Villeworth Security Services Ltd

week 32

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PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

Police Foil Bank Robbery in Rivers, Seize Cache of Arms

The police in Rivers State have confiscated 11 guns and other weapons after foiling an attempt to rob a bank. The seizure and the foiling of the bank robbery were announced in a statement by the Deputy Force Public Relations Officer, Mr. Frank Mba. The statement said the seized guns included two General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) with 593 rounds of ammunition and eight AK47 rifles with 1,635 rounds of ammunition and 57 magazines. Others are one G3 rifle, two dynamites with detonators and other explosive cans, two gas cylinders with welding accessories, one sledge hammer and one axe, reports show. The statement said the arms were taken away from three vehicles hidden at a mechanic village at Ihugbo on the East-West Road in Ahoada. It noted that the operation followed extensive intelligence activities carried out by the Rivers State Police Command on July 26.

Police Arrest 11 with Fresh Human Heads

The Anambra State police command, Thursday, arrested 11 persons and discovered two fresh human heads, two military AK47 rifles and two magazines in a hotel. It was gathered that policemen from the Onitsha Area Command, acting on a tip-off, swooped on the hotel, where they arrested 11 suspects, which included male and female accomplice and the owner of the hotel. Members of the civil society, led by Mr Justus Ijeoma, called on the police not to compromise investigations, in order to unravel those behind the ugly incident, while commending the men of the Nigeria Police for bringing their intelligence to bear. The Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Emeka Chukwuemeka, confirmed the incident and said the police had intensified manhunt to arrest all members of the cartel.

Rivers Assembly Leader to Remain in Police Custody

The police in Port Harcourt, Wednesday, arraigned embattled Majority Leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Chidi Lloyd, for attempted murder of his colleague, Michael Chindah. The court could not rule on his bail application following arguments on appearances. When the matter was called, the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Wogu Boms, rose to take over the prosecution of the matter, arguing that it was a matter involving the state, a position opposed by the prosecution lead counsel, Donald Denwigwe (SAN). Denwigwe, on his part, argued that the state attorney-general could not take over the criminal proceedings when there was no proper arraignment of the accused before the court, claiming that it was premature. Justice Nyordee adjourned the case until August 6 for ruling on appearances. With the ruling, Lloyd was remanded in custody. Lloyd was moved from Force Crime Investigations Department (FCID), Abuja, on Friday to Port Harcourt. Force spokesman, Frank Mba, denied allegations of torture, saying that detectives from the IGP’s office were polite, civil and professional in dealing with Chief Lloyd, when he was being interrogated at the Force Headquarters.

Court Dismisses Speaker’s Suit against Police

A Rivers State High Court has dismissed a suit filed by the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Otelemaba Dan Amachree, to restrain the police from arresting him over the alarm he raised concerning a plot to assassinate Governor Chibuike Amaechi. The presiding judge, Justice Adolphus Enebeli, after hearing the arguments of the parties involved in the matter, said there was no legal justification to issue a perpetual injunction as requested by the Speaker to restrain the police from investigating any citizen of Nigeria for an offence. Justice Enebeli also said that the allegation of bias levelled against the Rivers State Police Command by the speaker was premature and cannot form a ground to restrain the law enforcement agency from discharging its constitutional duties.

Police Investigate Death of Cousins in Imo

The Imo State Police Command, last weekend, commenced investigations into the mysterious deaths of a man and a woman, said to be cousins, in one room.  The deceased, the Mr Mathias Nwoko (45) and Miss Anjela Anyanwu (22), were found dead while naked in a building under construction in their ancestral home in Mbaise. Mathias was a wealthy man, residing in Onitsha, while Angela, was residing in Owerri before she visited home for the ordination and mass thanksgiving of their kinsman, the Rev. Fr. Anayochukwu Onuoha.

NJC Recommends Acting CJ for Retirement for Falsifying Age

The National Judicial Council (NJC) has recommended the acting Chief Judge of the Abia State High Court, Justice Shadrack Nwanosike, for compulsory retirement for allegedly falsifying his date of birth. A statement signed by NJC's acting Director of Information, Mr. Soji Oye said the council's decision was sequel to the findings that Justice Nwanosike falsified his date of birth, which invariably affected his retirement age. He said the council had also decided to summon lazy judges especially those whose performance was rated 'very low and non-performance'. The statement said a five-man panel had been set up to invite the lazy judges to come and explain why they should not be removed from office.

Imoke Sacks 145 Monarchs Two LGAs

One hundred and forty five traditional rulers were relieved of their certificates of authority in two LGAs of Cross River State, following what the state governor, Senator Liyel Imoke described as their “partisan roles, failing to live up to their responsibilities and not stopping inter communal conflicts which resulted in loss of lives and property in their respective areas.” Mr. John Eyikwaje, the Governor’s Special Adviser on Chieftaincy Affairs, last weekend, said that the governor was angry with the role played by the traditional rulers and had ordered their immediate sack.

Abia Police Nab Two for Murder of Woman

Two suspects have been arrested by the Abia State Police Command over the death of a 16-year-old girl, whose name was simply given as Esther. The decomposing body of Esther was found in an uncompleted building in Lokpanta, Umunneochi LGA of the State. The suspects, Uchenna Okorie and Levi Nwankwo, are currently with the Criminal Investigation Department, CID, where they are helping the police in their investigation into what happened to Esther. According to the police, on the night of Thursday, July 11, 2013, one of the suspects, Uchenna Okorie, said to be Esther’s lover, engaged the service of the other suspect, Levi Nwankwo, a commercial bike operator, to take Esther to his house. Nwankwo confirmed taking Esther to Okorie’s house. However, some days later Esther’s decomposing corpse was found.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

Itsekiri Youths Form Militia Group after Attacks

Pained by the gruesome murder of their kinsmen and the arson meted out on their communities, members of the Itsekiri National Youths Council (INYC) have announced the preparedness to inaugurate militia group for subsequent self-defence, in the event of further security failure in its domain. The group also beckoned on all other ethnic groups in the country to follow suit and form their own militias for self-defence, saying it had become clear that the government was incapable of keeping its primary responsibility of protecting lives and properties. Their statement follows the recent attack on some of their communities in Warri North LGA by some alleged Ijaw miscreants.

Illegal Arms: Task Force Sacks Edo Director

The National Task Force (NATFORCE) to combat illegal importation and smuggling of goods, arms, ammunition and light weapons has dismissed its Edo State Director, Reuben Agbontaen, from his post. The task force was set up in July, 2010 by the Federal Ministry of Finance in conjunction with the Office of the National Security Adviser to help stem the influx of illegal arms and ammunition into the country. The Director-General of the task force, Chief Osita Okereke, journalists yesterday in Abuja, said the sack of the official was based on the report of the fact-finding team that went to some states, especially Edo State to investigate the allegations  of misconduct levelled against the task force in the area. He said the task force was constrained to take the measure, following the refusal of Agbontaen to appear before the disciplinary committee set up to investigate the allegation of gross misconduct, economic sabotage and conspiracy levelled against. Okereke  said the fact-finding delegation were at the moment preparing their report on the investigation of the activities of the task force officers in  Kwara and Katsina State Commands, adding that as soon as the report was ready, it would be made public.

JTF Invades Ex-Militant’s Home

Operatives of the Joint Task Force (JTF) invaded the home of an ex-militant, Ojuemi Perediseghabofa, in Ajakurama community, Ovia South West LGA of Edo State. The security operatives took away Perediseghabofa’s wife when they could not locate the ex-militant. Counsel for the ex-militant, Mr. Famous Maka, stated this in a petition to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika. In the petition, Maka said the Ajakurama people had been in fear since the soldiers visited the community and left behind a message that they would again storm the area if the ex-militant did not report to their base at Ajide. Maka, who urged the Army chief to stop any further invasion of the community, said the JTF operatives could have used the Amnesty Office to invite the ex-militant for interrogation if he did anything wrong.

Protesting Workers Shut Agip Facility in Delta

Protesting workers at the Nigeria Agip Oil Company, on Tuesday, paralysed activities at the facility in Ndokwa East LGA of Delta State. The protesters, numbering over 50, who are mainly in the junior cadre, alleged that they were treated harshly by the Company. The workers blocked the main entrance to the plant and prevented other workers from gaining entry into their offices. John Anochie, on behalf of the workers, said they were initially placed on a monthly salary of N67,000 under a condition called labour services but were shocked in July last year when the wage was slashed to a paltry N30,000 per month while the company also denied them payment of the token salary for upward of six months. The workers said Agip also deprived them of access to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), medical facilities, eating at the staff canteen as well as the non-payment of Christmas, New Year and leave bonuses.

Three Female Teachers Kidnapped in Edo

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers, on Thursday, abducted three female school teachers in Benin City. The victims were abducted at the premises of the school, after the gunmen who came in a commando style, shot sporadically and escaped in a car belonging to one of the victims. A stray bullet was said to have hit one Mr Derick Akpotu, who was in the school to check on his daughter. The sporadic gun shots scared both teachers and pupils making them run helter-skelter for their lives. The Edo state Police spokesman, Moses Eguavoen, said the command had mounted a manhunt for the suspects. The kidnappers have reportedly demanded N50m as ransom for their release.

Gunmen Abduct Retired School Principal in Delta

A retired school principal, Mrs. Clementina Bakpa, was, last week Friday, abducted by unknown gunmen at Ovwian in Udu council area of Delta State on her way to church in company of her husband, Mr. Emma Bakpa, an engineer. Mrs. Bakpa, a former principal of Dom Domingo College, Warri and Delta State University Demonstration School, Abraka, and a school proprietor. No ransom has been demanded by her abductors who has no access to contact her family members as she was without her GSM handset at the time she was kidnapped.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

42 Boko Haram Suspects Arrested in Lagos, Ogun

About 42 suspected members of the Boko Haram terrorist group have been arrested in Lagos and Osun States. Some of the suspects confessed that they had fled to the South-west following the clampdown on members of the terrorist group in the North in the aftermath of President Goodluck Jonathan’s declaration of emergency rule in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States in May. Some of the dislodged members had fled to the South-west with the hope of forming terror cells in the region, it was learnt Monday. Parading the suspects Monday at the 81 Division Headquarters, Lagos, the General Officer Commanding (GOC), Major General Obi Umahi, said the suspects were arrested based on intelligence report received from the Army Headquarters in Abuja. The suspected terrorists transported the large cache of arms into Lagos by hiding them in fuel tankers to beat security checks.

Police, Mob Accused of Killing Undergraduate, Friend

Policemen attached to the Badagry Police Division, Lagos State, and some hoodlums have been accused of killing a 25-year-old undergraduate of Delta State University, Ifechukwude Nwainokpor, and his friend, identified simply as Kazeem. The gruesome killing was captured in an 8-minute video, which showed the two victims handcuffed together and beaten to death with sticks. At some points in the video, a policeman was seen interviewing the boys. Things turned for the worse after the head of the vigilante group in the area, Asiribo, mistakenly shot himself, while trying to return his gun into its pouch. Asiribo’s death infuriated the youth, who blamed the boys for his death. The spokesperson for the state police command, Ngozi Braide, described the incident is quite pathetic. Meanwhile, the state Commissioner of Police has taken up the case and ordered the arrest of the policeman seen in the video.

Ogun Police Arrest 8-Man Gang of Armed Robbers

The Ogun State Police Command has arrested eight suspected armed robbers in Idologbo Village, Agbara. The spokesperson for the state police command, Muyiwa Adejobi, penultimate Sunday, said that the suspects were arrested at their hideout a day earlier. Adejobi said weapons were also recovered from them. According to him, a team of anti-robbery policemen attached to the State Criminal Investigation Department, working on a tip off, launched an attack on the robbers’ den at about 4am on Saturday and got them arrested.

Police Smash Human Trafficking Syndicate in Lagos

The Nigeria Police Special Fraud Unit, Milverton, Ikoyi has smashed a syndicate that specialized in smuggling desperate Nigerians to the USA for N1.5 million each. According to spokesperson for the unit, Ngozi Nsitume-Agu, the syndicate operated by match-making their prey with winners of America visa lottery as couple. Currently, a male teacher in a school around Mafoluku area of the state and a female prey from Ekiti were arrested by the unit. Their arrest, according to Nsitume-Agu, was effected following a petition by the Assistant Regional Security Officer to the United States Consulate General alleging that the suspects, Adejayan Adetokunbo and Adebisi Funke went to the US Embassy to be interviewed for Immigrant visa to USA as couple, but the said marriage was determined to be fraudulent.

8 Die in Osun Road Auto Crash

Eight persons, including a pregnant woman, lost their lives, on Monday, in an auto crash along Gbongan/Ibadan express road in Osogbo, Osun State. It was learnt that the accident which involved three different vehicles, happened when a blue Gulf car coming from the direction of Ede somersaulted and landed on an ash coloured Kia car with registration number KUJ 74 AJ while a white Toyota Hiace bus with registration number XR 930 ABC stumbled on them. While confirming the incident, Osun State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr Imoh Etuk disclosed that corpses of the victims had been deposited at the mortuary of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Teaching Hospital, Osogbo.

Man Jailed over Rape of Minor

The Ado Ekiti High Court has sentenced a middle-aged man, Innocent Eze, to eight years imprisonment for assaulting and raping a 12-year-old girl. Justice Adekanye Ogunmoye held that Eze was guilty of indecent assault and defilement. The convict was jailed one year for the first count and seven years for defilement. Oluwaseyi Ojo and Tayo Bade-Gboyega who had appeared for the state told the court that Eze, on August 31, 2011, in Ijan-Ekiti, grabbed the victim after assisting him to fetch water from a well and dragged her inside his room where he forcefully had carnal knowledge of the girl. The court was also told that the convict stuffed a handkerchief in the girl’s vaginal to stop the bleeding after he had raped her. Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Mrs. Bisi Fayemi, in reaction to the judgement, said such punishment would serve as deterrent to other sexual perverts on the prowl. She urged rape victims to always speak out to stop rapists from their wicked acts.

Court Remands Woman in Prison for Killing Neighbour

The Ebute Meta Magistrate’s Court, Lagos State has remanded a 31-year-old woman, Stella Gilbert, in prison custody for allegedly stabbing her neighbour, Stella Olah, 30, to death. The Police said the suspect and the deceased had disagreement over an old bench left behind by a former resident who had relocated from the house. The disagreement was said to have degenerated into fisticuffs. The suspect in a fit of rage allegedly went into her kitchen and brought out a knife with which she stabbed Olah. Gilbert, who was arraigned on a one count of murder, was said to have committed the crime on June 22, 2013. The magistrate ruled that the accused be remanded in prison custody.

Family Accuses Husband of Killing Wife

The Police in Ondo State have arrested a 47-year-old bricklayer, Damilare Olotu, for allegedly poisoning his 45-year-old wife, Mary, for being barren. Mary had been having running battle with the suspect over her inability to conceive, causing her husband to marry a second wife, Kemi, who bore him two children. It was alleged that the second wife reportedly insisted on moving into the suspect’s house but the deceased resisted. Brother to the deceased, Lawrence Omotosho, alleged that Olotu and Kemi connived to poison his sister. According to him, the sister had told him that the suspect had threatened to kill her. Police spokesman, Wole Ogodo, said investigation into Mary’s death was on-going.

Woman Beats 3-Year-Old Girl to Death

A 21-year-old woman, Rebecca Bassey, has been arrested by the Lagos State Police Command for allegedly beating her husband’s three-year-old niece, Deborah Bassey, to death. According to police authorities, the suspect beat up the girl because she vomited and defecated on herself. According to police investigations, on the day of the incident, Deborah woke up around 5.30am with a high temperature. The three-year-old girl was said to have started vomiting and defecating soon after. This was said to have angered Rebecca, who instead of administering treatment to the child, decided to beat her up, and in the process, the suspect pushed her and she fell, hitting her head against the edge of a wooden chair in the room. A woman leader in the area, Kudirat Ogunseyi, was said to have reported the matter to the Police after which the suspect was arrested.

Police Arrest Notorious South West Robber

Operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Thursday, arrested a suspected leader of a notorious robbery gang that has been terrorizing Lagos and other states within the South-West region. The suspect identified as Abiodun Ogunjobi, aka Abbey Godogodo, said to be on the SARS wanted list, reportedly met his waterloo after the operatives laid ambush for him in Ibadan, Oyo State. The operatives were said to have laid ambush for the suspect for three weeks which eventually paid off as they recovered two AK47 rifles and 10 fully loaded magazines in his apartment. Godogodo allegedly masterminded the July 7, 2013 murder of seven persons at O4 Hotel in Ajah area of Lagos. He reportedly confessed to killing some policemen and two other security guards. The 36-year-old suspect said he had no regrets for his actions.

Cult Group Kills 2 in Ijebu-Ode Attacks

Two persons were killed by suspected cult members in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, on Wednesday evening at Ajegunle-Ijada and Ishado areas of the town. According to reports, the victims, Lekan Ojaewele, 22, and Muyiwa Adeyemi, 20, were apprentices in the barbing and electronics businesses. Investigations, however, revealed that the deceased were accidental victims as their bosses were the targets. While Ojaewele was said to have been killed on his way to his boss’ shop by the cultists, Adeyemi was murdered while sleeping inside a shop belonging to his boss. An eyewitness said the cult members came on motorcycles to launch the attacks. Mr Yemi Odukoya, Head of Ijebu-Ode vigilance group, said the victims died in retaliatory attacks launched over the killing of a member of the Aye cult by the Eiye cult, Tuesday night.

GENERAL

Bomb Blasts Claim 20 Lives in Kano

About 20 persons were killed in Sabon Gari area of Kano, on Monday, as suspected terrorists detonated about four bombs. It was learnt that one of the explosions, believed to have been carried out by Islamic sect, Boko Haram, occurred at a drinking joint, where most of the non-indigenes reside. The first blast was said to have occurred at about 9.12pm near International Hotel, while the second blast followed three minutes later. Security forces immediately condoned off both sites, which prevented people from moving closer to the places hit by the explosions. The cause of the blasts was not immediately clear. The spokesman for the Joint Task Force (JTF), Captain Ikedichi Iweh, confirmed the explosions.

Boko Haram Hijacks Explosives in Yobe

Suspected Boko Haram members have hijacked high calibre explosives from a quarry in Yobe State. About 25 armed men reportedly broke into the quarry in Bara, the headquarters of the Gulani LGA, penultimate Sunday night, carting away the high caliber dynamites neatly arranged in a room. It was learnt that on their arrival at the quarry, the insurgents broke into the room where the explosives were kept, and took away five of the bags containing the explosives. The invasion has triggered strong suspicions in security circles that the seizure of the dynamites from the Bara quarry might have an insider’s collaboration. It was learnt that one of the explosives in the possession of the Boko Haram members had the capacity to destroy a community. Investigations revealed that the leadership of the Joint Task Force had commenced massive manhunt for the insurgents to prevent them from distributing the items.

25 Killed in Youths, Boko Haram Clash in Borno

At least 25 persons were killed in Borno state following a clash between members of the Boko Haram sect and a vigilante youth group, known locally as ‘Civilian JTF’. While 20 persons, mostly traders, were killed in the clash between the youths and the suspected terrorists in Dawashe village, five of the youths were killed in an ambush in Mainok. The youths had left Maiduguri on a hunt for the terrorists in Dawashe village but were fiercely resisted by the sect members. Innocent villagers were felled by stray bullets while scores of others were injured. In the second confrontation between the youth vigilante group and members of the Boko Haram at the weekend, five youths were killed in an ambush by the sect in Mainok. The JTF spokesman, Lt. Col Sagir Musa, said the youths were attacked while returning from their operations at Mainok village.

Military Deploys More Troops in Troubled Areas

Following last Saturday’s killing of 25 members of a youth vigilance group in Borno State, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has deployed more troops in areas where emergency rule was declared, even as it has vowed to protect the civilian population and youth groups helping to rout Boko Haram. This assurance was made on Tuesday in a statement by the Director of Defence Information (DDI), Brig-Gen. Chris Olukolade, during which he condemned the “unprovoked attacks” against innocent civilians. He said the incidents, which followed separate attacks on the group and the two communities, Dawashi and Mainok in Borno State, were consistent with the new pattern of operation by the terrorists after the loss of their camps.

Shekau Shot, Deposed – Boko Haram Spiritual Leader

Sheikh Abubakar Shekau, leader of the violent Islamic sect, Boko Haram, has reportedly been shot and deposed by members of his own sect, Boko Haram. A new leader, Abu Zamira Mohammed, who is the sect’s leader negotiating with the federal government has been appointed new leader by the group’s Shura Council. The group also said that its ceasefire declaration is working; pointing out that there has not been any suicide bombing since the declaration. The group blamed the Monday Kano blasts on federal government’s tardiness in responding to the ceasefire agreement. A faction of Boko Haram has entered into a back-channel dialogue with the government in the search for an elusive peace to a conflict that has seen multiple suicide bombings, attacks on government buildings and churches, and has claimed thousands of lives since 2011. Imam Liman Ibrahim, the spiritual leader of Boko Haram, explained that the teaching of Shekau was becoming increasingly harsh and began to depart from the Holy Qu’ran.

Anambra Petitions Presidency over Beggars in Onitsha by Lagos State

Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, on Wednesday wrote President Goodluck Jonathan to investigate the dumping of 72 homeless people at the Upper Iweka Bridge, Onitsha, Anambra State, by suspected agents of the Lagos State Government. Obi described the action of Lagos State Government as disturbing. He said it had serious security and political implications, considering the fact that it was not the first time that such an action was taken by Lagos State. However, Lagos State Government said it did not deport anyone to Onitsha. The Lagos state Commissioner of Police, Umaru Manko, said the government only rehabilitated and resettled the people.

Five Killed in Attack on Taraba Village

Five persons were killed on Tuesday in Tapga Village of Ibi LGA of Taraba state when armed militia group from the neighbouring Tarok Village of Plateau state attacked the Taraba village. It was gathered that many others sustained varying degrees of injuries in the attack while others were forced to desert Tapga village. The injured were said to have been taken to some clinics in Wukari and Ibi towns for treatment. Chairman of Ibi council Adamu Ishaku, who confirmed the attack and killing, said that the attackers had planned to invade Sarki-Kudu village of his council but they couldn’t succeed before they ended up launching the attack on the unsuspecting residents of Tapga.

Two Killed in Foiled Robbery Crossfire in Bauchi

Two persons, including a police inspector, were on Tuesday, killed in a foiled bank robbery at Alkaleri Local Council of Bauchi State. According to an eyewitness, 15 gunmen stormed the bank and opened fire on security operatives, which resulted in a gun battle. A source from the bank said that the gunmen succeeded in entering the bank but failed in compromising the bank vault before policemen responded to foil the attack. One of the robbers was killed during the exchange of gunfire, while another was captured alive. Among items recovered from the hideout of the robbers were five AK 47 riffles, eight magazines, two IEDs, a forged police identity card and two GSM handsets. Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Hassan Mohammed Auyo, said the captured suspect is helping security personnel in investigation. Meanwhile, soldiers at a check point in Darazo LGA of Bauchi State mistakenly shot to death two passengers in a commercial vehicle. The soldiers opened fire because the driver of the car made a U-turn when he approached the check-point, raising suspicion which made the soldiers to open fire on them.

Nigerian Troops Return from Mali, Deployed in Borno

Over 100 troops from the Nigerian peacekeeping contingent that were involved in the United Nations-backed war effort in Northern Mali arrived the country Wednesday for onward deployment to Borno State to enforce emergency rule in the state and other parts of the north-east. Thisday also learnt that the decision to deploy more troops in some states in the north-east, where the special forces of the Joint Military Task Force (JTF) have been dislodging the Boko Haram insurgents, is in line with the stated reason of the federal government for withdrawing some of its troops from Mali.

Plateau Police Recover Serially Sold Baby

Plateau State Police Command, Wednesday, paraded four women suspected to have passed an eight-month-old baby among themselves in a serial sale starting with the baby's grandmother. The baby's grandmother, Kate Anwacha, sold the baby for N200,000 to the first buyer named Eucharia Anyaegbu, who in turn sold the baby for N330,000 to a second buyer, Rita Madubuko, who also sold the baby at N500,000 to one Grace Nnadozie. The State Commissioner of Police, Chris Olakpe, said that the trafficked baby girl, Chiamaka Obinna was recovered on July 24, at Awka, Anambra State. In a separate incident, a man suspected to have killed a herd’s boy named Goltona Salihu for ritual purpose has been arrested with two human eyeballs believed to have been those of the boy. The suspect, Tacha Tali, was said to have confessed to the crime during investigation. Olakpe disclosed that Tali named three collaborators: Nengak Sunday, Ngonap Tapyitda, and Kulime Nangkum, the latter being the herbalist among them.

Jigawa Resident Discover 5 Corpses of Children on Street

Residents of Gwaram town, headquarters of Gwaram LGA of Jigawa State woke up on Wednesday, to find the corpses of five children, ages 10-13, on a street. The corpses were found on the street by some people from a mosque after their morning prayers. Contacted, the Jigawa State Police spokesman, Abdu Jinjiri, confirmed the incident, adding that the corpses had been picked up for postmortem. Jinjiri said the kids were Almajirai, Islamic pupils, who were found by the residents around 5am by the roadside near some residential houses, adding that the police would announce outcome of the test. He confirmed that the police had arrested three people for questioning.

Nigerian and Nigerien Forces Foil Planned Boko Haram Attacks

Security agents in Nigeria and Niger Republic have thwarted plots by Boko Haram to carry out fresh attacks in Nigeria. The security agents, through joint intelligence sharing and military cooperation, had discovered that members of the sect, who had been dislodged from their enclaves in the North-east because of the current military expedition in the area, had fled to Niger Republic and were regrouping for counter-offensive. However, their plots were uncovered before they could carry out the attacks on their targets. Director of Defence Information (DDI), Brig-Gen. Chris Olukolade, said that the sect had recruited more hands with which they had planned to launch the attacks on some communities in the northern states. He added that the security agents also arrested some insurgents, including a top Boko Haram commander. Meanwhile, the Joint Task Force (JTF) has alerted the public to the likelihood of the insurgents attacking the state during the Eid- el- Fitri celebration.

Gunmen Kill 6 in Fresh Plateau Attack

A group of armed men attacked Wase town in Wase LGA of Plateau State and allegedly killed at least five people while three others were injured as the attackers were repelled by men of the Special Task Force on Jos crisis from causing further havoc in the area. Wase has been under attacks and counter attacks in the past few months and unsuccessful attempts have been made to invade the Wase town by gunmen. Our correspondent gathered that the attackers surrounded Wase from three locations around 7am on Saturday, injuring three people from the community and setting homes ablaze while about five of the attackers were killed in the incident. The Chairman of the LGA, Zakari Muhammed, who confirmed the attack, said "it is unfortunate that these people keep making attempts to invade Wase town despite all efforts to restore peace in the area." Captain Salisu Mustapha the Media and Information Officer of the STF confirmed the attack, adding that the attackers intended to attack Wase town but they were repelled by STF troops. The STF spokesman further said calm had returned to the area and that the STF was closely monitoring the situation.

Terrorism: Trial of Lebanese Begins

The FG, on Monday, commenced the trial of three Lebanese charged with terrorism-related offences. The prosecutors also filed fresh charges related to money-laundering and illegal importation of goods, among other crimes, against the accused persons. The prosecution called three witnesses, mainly officials of the Department of State Security Service (DSS) told the court how they investigated the case and recovered arms and ammunition from the accused persons' premises. The Lebanese - Mustapha Fawaz (49), Abdallah Thahini (48) and Talal Ahmad Roda (51) - were charged with their companies – Amigo Supermarket and Wonderland Amusement Park Resort. Before the commencement of the trial Monday, the accused persons were re-arraigned on a 16-count amended charge, to which they pleaded not guilty. Among the charges against them were that they conspired and engaged in unlawful importation of prohibited firearms between 1988 and 2008 in Kano.

INTERNATIONAL

Bus Crash Leaves 36 Dead in Italy

A coach plunged off a flyover in southern Italy leaving at least 36 people dead and 11 others injured, last weekend. The coach hit several vehicles before smashing through a parapet and toppling down a steep slope near the town of Avellino, in the Campania region. The coach was taking about 50 people, including children, back to Naples following a pilgrimage were the accident occurred. The cause of the accident is not clear. The driver of the coach is said to be among the dead, a police spokesman said. He added that the Naples-Bari motorway had been closed to traffic because of the accident. The bus smashed through a guardrail on the flyover and dropped 30m (98ft), coming to rest in heavy undergrowth.

Israel Cabinet Agrees to Inmate Release

The Israeli cabinet has approved the release of dozens of Palestinian prisoners as part of US-backed efforts to resume the peace process. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's controversial proposal had split the cabinet, with 13 voting for and seven against. The cabinet also backed a bill requiring any peace deal with the Palestinians to be put to a referendum. Palestinian sources have suggested peace talks, stalled since 2010, could restart soon. Some 104 long-term Palestinian prisoners will be released in four stages over a number of months, linked to progress in the peace process. Some of the prisoners have carried out militant attacks that claimed Israeli lives and were jailed for up to 30 years.

Syrian Army Retakes Homs

Syrian government forces have taken most of the Khalidiya neighbourhood in the central city of Homs, one of the few remaining districts under rebel control. The army had launched an offensive in the area last weekend. Rebels had held Khalidiya for more than a year in a city seen as a symbol for the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad. The UN says more than 100,000 people have been killed in the 28-month conflict in Syria, with a further 1.7 million Syrians forced to seek shelter in neighbouring countries. The pan-Arab television station al-Mayadeen said 80% of Khalidiya was now under the control of government forces. Homs is a strategically important city, linking the capital Damascus to the coast.

UK Soldiers Assist Afghan Operation

British soldiers have returned to an area of Afghanistan for a week-long operation to clear Taliban insurgents. Afghan military commanders, had, last week, requested assistance in Sangin district, an area that British forces defended from the Taliban until 2010. The Ministry of Defence said some insurgents were killed or captured but there were no British casualties. Defence Secretary, Philip Hammond, had authorised the return to the area for British forces. The British involvement was part of a major operation by 215 Corps of the Afghan National Army (ANA) to clear insurgents in the Sangin district of Helmand Province, in the south. The operation saw troops from the UK-mentored 3/215 Brigade move north into Sangin, clearing compounds and seizing insurgent weapon stashes alongside soldiers from 2/215 Brigade.

Iraq Suicide Bomber Kills Police in Iraq

A suicide bomber killed eight Kurdish police in the northern Iraqi town of Tuz Khurmatu after targeting a convoy, officials say. The attack also wounded nine officers, district official Shahal Abdul, said. The suicide bomber blew up his car in Tuz Khurmatu close to a three-vehicle police convoy. Tuz Khurmatu is part of an area disputed between the government in Baghdad and ethnic Kurds, who inhabit a semi-autonomous region in the north and claim territory in four other nearby regions. This year has been one of the deadliest across Iraq, with thousands killed. Although violence has decreased across the country since the peak of the insurgency in 2006 and 2007, bombings are still common.

Man Jailed 90 Years for Rape, Fathering Children with Own Daughters

A music director, Aswad Ayinde, found guilty of fathering children with his daughters has been jailed for life. Ayinde, 55, of New Jersey, United States, was sentenced to 50 years in prison after being found guilty in the second of five expected trials in which he is accused of repeatedly raping his six daughters, resulting in six children being fathered. Ayinde was found guilty in his latest trial of having intercourse with one of his daughters when she was as young as eight-years-old. The second sentence adds to the 40 year sentence he received in a 2011 trial for sexually assaulting a separate daughter. Ayinde’s former wife said he was trying to create a “pure family bloodline” by impregnating his daughters. The sexual assaults happened for almost 30 years until he and his wife separated, officials said. The depraved father also beat and starved the girls using wooden boards and steel-toed boots, Ayinde’s wife testified.

51 Killed in Iraqi Bomb Attacks

A wave of car bombs has killed at least 51 people in mostly Shia areas of the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, and in other cities around the country. More than 200 people were wounded in the attacks, officials said. More than 2,500 Iraqis have died in attacks since April. The spike comes amid heightened Shia-Sunni tensions. Sunnis say they are being marginalised by Prime Minister Nouri Maliki's Shia-led government. The Baghdad bombs, hidden in parked cars, hit markets and car parks in several areas of the city, police say. Security forces also killed 10 militants, with the Iraqi Interior Ministry warning of civil conflict. It was learnt that more than 800 people have now been killed in violence so far this month alone.  The deadliest was said to have hit the eastern Shia district of Sadr City, report say.

Militants Attack Pakistani Prison, Free 240 Inmates

Taliban militants have launched an assault on a prison in Pakistan, with an official saying more than 240 prisoners escaped. The attack on the jail in the north-western town of Dera Ismail Khan began with several explosions at around midnight on Monday. Gunmen then opened fire with rocket-propelled grenades and machine-guns, police chief, Sohail Khalid, said. The prison houses hundreds of Taliban and militants from banned groups. Some of the attackers were dressed in police uniform. Twelve people, including six police officers, were reported killed in the attack. The town's civil commissioner, Mushtaq Jadoon, said that 243 prisoners had escaped, 14 of have been re-arrested. Thirty of the prisoners were hardened militants, Jadoon said.

FBI Rescues 100 Children Sex Trafficking Raids

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, on Monday, said that 105 children involved in sex trafficking and exploitation have been recovered in 76 cities across the US. The agency said that authorities also arrested 150 pimps in a-three-day nationwide raids, adding that the youngest victim rescued was 13. Ron Hosko, assistant director of the FBI’s criminal investigative division, said that the FBI remains committed to stopping the cycle of victimisation and holding the criminals who profit from this exploitation accountable. It was the FBI’s largest action to date focusing on the recovery of sexually exploited children, according to reports. The pimps preyed in particular on troubled children, including children from broken homes or with a history of abuse, low self- esteem, and little social support, authorities said.

Mali Lauded for Peaceful Polls

After the first election since a coup last year led to an Islamist insurgency, Malian and French leaders, on Monday, praised the high turnout and smooth running of Mali’s presidential polls. There were no reports of violence in the poll, despite threats to “strike” polling stations by armed Islamists, who had occupied northern Mali before being ousted in January by a French-led military occupation. The European Union’s observation mission reported that turnout was around 50 percent, putting paid to pessimism over the vote’s viability. President Francois Hollande of former colonial power France hailed the ballot for being “marked by a good turnout and an absence of any major incident”.

Israel, Palestine Plan Peace Deal within Nine Months

Negotiators from Israeli and Palestinian have unveiled a goal to reach a peace deal within nine months. Officials from both sides – standing side-by-side with United States (U.S.) Secretary of State John Kerry, who has dragged them back to the negotiating table after a three-year stalemate – said it was time to end their decades-old conflict. Meanwhile, the U.S., Russia, European Union and United Nations made a joint call Tuesday on Israel and the Palestinians not to “undermine trust” as they embark on landmark peace talks. The diplomatic quartet on the Middle East said it was determined to support the two sides’ “shared commitment to achieve a negotiated two-state solution within the agreed timeframe of nine months.”

Cleveland Kidnapper Sentenced to 1,000 Years without Parole

Cleveland Kidnapper, Ariel Castro, was on Thursday, sentenced to life in prison plus 1000 years by a Cuyahoga County court. Castro had for over a decade, held three women, captive in his home at Cleveland. His victims were said to have been sexually and physically abused during their captivity. Judge Michael Russo told Castro while handing down a sentence of life in prison plus 1,000 years, called the sentence “commensurate with the harm you’ve done.” Russo, noting that Castro treated his victims as “slaves,” said consecutive sentences rendered in his case must be “imposed” to protect the public and “to punish you.”  Russo also added that there was no place in the city, country, or world for those who enslaved others. The court in Cuyahoga County is seizing the property of Castro and imposing a fine of $100,000 on him, in addition to his massive sentence. Castro agreed to a plea deal that will see him imprisoned for life without the possibility of parole.