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Latest News: Training and recruitment is ongoing - Wednesday, 02 March 2011 22:54

week 53

PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

NHRC Laments High Rate of Human Rights Abuse in Anambra

Anambra State has been described as being a state with the worst human rights abuse by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). The State Coordinator of NHRC, Nkechi Laura Ofong, who disclosed this on Wednesday, said that the commission’s investigation into states with human rights abuses revealed that Anambra’s case is on the increase, due to so much attachment to obnoxious traditions and culture, despite their belief in Christianity and Islamic doctrines. She said that the abuses range from discrimination against women and travails of widowhood, domestic economic violence and social deprivations, child abuse and neglect, human trafficking and kidnapping. She decried the rate of human rights abuses in Anambra State and by extension Nigeria, and therefore directed the people of the state to their offices, where she said peace and conflict resolution is on ground. She called on Nigerian governments at all levels to obey the United Nations’ treaty on human rights.

Fulani Herdsmen, Residents Clash in Akwa Ibom Community

Residents of Ikot Ekpeyak-Ikono community in Uyo LGA, Akwa Ibom State, have been displaced, following a clash with some Fulani herdsmen, which claimed a life with another person reportedly missing. It was reported that on Sunday afternoon, there was a clash between herdsmen and youths from the village, when two truckloads of cattle were discharged at the community farmlands to graze. The report has it that a youth from the village, Ofonime Micheal Asuquo, was allegedly shot dead by one of the herdsmen, when the youth demanded that the Fulanis should move away the cattle from their farmlands. Youth President, Ikot Ekpeyak, Gabriel Pius Iwok, said the deceased was one of the youth the villagers mandated to tell the Fulanis to take away their cattle as there was no grazing land, cattle market or an abattoir in the community. Iwok said as the youth were talking with the herdsmen, two men suspected to be security persons, dressed in mufti, arrived at the scene and opened fire on them.

Boy, 3, Abducted from Church in Calabar

A three-year-old boy, Victor Offiong Edem, was abducted by an unknown person at the Assemblies of God’s Church in Calabar South after Sunday service on December 15, 2013. The father of the boy, Mr Offiong Edem, a staff of College of Health Technology, Calabar said he left Victor in company of his wife, Angelica and his other son, Samuel, but was later informed that Victor had gone missing. Mother of the missing boy said after the close of service, she went to pick her bag where I kept it not far away from where she had stood with her sons but when she returned, she found only Samuel, and Victor was nowhere to be found. A police source said investigations are going on to track down the abductor.

Abia Demolishes another Building Used as Baby Factory

Less than a week after the Abia State government demolished a five-storey building used as a baby factory home in Aba, another uncompleted building has been demolished in Umuahia South LGA of the state. The government said the demolished uncompleted building was being used as baby sales point. Special Adviser to the Governor on Security and Task Force Matters, Captain Awa Udonsi Agwu (rtd), explained that the state government had zero tolerance for crime. According to him, Governor Theodore Orji directed that the building be demolished to serve as deterrent to others involved in child trafficking. According Udonsi, the police accused Uche Uhuabunwa and his wife of involvement in the illegal business. According to him, 18 pregnant young girls were rescued by the police during a raid in the place. He called on residents to give adequate information to the government on all types of crime.

Court Jails Oil Thief Two Years

A Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has convicted one Suleiman Abdul for illegal dealing in petroleum products to two years imprisonment. The spokesperson of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Wilson Uwujaren, confirmed the sentencing. Justice U.N Agomoh convicted the accused and sentenced him to two years imprisonment on each of the two-count charge preferred against him by the EFCC. The court also ordered that the truck containing 33,000 litres of petroleum product be forfeited to the Federal Government. Suleiman was arrested on January 16, 2007 by the Anti-vandalism Squad of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), River State command and subsequently handed over to the EFCC for further investigation and prosecution.

Fathers Sells Own Baby to Fund Funeral

The police in Abia State have arrested a 26-year-old man for selling his baby boy for N260, 000 in order to foot the burial expenses of his father. Kinsley Ubani was arrested for selling the baby, born to him by his live-in lover, Chioma Onu. He was among scores of child traffickers paraded on Thursday by the police in Umuahia. Another suspected child trafficker, Chimere Sunday alias Boyoyo, was also arrested and paraded for allegedly selling his two children in collaboration with two female suspects, Uloaku Chinweuba and Ugochi Alozie. Aside from the child traffickers, 19 pregnant teenagers rescued from a baby factory at Umuobia Olokoro were also paraded. The girls, in various stages of pregnancy, whose ages range from 15 to 23 years, were rescued from Nma Charity Home where they were being kept and fed until they delivered their babies for sale to prospective buyers.

Fires Guts Mile 1 Market in Rivers

An inferno, in the early hours of Tuesday, razed a section of the popular Mile 1 (Rumuwoji) Market in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, destroying property and goods worth hundreds of millions of naira. A two-storey residential building beside the market was also gutted. The cause of the fire, which witnesses said started around 2am, could not be immediately ascertained. Witnesses said the late arrival of the state fire service could not help matters as the fire capitalised on the harmattan weather and wooden structures in the market to spread. The state Commissioner for Special Duties, Dickson Umunakwe, attributed the cause of the fire to the carelessness of the traders, alleging that some of them had stocked combustible materials in the market which helped to fuel the fire. The state Governor, Chibuike Amaechi, said while the fire incident was unfortunate and robbed traders of their investment and means of livelihood, the people of the state still had reason to thank God that no life was lost.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

Delta PPRO Killed in Auto Crash

Delta State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Lucky Uyabeme, has died in a lone auto crash. An eyewitness account said the Toyota Highlander Jeep in which Uyabeme was driving suddenly summersaulted opposite the mobile police base along Ogwashi Uku-Asaba Road at about 2pm last Sunday. He was believed to be returning to Asaba from a burial ceremony at Emu, his home place. Two other persons in the vehicle, including a pregnant woman, were said to be receiving treatment at the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba following serious injuries they sustained. It was gathered that when the jeep summersaulted, it fell into the bush and burst into flames. The three were, however, rescued by policemen from the base and motorists who conveyed them to the hospital.

Police Parade Woman, Pastor Lover over Killing of NPDC Staff

The Edo State Police Command on Tuesday paraded 19 suspected criminals, two of whom are suspected to have been behind the murder of one Mr. Isonguyo Victor, a staff of the Nigeria Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) who was allegedly murdered penultimate Friday by his wife and her Pastor boyfriend. Parading the suspects, which include kidnappers, child defilers and armed robbers, the state Commissioner of Police, Foluso Adebanjo, said Mrs Enebong Isonguyo planned the murder of her husband with her Pastor, Udoka Nkanchukwu. According to the police, The Pastor had invited the deceased to meet him somewhere along Sapele Road, where he stabbed him twice and then burnt the car. The burn on the Pastor’s hand, gave him away. Mrs Isonguyo denied having any extra marital affairs with the pastor. Meanwhile a controversy is brewing after the Police shot five suspected armed robbers along the Benin bypass; but the family claimed that the suspects were farmers. A Corona Court has ordered the police to exhume the bodies for autopsy.

Police Assure Travellers on Security along Benin By-Pass

The Edo State Police Command has assured motorists travelling through Benin by-pass of Security this Yuletide, saying it had mapped out strategies to ensure security along the road. The police have reportedly deployed a special squad that will ensure that Nigerians ply that road without any fear. Edo State Police Commissioner, Folunso Adebanjo, who gave the assurance last weekend, also described as an attempt to ridicule the command and distort facts, the claim by the family of one Samuel Imaikop that the deceased was a victim of extra-judicial killing. The late Michael was among four suspected armed robbers killed by the police penultimate Sunday. The Police command and the family had been in a war of words over the death after the family insisted that the deceased was a farmer and not an armed robber as claimed by the police.

Naval Engineering College Graduates 95 Ratings

The Nigerian Naval Engineering College Ogorode, Delta State, has graduated 95 ratings, in its 2013 academic session. The seven departments of the school which graduated the ratings include: Artificer Course A24B and A26A, which graduated 31 ratings; Automobile Mechanical Course, which graduated 15 ratings and Weapon Electrical Course A24B and A.26A, graduating 12. Others were, Power Qualifying Course, with 15 graduates; Basic Engineering School, with 22 graduates; Basic Mechanic Course which had 33 graduates and Fire Men Class Q6, with 28 graduates. Commandant of the College, Commodore A. A. Bello-Odofin, who represented the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command, Rear Admiral G. A. Anyankpele, said the college has successfully trained Officers and men in Marine Engineering, Weapon Engineering, Automobile Engineering, Fire Fighting, and other allied engineering disciplines.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

Court Awards N2bn Damages against Compass Newspapers for Libel

A High Court sitting in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, on Monday awarded N2bn as damages against the Western Publishing Company Limited, publishers of “Compass Newspapers” in a libel suit instituted by the Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi. The Court also ordered the Newspapers to publish a retraction and apology to Fayemi in three national dailies and on the Internet. The judgment was delivered in view of a publication by the newspaper in its Saturday, August 25th, 2012 issue, where it alleged that the governor was deducting N1bn illegally from the local government account in the state. The writer of the story, Remi Koleoso, was also joined in the suit. Delivering the judgment, Justice Cornelius Akintayo averred that the conduct of the defendant (Compass Newspaper) was below diligence. He said the governor had proven the six ingredients of libel among which were the personality involved, nature, mode of the publication, and failure of the defendant to show remorse. The Judge held that the cost awarded must be adequate to repair the pecuniary damage.

Police Nab 28-Year-Old Robbery Gang Member, Two Others Killed

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Umar Manko, has paraded one Nonso Egbuzobi, a 28-year-old member of a robbery gang that killed three policemen while attempting to break into an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) of a bank in November. Egbuzobi was arrested after two members of his gang were killed during an encounter with security operatives. Four AK-47 rifles and 24 AK-47 magazines, all loaded, were recovered from the killed suspects. The AK-47 rifles belonged to policemen killed during the Ayobo and Igando Police encounters with the bandits. The bandits met their waterloo when they attempted to rob a man of N10 million at Ilasamaja area of Lagos. Operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) were said to have gotten a tip-off and engaged them in a shoot-out, killing Daniel Onuoha, and Eyo Bassey, while Nonso Egbuzobi was arrested alive.

NDLEA Discovers Methamphetamine Factory in Lagos

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have discovered another methamphetamine Clandestine Laboratory at Shapeti, off Lekki-Epe Expressway Lagos. The current laboratory which is the sixth of such illegal methamphetamine production factories uncovered in the last two years is located opposite two private schools. The building used for the illegal production has been sealed by NDLEA. Methamphetamine weighing 31.7kg was also recovered from the laboratory. A 38 year-old man with dual nationality of Nigeria and South Africa by name Michael Anum has been arrested in connection with the laboratory. NDLEA Lagos State commander, Aliyu Sule who supervised the operation disclosed that the command acted on intelligence reports.

Policeman Stabs Colleague 57 Times for Having Affair with Wife

The Provost section of the Lagos State Police Command has commenced an orderly room trial for a 36-year-old police corporal, Halidu Shaibu, for the alleged murder of his colleague, Yeiwa Babangida. According to police authorities, the suspect stabbed the deceased 57 times in a room they both shared in the Tinubu area of Lagos Island. Shaibu told police investigators that he killed 34-year-old Babangida because the late cop was having sexual relations with his wife. While Shaibu said that they got into a fight after he had challenged Babangida over the illicit affair with his wife, a police source however said investigations revealed that the murder was premeditated. Meanwhile, it was learnt that the suspect’s wife had fled since the incident occurred. Police Public Relations Officer, Ngozi Braide, confirmed the incident.

Suspected Cultists Kill Lecturer

A lecturer, identified as Dr Segun Onabanjo, with the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, was shot dead by suspected cultists. Onabanjo was said to have been killed by the assailants, who stormed his residence in Odomolasa area of Ilese-Ijebu, at about 1am. The gunmen also carted away some personal items. It was learnt that the body of the deceased had been deposited at the mortuary. The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Muyiwa Adejobi, confirmed the killing, saying the command was on the trail of the suspected killers, who escaped through a nearby bush, and would do everything possible to bring them to justice. The police spokesman said that some of the assailants sustained injuries in the gun duel and urged members of the public to promptly report anybody found with bullet wounds to security agents.

Man, 59, Defiles 7-Year-Old Girl in Akure

Police in Ondo State is quizzing a top official of the Akure Zonal Office of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Boma Benibo, 59, for allegedly defiling a seven-year-old girl. The suspect resides in the same building with the parents of the victim. It was learnt that the girl regularly visited the suspect’s apartment to play, but her mother got worried that fateful day as she was there for over two hours. On getting to the suspect’s apartment, she discovered her daughter was not her usual self and after a brief interrogation she pointed at her genitals. Further interrogation showed that the suspect had fiddled with her genitals. The father of the girl immediately reported the matter at the Ijapo police station and the suspect was picked up. The state Police spokesman, Wole Ogodo, confirmed the incident.

Robbers Lay Siege on Kwara, Attack Police station, Banks, Kill Five

No fewer than 30 armed robbers stormed some banks in Offa, Kwara State and a police divisional station about 6pm on Thursday. It was learnt that the robbers armed with sophisticated guns and arms robbed some banks and killed five people in the process. The armed robbers also stormed the Offa Divisional Police Station and allegedly overpowered the policemen with their more sophisticated weapons and reportedly freed some inmates. It was gathered that no fewer than five people died and scores injured after the robbery operations and attacks on the police station. The Kwara Police Public Relations Officer, Olufemi Fabode, confirmed that there was an “incident” at Offa on Thursday.

Police Demolish 600 Structures in Badagry

Officers of the Lagos State Command of Nigerian Police, yesterday, demolished over 600 structures erected on 65 hectares of land in Mowo Phase II, Badagry, Olorunda Local Council Development Area, LCDA, accusing the owners of trespassing on its land.It was gathered that the demolition came barely two years after the command, through the state Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, issued letters to the trespassers to vacate the land to no avail. Sources close to the police said the order to demolish the houses was given by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Abubakar Muhammed. It was learnt that the 65-hectare land was acquired by the Police about 10 years ago to build houses for senior police officers and got the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) from the Lagos State Government in 2008. The residents, however, argued that a case to determine the ownership of the land was still at the Badagry High Court, Badagry.

GENERAL

Pirates Kidnap Two Foreigners off Nigeria

Pirates have attacked an oil products tanker off the coast of Nigeria and kidnapped its Ukrainian captain and a Greek engineer, Greek coast guard officials said on Tuesday. The 6,500 ton Marshall Islands-flagged MT ALTHEA with 18 crew members on board was attacked by a group of 10 pirates, officials said. The ship’s manager, Piraeus-based Medtankers Management, confirmed the attack. “They kidnapped the two men but did not touch the cargo (oil) or injure anyone.” The armed pirates fled with the two hostages in a speedboat, the source said. The Nigerian navy is said to be investigating the incident. Pirate attacks off Nigeria have increased by a third this year as ships passing through West Africa’s Gulf of Guinea, a major commodities route, have come under threat from gangs wanting to snatch cargoes and crews.

Army Kills 12 Gunmen in Shoot-out after Attack on Bureau de Change

Lt.-Col. Beyidi Martins, the Commanding Officer of the Special Battalion enforcing the state of emergency in Mubi, Adamawa, said soldiers killed 12 gunmen, who attacked Mubi Central Market on Wednesday. About 20 gunmen attacked bureau de change shops in the market, killing and injuring about 10 people while they stole an undisclosed amount of money. Martins confirmed that the soldiers caught up with the escaping criminals near Digil village in Mubi, where a shoot-out ensued, leading to the killing of the 12 insurgents. He said some amount of money and weapons were recovered from them. This is the second time within the year that the market will experience such attacks on the bureau de change section of the market. On each of the occasions, the army succeeded in arresting some of the gunmen.

Ex-CP Alleges Extra-Judicial Killings in Gboko

A retired Commissioner of Police, Abubakar Tsav, has petitioned the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), alleging gross human rights abuses, including extrajudicial killings in Gboko, Benue State. The commission, through its chief public affairs officer, Fatimah Agwai, had since confirmed the receipt of the petition. In the 11-page petition, Tsav accused the police and some highly placed politicians of murder, culpable homicide and connivance with known criminals. He also expressed concern about the alleged plan to carry out mass burial of corpses at mortuary in Gboko General Hospital, without reporting same to the coroners for possible inquest and without public knowledge of the cause of the death. The retired police boss called on the NHRC to take appropriate action on the petition, in line with its constitutional responsibilities and requirement. Meanwhile, the Executive Secretary of the commission, Professor Bem Angwe, has ordered an immediate investigation into the matter.

1,200 Under Emergency Rule in North -UN

Attacks by the outlawed Islamist group, Boko Haram, have claimed over 1,200 lives since May when a state of emergency was declared in the region, the United Nations said on Monday. The Federal Government had, on May 14, placed the states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe under emergency rule, following waves of deadly violence by the Islamist rebels. President Goodluck Jonathan had sent thousands of troops backed by air support to the North-east to crush the four-year-old uprising. The toll includes civilians, military personnel as well insurgents killed by security forces repelling attacks. But OCHA spokeswoman, Choice Okoro said that the UN figure did not include insurgents killed during targeted military operations.

Army Will End of Insurgency -COAS

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-General Azubuike Ihejirika, has vowed that the Nigerian Army would do whatever it takes to ensure the unity and protection of the territorial integrity of the country and win the war against insurgency. Ihejirika stated during the decoration of the newly promoted officers in the rank of Brigadier-Generals. The COAS stressed that the newly promoted officers were aware of the responsibilities placed on their shoulder, while urging them to sustain the qualities of service that earned them the promotion. According to him, the attitudes include loyalty to the country, which should be 100 per cent, and advised them to be highly creative and innovative in the discharge of their duties.

Senate Passes Harmonised Bill on Same Sex Marriage

The Senate on Tuesday unanimously passed a harmonised Conference Committee report banning same sex marriage in Nigeria. The Senate passed the Same Sex Marriage Bill, 2011 on November 29, and the House of Representatives passed it on July 2. Following the variations in the two versions passed, both chambers set up a conference committee to harmonise the differences, which appeared essentially in five clauses of the bill. Senate President David Mark, who presided over the plenary, appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan to quickly assent to the bill so that it could become a law. The bill passed by the Senate provides, amongst others that only marriage contracted between a man and a woman either under Islamic law, customary law or the Marriage Act is recognised as valid in Nigeria. The bill also provided that persons that enter into a same sex marriage or civil union contract commit an offence and are jointly liable on conviction to a term of 14 years imprisonment each.

Jonathan Unveils Indigenous Drone

President Goodluck Jonathan Tuesday unveiled Nigeria’s first indigenous unmanned aerial vessel named GULMA, which was designed and constructed by the Nigeria Air Force (NAF) in collaboration with other local institutions. Jonathan commended the Nigerian military, especially the Air Force for attaining such a technological feat. He noted that apart from their commitment to the protection of the country's sovereignty, the collective efforts of the military had opened a new vista of innovation and opportunity for the nation. President Jonathan expressed hope that the current stride by the NAF would mark a turning point for indigenous technology, in every sector of the nation thereby rapidly facilitating the march towards a prosperous Nigeria. He assured the Air Force of the federal government’s support for the UAVs and all other research projects.

NCC Threatens Fresh Sanctions on Telecoms Operators over Poor Services

The Minister of Communications Technology, Omobola Johnson, has warned that from January 1, 2014, service providers in the telecommunications sector that do not meet previously agreed targets would be prevented from further expansion of their subscriber base. She said this at a joint press conference by the ministry, the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) and NCC. The minister also said the ministry in conjunction with the CPC and other relevant agencies of government had commenced a working relationship that would make it possible for government to prevent incessant abuse of consumer rights by the operators in the industry. NCC had sanctioned telecoms operators in 2012 over the same complaint and insisted that the companies meet their Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). But the companies had argued that the operating environment in the country had contributed to the poor quality of service and made it impossible to meet their targets.

Two Die, Scores Injured as Bus Conveying Policeman Somersaults

At least two police officers were confirmed dead while several others sustained varying degrees of injury in a ghastly accident when a bus conveying 48 officers of the Police Mobile Force skidded off the road and somersaulted at Ikpayongo, Aliade LGA of Benue State, on Thursday. The ill-fated vehicle was reportedly conveying the police officers from Maiduguri in Borno State to Port Harcourt. One of the survivors of the accident said that the accident occurred at about 4am when the vehicle had a collision with an on-coming bus. The Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, Daniel Ezeala, confirmed the accident.

Court Gives Christmas Day Bomber Life Sentence

A Federal High Court has sentenced the convicted participant of the 2011 Christmas Day bombing of a Catholic Church to life in prison. The Court found Kabiru Sokoto guilty of terrorism and murder. The state argued he had prior knowledge that the Boko Haram terrorist network planned to bomb St. Theresa's church, just outside Abuja, but failed to notify law enforcement officers. Sokoto, who is also known as Kabiru Umar, pleaded not guilty and argued that the state did not provide evidence linking him to the bombing. A car bomb exploded outside the church as worshippers came out of an early-morning service on Christmas Day in the first attacks targeting Christians by extremists staging an uprising in the northeast. At least 44 people died in the explosion.

Tricycle Operators Demand N500m Compensation from FG over Apo Killings

The National Commercial Tricycle and Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association (NATCOMORAS) has given the FG 72 hours within which to pay N500 million compensation for the September 20, 2013 murder of eight of its members that were killed when security agents stormed an uncompleted building at Apo Legislature Quarters, in Abuja. The spokesman of the association, Yusuf Buba, stated this at a public hearing and investigative process conducted by the National Human Rights Commission, (NHRC) in Abuja into the September 20 killings of NATCOMORAS members in Abuja. The public hearing was attended by representatives of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), the National Security Adviser (NSA), Chief of Defence Staff, Defence Headquarters, SSS, the lawyer to the owner of the property where the victims were killed and a nongovernmental organization (NGO), Global Rights. The association demanded a public declaration that the victims of the killing were innocent and the unconditional release of its members in detention.

Over 15,000 Nigerians in Prisons Abroad

At least 15,316 Nigerians are in various prisons abroad, with the largest number of 752 in the United Kingdom, according to the Director of Consular and Immigration Services, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abdulazeez Dankano. Dankano disclosed that many of the prisoners were held in the Asian-pacific region for drug-trafficking related offences. The figure was an increase of more than 6,000 over the official figure published by the ministry in June this year. He further disclosed that Nigeria and Thailand were currently implementing a Prisoner Transfer Agreement (PTA), which had seen the repatriation of about 400 Nigerian prisoners since 2008. According to him, the PTA allows the return of a prisoner to serve out his sentence in his home country where both jurisdictions agree. Dankano said repatriating prisoners back home was usually a hard bargain for the country as most airlines were cautious of transporting them.

22 Persons Burnt to Death in Kano Road Crash

About 22 persons were burnt to death on the spot in a road crash on Wednesday in Kano, which involved 34 passengers on transit in a Ford bus. It was gathered that the loaded bus carried large bags of foodstuffs, when it developed a problem, which resulted in it somersaulting before bursting into flames along the Bauchi-Takai-Kano Road. It was also gathered that nine persons; including three girls sustained various degrees of injuries and were admitted at Takai General Hospital for treatment, while eight women were among the dead persons. The Information Officer in the area, Malam Muntari Usman Romi, said the passengers were coming from Magami village in Takai LGA when the incident occurred, while the driver of the Ford bus and one person escaped with no injury.

Family of Six Shot Dead in Plateau

Violence and bloodletting that has continued to ravage communities in Plateau State, as six members of the same family were killed by unknown gunmen at Foron village in Barkin Ladi LGA of the state. The assailant were said to have stormed and shot the victims dead. A source from the village said the gunmen suddenly broke into the home of the family at about 9pm on Tuesday and shot the victims who were getting set to go to bed. The immediate past Management Committee Chairman of the council, Emmanuel Loman, confirmed the incident.

Food Seller Stabs Boy to Death over N100 Debt

There was a mild disturbance on Wednesday at Herbert Macaulay Way, Central Business District, Abuja, after a food seller stabbed a boy over a N100 debt. The stabbing eventually led to the boy’s death and the burning of a BMW car. It took the efforts of policemen and soldiers to prevent a breakdown of law and order. Trouble started when the woman allegedly accosted the boy, simply identified as Nuhu over the debt. An argument was said to have ensued and the woman, in a fit of anger, stabbed the boy in the stomach with a knife. The deceased was later taken away to an unknown destination by his friends. The victim’s friends and other artisans moved to attack the woman. However, a man in the area rescued her. The mob then destroyed the table and benches used by the woman to sell food and placed it on top of the car which belonged to the man before setting it ablaze.

CNS Decorates 25 Promoted Commodores

The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Dele Ezeoba has charged, newly promoted flag officers to navy rank of Commodores to rededicate themselves to duty. The Navy chief made this known on Monday during the decoration ceremony of 25 Captains promoted to the flag rank of navy Commodores, at the navy headquarters in Abuja. He charged them to see the promotion as an opportunity to reshape and refocus and take true ownership of the Nigerian navy. He urged them to do things right.

Gunmen Kill Five in Plateau State

Five persons were killed and four others injured by gunmen on Tuesday night at Maraba Foron, Heipang District of Barkin Ladi LGA of Plateau State. The Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, Plateau Police Command, Dominic Esin, confirmed the killings. Esin said that four of the dead were children with another victim being a member of the community’s vigilance group. The deputy PPRO said that the man was killed when he came out to ascertain what was happening after hearing gunshots in the village. Two of the four persons injured, according to Esin, are the father and mother of the four children who were killed by the attackers. He said that the injured persons were now receiving treatment at the Hospital in Jos. The spokesperson said that investigation to unravel the identity of the killers had since begun.

Assistant Rapes 9-Year-Old Pupil in Bauchi

The Bauchi State Police command has commenced investigation into the case of a 42-year-old man, Mr James Dantayi, an assistant headmaster of a Primary School, for allegedly raping a nine-year-old pupil of the school. The Police Public Relations Officer, Haruna Mohammed, who confirmed the incident, on Tuesday, said when the police received the complaint of a rape incident in the school, it investigated the matter by visiting the school and the suspect arrested, while the victim was taken to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital Bauchi for medical examination.

Armed Robbers Attack 30 Traders in Nasarawa

Two persons were on Monday morning shot, while 30 traders sustained various degrees of injury when armed robbers attacked two 18-seater buses, conveying traders to Assakio in Lafia LGA of Nasarawa State. The unfortunate incident, which happened at about 100 meters to Lafia Central Police Station, took place between 3am and 4am on that fateful day, when traders, majority of whom were said to have come from eastern part of the country to purchase goods at weekly Monday Market at Assakio community. The two traders who were shot were quickly rushed to Dahaltu Araf Specialist Hospital (DASH), while injured ones were taken to undisclosed hospitals for treatment.

ASUU Suspends 5-Month-Old Strike, FG Vows to Implement Resolutions

Five month and 17 days after it embarked on nationwide strike, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), on Tuesday, suspended the strike and directed its branches across the country to resume work forthwith. This came after careful appraisal of the various reports, with particular reference to the resolutions signed by the union with the Federal Government on December 11 and witnessed by the president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Abdulwaheed Omar. The union announced the suspension of the strike through its president, Dr Nasir Isa Fagge, at a press conference held at the Bosso campus of the Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUT Minna), on Tuesday. The Federal Government has expressed its commitment to implementing all the items of the resolutions reached with ASUU as the union called off its strike on Tuesday.

INTERNATIONAL

Gunmen Ambush, Kill Syrian and Somali Doctors in Somalia

Three Syrian doctors and their Somali colleague have been shot dead in an ambush near Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu. Gunmen opened fire on their car as they travelled towards a health clinic. Two of their bodyguards were also killed in the attack, while another Syrian and Somali doctor were seriously wounded, they said. The militant Islamist group al-Shabaab is waging an insurgency in Somalia. However, it is not yet clear who carried out the ambush. The Syrian doctors were believed to be in Somalia as aid workers. The gunmen escaped after firing indiscriminately at the vehicle, eyewitnesses told him. The two wounded doctors are receiving emergency treatment at Mogadishu’s Madina hospital, our reporter adds. The bodies of the six people killed in the attack have also been brought to the hospital, he says.

Japan Approves New National Security Strategy

Japan’s cabinet has approved a new national security strategy and increased defence spending in a move widely seen as aimed at China. Over the next five years, Japan will buy hardware including drones, stealth aircraft and amphibious vehicles. The military will also build a new marine unit, an amphibious force capable of retaking islands. The move comes with Japan embroiled in a bitter row with China over East China Sea Islands that both are laying claim to. It reflects concern over China’s growing assertiveness over its territorial claims and Beijing’s mounting defence spending. Japan first increased defence spending in January, after a decade of cuts. Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, has called for Japan to broaden the scope of activities performed by its military – something currently tightly controlled by the post-war constitution. He has also established a National Security Council that can oversee key issues.

Six US Soldiers Die in Helicopter Crash in Afghanistan

Six U.S. soldiers were killed in a helicopter crash in southern Afghanistan on Tuesday, NATO said. The cause of the crash was under investigation; however, initial reporting indicates there was no enemy activity in the area at the time, a NATO statement said. One person survived the crash but suffered injuries. A Taliban spokesman claimed that Taliban militants had shot down a helicopter on Tuesday in the same district. The Taliban often claims responsibility for incidents in which it is not involved. Aircraft crashes are not uncommon in mountainous Afghanistan. The worst such incident was in August 2011 when the Taliban shot down a transport helicopter, killing all 38 people on board, including 25 U.S. special operations soldiers.

Israeli Soldier Killed at Lebanon Border

An Israeli soldier was killed Sunday in a shooting along the Israel-Lebanon border, according to the Israel Defense Forces. A spokesman for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, or UNIFIL, had said that a “serious shooting incident” was taking place along the Israel-Lebanon border. It was not immediately clear who was shooting at whom, Andrea Treneti said then. Commanders from both sides were talking to the head of the UNIFIL mission to establish what happened. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s office issued a statement deploring the shooting and calling for restraint on both sides. Israeli and Lebanese forces are cooperating in the investigation, the statement said. The soldier was shot while driving along the border near Rosh Hanikra, according to the IDF. An initial inquiry confirmed the sniper is a member of the Lebanese Armed Forces, it said, adding that further investigation is under way.

Several Dead as Fighting Spreads in South Sudan

Fighting between South Sudanese soldiers spread to the flashpoint town of Bor on Wednesday, raising fears of a broader civil conflict in the two-year-old nation. Hundreds of people have died and up to 20,000 others have fled to UN bases in days of fierce fighting in South Sudan’s army after an alleged coup bid, officials said. The government ordered Juba airport to re-open, although regional airlines said they were waiting for security guaranties before allowing flights bound for Juba to take off. President Salva Kiir on Monday accused soldiers loyal to his arch-rival, former Vice President Riek Machar, who was sacked in July, of staging a coup attempt in the oil-rich but deeply impoverished nation, which has struggled with instability since becoming independent in 2011. Machar, has denied any attempt to topple the president, and instead accused Kiir of using the violence to as a pretext to purge any challengers. The government said 10 key figures, many of them former ministers, have been arrested in the crackdown, and others including Machar, were on the run.

Mursi, Others to Face Trial for Terrorism, International Conspiracy

Egypt's public prosecutor ordered former President Mohamed Mursi and 34 other Islamists to stand trial on charges including conspiring with foreign groups to commit terrorist acts in Egypt and divulging military secrets to a foreign state. The charges levelled against Mursi and other top Muslim Brotherhood members on Wednesday could result in their execution. Mursi is already standing trial for inciting violence during protests outside the presidential palace a year ago when he was still in office. He was deposed in July by the army following mass protests against his rule. But the Muslim Brotherhood denounced the Egyptian authorities on Thursday for charging Mursi and others with terrorism, saying the allegations were "risible". The Brotherhood also reiterated calls for all nations to put pressure on Egypt to free Mursi. Mursi and most of the top leaders named in the new case are already in jail, many of them already charged with inciting violence.

Egyptian Court Acquits Mubarak’s PM of Corruption Charges

An Egyptian court, on Thursday, acquitted Hosni Mubarak’s last Prime Minister, Ahmed Shafik, and his two sons in one of several cases of financial corruption brought against them since the veteran autocrat was toppled in 2011. Another court was expected to rule later in a separate case of corruption against Shafik, who left the country in 2012 after losing to the Muslim Brotherhood’s Mohammed Morsi in a presidential election. The acquittal in the case Shafik faced might encourage him to return to Egypt, but the prosecutor could yet appeal against Thursday’s ruling. The cases were brought against Shafik after his defeat by Morsi, who was deposed by the army in July following mass protests against his rule.

Two Found Guilty of Murdering British Soldier in UK

Two men have been convicted of murdering a soldier in broad daylight near a military barracks in London, in the first al-Qaida-inspired attack to claim a life on British soil since 7 July 2005. Michael Adebolajo, 29, and Michael Adebowale, 22, murdered Lee Rigby, 25, as he returned to the Woolwich barracks in south London, in May. They were convicted after a trial at the Old Bailey in central London, which heard that the soldier was almost beheaded in the attack. Both men were found not guilty of the attempted murder of a police officer. Mr Justice Sweeney, who ordered that the decisions be heard in silence, said he would pass sentence after a key appeal court ruling on the use of whole life terms in January. Adebolajo looked at the press and kissed his Qur’an as he was taken to the court cells. Adebolajo, from Romford, Essex, and Adebowale, from Greenwich, south London, claimed they were soldiers of Allah and their violence was a reprisal against western foreign policy, which had led to the deaths of Muslims.

Teenagers Arrested over Planned Bombing

Police on both sides of the Irish border have foiled a major bomb attack on a target in Belfast. Gardaí and the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) are linking the plot to the arrest of two teenagers at a house just north of the border in south Armagh on Wednesday. PSNI officers discovered grinders and fertiliser used for making an explosive mix for a car bomb at the property. The 19 and 18-year olds arrested on 18 December are from Dundalk in the Irish Republic. Security sources confirmed that cross border security operation involving surveillance for several days led the PSNI to the house in south Armagh. Armed officers from the Garda Siochana later arrested a 43-year old man at separate premises in Dundalk on Wednesday night. The discovery of the bomb making items has been described as a “very significant” find by security sources in the Republic.

Gunmen Kill Peacekeepers, Civilians in UN Base South Sudan

Three Indian peacekeepers have been killed in an attack on a United Nations base in South Sudan, Al-Jazeera said. The UN said attackers from the country’s second-largest ethnic group forced their way into the Akobo base in conflict-wracked Jonglei state on Thursday, pursuing civilians from a rival ethnic group who had taken refuge there. Contact with the base was lost after the assault and UN deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said the fate of more than 30 ethnic Dinka civilians sheltering at the base was not known. A statement said UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was “appalled” to learn of the attack. South Sudanese government troops battled to regain control of a flashpoint town and sent forces to quell fighting in a vital oil producing area on Thursday, the fifth day of a conflict that has deepened ethnic divisions in the two-year-old nation. The conflict, which has so far killed up to 500 people, has alarmed South Sudan's neighbours. African mediators held talks with President Salva Kiir on Thursday to try to broker peace.

Four Killed in Manila Airport Gun Attack

Gunmen have shot dead four people, including a mayor, at Manila airport in the Philippines, officials have said. Ukol Talumpa, mayor of the southern town Labangan, and three others were hit while waiting outside the airport terminal. Gunmen approached Talumpa and shot him and three others at close range, airport manager Jose Angel Honrado said. The attackers then escaped. The motive behind the shootings is unclear. Manila’s Ninoy Aquino airport handles international and domestic flights and was crowded at the time of the shooting. “The mayor and his family and some security escorts were attacked,” Honrado said, adding that the mayor’s wife was also among the dead. “Government agencies are trying their best to determine the perpetrators and bring them to justice,” he said. The other two killed were a one-year-old boy and a 25-year-old man.

Suicide Bombers Kill Pilgrims in Iraq

Two suicide bombers killed 25 Shiite pilgrims Thursday in Iraq. The first attack killed 18 people in addition to the bomber, and left 35 people wounded, police said. The second left seven dead in addition to the bomber and 22 wounded. The attacks took place south of Baghdad as thousands of pilgrims walked toward Karbala for al-Arbaeen, a 40-day period marking the death of Imam Hussein. Similar attacks have taken place every year in recent years. Separately, all four members of a family — a father, mother and their two children — were shot dead in their sleep by gunmen in northern Baghdad, police said. The father used to be a member of a local awakening council. The councils are made up mostly of Sunni fighters who turned against al Qaeda in late 2006. The movement is backed by the United States and is a target for jihadists.