Villeworth Security Services Ltd

week 47

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PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

Four Killed in Failed Kidnap Attempt

Two soldiers and one policeman were among the four persons that were killed in a failed kidnap attempt at Mgbosimiri, Rumueme area of Port Harcourt on Wednesday. One civilian was also killed by the kidnappers. It was gathered that a group of hoodlums had stormed the NAOC area and attempted to kidnap an unidentified person. The people around the place raised the alarm. This prompted the security operatives to intervene. The kidnappers, who took to their heels, met a group of riot policemen rushing towards their direction. They opened fire and killed one policeman. An eyewitness disclosed that the hoodlums, numbering about eight, escaped through the Agip jetty. It was learnt that the kidnappers later ran into a group of soldiers guarding Saipem; an oil servicing company, and began to shoot, killing two soldiers in the process. The state Police Public Relations Officer, Ahmad Mohammad, confirmed the incident, but denied that a policeman was killed during the attack.

Police Nab Three Robbery Suspects In Enugu

The police in Enugu State, on Monday, arrested three armed robbery suspects, including a woman. The State’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ebere Amaraizu, said the suspects usually operated within Liberation Road in the Awkunanaw area of the state and environs, using tricycle. Amaraizu said police officers pursued them as they fired sporadically into the air in a bid to scare people. The lady among them was arrested, which later led to the arrest of the other two persons who were in their hiding place. The PPRO said a loaded locally made gun and a tricycle were recovered from the suspects, who are helping the police in their investigations. In a related development, the police have begun investigation at Mbanugo in Coal Camp area of the state, where a bus driver of one of the companies based in Enugu was shot dead by yet-to-be-identified hoodlums. Amaraizu said the incident left two persons with severe injuries.

Abducted Americans Sailors Regain Freedom

The United States, Tuesday, announced the release of two Americans kidnapped by pirates off southern Nigeria in October. Some pirates had stormed an oil supply vessel off the coast of Bayelsa state and kidnapped two American crew members from a US-flagged C-Retriever owned by American oil servicing company Edison Chouest Offshore. The ship’s chief engineer and captain, both American citizens, were kidnapped in the attack. Their release was confirmed by the State Department spokeswoman, Jen Psaki.

Four Killed as MASSOB, Security Operatives Clash in Onitsha

Four people were feared killed on Monday when members of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) clashed with a team of security operatives in Onitsha, Anambra State. But while MASSOB claimed that the clash was an attack on its members because of the decision of the group to withdraw their support for the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), the police declined comments on the incident. Director of Information of MASSOB, Uchenna Madu, alleged that the security team, made up of army, police and State Security Services personnel, stormed the MASSOB headquarters and opened fire on the members. He said that at the end of the attack, four persons were felled while about 80 persons were injured. He said those injured during the incident were denied medical attention because they could not produce police medical permit.

Man, 26, Butchers and Buries Mother in Shallow Grave

A 24-year-old man, simply identified as Godsgift, has been arrested by the Police in Bayelsa state over the murder of his 67-year-old mother, Rose Jonny. The suspect allegedly butchered his mother and buried her remains in a shallow grave near her house in Oloibiri community, Ogbia LGA of the state. It was gathered that the woman was killed in her sleep with a machete by her son who dragged her butchered body through the window and buried her in a shallow grave at the back of her house. He was said to have told the mother that she would not see the next day. It was learnt that neighbours became suspicious the next day due to the unusual silence from the deceased’s house, and it was discovered that her door was locked from inside. Another son of the deceased was reportedly summoned by neighbours and they forced the door open, only to see the entire room splashed with blood, which was traced to the shallow grave, where her body was found. Police spokesman, Alex Akhigbe, confirmed the incident, saying the suspect has been arrested and the case transferred from the Ogbia Police Station to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for investigation.

Herb Vendor Arrested for Theft of Baby

An herb seller, Ukat Aran, has been arrested by the Akwa Ibom State police command over the theft of a seven-month-old baby boy -Feargod Edemekong. The mother of the baby, Mfreke Edemekong, said on Tuesday that Aran came to sell some herbal medicines to her husband’s uncle a day earlier. According to her, the baby was stolen by a four-man gang that broke into her house, armed with guns. She disclosed that two of the assailants, who went inside her room, snatched Feargod, while pointing guns at her and her husband. They reportedly forced her to escort them to the car, where she recognised Aran as the driver. The acting Police Public Relations Officer of the state command, John Patrick, confirmed the incident. He said another yet-to-be identified suspect had been arrested, while the case had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further actions.

Brothers Assault Elderly Couple over Witchcraft Allegation

Four brothers have been accused of assaulting two septuagenarians over alleged witchcraft in Ediene Abak, Abak LGA of Akwa Ibom State. The attackers, Corporals Michael Williams and Akwaowo William serve with the Nigerian Airforce, while Uduak William serves with the Nigeria Police. The other, Ekereobong William, is a civilian. The brothers were said to have beaten up and stripped their uncle, Polycarp William, and his wife, Anna, on the suspicion that they used witchcraft to hinder their progress. The State’s Police Public Relations Officer, John Patrick confirmed the incident, saying that the matter had been transferred to the anti-robbery squad at the State Criminal Investigation Department.

MASSOB goes to ICJ, Alleges Harassment by Nigerian Government

Members of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) have taken their case of harassment, intimidation and torture by the Nigerian government to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). MASSOB’s Regional Administrator for Awka North, Tony Nwodo, said that the movement approached the ICJ to look into the “inhuman treatment MASSOB members had been facing in Nigeria”. He said MASSOB members were law abiding citizens and that their leader, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, had on many occasions, made it clear that MASSOB members are not threats to the citizens of Nigeria and law enforcement agencies. The regional administrator said that presently, about 11 members of MASSOB were in police cell in Anambra State alone, while others have been shot dead because they claimed to be members of MASSOB. He called on the law enforcement agents to charge them to court instead of shooting them or locking them up in cell.

Pirates Kill Headmaster, Steal Teachers’ Salaries

Pirates, operating in the waterways of Bayelsa State, Wednesday, shot dead the headmaster of a community primary school in the state and carted away an unspecified amount of money meant for the school teachers’ salaries. It was learnt that the victim, whose name was given as Weky Akparakazi, was killed when the gunmen attacked a passenger boat along the waterways of Aleibiri in Ekeremor LGA of the state and Tuomo in Delta state. Some top management of the State University Basic Education Board, who confirmed the report, said the attack occurred on Wednesday night. It was learnt that the assailants waylaid their victims with machetes and other weapons.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

Navy Raids Warri Creeks, Destroys 3m Litres of Crude Oil

Men of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Delta destroyed over 3 million litres of crude oil being ferried for sale at the high sea. Men of the NNS Delta were on a surveillance patrol of abandoned oil wells at Okukpene in Warri South LGA of the state when they ran into 13 boats laden with crude oil.  The operation, which lasted for 10 hours, saw the discovery of the 13 Cotonou boats from two different locations, which were subsequently set ablaze in line with extant laws guiding the operation. The Commander, NNS Delta, Commodore Sidi-Alli Garba, disclosed that no arrest was made during the operation as the perpetrators fled the scene on sighting men of the Navy.

NSCDC Destroys Illegal Refineries in Edo

The Edo State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) says it destroyed seven illegal refineries in the state between January and November this year. The State Commandant, Chike Ikpeawonwu, disclosed that six of the refineries were destroyed in in Etsako West LGA while the last one was at Abudu in Orhionwon LGA. He also disclosed that 25 trucks, loaded with crude from vandalised pipelines, were confiscated by the command during the same period. Ikpeawonwu noted that 15 of the confiscated trucks had, however, been destroyed, before the directive stopping the burning of seized trucks with crude was issued.

Edo Police Parade 29 Suspected Criminals

The Edo State Police command have intensified the war against crime with the arrest of 29 suspected criminals including kidnappers, armed robbers and paedophiles. Among them was 24-year-old Ifeanyi Nwongi, who allegedly defiled a 20-month-old child. The Commissioner of Police, Folusho Adebanjo, said 15 of the suspects were kidnappers who risked death sentence if convicted following the recent kidnapping bill, which was signed into law by Governor Adams Oshiomhole. Items recovered from the suspects included five vehicles, one AK47 rifle, three English pump action guns, three double barrel guns, five locally- made pistol, 103 AK 47 live ammunition, 505 live ammunition and other dangerous weapons. He said the suspected kidnappers were arrested in different parts of the state, following the war against kidnapping waged by the state Police Command.

Gunmen Kill Four Anambra-Bound Policemen in Benin

Gunmen, on Thursday, opened fire and killed four policemen in Edo state. The policemen were said to be part of those deployed from Osun State for the November 16 governorship election in Anambra State, and were in transit when they were attacked. It was learnt that the truck they were travelling in was attacked by gunmen at the Benin bypass. Four of them were killed immediately. It could not however be ascertained whether the attackers were political thugs or armed robbers.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

Police Nab Suspected Robber with Videos of Robbery Operations

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a 23-year-old robber, Prince Nwafor, with a visual recording of a robbery operation that he took part in. According to police authorities, the suspect is part of a robbery gang that specialised in snatching vehicles. The recording, which was captured with a camera phone, showed how Nwafor’s gang members robbed a motorist of his car in an undisclosed location. Nwafor said that he made the recordings so he could blackmail his colleagues with it. He said his colleagues usually cheated him when sharing their loot and the recording was meant to be used as a leverage to force them to share the robbery loot equally. Police Public Relations Officer, Ngozi Braide, who confirmed the arrest to our correspondent on the telephone, said some of the stolen vehicles had been recovered, adding that efforts were on to recover the remaining ones stolen by the gang.

Four Die in Lagos Bank Robbery Attack

Four persons, including a soldier were, last week Tuesday, killed in a robbery attack on a bank at Alaba Market, Lagos State. The incident was said to have occurred around 6pm, while money was being transferred from the branch, which serves as a cash point, to a major branch of the bank in the area. The masked robbers reportedly arrived at the scene on a motorcycle. The robbers allegedly shot at the soldier and the bank employee; both men were said to have died on the spot. After seizing the bag, the robbers allegedly fired more shots sporadically. In the ensuing panic, a recharge card seller and another person were hit. The robbers allegedly escaped with the bag, containing an undisclosed sum of money.

Woman, 46, Raped and Killed in Ekiti

A 46-year old woman, Mrs. Eunice Titilayo Ogundele, was allegedly raped then murdered at Igede Ekiti, weekend, by yet to be identified persons. According to the husband of the deceased, Michael Ogundele, his wife left home in the early hours of Friday for a church service. He said she was allegedly hit with a pestle on the head by her assailants on the way. The State’s Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Victor Babayemi, who confirmed the incident, said that a suspect had been arrested and was making confessions.

Expatriate Killed, Dismembered by Unidentified Assailants

The police in Lagos have commenced investigation into the gruesome murder of a South African, Michael Peter, who was killed, penultimate Monday, at his residence in the Ikotun area of the state. It was learnt that the victim, who lived in a two-storey building with other expatriates working for HiTech construction, was dismembered by his assailants. A domestic employee said that killers, numbering eight, cut the barb wire on the fence and jumped into the compound. They tied up the two security guards on duty and marched down to Peter’s flat, where they used cutlasses and knives to cut him. The two security guards, who were on duty when Peter was killed, had been arrested by the police. Police Public Relations Officer, Ngozi Braide, said the police were working on some theories and that the assailants would be arrested and brought to book.

NDLEA Arrest 347 Suspects in 10 Months

The Oyo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), in the last 10 months, arrested 347 suspects in connection with drug-related offences while 2996.841kilogrammes of cannabis sativa, 14.8 grammes of cocaine, 0.8 grammes of heroin and 3.050 kilogrammes of psychotropic substances were recovered from them. The agency also succeeded getting the conviction of 36 suspects within the same period under review. The state commander of the agency, Mrs Omolade Faboyede, made the disclosure while parading four suspects and the illicit drugs found with them.

Kwara Governor Inaugurates State Security Outfit

Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State, on Monday, inaugurated a joint security outfit for the state. The joint security outfit comprises men and officers of the Nigeria Police, Army, State Security Services (SSS) and NSCDC. Speaking at the flag-off of the joint security outfit code-named ‘Operation Harmony’, Ahmed said effective and efficient security would continually be his watchword as the governor of the state. He praised security operatives in the state for their efforts at securing the state and its people, making it one of the most peaceful states in the country.

Man Remanded for Raping, Killing 10-Year-Old

A 26-year-old man, Rufai Idowu, has been ordered to be remanded in prison custody by an Osogbo Magistrate’s Court for allegedly raping and killing a 10-year-old girl on November 4 at his residence. It was gathered that the accused person had earlier confessed to have committed the offence when he was apprehended by the police. The police prosecutor, Fagboyinbo Abiodun, told the court that the accused forcibly and unlawfully had carnal knowledge of the girl, who was his relative, when she came to his room on a visit. Abiodun further explained that the accused took advantage of the girl and later strangulated her with the hijab (female Islamic head wear) she was putting on, while she tried to call for help. The plea of the accused was, however, not taken due to the gravity of his offence. The presiding magistrate, Mr. Adebayo Lasisi, ordered that the accused be remanded in custody at Ilesa prison and adjourned the case till January 7, 2014 for mention.

Hit and Run Deaths: Ondo Community Riots, Blocks Highway

Residents of Ita Ogbolu in Akure North LGA of Ondo State went on the rampage on Wednesday to protest the incessant killings of their people by reckless drivers along the Akure- Ado Ekiti Expressway. The protest started around 7pm on Tuesday when a woman was knocked down and killed by a hit-and-run driver, just two days after two people of the community were killed in similar circumstance. The protesters erected blockades on the expressway, used bonfires, to keep the road blocked to motorists. They threatened to maintain the blockade until the government built speed breakers on the expressway. The state Police spokesman, Wole Ogodo, said the police team drafted there tried to pacify the protesters, but the angry protesters remained adamant. The police urged motorists to use alternative routes to either Ado Ekiti or Akure.

22-Year-Old Bags 17-Year Jail Term for Robbery, Attempted Murder

A Somolu Magistrate’s Court has sentenced a 22-year-old man, Taiwo Jinadu, to 17 years in prison. Jinadu is the son of the Baale of a community in Bariga. According to the police prosecutor, the accused robbed one Mutairu Idris of a phone and money in the Bariga area of Lagos State. Jinadu was also accused of attempting to kill Idris during the operation. Jinadu was further accused of discharging bullets and damaging the house of one Pa Mutairu Oluwole, vandalising property during the robbery operation. The accused was arrested at a joint in a raid by policemen attached to Bariga Division. The accused, who was charged with seven counts of armed robbery, attempted murder and malicious damage, pleaded guilty to the seven counts. The magistrate, Mrs. B.O Osunsanmi, sentenced the accused to 17 years in Ikoyi Prison.

NDLEA Arrests Burundian Woman with Heroin

A Burundian woman, Aisha Uwimana, has been arrested by officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for trafficking substances found to be heroin. The NDLEA Head of Public Affairs, Mitchell Ofoyeju, said Uwimana was caught at the Muritala Muhammed International Airport with 2.390 kilogrammes of heroin hidden in her hand luggage. She had boarded Rwanda Air from Burundi into Nigeria. NDLEA Airport Commander, Mr. Hamzar Umar, confirmed the arrest. Uwimana in her statement to narcotic investigators claimed the bag was given to her by her Nigerian boyfriend. According to her, they were to come to Nigeria together but he later said that he would join her the following day, and she had trusted him. Meanwhile, two detectives from the Switzerland Federal Department of Justice and Police have arrived Nigeria on a drug control cooperation mission with the NDLEA.

Ekiti NDLEA Destroys Acres of Cannabis farms

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Ekiti State Command, says it has commenced the destruction of 680 acres of cannabis farms in Ode Forest, Gboyin LGA of the state. The state Commander, Akingbade Bamidele, who disclosed this on Thursday, said that the cannabis farms were discovered in July and September. The four persons that were arrested in connection with the discovery, Myaga Joseph, Lawal Ganiyu, Amos Macus and Ifije Sunday, were jailed last week. During the raid of the farms, 160bags of cannabis leaves weighing 2,044 tons were seized. He said the destruction of the farms, situated in two locations, would take three weeks. According to him, the destruction was sequel to the conviction of those arrested in connection with the illicit cultivation.

GENERAL

Benue, Taraba Communal Clashes Claim 10 Lives

At least 10 persons were killed in separate attacks Sunday on communities in Benue and Taraba States. Six of them were killed when gunmen attacked five farming villages in Benue State, during which they torched many houses. "Five Agatu villages were attacked yesterday by suspected Fulani cattle herdsmen who killed six people," Benue State Police Command's spokesman, Daniel Ezeala, disclosed. He said "many houses" were razed during the violence, the latest on mainly ethnic Tiv people, who are predominantly farmers. Local media however said 36 people were killed in the mayhem. Ezeala said police and troops had been deployed to the trouble spot. Four others were killed at Amar village in Karim Lamido LGA of Taraba State as violent clashes erupted between Fulani herdsmen and the Tarok people from Plateau State. The herdsmen were said to have invaded the community from Wase LGA of Plateau State to launch a reprisal on the Tarok people resident in the village.

US Designates Boko Haram, Ansaru Terrorist Organisations

The United States has blacklisted Boko Haram and its offshoot known as Ansaru as Foreign Terrorist Organisations. The blacklisting bars any United States firm or citizen from assisting them as well as lead to the freezing of all their assets in the US. The Islamist insurgency has claimed thousands of lives since 2009 mainly in Nigeria’s restive northeast and caused international concern over its potential to spread across porous borders into other nearby safe havens. US officials accused Boko Haram of links to Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, while Ansaru is a splinter faction that earlier this year kidnapped and executed seven foreign construction workers.

Pneumonia Kills 130,000 Nigerian Children Yearly - NPHCDA

About 130,000 Nigerian children die annually to pneumonia related ailments. Executive Director of National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr Ado Muhammed, said, notwithstanding the introduction of new vaccines, there are still challenges confronting the country in preventing pneumonia. He said the number was devastating given that "less than half of all the children with suspected pneumonia related ailments are taken for treatment and just 23 per cent received antibiotics in Nigeria. Pneumonia related death is highest among low income earner families. He urged Civil Society Organisations to be more vigilant on the implementation of immunisation programmes. The introduction of Pentavalent Vaccine, which is to be administered in 13 states, pneumonia pandemic would reduce drastically in the country.

Seven Killed as Military Raid Boko Haram Hide Outs

Security forces, on Monday, raided suspected Boko Haram hide outs in Kano State as the insurgents allegedly plotted "suicide attacks".  Five suspected "terrorists" and two soldiers died in gun battles during the swoop on two locations conducted by elite troops and officers, military spokesman, Captain Iweha Ikedichi, said. According to Ikedichi, the terrorists were in the process of finalizing plans to carry out simultaneous suicide attacks in Abuja and Kano respectively, before the raid.  Troops recovered a cache of arms and ammunition.

Ex-ASUU President, Iyayi, Killed by Kogi Governor’s Convoy

Former President of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Professor Festus Iyayi, was, on Tuesday, killed in a ghastly motor accident. Iyayi was said to be on his way to Kano with three other members of ASUU when the vehicle they were travelling in was hit by a police escort vehicle in the convoy of the Kogi State Governor, Capt. Idris Wada, around Lokoja in Kogi state. The three others remain in critical condition. But the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Jacob Edi, said the convoy was moving at 80 kilometres per hour when a bus collided with the escort vehicle. Edi said Wada had ordered a full-scale investigation into the accident. Iyayi was part of the ASUU negotiating team on the on-going ASUU strike, and was travelling to Kano in continuation of efforts to resolve the logjam that had ensued over the strike with his colleagues. In his reaction, Prof. Friday Okonofua, of the University of Benin, held Wada for being responsible for Iyayi's death.

Terrorism: 17,000 Nigerians Seek Asylum in Neighbouring Countries

The United Nations High Commission for Refugees, UNHCR, on Thursday, said Nigeria had more than 17,000 asylum-seekers in Chad, Cameroon and Niger. The UNHCR Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Angele Dikongue-Atangana, said that the situation was due to the security crisis in the north-eastern part of Nigeria, where thousands of people have been killed by members of the Boko Haram. The United States government on Wednesday announced the declaration of the Boko Haram as an international terrorist organisation. Dikongue-Atangana said about 36,000 persons had fled the North-Eastern region in search of refuge in the neighbouring countries. Quoting a research carried out by UNHCR and the Niger Authority, she said 19,000 persons out of these were from Chad and Niger, and they had returned home.

Taraba Assembly Gets New Speaker

The Taraba State House of Assembly has elected Mr. Josiah Kente as the new Speaker of the House. He replaces the former Assembly Speaker, Haruna Tsokwa, who died on Monday last week after a brief illness. Kente, who is a former Deputy Majority Leader of the Assembly, emerged through consensus after members agreed to zone the speakership position to Taraba South. Tsoka was also from Taraba South. The Deputy Speaker, Tanko Maikerifi, who reportedly survived an assassination attempt on Sunday, was said to have been disqualified to ensure the emergence of a Christian to fill the post. Tsokwa, a strong loyalist of the state acting Governor, Garba Umar, died on November 4 in Jalingo, the State capital.

Gunmen Attack Police Station, Kill 4

Gunmen, Monday, bombed the Area Police Station in Osara, Adavi LGA of Kogi State, killing three police officers and one other person. It was gathered that the gunmen numbering 20, shooting sporadically, attacked the station around 10pm, using dynamite. An eyewitness said some of the villagers and students of the state polytechnic, Osara campus which is adjacent the police station, scampered into the bush to avoid being victims. The state Police Public Relations Officer, Romanus Nwaneri, who confirmed the incident, said investigation was on-going on the motive of the attack, stressing that the gunmen were unable to get any weapon from their armoury.

Spanish Police Dislodge Human Trafficking Ring, Arrest 25 Nigerians

The Spanish have busted a gang of 25 Nigerians who were engaged in human trafficking for sexual exploitation, Internet fraud and money laundering. Five women victims of sex slavery were also released during the crackdown on the underground operation in Spain, the police said on Sunday. The gang, according to reports, was using Spain as a springboard to send Nigerian women to be exploited in other countries, and it laundered profits by buying luxury products that were shipped to Lagos. The crackdown led to the seizure of 94 vans near Madrid and 26 loaded ones at Valencia port containing goods with an estimated value of 5 million euros, the statement said. The gang was originally formed around 1990 at Nigerian universities and was responsible for sending a large number of "Nigerian letters" that tried to fraudulently extract money from recipients, the statement said.

Boy Abducted from Church Freed

A-10-year old boy, Chibuike Ogbusu, who was abducted at St. Bartholomew Cathedral Church (Anglican Communion) in Abuja penultimate Saturday, was released last Sunday after the payment of N1.5m as ransom. It was learnt that the kidnappers had asked a commercial motorcyclist to take Chibuike to his family house after collecting the ransom at Dei-Dei, a few minutes’ drive from Kubwa. Chibuike had attended the Boys Brigade’s rehearsal at the church and was about going home when he was abducted and taken to an unknown destination. Chibuike said that he was driven to Minna, Niger State by a lone kidnapper, adding that he was fed rice or bread twice daily. Chibuike’s father, Dr. Peter Ogbusu, thanked God for the safe return of his son, saying the ransom he paid did not matter as his boy was released hale and hearty.

SSS to Use Advanced Technology to Curb Terrorism

As parts of its measures to curb the threat posed by terrorists across the country, the State Security Services (SSS) has deployed advanced technologies and improved human capacity development to achieve its goal. The Director-General of the SSS, Ekpenyong Ita, who disclosed this at the graduation ceremony of the Executive Intelligence Management Course for 47 participants at the Institute for Security Studies, last weekend in Abuja, assured that the Service remained steadfast in her determination and commitment to proactively identify and neutralise security threats. Ita said that the application of these technologies and human capacity development is already achieving desired result on national security as the relevant agencies have prevented Boko Haram from operating in cities. Ita explained that as part of the human capacity development programme of the agency, 12 staff would soon attend Harvard University for further studies to empower them for leadership roles.

26 Persons Killed as Terrorists Raid Borno Villages

Up to 26 people were killed when suspected members of the outlawed Boko Haram sect attacked some Borno villages between Sunday and Wednesday. Forty houses were also said to have been torched in the villages and several persons displaced. It was gathered that the attacks, which began on Sunday night affected villages in Southern Borno. It was also learnt that the insurgents also recorded casualties as three of them were said to have been killed when people from the neighbouring villages mobilised and pursued them in a counter-attack and pursued the rest of the hoodlums into nearby bushes. It was gathered from a source in Bdagu community that the attackers stormed the affected villages using two Hilux vehicles, three buses and over 30 motorcycles, and were armed with AK47 rifles; going from house to house, killing, looting and setting the houses ablaze.

House Urge Immediate Deployment of Troops to Benue

Following the outbreak of violence in Agatu LGA of Benue State in which 45 persons died and thousands were displaced, the House of Representatives urged the federal government to immediately deploy troops to the affected areas to forestall future occurrence. The House also mandated its Committee on Defence to ensure that the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) establishes a military base around the affected areas or the border communities along the River Benue through which the attackers sneaked in to wreak havoc on the hapless indigenes of the town. The lawmakers also mandated its committee on police affairs to ensure that police stations are built around the porous borders of the area.

Cholera Epidemic Kills 12 in Otukpo

About 12 more persons have been confirmed dead as a result of the cholera outbreak in Otukpo LGA of Benue State. The outbreak has also left over 80 people hospitalised and receiving treatment at the Otukpo General Hospital and some private hospitals. The disease, which earlier broke out in Otukpo Wards 1 and 2, had as at Thursday spread further into four more council wards which include Allan Akpa, Otobi Akpa and Ewulo. The Chairman of Otukpo LGA, Dr. Innocent Onuh, said that his council had commenced free distribution of necessary drugs to hospitals and patients.

Ex-LG Boss Gets 6-Month Jail Term over N7m Fraud

A Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, on Wednesday sentenced a former Chairman of Davi LGA, Mr. Enesi Jimoh, to six months in prison without an option of fine. Justice I. E Ekwo convicted the politician after finding him guilty of converting N7m belonging to the council to personal use while in office. The money was meant for the provision of borehole for communities in the council area. Enesi was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), alongside a former Commissioner for Agriculture of the state, Samuel Ojo, in March, 2010. However, Ojo was discharged by the court after a no-case submission was filed by the defence counsel, H.O Agumbiodun in June 2012.

INTERNATIONAL

Over 4000 Feared Dead in Philippines Typhoon

Over 4400 people are feared dead in the eastern city of Tacloban, one of the areas hit by Typhoon Haiyan, which hit the Philippines hit by Typhoon Haiyan, according to officials. Neighbouring Samar Island was also badly affected, with reports of 300 people dead and 2,000 missing. Houses in Tacloban have been flattened by the massive storm surge that accompanied Typhoon Haiyan. There’s no clean water, no electricity and very little food. Police Chief, Elmer Soria, said about 70% to 80% of the area in the path of the storm in Leyte province was destroyed. He said most of the deaths were from drowning or collapsed buildings. As the typhoon bore down on Vietnam, over 600,000 people were evacuated in the Northern provinces.

Egypt: Journalists, Judge Charged with Libel

Egypt’s official news agency says a prominent judge and two journalists will stand trial for defaming judges. MENA says Judge Hisham Genina, who is head of a key oversight body, was charged with libel along with Chief Editor Magdi el-Galad of the privately owned Al-Masry Al-Youm daily and reporter Moammed el-Sanhouri. The case stems from a 2012 interview with Genina in which he accuses the head of the Judges’ Club of corruption and describes internal club lections as a “farce.” Several public figures have been recently prosecuted for allegedly insulting judges, including Egypt’s ousted President Mohammed Morsi and top leaders of his Muslim Brotherhood group.

Man Found Guilty over Murder of 3-Year-Old Boy

A man has been found guilty of murdering his partner’s three-year-old nephew after the child wet the bed they were sharing. Ben Igbinedion, 44, inflicted “catastrophic” injuries upon Daniel Evbuomwan that were so severe they were likened to those caused by a car crash. Igbinedion, of Bromley, south London, had put Daniel back to sleep in a different bed but when family members tried to wake him in the morning he did not respond. The youngster suffered multiple injuries to his ribs and multiple fractures to his pelvis. Daniel had been living with his grandmother Rosemary since earlier this year and was in normal physical health but all that dramatically changed when he went to stay with Igbinedion and his family in March, the court heard. Daniel’s grandmother had wanted to go shopping and to church so it was decided he should stay with his aunt Sandra Okundaye, a nurse, and her partner Igbinedion, jurors were told. Igbinedion was convicted at the Old Bailey, and is due to be sentenced on November 27.

Cambodia, Thailand Accept ICJ Ruling on Territorial Dispute

Cambodia and Thailand welcomed a United Nations (UN) ruling Monday awarding most of the disputed border land around an ancient temple to Cambodia -- an issue which sparked deadly clashes in the past. Nervous Cambodian residents had dug bunkers or evacuated homes earlier Monday in anticipation of trouble following the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling at The Hague, while many Thai schools along the border were shut for the day. At least 28 people have been killed in outbreaks of violence since 2011 over the ownership of a patch of land next to the 900-year-old Preah Vihear temple. The ICJ ruled that most of the area around the 11th century temple belongs to Cambodia and that any Thai security forces there should leave. Despite the apparent blow, Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra agreed to hold talks with Cambodia over the issue, adding she would protect her kingdom's interests. The ruling appeared to reach a compromise on the amount of land to be ceded by Thailand.

US Carrier Boost Philippines Typhoon Relief Effort

A US aircraft carrier and its escort of two cruisers have arrived off the Philippines coast to help communities devastated by Typhoon Haiyan. The top US commander in the Philippines said that US military support would be on an unprecedented scale. The confirmed death toll stands at more than 4,400 but is likely to rise. The UN says some 11 million people have been affected by the typhoon. Philippine Health Minister Enrique, said that the final death toll was likely to be "significantly lower" than an early estimate of 10,000, but warned that it was unlikely all victims would be identified. The UK government has also sent the aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious, more than £20m ($32m) in aid, a team of medical experts and an RAF transport aircraft. Typhoon Haiyan, one of the most powerful storms ever recorded on land, hit the Philippines penultimate Friday. Philippine officials have been overwhelmed by the scale of Super Typhoon Haiyan, one of the strongest on record. President Benigno Aquino declared a state of national calamity and deployed hundreds of soldiers in Tacloban to quell looting. Aquino's declaration of a state of national calamity allows the government to use state funds for relief and to control prices.

300 Killed as Cyclone Hits Somalia

A tropical cyclone that hit the north-eastern Somali region of Puntland over the weekend killed nearly 300 people, while several others are unaccounted for. Puntland's President, Abdirahman Farole, said thousands of livestock had also died and hundreds of homes had been destroyed. The semi-autonomous region was hit by strong winds, heavy rains and flash floods last weekend. Some fishermen have also been reported missing. The tropical cyclone, known as 03A, affected coastal areas and continued inland. Farole said the areas affected remain inaccessible by road, and authorities were trying to organise to send in food and aids by air to those affected by the cyclone.

Gbagbo to Remain Behind Bars -ICC

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has ruled that former Ivoirien President, Laurent Gbagbo, would remain behind bars in The Hague pending his possible trial for crimes against humanity. The ICC said that detention was necessary to ensure Gbagbo’s appearance before the court and that he does not obstruct or endanger the investigation or the court proceedings. Gbagbo’s lawyers had asked that he be conditionally freed because of poor health. The ICC is yet to confirm the charges against Gbagbo for his role in the bloody election standoff in 2010. Gbagbo, 68, is accused of fomenting a wave of violence after he refused to concede defeat in the November 2010 poll. Five months of fighting claimed some 3,000 lives, many of them perceived supporters of election winner and current Ivoirien President Alassane Ouattara.

Italy, Malta Pledge to Crack Down on Traffickers

Italy and Malta have expressed readiness to work together not only to rescue boat migrants floundering in the Mediterranean but also to crack down on human traffickers. This agreement was reached following a meeting of Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta and his Maltese counterpart, Joseph Muscat, in Valletta. The Italian navy had, last weekend, arrested 16 human traffickers in international waters off Libya. The fishing boat served as a staging area from which the traffickers dispatched their clients – Syrian migrants seeking asylum or a better life – aboard smaller, often rickety vessels to destinations in southern Europe. The boat had been under surveillance, including by drones, hi-tech radars, night-vision equipment and submarine, under stepped-up operations launched after two shipwrecks last month claimed some 500 lives.

Israeli Settlers Set Fire to Palestinian Home

Settlers set fire to a Palestinian home in the Ramallah village of Sinjil overnight Wednesday, in an apparent revenge attack following the killing of an Israeli soldier. Five people suffered smoke inhalation during the arson attack and were taken to hospital for treatment, Israeli news site Ynet said. Graffiti on the side of the wall read: “Hi from Eden, revenge.” Israeli soldier Eden Atias died on Wednesday after a Palestinian youth stabbed him on board a bus in the north of the country, police said. The perpetrator was identified as Hussein Sharif Ghawadra, 16, from Bir al-Basha village south of Jenin, a Ma’an reporter said. Four of Ghawadra’s cousins are serving life sentences in Israeli prisons. Settler attacks against Palestinians and their property are routine and rarely prosecuted by Israeli authorities.

Russians Retaliate Polish Attacks, Attack Polish Embassy in Moscow

Russian protesters, on Wednesday, threw firecrackers at the Polish embassy in Russia in response to a similar attack on the Russian mission in Poland. These protests further strain ties between both countries that have a history of troubled relations. Poland expressed “deep concern” over the incident, a day after Russia’s Foreign Ministry summoned the Polish ambassador to demand an apology over Monday’s violence in Warsaw. Poland is also demanding detailed explanations from the Russian side on the matter, the Polish Foreign Ministry said. Russian police detained three men after the protest, which the opposition group said was intended as a tit-for-tat response to the violence at the Russian embassy in Warsaw after a nationalist march. The main target of the rioters appeared to have been any symbol of left-wing, liberal views; but for some Poles, the Russian embassy is a symbol of repression during decades of Soviet domination after World War Two. Grievances between Warsaw and Moscow go back centuries.

Saudi Arabia Clamps-down on Illegal Migrant Workers

About 23,000 Ethiopians have surrendered to Saudi authorities since a clampdown on illegal migrant workers recently began in Saudi Arabia, officials have said. The clampdown has led to clashes in the capital, Riyadh, with at least five people killed. Saudi authorities say they are trying to reduce the 12% unemployment rate among native Saudis. An estimated nine million migrant workers are in Saudi Arabia. They are said to make up more than half the workforce, filling manual, clerical and service jobs. Ethiopia's ambassador in Riyadh, Muhammed Hassan Kabiera, said the embassy had been informed by Saudi officials that some 23,000 Ethiopians had so far handed themselves in. Last Sunday, Ethiopia's Foreign Affairs Minister Tedros Adhanom said he had information that three Ethiopians had been killed in clashes since last week. However, Saudi authorities say two foreigners have been killed, along with three Saudis.

36 Killed in Iraqi Blasts

At least 27 people were, on Thursday, killed and 58 others wounded in Iraq when a suicide bomber wearing an explosive vest blew himself up among Shiite pilgrims. The bomber was wearing a police uniform, police said. The incident occurred in al-Saadiya, north-east of Baghdad. The suicide bombing followed a pair of blasts in eastern Iraq that killed nine and injured 25, health officials said. Those attacks took place in Wasit as thousands of worshipers jammed the streets to attend festivals marking Ashura, the most important holy day on the Shiite Muslim calendar. Ashura commemorates the death of Imam Hussein, grandson of the Prophet Mohammed. The twin blasts targeted a procession tent. Wasit is about 100 miles southeast of Baghdad. On Wednesday, four coordinated blasts killed 10 people in Baquba, police said. Those explosions targeted a series of Shiite processions.

Gambia Break Diplomatic Ties with Taiwan

The Gambia said it had broken off diplomatic relations with Taiwan after 18 years, a move greeted with “shock and regret” by Taipei, which is now recognised by just 22 nations. President Yahya Jammeh’s announcement late Thursday makes Gambia the first country to cut diplomatic ties with Taiwan since President Ma Ying-jeou took office in 2008 on a China-friendly platform. China regards Taiwan, which split from mainland China in 1949 at the end of a civil war, as part of its territory, and has convinced several countries that had sided with Taiwan in 1949 to switch their support. Although China still considers Taiwan part of its territory awaiting reunification, relations have warmed since Ma Ying-jeou of the Kuomintang party came to power in Taipei in 2008.