Villeworth Security Services Ltd

week 40

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PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

SPDC Declares Force Majeure on 150,000bpd Export and Gas Supply

The Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), on Monday, said it had declared force majeure on export of 150,000 barrels per day of Bonny Light grade of crude oil and gas supply to the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited. The declaration followed the shutdown of the 24-inch Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP). Shell's Corporate Media Relations Manager, Tony Okonedo, said that the declaration of force majeure was to allow the company repair new crude oil theft leaks at Bodo West and Oloma, adding that some 150,000 barrels of oil and 500 million standard cubic feet of gas per day were deferred. SPDC had earlier shut down the TNP as a result of a confirmed leak on the line at the Bomu-Bonny section at Owokiri. Okonedo said the TNP had been variously targeted by crude oil thieves and shut down several times to enable the removal of theft points.

Girl Raped, Boyfriend Shot in Enugu Attack

Unidentified gunmen raped a young girl, who was celebrating her birthday with her boyfriend, who was also shot in the head, in Nsukka, Enugu state. It was gathered that the gunmen, who rode in a motorcycle, blocked their vehicle along Orba Road at 6.30pm, took over the car and sped off. They stopped at a Secondary School, raped the girl and shot the man in the head, before letting them go at about 9:30pm. Realising that the girl could identify them later, the bandits allegedly made for the girl again, but she was able to escape to a crusade ground, where a church was having a vigil. The pastor of the church immediately reached out to the police after the girl explained her ordeal and that her boyfriend was shot. Enugu State Police spokesman, Ebere Amarizu, said police were on top of the situation and vowed that everything would be done to track down the bandits.

Nigerian Navy Decries Foreigners’ Involvement in Crude Oil Theft

The Nigerian Navy Tuesday decried the increasing presence of foreigners in the illegal bunkering and refining of crude oil in the Niger Delta. This followed the handing over of 61 suspected oil thieves, which included a Ghanaian and Camerounian, to the Bayelsa State Police Command for further investigation and prosecution. The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Central Naval Command, Rear Admiral Sidi-Ali Usman, disclosed that the seven vessels impounded by the Navy during the arrest of the suspects would remain in the custody of the navy. He also said the navy handed over another suspect, Mr. Abantuwe Potter, who was arrested for allegedly being in possession of firearms and protecting of illegal refineries in the creeks of the Niger Delta.

Pregnant Woman Killed in Enugu Building Collapse

A four-bedroom bungalow, built on the hilly Ologo settlement in Enugu North LGA of Enugu State, collapsed Sunday night, killing a pregnant woman and injuring her husband and another tenant. The woman, Chinasa Chukwuka, and her husband were in their room, when part of the hill behind their house collapsed during a downpour and pulled the house down. The woman died before she could be rescued from the rubble, while her husband, Emeka, was successfully pulled out, and rushed to a nearby hospital. The owner of the building, Joseph Nwoye, who resides in one of the three houses he built in the same area, said that the house collapsed around 10pm Sunday, shortly after he held a meeting with his tenants and told them to relocate to another apartment he secured for them after sensing that the building was in danger. He said that during a recent downpour, a heavy stone rolled from the hill and hit the building, giving an indication that the hill could collapse.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

Security Operatives Arrest 3 Kidnappers, Rescue Victim

Operatives of Department of State Services (DSS) have rescued a 51-year-old staff member of Warri Refinery and Petrochemical Company (WRPC), Mr. Atoyebi Toyin, who was abducted last week, and arrested 3 suspected kidnappers have been arrested in a forest in Osubi village. Atoyebi, narrating his ordeal, said that he was accosted at 6:45pm last Monday in company of his wife and children by a gang of four armed men and taken to an unknown place. His wife promptly proceeded to report the incident at the office of the DSS in Warri, which quickly swung into action the next day and rescued him after a fierce shoot-out with the kidnappers.

2 Killed in Delta Cult Battle

At least two persons were feared dead in a cult clash in Obiaruku community, Ukwuani LGA of Delta State. According to sources, there were sporadic gunshots by the suspected cult members, who also used other dangerous weapons as the combatants attempted to out-do each other. Trouble allegedly started about two weeks ago when two men met at a birthday party and instantly drew the battle line over undisclosed issues. It was further gathered that when the fight began colleagues of one of the brawling cult members joined the fray and in the process, one of them was hit by bullets. Hostility resumed last weekend as members of one of the cult groups whose colleague was hit by bullet during the previous fracas, in apparent reprisal attack, stormed the town, and shot a man suspected to be a member of the rival cult group.

Security Agencies Nab Dreaded Kidnap Kingpin, Kelvin

Elusive kidnap kingpin, Kelvin Oniarah, was, on Wednesday, arrested by a combined team of the State Security Service (SSS) and the Nigerian Army. Kelvin, who has been on the wanted list of security agencies, was believed to have been behind the   kidnap of the human rights lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), his driver and an All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Athansius Ugbome, along Auchi–Benin road in August. He is also accused of being the mastermind of various kidnappings in Edo and Delta states. Spokesperson for SSS, Marilyn Ogar, said Oniarah is a notorious terrorist, kidnap kingpin and armed robber. Ogar said Oniarah, who is also known as Kelvin Ibruvwe, was responsible for the kidnap and killing, while in captivity, of Dr. Chudi Nwike, a former Deputy Governor of Anambra State. According to Ogar, Kelvin Oniarah has been taken into custody and investigation of his notorious activities has commenced.

Court Sentences 26-Year-Old to Hang for Robbery, Rape of Teenager

A Delta High Court sitting in Warri, on Thursday, sentenced a 26-year-old furniture maker, Chijioke Ede, to death by hanging for robbing a couple at gunpoint and raping their teenage daughter. The condemned armed robber and rapist was arraigned on a three-count charge of conspiracy to commit armed robbery, armed robbery and rape before the court presided over by Justice Marshall Mukoro. He was found guilty on all the charges and sentenced to death on count one and two, while he got life imprisonment on the charge of rape. Prosecution from Delta State Ministry of Justice had told the court that Chijioke, with another person still at large, on or about October 12, 2009, at Okoro Street, Warri, robbed his victims of valuables at gunpoint and raped their teenage daughter. The convict was arrested by the vigilante group in the area as his gang made to escape with their loot.

Courts under Lock in Benin over Missing Judge

The reported kidnap of an Edo State High Court judge, Justice Daniel Iyobosa Okungbowa, On Thursday, forced courts in Benin to close shop. The judge was said to have been abducted at Ekpoma on his way to Abuja. The Benin branch of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), staged a protest to the state Police Command and the Department of State Security Services (SSS) over the incident. Chairman of the NBA, Oriene Akhere, urged the Police to expedite action in ensuring that Justice Okungbowa was rescued unhurt. He deplored the high rate of kidnapping and insecurity in the state and called for a halt of the trend. But the state Commissioner of Police, Foluso Adebanjo, said that it was a case of missing person, not kidnap. The Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Moses Eguavoen, said the Police was working hard to secure the release of the judge.

Curfew Imposed on Delta Community

A dusk-to-dawn restriction has been imposed on Kokori, a small commercial town in Ethiope East LGA of Delta State, following the arrest of Kelvin Oniara, a notorious kidnapper, and the fear that his gang members may unleash terror on the community. The Kokori community has been advised to stay indoors most of the time, while the special combing of the area by the security operatives is on, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan said. Uduaghan, who announced the restriction, on Thursday, said this was part of the measures taken to enable security operatives carry out a thorough sanitisation of the area. The restriction, which is relaxed in other parts of the LGA, became necessary due to unlawful reactions from a handful of criminal elements in the community following the arrest of Oniara, who hails from the town. The suspect was arrested in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on Tuesday, following intense manhunt days after he issued a 60-day ultimatum to the federal government to recognise the Urhobo nation in the government at the centre or face attacks.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

Police Arrest Wanted Cultist in Lagos

The Lagos State Police Command has re-arrested a notorious cult member who has been accused of conspiracy in many murders in the Mushin area of the state. The suspect, Sodiq Shittu, was reportedly arrested penultimate Friday on Lawani Street. The suspect, who had been on the police wanted list for a while, had earlier been arrested, charged to court and remanded at the Ikoyi Prison. However, the suspect was said to have been released from prison custody under controversial circumstances. Police spokesperson, Ngozi Braide, said the suspect reappeared on police radar after he was accused of killing someone at the Empire area of Jibowu. Braide said the police were carrying out investigations into how he was released from prison. Similarly, the Police smashed a kidnapping syndicate in the Okokomaiko area of the state. The suspects were arrested after policemen recovered a vehicle belonging to a kidnap victim, Obinna Okpara.

Police Arrest Pastor as Corpse of 2-Year-Old is Exhumed in Church Premises

Operatives at the Homicide Section of the state Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, Yaba, Lagos, have begun investigation into the discovery of the decomposing body of a two-year-old child in a church premises in Egbeda area of Lagos. The pastor of the church has been arrested. It was gathered that the pastor was allegedly caught burying the dead child in a shallow grave within the church premises. It was learnt that the said pastor was caught at about 2am digging the grave by a neighbour, who was said to have alerted other residents. The neighbours reported their findings to the police. The policemen dug the shallow grave where they discovered and exhumed the body of a baby girl. The body was deposited at the mortuary. Command’s Deputy Spokesman, Damasus Ozoani, confirmed the arrest.

Housemaid, Agent Nabbed for Robbery

The police in Lagos have smashed a robbery syndicate which specialises in posing as domestic servants only to rob their employers after being hired. The suspects, John Christian, Angela Ekere, Amos Daniel and Gift Christian were arrested by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) after weeks of investigation. According to the police, one of the suspects, John, posed as an agent who helped people to hire domestic servants. John, who said that he was involved in a robbery just once, said that the problem started after he helped a client get a housemaid. But said less than 24 hours after the new housemaid, Angela, resumed work, she robbed her boss of jewellery worth N5m and a phone. It was learnt that after the robbery, Angela shared the loot with John and some others. Angela however berated John for lying, maintaining that she was contacted by him for the sole purpose of robbery. Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, Damasus Ozoani, confirmed the arrests, and warned employers of domestic servants to be very careful in choosing their servants.

Herbalists Remanded in Prison over Alleged Rape of Housewife

A Magistrate Court in Osogbo, Osun State, has ordered that two herbalists accused of defrauding their client and raping her be remanded in prison. Magistrate Olusola Aluko gave the order because of the refusal of the suspects to appear in court for 12 times without any genuine reason. The herbalists – Musa Sule, 32, Dauda Rasaq, 40, and one Femi Akomolafe who is at large – were accused of gang-raping the victim when she visited their shrine to find spiritual solution to her problem of constant miscarriage. The herbalists were accused of defrauding their patient of N29.5m, being the amount collected from her to solve her problem. The victim was said to have been raped when she also complained to them that she still suffered another miscarriage despite the huge money she paid and assurances given her. The accused persons were said to have been arraigned before a court and were admitted to bail after pleading not guilty but they refused to appear before the court afterwards.

Man Arraigned over Rape of 8-Year-Old Girl

A 32-year-old driver, Muhammadu Alabi, has been arraigned before an Abule-Egba Magistrate’s Court, Lagos, on a charge of alleged rape of an eight-year-old daughter of his neighbour. The prosecutor, Inspector Rachael Williams, told the court that the offence was committed at the residence of the defendant on September 3 after the accused called the child to his room to send her on an errand. Williams said the suspect, however, raped the child and that her screaming attracted neighbours, who then rescued her and reported the incidence to the police. He, however, pleaded not guilty. The Magistrate, Tajudeen Elias, granted him bail in the sum of N2 million with two sureties in like sum. Elias adjourned the case to October 8, for mention.

Lagos CJ Frees 119 from Kirikiri Prisons

Lagos State Chief Judge, Justice Ayotunde Phillips, Wednesday, released 119 awaiting trial inmates from the Kirikiri Maximum and Medium Security Prisons, Apapa. The released inmates, who have been awaiting trial for as much as thirteen years, include 99 inmates from medium prisons and 20 from maximum prisons with capital and minor offences. Justice Phillips said the visit was aimed at decongesting the prisons and in exercise of the Chief Judge's powers under Section 1 (1) of the Criminal Justice Release from Custody Special Provision Act CAP C40, 2007, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.

Four Killed as Buildings Collapse in Lagos

Four persons, Thursday, lost their lives in Lagos as they were buried under the rubbles of a three storey building that collapsed. The deceased include a four-year-old girl, an octogenarian and two others, with 10 others left with varying degrees of injuries. According to an eyewitness account, the incident was exacerbated when the first building, a three-storey block of flats, collapsed and fell on a six-bedroom bungalow beside it. It was gathered that the three-storey building had already been marked for demolition by the officials of the Lagos State Government, yet it was not vacated until its collapse. The General Manager of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu, alongside the Commander of the Rapid Response Squad, Akeem Odumosu, said efforts were on-going to rescue more victims who might be trapped in the ill-fated buildings. He urged residents to always be the eyes of the government by reporting any dilapidated structures in their areas to the state or local government for prompt action.

Cleric Arrested after Defrauding Friend of N9.5m

A 34-year-old man, who poses as a Muslim cleric to defraud gullible Nigerians has been arrested by operatives of the Special Fraud Unit (SFU), Lagos, for allegedly defrauding one of his victims of N8 million. The suspect, Isiaka Adeleke, was said to have collected the sum from a childhood friend, who came for prayers for the expansion of his business. The complainant told operatives that he confided in Adeleke that he intended to use the money to buy a truck for his business. However, in the process, Yusuf was said to have demanded for the money to enable him go into the spiritual realm to tackle spiritual forces hindering the success of his friend’s business. However, the victim returned a week later as instructed, only to discover that Yusuf had changed residence. Adeleke admitted collecting the sum and pleaded to be given time to refund the money.

Serial Carjackers Arrested in Ibadan

Two robbery suspects, who specialised in snatching exotic cars in Ibadan, have been arrested by men of Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Oyo State Police Command. A member of the gang, Iyanda Dauda, 32, was arrested at a relaxation centre after snatching a Toyota car. The Police Public Relations Officer, Olabisi Ilobanafo, said the owner of the vehicle reported to the police that he was robbed at gun point and the police promptly swung into action, and found tracked down the suspect. Dauda’s arrest also led to the apprehension of another member of the gang, Idris Tirimisiyu. Confessing to the theft, Dauda said he was among the robbers that snatched the car from the owner and that he was waiting for a buyer at the relaxation centre where he was arrested.

Police Nab Suspected Fraudster in Fake “Customs Car Auction” deal

Ogun State Police Command, Tuesday, said that it had arrested a young man for allegedly defrauding a man under the pretence of selling a car to him through public auction by the Customs Service. Police spokesman, Muyiwa Adejobi, said that the suspect was arrested at Auchi Edo State on September 16, following a manhunt for his arrest by the police detectives from the Agbara Division of the Command, after he had collected N200,000 from his victim, Mr. Johnson Umeugoji, who claimed to have seen the announcement of the auction placed on internet by the suspect. The victim, who eventually realised that he had been duped, reported the matter at the Agbara division and the DPO, Ayo Sonubi, swung into action, leading to the suspect’s arrest. The suspect has confessed that he belongs to a syndicate that specialises in duping people using such methods.

Seven Killed as Rain Wreaks Havoc in Ibadan

Seven people were, on Sunday night, killed as a midnight rainfall made residents of the ancient city of Ibadan count their losses. Some commercial motorcyclists and tricycle operators unwittingly fell into some of the roads which had been cut off. The police, however, confirmed the death of four people while the state fire service stated that it was yet to be informed of any casualty. Most residents, who had houses around the affected areas had started to relocate for fear that the rainfall would continue till night.

LAGBUS Crushes Soldier to Death

A soldier on a motorbike was, on Monday, was crushed to death by a LAGBUS, one of the buses in the state mass transit scheme along the Funsho Williams Avenue bypass, Surulere. Eyewitnesses said the victim, who was riding a motorcycle, was also carrying a woman on the back seat. The passenger was reportedly flung away by the impact of the collision. She was said to be in a critical condition and was rushed to the hospital. It was further learnt that the bus driver, after seeing the extent of the damage, removed his uniform and fled the scene. A mechanic, Taiwo Akindele, said the accident was caused by the bad state of the bridge, while a trader under the bridge disclosed that there had been four of such accidents within a space of three months due to the condition of the bridge. The Managing Director of LAGBUS, Mr. Babatunde Disu, confirmed the incident, adding that the driver had been handed over to the police.

Police Recover Stolen Car Hidden in Church, Arrest Suspect

The police in Oyo State have recovered a stolen Toyota Camry car hidden in a church in Gbongan, Osun State. It was alleged that, the suspect, Yinka Oyeniran, led three others on September 10, 2013 to a Christian centre in Ibadan, where the car was snatched. The car, however, had a tracking device, through which the police monitored the car after the victim reported the incident. Oyeniran was said to have told the pastor of the church that he brought the vehicle for blessing. It was learnt that Osun and Oyo states police command laid an ambush for Oyeniran. When he returned to take his loot, he was arrested. Police Public Relations Officer, Olabisi Ilobanafo, said another car and a motorcycle were also recovered from the suspect.

Fashola Apologises over Deportation of Igbos

Two months after the controversial deportation of Igbo residents, Governor Babatunde Fashola, Thursday, rendered an unreserved apology to the Igbos over the July 24 dumping of some alleged destitute in Onitsha, Anambra State. Speaking at silver jubilee symposium of Igbo think tank ‘Aka Ikenga’ in Lagos, Fashola insisted that he could not allow such differences tarnish the bond and friendship that were built overtime with the Ndigbo in the state. Fashola maintained that his relationship with the Igbo remained solid and that many had misunderstood and misrepresented the actions of the Lagos State Government because of party politics.

GENERAL

Death Toll in Borno Attack Arises to Above 140

The death toll from a suspected Boko Haram attack in Borno State that saw insurgents dressed as soldiers set up checkpoints and gun down travellers on a highway has risen to at least 142, an official said on Monday. Abdulaziz Kolomi, an official with the environmental protection agency in Borno state confirmed the evacuation of 142 corpses from Benisheik town and environs. The previous toll from the attack late Tuesday in the Benisheik area was 87.The insurgents also burned scores of homes and buildings in the assault and left corpses littering the roadside. Residents described a gruesome assault on Tuesday, saying the attackers singled out people from Borno, while letting people from other regions pass through checkpoints. Army General Mohammed Yusuf, who briefed the state governor on the attack, said troops ran out of ammunition while combatting the assault. He said the insurgents were armed with “anti-aircraft guns.”

Militants Kill 50 Students in Yobe College Attack

Suspected Boko Haram members attacked, in the early hours of Sunday, Yobe State College of Agriculture, killing nearly 50 students as they slept in dormitories and torching classrooms, the school's provost, Molima Idi Mato, said. Idi Mato said that there were no security forces protecting the college. Two weeks ago, the state commissioner for education had begged schools and colleges to reopen and promised they would be guarded by soldiers and police. According to reports, almost all those killed were Muslims, as is the majority of the college's student body. According to a survivor, the extremists, who drove into the college in two vehicles and motorcycles, with some dressed in military uniforms, appeared to know the layout of the college, as they attack the four male hostels but avoided the female hostel.

Nigeria Deploys More Fighter Jets in North

The Nigerian military have deployed fighter jets in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states following increase in suspected Boko Haram attacks. The deployment comes as strong indications emerged that Islamic militants from some North African countries are coordinating attacks, following the discovery that many Arabs of Shuwa descent and fair-skinned people from Mauritania, Sudan, Somalia, Algeria and Niger, were among those whose bodies were found after some of the recent encounters with the Bok Haram insurgents. The militants are said to be armed with Rocket Propelled Grenades and General Purpose Machine Guns. The insurgents, last weekend, launched rounds of attacks on the Nigerian troops, necessitating the deployment of more fighter jets in the troubled states. The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh, is said to be personally supervising the use of fighter jets and the Air Force personnel supporting the Army in the fight against the insurgents. The Director of Air Information, Air Commodore Yusuf Anas, confirmed the deployment of Alpha jets as well as M1, 35 and M1, 34 helicopters in the operational areas.

Police Recover Car Buried with Bodies

Residents of Nasarawa State, on Tuesday, discovered the bodies of two bankers and their driver that were allegedly ambushed by suspected Ombatse boys, who took them to the bush, killed them, set them ablaze with their car and buried them with the car by the riverside at Tudun Adabu in Obi LG. The Police Command has arrested 14 suspects in connection with the murder. The deceased bankers are Alhaji Hassan Gidado, who was the managing director of the Police Microfinance Bank, and Mr. Tunde Banwo. It was gathered that the two top bankers, who lived in Abuja, were in Lafia for the wedding of a child of the police commissioner-in-charge of Cooperative. Police Commissioner Umar Shehu said the suspected killers would soon be taken to court. He assured residents that measures had been taken to curb the activities of the outlawed Ombatse group.

Kaduna Assembly Impeaches Speaker, Elects New Speaker

The speaker of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Mua’azu Gangara, was on Tuesday, impeached by 18 out of the 33 members of the house. A new speaker, Shehu Usman Tahir, was elected. But Gangara, supported by 14 other members of the House, insisted that he remained the Speaker, arguing that those who claimed to have impeached him did not meet the constitutional provision for their action. Section 92 (2c) states that a Speaker or his deputy can be removed from office “if he is removed by a resolution of the House of Assembly by the votes of two third of the members of the House.” The Kaduna State House of Assembly has 33 members but Gangara and his deputy were removed from office by 18 members at plenary. Hon. Ishiaku Kantiok, who moved the motion for the impeachment of the House leadership, had argued that reports in three newspapers said the leadership of the House visited the Vice President Namadi Sambo and that money exchanged hands during the visit, saying that the Speaker failed to defend the allegation.

Gunmen Kill Pastor, 2 Others in Yobe Village

The Joint Task Force (JTF) in Yobe, on Thursday, confirmed the killing of a pastor and two others in an attack in Dorowa village, Nangere LGA. The JTF spokesperson, Capt. Eli Lazarus, said the deceased were killed by suspected members of Boko Haram sect in the early hours of Thursday. A Church and two houses were also razed down by the attackers. Lazarus said that efforts are on-going by men of the 3 Division Special Operations Battalion to arrest the perpetrators of the dastardly act.

NIS Promotes 6,193 Officers

The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) on Thursday announced the promotion of 6,193 officers and men to various positions in the service. The promotion was announced by the NIS Public Relations Officer, Mr Chukwuemeka Obua. The statement said that 34 Deputy Comptrollers of Immigration were promoted to the rank of Comptrollers of Immigration while 44 Assistant Comptrollers of Immigration rose to the rank of Deputy Comptrollers of Immigration Service. It further said that 50 Chief Superintendents of Immigration were promoted to Assistant Comptrollers of Immigration. The statement said that of the number promoted to the position of Immigration Inspectors, 158, who were members of the Joint Task Force, got automatic promotion. The remaining 5,907 officers were promoted to various ranks. The NIS Comptroller-General, Mr David Parradang, congratulated those promoted and enjoined them to work harder to justify their elevation.

Nigerian Police Nab Chinese for N105m Fraud

The Special Fraud Unit (SFU) of the Nigeria Police Force has arrested a Chinese fugitive, Fang Yang, for his involvement in a N105m fraud. The SFU said Yang had been declared wanted in China about 17 years ago for fraud perpetrated against the 2nd Sub Branch of China Agricultural Bank of Qingdao in 1996. The SFU Commissioner of Police, Mr. Tunde Ogunsakin, disclosed that the alleged fraud was perpetrated when Yang was a Deputy Manager with Si Fang Qiao Lian Company in China, after which he ran to Nigeria.  “Yang, together with another suspect, Leng Jiqing, were said to have used the loan to pay their company’s debts while the balance was allegedly spent on the company’s daily expenses. It was learnt that Jiqing had been arrested by the Chinese authorities and was serving a life imprisonment verdict in China.  In collaboration with the Chinese authorities, Yang, who has been living in Nigeria since 2001, was said to have been arrested three weeks ago in Ogun State.

PSC Promotes 42 Senior Officers

The Police Service Commission (PSC) has approved the promotion of four Assistant Inspectors General of Police (AIG), nine Commissioners of Police, nine Deputy Commissioners of Police and 20 Assistant Commissioners of Police. In a statement by Ferdinand Ekpe, Spokesman for the Commission, the PSC said the promotions were based on the recommendations of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Abubakar and that merit, as well as vacancies in the force were the benchmark. Disclosing that all the promotions are to take effect from September 24, 2013, the commission pointed out that it would regularly elevate hard-working officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force; while those who abandoned their responsibilities will be appropriately sanctioned. Chairman of the Commission, Dr. Mike Okiro, congratulated the newly promoted officers and enjoined them to live up to the additional responsibility attached to their new ranks.

174 Robbers Arrested in Abuja in Six Months

The FCT security agencies arrested 174 armed robbers in the territory between April and September 2013. This is contained in a statement issued by Mr Muhammad Sule, Chief Press Secretary to the FCT Minister. It said the FCT Commissioner of Police, Mr Femi Ogunbayode, disclosed during a high-point discussion at the FCT Security Committee meeting chaired by FCT Minister, Sen. Bala Mohammed. It said that 604 rounds of live ammunition were recovered during the period. The arms recovered include 27 locally-made pistols, three AK-47 riffles, one Lar-Riffle, 11 Wooden/Toy Guns and one Pump Action Gun. The statement also said that 32 armed robbery cases had been charged to court, adding that only one case of abduction was reported during the period.

Boko Haram Leader, Shekau, Appears in Video, Says He’s Alive

The leader of the terrorist sect, Boko Haram sect, Abubakur Shekau, whom the Joint Task Force (JTF) had claimed was died after a shootout in August, on Wednesday, appeared in a recorded video message, threatening to continue his killing spree until democracy is destroyed in Nigeria. Shekau boasted that he remained invincible. The Nigerian Army has not verified the authenticity of his death nor the recording. The JTF’s statement on his alleged death had caused consternation at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja, as DHQ sources expressed doubts about the veracity of the statement by JTF. Shekau, who was surrounded in the video mailed to some journalists by dozens of his lieutenants all dressed in military camouflage, spoke amidst laughter and sarcasm as he accepted responsibility for recent attacks in Borno State.

Jos Riot: ICC Clears Jang of Genocide

Plateau State Governor, Jonah David Jang, has been exonerated from allegation of crime against humanity by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague. The state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Edward Pwajok, who disclosed this on Wednesday, said the ICC gave the governor a clean bill while delivering judgment on a case pending before it since 2009. The Hausa-Muslim community in Jos had dragged the state government led by Jang before the ICC in 2009, accusing him of masterminding the mass killing of Hausa/Muslims in Jos during the political crises of 2008. Jang was accused of genocide, ethnic cleansing and mass killing when the governor allegedly issued a shoot-on-sight order to the police during the crisis that followed the local government elections. The Hausa-Muslim community in the state alleged that the police from the state command acted on the order of the governor, killed about 750 Muslims during the 2008 crises. However, the ICC after a lengthy investigation declared that the appellants have failed to prove the allegations.

Rights Commission Probes Alleged Killing of Squatters in Abuja

Nigeria’s Human Rights Commission (NHRC), on Tuesday, said it was investigating allegations that security agents shot dead eight unarmed squatters in Abuja under the guise of fighting Boko Haram insurgents. Doubts have persisted over the official explanation regarding the penultimate Friday incident that also left a number of others wounded. Witnesses say that those shot at were unarmed and not members of Boko Haram. Chairman of the NHRC, Chidi Odinkalu, said that the commission has to determine if the right to life of the victims has been violated. The State Security Service (SSS) had claimed that Boko Haram extremists opened fire on its operatives on Friday as they searched for weapons purportedly hidden by members of the Islamist group. They said several people were injured and 12 were arrested following a shootout with the extremists during the operation. But local residents and witnesses said eight people, who were squatting in an unfinished building, were killed by the security forces.

Gunmen Kill 160, Abduct 10 Women in Zamfara in 3 Months

Governor Abdulazez Yari of Zamfara State, on Monday, said gunmen had killed 160 people and abducted 10 married women in different villages of the state in the last three months. Yari, who made the disclosure when he addressed members of the State House Assembly, on the security situation in the state, said the situation had caused disaffection between residents of the affected villages and the state government. Yari said the state government was handicapped, and urged the federal government to deploy more security personnel to the state to protect lives and property of the people. The governor said the state government had committed a lot of its scarce resources on security issues, and called on the federal government to stand up to its responsibilities. The Speaker of the assembly, Alhaji Sanusi Rikijin, assured the governor of the assembly's support.

CJN Decried Practice of Arraigning Suspects before Getting Evidence

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mariam Mukhtar, has frowned at the practice by security agencies in the country of taking suspects to court before looking for evidence to prosecute them. Justice Mukhtar identified the practice as one of the reasons for undue delays in the criminal justice administration system in the country. The CJN advised the security agencies to emulate the practice in other parts of the world, where adequate evidences were obtained before suspects were arrested and charged to court. Justice Mukhtar warned that “an extreme consequence of these glaring lapses may lie in the loss of confidence in our domestic justice administration system.” She restated her call for an overhaul of the country’s criminal laws, which she described as “archaic and culturally irrelevant.”

Police Arrest 2 Men over Rape of Teenage Boys

Gombe State Police Command says it has arrested two persons suspected of homosexuality and another for rape. Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Fwaje Atajiri, said that a 25-year-old suspected homosexual had, on September 15, lured a seven-year-old boy to an uncompleted building, threatened him with a knife and raped him. According to him, an old man notified the police after querying the boy, whom he met walking in pains after the rape. The police spokesman said the suspect was immediately arrested and after interrogation allegedly confessed to have committed the offence. Another suspect was arrested after raping a 12-year-old boy, while a third was apprehended for allegedly raping a three-year-old girl. He said the cries of the baby alerted her mother, who rushed to the scene and caught the suspect red-handed. Atajiri said all the suspects would be arraigned in court soon.

Lawyers without Borders Move to Save Child Bride from Death Row

The Avocats Sans Frontières France (ASFF), also known as Lawyers without Borders, has moved to save a 20-year-old nursing mother, Maimuna Abdulmumini, from being executed for allegedly killing her first husband seven years ago. A Katsina State High Court had on December 6, 2012, sentenced Abdulmumini to death by hanging for allegedly setting her husband ablaze, causing his death just five months after her marriage at the tender age of 13. ASSF, in a suit filed before the ECOWAS court sitting in Abuja, prayed the court to declare that the death sentence violates the provisions of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, as the alleged crime was committed when she was a minor. ASSF is also asking the court to quash the death sentence and consequently release Abdulmumini, until such a time when she will have access to fair proceedings as guaranteed by international standards.

INTERNATIONAL

Kenyan Troops Dislodge Terrorists, Rescue Hostages from Mall
…As Attack Claims 67 Lives

Kenyan troops, on Tuesday, gained the upper hand in the 4-day battle to dislodge terrorists who had, last Saturday, attacked Nairobi's Westgate shopping mall, taking scores of people hostage, and killing 67 people, including six soldiers. President Uhuru Kenyatta announced that the four-day siege was over after troops had flushed out the terrorists from the mall. Five attackers were shot dead by the troops and 11 suspects are in custody, he said. He confirmed that 61 civilians and six soldiers had died and declared three days of mourning. Several others were wounded. Kenyatta said several bodies lying under the rubble from the collapsed parts of the building were still to be recovered. There were conflicting reports about the identity of the attackers, six of whom were reported to have been killed during the siege, and a number of whom were being held in custody. The attack which started on Saturday targeted a popular weekend meeting spot. Al-Shabaab, Islamist militants claimed responsibility, and said it was not backing down.

Over 230 Killed in as Earthquake Hits Pakistan

The death toll from a powerful earthquake in Pakistan rose above 230 on Wednesday after hundreds of mud houses collapsed on their inhabitants in the remote and thinly populated area. Pakistan's army airlifted hundreds of soldiers to help with the aftermath of the earthquake. The Tuesday earthquake, measuring 7.7 on the Richter scale, struck Baluchistan, a huge earthquake-prone province of deserts and rugged mountains, and was felt across South Asia. It destroyed houses and cut communications with the worst affected district of Awaran, and was so powerful that it caused a small island to emerge from the sea just off the Pakistani coastline in the Arabian Sea. Jan Mohammad Bulaidi, a spokesman for the Baluch government, said at least 239 were killed and 400 injured. It was hard for rescue teams to reach the area quickly because it is so remote, and some officials said the death toll was likely to rise as emergency workers progressed deeper into the mountains to assess the damage.

Dozens Killed in Pakistani Church Blast

Two bombs outside a church in Peshawar in Pakistan have killed at least 75 people, in one of the worst attacks on Christians in the country. Two suicide bombers blew themselves up as worshippers were coming out of the church, police said. Relatives of the victims gathered at the scene to protest against the government’s failure to protect them. Muslim militants have been blamed for past attacks on Pakistani Christians. Estimates put the number of Christians in Pakistan at about 1.6% of the country’s mainly Muslim population. Demonstrations were held in other cities, with police in Karachi firing tear gas and bullets into the air to disperse hundreds of protesters. No-one has admitted carrying out the attack, in which more than 120 people were wounded. About 500 to 600 people were believed to have been inside the church at the time.

18 Dead, 21 Injured in Twin Blasts at Iraqi Mosque

Two bombs tore through worshippers gathering for prayers at a Sunni mosque in Iraq penultimate Friday, killing 18 people, while three died in other attacks, officials said. The bombs, which hit the Musab bin Omair mosque near Samarra, north of Baghdad, also wounded 21 people, police and a doctor said. The blasts came a day after the bodies of 10 young men, who had been shot dead, were found in Baghdad. Also on Friday, mortar rounds killed a young girl west of Samarra and wounded two members of her family. Gunmen also kidnapped and killed a soldier in the northern province of Kirkuk, while a roadside bomb north of the city of Baquba killed one person and wounded three. Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, who heads Iraq's Shiite-majority government, condemned the trend as he met with displaced Sunni families.

Angela Merkel in Historic Victory in German Election

German Chancellor, Angela Merkel won a historic third term in office with an overwhelming victory for her ruling conservative Christian Democrats in Germany’s general election on Sunday night. The Christian Democrats romped home with over 41 per cent of the vote – an increase of 8 per cent over Germany’s last general election in 2009. They now command 311 seats in the Bundestag - just five short of an absolute majority, according to reports. But the election brought a humiliating defeat for Ms Merkel’s pro-business, liberal Free Democrat (FDP) coalition partners for the past four years. They were ousted from the German parliament for the first time since 1949 after one of their worst election performances on record, securing just 4.8 per cent of the vote. Ms Merkel now faces the prospect of forming a coalition government with the opposition Social Democrats, who have 192 seats, or even the environmentalist Greens, who ended the night with 63 seats.

Iran Frees 80 Prisoners

Iran, on Monday, disclosed that it had freed 80 prisoners arrested in political crackdowns. The announcement of the mass release came just hours after President Hassan Rouhani departed for New York for the annual UN General Assembly, where he is expected to seek Western pledges to restart stalled talks over Iran’s nuclear program. It appeared to reinforce the impression that Rouhani has support from the country’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, to explore a broad rapprochement with the West, which has condemned Iran’s crackdowns on the opposition. Rouhani urged Western leaders to heed his appeals for greater dialogue and take steps to ease economic sanctions on Iran as a path to “reach joint interests.” But the main opposition leaders Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mahdi Karroubi remain under house arrest.

Egyptian Court Bans Muslim Brotherhood Activities

A court in Egypt has banned “all activities” by the Muslim Brotherhood. The Cairo Court for Urgent Matters said the ruling applied to the Islamist movement, its non-governmental organisation and any affiliated groups. It also ordered the interim government to seize the Brotherhood’s funds and form a panel to administer its frozen assets until any appeal had been heard. The military authorities have launched a crackdown on the group since ousting President Mohammed Morsi on July 3. Dozens of senior figures have been detained on suspicion of inciting violence and murder. The 85-year-old Islamist movement was banned by Egypt’s military rulers in 1954, but registered an NGO called the Muslim Brotherhood Association in March in response to a court case bought by opponents who contested its legal status. The Brotherhood’s political wing, the Freedom and Justice Party, may be unaffected by the ruling, but it faces a separate challenge - amendments to the 2012 constitution ban political parties that have religious links.

Eight Die in Colorado Flooding

At least 8 persons are confirmed dead in the aftermath of the Colorado flooding, Larimer County authorities said Monday. Vice President Joe Biden visited Colorado on Monday and took a one-hour aerial tour to view the damage. He also checked on recovery efforts. Biden said the federal government had approved $35 million thus far for road rebuilding and other projects. He said those funds wouldn't be affected by a possible government shutdown. Torrential rains fell September 12 in mountainous areas north of Denver, and such downpours persisted for several more days, adding up to 18.1 inches in parts of Boulder County and 15.6 inches in Adams County, Gov. John Hickenlooper said. The heavy rainfall spurred flash floods that turned picturesque canyons into funnels that deluged towns downstream and left hundreds stranded. More than a week later, many remained marooned.