally made pistol, two live ammunition and one locally made cartridge pistol.

One Killed, 500 Cows Stolen in Plateau

The alleged killing of one person and rustling of 500 heads of cattle almost undermined a peace parley organised by Special Task Force, STF, maintaining security in Plateau State, yesterday, as news of the development heightened tension among participants. The STF had organised the parley among Fulani and locals in Shendam in a bid to end the upsurge of violence in the Southern Senatorial District of the state, which has resulted in the killing of scores of people and the displacement of thousands. Commander of STF, Major General Henry Ayoola, was making his speech on the need to end the hostilities when information filtered into the venue that one person was killed and hundreds of cattle stolen at Longvel in the area. It was learnt that the cattle rustlers invaded the village in large numbers, shooting into the air to scare residents before forcefully taking the cattle away.

INTERNATIONAL

Tunisian Opposition Leader, Brahmi, Shot Dead

Tunisian opposition politician, Mohamed Brahmi, has been shot dead outside his home in the capital, Tunis, officials say. Mr Brahmi, 58, led the nationalist Movement of the People party. It is the second time an opposition party leader has been killed this year. In February, prominent secular politician Chokri Belaid was also shot outside his house in Tunis. His murder sparked protests and forced Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali to resign. Gunmen on a motorbike shot Mr Brahmi in front of his wife and daughter on Thursday morning. It is not known yet who is behind the attack. Large crowds have gathered outside the Ministry of Interior in Tunis in protest over the killing. There are also reports of protesters converging in the city of Sidi Bouzid, Mr Brahmi's hometown and the birthplace of the Arab Spring. The governing Islamist Ennahda party expressed "sadness and shock" over the assassination, which it described as a "cowardly and despicable crime".

Train Driver Probed After Crash Claims 80 Lives

One of the drivers of a train which derailed in north-western Spain killing at least 80 passengers has been put under formal investigation, court officials have said. Security camera footage showed the Madrid to Ferrol train hurtling around a bend before flipping on to its side. More than 160 people were hurt in the incident near Santiago de Compostela. Spain will hold three days of mourning over the crash. The black box of the train is now with the judge in charge of the investigation. People from several nationalities are among the injured, including one Briton. A spokeswoman for the Galicia Supreme Court said the driver, who was slightly injured in the crash, was under investigation, but it was unclear which of the train's two drivers she was referring to and whether anyone else was subject to investigation. The president of railway firm Renfe, Julio Gomez Pomar, said the driver, who was aged 52, had 30 years of experience with the company and had been operating trains on the line for more than a year.

Hundreds Escape as Al-Qaeda Launches Jailbreaks in Iraq

Hundreds of inmates have escaped from two Iraqi prisons after gunmen stormed two jails near Baghdad. Fighting raged for several hours after the jails - Abu Ghraib to the west of the capital and Taji to the north - came under attack. Mortar fire and suicide bombs were used to gain access to the jails, whose inmates include al-Qaeda prisoners.  At least 20 members of the security forces were killed as they struggled to regain control, reports the BBC. A senior Iraqi MP, Hakim Al-Zamili, said that about 500 prisoners had escaped from the notorious Abu Ghraib prison. Most of them were senior members of al-Qaeda who had been sentenced to death. Abu Ghraib was used to torture opponents of the regime during Saddam Hussein's rule, and its infamy increased in 2004 when photographs were published showing detainees being abused. Al-Qaeda claimed responsibility for the attack.

France Criminalises Modern Day Slavery, Toughens Penalties

France, on Thursday, toughened the law against modern-day slavery and recognising it as a new crime punishable by up to 30 years in jail, in an attempt to crack down on forced labour. The move means that those who hold people against their will and make them work for free and sometimes sexually abusing them will now face much heavier sentences than before. The Paris-based Committee Against Modern-Day Slavery said it receives more than 200 reports of enslavement in France every year, but the phenomenon is thought to be much more widespread as it often happens in private, within families. In the bill, which was unanimously adopted by France’s upper house, Senate, slavery was incorporated into the French legal system as a punishable crime for the first time, with penalties from seven to 30 years in prison. Previously courts faced with cases of modern-day slavery were only able to convict suspects on other charges -such as taking advantage of vulnerable people- that carry lighter sentences.

Earthquake in China Kills 89

Chinese rescue teams, on Monday, battled through landslides and clogged roads in a bid to reach victims of twin earthquakes in northwest part of the country, which killed 89 people, injured almost 600 and damaged more than 20,000 buildings. About 3,000 fire fighters, police, soldiers and local government workers were dispatched to the area to search for survivors. But rescue efforts were being hampered by landslides and roads, which had been blocked by heavy rain in previous days. The tremors in Gansu province, with magnitudes of 5.9 and 5.6, triggered landslides that buried often crudely constructed local houses. Almost all the confirmed dead were in Min County. An official at the provincial earthquake bureau said more than 1,200 buildings collapsed and 21,000 were severely damaged, adding that 371 aftershocks had been recorded.

Morsi Family Vows Legal Action against Egypt Military

The family of ousted Egyptian President, Mohamed Morsi, has vowed to take legal action against Egypt’s army chief, General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, for “kidnapping” Morsi. His daughter, Shaimaa Mohamed Morsi, said that the family is taking local and international legal measures against al-Sisi, and his group. Morsi has been detained at an unknown location since his overthrow by the army on July 3 following mass protests against his presidency across the country. Authorities questioned Morsi on July 14 over his 2011 escape from prison during the revolution that toppled former dictator Hosni Mubarak, judicial sources said. Meanwhile, Egyptian officials have announced the killing of two soldiers and wounding of four others by militants in a shooting in north Sinai Thursday, as the military vowed to crack down on “terrorism.” A report indicated that the army officer and conscript were killed when gunmen opened fire on a military checkpoint near the town of Sheikh Zuwayid.

UN, US Demand End to Backing for Rebel in Congo

United States (U.S.) Secretary of State, John Kerry, has led calls at the United Nations (UN) for an end to foreign backing for rebels in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Kerry said the US was “deeply concerned” about reports of new external support for M23 rebels battling government forces. All governments must hold human rights violators and abusers accountable, Kerry said at a special UN Security Council meeting on the conflict in the giant African nation. The Security Council, which currently includes Rwanda, also agreed a statement calling for “non-interference” in DR Congo affairs. UN experts have said Rwanda is helping the M23 rebels massed around the major eastern city of Goma. Fighting around Goma in the past two weeks has left hundreds dead. Rwanda has strongly denied any involvement in the renewed conflict.

Mexico Rescues 94 Migrants Crammed into Truck

Mexican authorities say they've rescued 94 migrants who were crammed into the back of a hauling truck in subhuman conditions. They came from Nepal and Guatemala, paying thousands of dollars to get to the United States, authorities said. Seven of them were minors. They showed symptoms of asphyxiation and serious lesions on their hands and feet when they were rescued, Mexico's National Migration Institute said. X-ray equipment detected the migrants at a checkpoint in the southern Mexican state of Chiapas Tuesday morning. The driver of the truck has been turned over to prosecutors on suspicion of human trafficking, and the migrants are receiving medical, psychological and legal assistance, Chiapas state prosecutors said in a statement. The group included 45 Guatemalans, 23 Salvadorans, 10 Nepalese and 9 Bangladeshis and 7 Hondurans, authorities said.

Iran Condemns Blacklisting of Hezbollah by EU

Iran, on Tuesday, condemned the European Union's decision to put the armed wing of Lebanese militant group Hezbollah on its terrorism blacklist and said the move was "contrary to all political and legal norms, surprising and unacceptable". Hezbollah was set up with the help of Iranian funds and military advisers some three decades ago and, along with Syria, is still Tehran's most important ally in the region, positioned as it is on the "frontline" with Iran's sworn enemy Israel. The European Union blacklisted Hezbollah's military wing on Monday over accusations it was involved in a bus bombing in Bulgaria that killed five Israelis and their driver a year ago, and its deployment of thousands of fighters to help Syrian President, Bashar al-Assad, turn the tide of Syria's civil war. Israel, which welcomed the EU decision, would be the main beneficiary, the Iranian foreign minister said.

Interim Malian President Meets Rebel Leaders
…As Kidnapped Election Workers Regain Freedom

Mali's interim President Dioncounda Traore has met for the first time with members of two northern Tuareg separatist groups, provoking anger among many in the country's south as ethnic tensions rise ahead of a presidential poll on Sunday. The election is meant to unify the West African nation after a March 2012 coup allowed Tuareg rebels and their al Qaeda-linked Islamist allies to seize the West African nation's desert north. Gunmen have freed four election workers and a deputy mayor a day after they were kidnapped in the remote northern town of Tessalit, a local official said on Sunday. The kidnapping, a week before the election, highlighted insecurity hanging over the vote that is intended to draw a line under a coup and Islamist uprising, although some fear it could lead to further instability due to poor preparations.

Suspect in Deaths of Three Ohio Women Identified

East Cleveland Police Chief, Ralph Spotts, has publicly identified the suspect in the deaths of three women found wrapped in trash bags, and officers and volunteers have ended hours of searching without finding more bodies. Spotts said that 35-year-old registered sex offender, Michael Madison, is in custody and expected to be formally charged on Monday.  Sunday's search included scouring about 40 abandoned houses and other areas, but turned up no more bodies in the neighbourhood where three were found separately on Friday and Saturday. A medical examiner says the bodies were in advanced stages of decomposition, and it will take days to identify the women and determine how they died. Police did not plan to continue searching Monday.

Al-Qaeda Claims Iraq Jailbreaks

Al-Qaeda has said it carried out two mass jailbreaks in Iraq, which freed hundreds of prisoners including senior leaders of the Islamist militant group. In an online statement, al-Qaeda said Sunday's attack was the final one in a campaign aimed at freeing inmates. At least 20 security guards died when gunmen stormed the Abu Ghraib and Taji jails near Baghdad. Abu Ghraib gained global notoriety in 2004 when images were released showing US guards abusing Iraqi detainees. Iraqi officials had previously tortured regime opponents in Abu Ghraib during Saddam Hussein's rule. On Tuesday, an al-Qaeda affiliate calling itself the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant said it carried out the attacks on the prisons.

Russia Gives Snowden Pass to Leave Airport

Fugitive US intelligence leaker, Edward Snowden is being given an official pass to leave Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport. Russia's Federal Migration Service is said to have issued a document, which he is due to receive shortly. He has been staying in transit since arriving from Hong Kong on 23 June. Wanted by the US authorities for leaking details of government surveillance programmes, he recently requested temporary asylum in Russia. He could leave the airport's "sterile zone". The document would be handed to Snowden by a lawyer, Anatoly Kucherena.