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

week 5

PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

Ex-Policeman to Die By Hanging for Checkpoint Killing

The State High Court, Nembe Division, Bayelsa State, has sentenced a former police officer, Matthew Egheghe, to death by hanging over the killing of one Emmanuel Victor. Victor was allegedly shot many times by policemen at a checkpoint in Yenagoa in the presence of his mother, Grace, in 2011. Victor and his mother were said to be returning from Church on October 16, 2011, when he (Victor) was said to have asked the policemen to stop extorting money from motorists. Egheghe was the second accused person in the murder of Victor. Others were Inspector Lucky (first accused) and Monday Umeh (third accused). They were all attached to the Bayelsa State Police Command before they were found guilty during an orderly room trial, leading to their dismissal from the police. Justice Lucky Boufili said the prosecution proved that the gunshots fired by the second accused person killed the deceased. Mother of the deceased, Grace, said she was very pleased that she got justice for her son at last.

Police, Kidnappers in Fierce Shoot out in Anambra
Men of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Anambra State Police Command, Wednesday, engaged some kidnap suspects in a fierce gun duel at the Obosi area, Idemili North LGA of the state. At the end of the gun battle, two of the suspects lost their lives, while a policeman was injured. Thirteen other members of the suspected kidnap gang escaped. The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Emeka Chukwuemeka, confirmed the incident. He said the gang was led by one of the dead suspects identified simply as “small” who he said, was responsible for series of kidnappings and armed rubbery cases around Onitsha and environs in its recent time. Chukwuemeka said it was one of the kidnap kingpins arrested by operatives of SARS, who led them to the hide out of about 15 members of the gang.

Naval Command Laments Insufficient Small Arms, Ammunition
The immediate past Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) of the Eastern Naval Command (FOC), Rear Admiral Joe Aikhomu, has revealed that the command is facing the challenges of inadequate small arms and ammunition, including potable ballistic life-jackets to effectively police the waterways in the Gulf of Guinea. But the dearth of these arms and ammunition, which became noticeable in the last one year, according to the naval chief, was not enough to deter the navy from combating sea robbery, crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism and sea crime generally. Aikhomu made these revelations yesterday, at the headquarters of the Eastern Naval Command in Calabar, Cross River State, when he handed over to his successor, Rear Admiral Harry Ngonadi. On assumption of office, the new FOC assured communities along the nation’s maritime boundary of adequate security against piracy adding that no stone will be left unturned in protecting Nigeria’s maritime environment.

JTF Dislodges Illegal Bunkerers Hideouts, Arrests Four

Troops of 343 Regiment of Sector 2 of the Joint Military Task Force in the Niger Delta have conducted a surprise cordon-and-search operation in Igbematoru community in Southern Ijaw LGA of Bayelsa State and arrested four suspects. The troops, Nigeria Police and Nigerian Security and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) carried out the search on the hideouts of identified suspected illegal oil bunkerers in the community. At the end of the raids, four persons were arrested by the security operatives. Media Coordinator of the JTF, Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, disclosed that the operation was informed by the disturbing fact that Igbematoru had been high on the graph of occurrences of illegal oil bunkering in Bayelsa. Nwachukwu also said troops of 29 and 5 Battalions of Sector 2 anti-illegal oil bunkering patrol squads of the JTF impounded 20 wooden barges and five fibre boats conveying stolen crude oil estimated to be about 213,000 litres in the region.

Police Parade 2 Kidnap Suspects in Ebonyi

The Ebonyi State Police Command, on Thursday, paraded 2 kidnap suspects identified as John Okoro and Monday Onu, over the alleged kidnap of Chief Ama Oji. The victim is the father of a People’s Democratic Party stalwart and business mogul, Ochiri 1 of Edda, Chief Julius Ama Oji. The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Chris Anyanwu, said that the victim died few days after he was abducted by the gunmen in his country home, Nguzu Edda in Afikpo South Local Government Area.

Construction Worker Dies as Expatriate Throws Him from Storey Building

Tragedy struck at the construction site of the proposed ultra-modern state secretariat in Enugu as a casual worker at the site was feared dead when an expatriate working with a construction company, allegedly threw him down from the fourth floor of one of the buildings. It was gathered that the expatriate, whom sources said is feared by many in the company over his brutality, pushed the deceased down after their disagreement on how a particular work should be done at the site. It was revealed that two workers at the site had reportedly lost their lives in similar circumstance in December 2013. Workers of the company were said to have attempted to lynch the expatriate but the police intervened swiftly and took him away.

Hoodlums Attack Pro-Amaechi Rally

Hoodlums suspected to be militants on Sunday invaded the Save Rivers Movement rally in Bori, Khana LGA and unleashed terror on members of the group. The assailants, who wore masks were said to have shot sporadically mostly at vehicles parked at the venue of the event by state government officials. The Secretary to the State Government, Mr. George Feyii, the Chief of Staff, Government House, Chief Tony Okocha, and some journalists were among those that escaped. Some however sustained serious bullet injuries during the incident. It was learnt that during the latest incident, the attackers, who besieged the All Saints Anglican Church venue of the rally, had begun shooting within Bori around 4.30am on Sunday. They (hoodlums) however marched to the open field and fired at the parked vehicles at about 10.40am, forcing the SRM members to flee.

Ikwerre Protest against Calls for Mbu's Sack

The spate of protests in Rivers State took a new dimension on Tuesday as kinsmen of the governor, Chibuike Amaechi, from his Ikwerre area marched on the streets of Port Harcourt over the governor’s call for the redeployment of the state Commissioner of Police, Joseph Mbu. The anti-Amaechi protesters from the four Ikwerre LGAs of Ikwerre, Emohua, Obio/Akpor and Port Harcourt, under the aegis of Ikwerre People’s Assembly, marched on the Port Harcourt-Aba Road before occupying the strategic GRA Junction from about 8am to 9.30 am. Addressing the crowd of protesters, the spokesman of Ikwerre People’s Assembly, Chima Boms, said Mbu had done well in the state and had ended the victimisation of political opponents by the governor. Meanwhile, the police in Port Harcourt have confirmed the arrest of the Chairmen of Khana and Gokana Local Government Councils, Hon. Gregory Nwidam and Hon. Demua Ledee Demua, respectively over the shooting that scuttled the rally of the Save Rivers Movement (SRM) in Bori last Sunday. The Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ahmad Muhammad (DSP), yesterday confirmed the arrest of the chairmen.

Parents Cage 16-Year-Old for 30 Months

A 16-year-old twin locked up by her parents in a wooden cage for over 30 months on allegation of witchcraft has been rescued in Bayelsa State. Her parents attributed the cruelty to Blessing Olokumo to her strange behaviour, which they claimed was because she was a witch. Olokumo was diagnosed with a strange illness, which triggers convulsion, over nine years ago. A group, Mary Slessor Twins Foundation, which rescued her, said she was locked in a wooden cage for over two-and-a-half years. Acting President of the group, Tonyon Ebitei Robert, said Olokumo was locked up because she was always defecating around the family's house. Robert disclosed that the group, which is known for its campaign against maltreatment of twins in the state, was contacted by concerned indigenes of Okolobiri community where the Olokumo family resides. Olokumo has been taken to the teaching hospital for proper medical treatment. Her father was said to have absconded from home.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

Trailer Crushes Woman, Child in Auchi

Three people including a woman and her child were on Tuesday crushed to death by a truck on Auchi-Okpella Highway in Auchi, Edo State. According to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the accident occurred when the speeding truck lost control and crushed a motorcyclist, the woman and her child. The Unit Commander of FRSC, Achibong Nseobot, said the remains of the victims had been deposited at the mortuary, while efforts were being made to contact their families. Nseobot warned motorists in the area particularly those of articulated vehicles against reckless driving.

Sisters Burnt to Death in Hostel Fire

Two female undergraduate siblings have been burnt to death following a midnight inferno that razed their hostel in Delta State, penultimate Tuesday. The two girls were students of College of Education, Agbor and were among those living in a private hostel adjacent the college. Their names were given as Favour and Ndidi. According to an eyewitness, the incident occurred while they were sleeping in the hostel. The fire started at about midnight unknown to neighbours that the two girls were in their rooms. The corpses were deposited at the Central Hospital, Agbor.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

Ejigbo Torture: IGP Orders Immediate Investigation as NHRC Commences Probe

The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Mohammed Abubakar, has ordered detectives from the Federal Criminal Investigation Department (Lagos Annex) to take over investigation into the alleged torture of two women in Ejigbo. The women were allegedly tortured over the theft of pepper in Ejigbo Market in February 2013. In a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, on Tuesday, Abubakar ordered detectives from FCID to take over nine persons suspected to have been involved in the matter. He also ordered the team to take over all exhibits related to the matter from the Police Command in Lagos. The IGP urged the team to ensure speedy delivery of justice, promote the rule of law and discourage impunity. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has also begun a probe into the alleged torture. The commission assured the public that it would strive to facilitate the prosecution of persons involved in the incident.

Couple Nabbed for Human Trafficking

A petroleum marketer, Ayinmola Alabi and his wife, Toyin, were on Monday paraded by the police Special Fraud Unit (SFU), Ikoyi, Lagos, for allegedly trafficking two girls to Italy and trying to pass them off as their daughters. The girls, whose real names were given as Aisosa Uwailomwon, 19, and Endurance Osaigede, 21, had changed their names to Rachel Alabi and Rita Alabi respectively on their passports. Three other persons, Emmanuel Damule, Ayodeji Olatunde, and Samuel Aworowo, were also arrested in connection with the incident. The SFU Public Relations Officer, Ngozi Isintunme-Agu, said a petition from the Consulate General of Italy in Lagos alleged that the couple had shown up at the embassy to apply for a visit visa with the two girls, who had the page five of their passports tampered with. The couple, however, denied the allegation that they were human traffickers.

Hoodlums Go on Rampage, Kill Two in Lagos

About 200 hoodlums sacked the Iwaya, Yaba, area of Lagos State on Saturday, leaving behind death and destruction. The hoodlums also stormed the Iwaya Police Post, vandalised property and patrol vehicles, and freed the suspects who were in detention. It was learnt that two people, including a little boy, lost their lives in the mayhem. Trouble reportedly began after some street urchins, held a carnival to celebrate the New Year. It was said policemen went to the area to disperse the boys around 12am on Saturday, but they refused to leave. It was learnt that the Divisional Police Officer, Sabo Police Division, Anthony Aruna, while trying to disperse the youths, was attacked by the hoodlums. The policemen from nearby stations, as well as the Rapid Response Squad, were said to have eventually dispersed the hoodlums. Police Public Relations Officer, Ngozi Braide, who confirmed the disturbance in the area, however said the police post was not vandalised.

Father Rapes, Impregnates 14-Year-Old Daughter

Thirty six-year-old Aminu Ajao has been arraigned before an Ebute Meta magistrate’s court for allegedly raping and impregnating his 14-year-old daughter. Ajao was arraigned on Monday on two counts of rape. The magistrate, Ms S.O Solebo, called the victim’s mother and her stepmother to court to give an account of how the event unfolded. The victim’s mother, who did not disclose her name in court, said she had separated from Ajao and had remarried. Ajao’s new wife, who was nursing a baby, said she was not aware of the incident until the matter got to the police. The magistrate called the Office of the Public Defender for custody of the girl. The defence counsel, Ola Ogunbiyi, pleaded with the court to admit Ajao to bail in liberal terms. But the magistrate refused the defendant bail, and ordered him to be remanded in prison custody pending legal advice from the DPP. The matter was adjourned till February 19, 2014.

LASU Closed AS Students' Protest Turned Violent

Authorities of the Lagos State University (LASU), Thursday, ordered the indefinite closure of the institution following a violent protest by students over the registration process for the rain semester examination. The students had gone on the rampage over the inability of many of them to access the school portal to register for the examination. Also, examinations have been put off till further notice. The students had begun the protest on Wednesday over the closure of the portal but it turned violent on Thursday as they were alleged to have stoned the Vice-Chancellor, Professor John Obafunwa. It was learnt that the students were required to register online to sit for the examination but only 708 students were able to do so, leaving out about 1,292 others. In the wake of the protest, the Lagos State House of Assembly has summoned the Chairman of LASU Governing Council, Mr. Bode Agusto, and Obafunwa to appear before it.

Lagos Passes Law against Smoking in Public

The Lagos State House of Assembly, on Monday, passed a bill for a law to regulate smoking in public places in all parts of the state. The bill has been sent the state Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), for an ascent. The bill, which scaled through the third reading, prohibits anybody smoking in all public places including libraries, museum, public toilets, schools, hospital, day care centres, public transportation and restaurants among others. The bill, which consists of 16 sections, said in section 12 that posting of signs which states “No Smoking” symbol, depicts a pictorial representation of a burning cigarette enclosed in a circle with a bar across should be displayed in all no-smoking areas. The bill also states the penalty for non-compliance by owner/occupier of a “no-smoking area.” The bill further stated that any person, who smokes in the presence of a child commits an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine of N15,000 or imprisonment for a month or both.

Lagos Residents Stone Suspected Robbers to Death

Two unidentified persons were stoned to death in the Sabo, Yaba area of Lagos State after being apprehended by youths for allegedly robbing a resident of his phones. It was learnt that the alleged robbers attacked a 79-year-old man, Pa Emmanuel Thomas, in his apartment around 4am on Saturday. The elderly man disclosed that the robbers beat up his guest and demanded that he gave them all his money after snatching his telephone and wristwatch. It was learnt that prior to the robbery, youths in the area had been suspicious of the alleged robbers, wondering what the strange men wanted on their street at that odd hour. It was learnt that the alleged robbers, who were still alive, were stripped naked and dumped on the Sabo end of the Herbert Macaulay Way, about 200 metres from the Sabo Police Division. It was, however, learnt that passers-by pelted the alleged robbers with stones until they died.

NDLEA Arrests 490 Suspects in Lagos

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Lagos on Thursday said it arrested 490 drug suspects and seized 9,163.96kg in 2013. The agency’s Head of Public Affairs, Mitchel Ofoyeju, disclosed that the figure was higher than the 321 arrested in 2012. Ofoyeju said the drug seizures in 2013 were mainly cannabis as against 2,451.23kg of narcotic comprising cocaine, heroin, cannabis, amphetamine and ephedrine in 2012. He pointed out that the command faced the challenge of cannabis use among youths and illegal methamphetamine production laboratories. Ofoyeju said that the large cannabis seizure made in 2013 and the illegal drug factories uncovered in residential areas within Lagos were as a result of the active participation of stakeholders in the drug control programme. He announced that the command carried out community mobilisation and enlightenment efforts with the establishment of drug-free clubs in schools, anti-drug awareness campaigns at motor parks, churches and mosques.

Pastor Stabs Colleague to Death, Arraigned in Court

A church founder, identified simply as Pastor Adepoju, last Wednesday, stabbed a fellow pastor of a branch of The Apostolic Church Nigeria in Gbongan, Osun State, Pastor Julius Oguntoye, to death. Adepoju had retired from The Apostolic Church about 10 years ago to establish his own church. Adepoju was said to have come from Ibadan, his base, to Gbongan where the deceased was and stabbed him on the left side of the chest in the presence of his six-year-old son. It was said that Adepoju accused the slain pastor of “using my glory.” One of the church members disclosed that Adepoju had prevented the deceased’s son from fleeing the scene and released him after he was satisfied that his father had died. Adepoju was reported to have gone to the police station in the town and reported that he had killed his fellow pastor immediately after the incident. The Police Public Relations Officer in Osun State, Folasade Odoro, confirmed the incident and arrest of the suspect. A Magistrate Court in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, has remanded the suspect in prison and adjourned the case till March 7, 2014 for mention.

Lover, Quack Nurse Arrested as 18-Year-Old Dies of Abortion

Detectives in Ondo State have arrested a quack nurse over the death of an 18-year-old girl, Omolayo Afolabi, who she helped to terminate a two-month pregnancy. Also arrested by the police is Joseph Endurance, the deceased lover said to have been responsible for her pregnancy. The quack nurse, Favour Adebiyi, was reportedly approached by the deceased to help her abort the pregnancy. The nurse was said to have given her some drugs to use which, according to information, led to her untimely death. It was gathered that the drugs taken at night by the deceased later led to some complications. Police Spokesman, Wole Ogodo, confirmed that the quack nurse and the boyfriend of the 18-year-old deceased are being detained.

Man Shot Dead Withdrawing Money from ATM

An employee of Supersports, Kunle Fajugbabe, has been killed by suspected armed robbers in the Bariga area of Lagos State. It was learnt that the deceased had gone to withdraw money from an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) around 11.30pm when he was attacked and shot by the robbers. The assailants were said to have also snatched Kunle’s Mazda salon car and fled, leaving him in a pool of blood. It was learnt that policemen attached to the Bariga Division, who were on night patrol, saw Kunle’s body and took him to the station before his family members were contacted. The police were said to have taken him to the Gbagada General Hospital where he died two hours later. The state command’s spokesperson, Ngozi Braide, confirmed the robbery attack on Kunle. She said that his vehicle had been recovered but that the police are still looking for the assailants.

GENERAL

Boko Haram Kills 18 in Attack on Borno Village

Members of the outlawed Boko Haram sect have struck again in another part of Borno State, killing 18, a few days after they laid siege to a fishing border community of Gashigar where they killed about 15 persons. The Sunday attack occurred in Alau Ngawo Fatie village of Jere LGA, at about 10 pm. The village head of Alau, Bulama Ibrahim Alau, disclosed that when the insurgents arrived in the village, they started shooting sporadically at people and burning houses. Another resident of the village, Mustapha Galtimari, a former councillor in Jere LGA, confirmed that 18 bodies were counted by the villagers after the siege. He added that many surviving residents have fled to other more secured parts of the state for fear of being attacked again. The spokesman of 7 Division of the Nigerian Army, Col Muhammadu Dole, confirmed that there was an attack, but there were no details yet. After the attack, residents of 29 other surrounding settlements have fled for fear of being attacked by the insurgents.

CDS Vows to End Insurgency before April

The new Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Air Marshal Alex Badeh, has given an assurance that the military will bring the Boko Haram insurgency in the country to an end before April this year. He said that it was mandatory for the military to eliminate the Boko Haram insurgency in the next three months in order to prevent a constitutional problem in the polity. Badeh said that he was optimistic that the war against terrorism was already won. Badeh gave the assurance while taking over as the new CDS from his predecessor, Admiral Ola Ibrahim in Abuja on Monday. The CDS said that it was possible to bring the insurgency in the North East to an end if the military approached its security responsibilities cohesively.

Kano Records 100 Rape Cases in Two Months

The Kano judiciary recorded 100 cases of rape in its courts between November and December last year. The state Commissioner of Justice, Barrister Maliki Kuliya Umar, who disclosed this, said that more than 40 offenders have so far been convicted and are currently serving   prison terms. Maliki disclosed that the cases reached that number because people were now familiar with reporting such cases to police, unlike before when the victims’ parents or guardians remained mute for stigmatization reasons.

Residents Flee Borno Community over Boko Haram Attacks

The renewed onslaught by Boko Haram against the people of Borno State in recent times has forced hundreds of residents of Gashigar village, a border community between the state and Niger Republic to take refuge in the neighbouring country. This comes after a series of attacks by suspected members of the Islamic sect left 15 persons dead. According to some of the residents, Gashigar, a fishing community, lost seven persons while over 60 shops and eight vehicles were razed during an attack by gunmen penultimate Thursday night.  The villagers have complained that their cases were made worse by the absence of security agents in the community. The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Gideon Jibrin, denied a lack of police presence in the community. He added that apart from the seven persons that were killed, three others who were running out of fear got drowned in the river.  The attack on Gashigar came about four days after a similar one was made on two neighbouring villages where the insurgents were believed to have attacked and killed five persons.

FG Asks Court to Re-open Trial of Suspected Bombers of UN Building

The federal government has applied to the Federal High Court in Abuja, for permission to reopen its case in the trial of four suspected Boko Haram members charged with complicity in the 2011 bombing of the United Nations (UN) building in Abuja. The four suspects, Salisu Mohammed, Inusa Mukailu, Dan’azumi Haruna and Abdulsalami Adamu, were all arrested in Kano, shortly after the bombing on August 20, 2011. On November 22 last year, the trial judge, Justice Gladys Olotu, closed the prosecution’s case on the grounds that it failed to handle the case diligently. The judge, in a ruling, expressed dismay that the prosecution was reluctant to produce its’ witnesses months after its first witness testified. Justice Olotu ordered the defence to open its case, consequent upon which the defence filed an application for a no-case submission.

20 Civilians, Five Soldiers Killed in Renewed Fulani Attack on Agatu

About 20 civilians and five soldiers attached to the 72 Battalion of the Nigerian Army in Makurdi, Benue State were believed to have been killed on Sunday by suspected Fulani herdsmen in Agatu LGA of the state. According to a source, the herdsmen, who came in their numbers, attacked the villages in Oweto and Utuluewu in broad daylight, killing about 20 persons including five soldiers keeping peace in the area. The spokesman of the state police command, Daniel Ezeala, confirmed the killings of the people but said they were only 12, stressing that situation had been brought under control. Similarly, the legislator representing the area in the state House of Assembly, Hon. Sule Audu, expressed disgust at the continued attack on his constituents' without any seeming solution in sight. Benue state government has condemned the recent attack on some communities in the state following conflicts between Tiv farmers and Fulani herdsmen.

Court Frees Three Detained Boko Haram Suspects

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, Thursday, ordered the release of three suspected members of the Boko Haram sect, following government's failure to file charges against them. Justice Gabriel Kolawole ordered security agents to release Mustapha Yusuf (aka Habib), Ismaila Abdulazeez and Ibrahim Isa Hayafu, after they were detained for three months without trial. Three others arrested along with them were, however, not so lucky. They were among six people arrested by the State Security Service (SSS) for being members of the proscribed sect. The other three unlucky suspects were Dr Nazeef Yunus, a lecturer at the Kogi State University, Ayingba, Umar Musa and Salami Abdullahi. The court also adjourned further hearing in the case until January 28.

Suspected Boko Haram Financier Drags Sues SSS, over Alleged Rights Abuse

A businessman, Alhaji Salami Abdullahi, accused of funding the terrorism activities of the Boko Haram Islamic sect has sued the State Security Services (SSS) at a federal high court, Abuja asking for the sum of N10bn for alleged unlawful arrest and detention. The Kogi State based Businessman claimed that he was apprehended at one of his filing stations in October by combined operatives of the SSS, soldiers and police and was clamped in detention without trial since then in breach of his fundamental rights. However, counsel to the SSS, Mr C.I Idakwo, urged the court to dismiss the application on the grounds that a magistrates' court in Lokoja had ordered the detention of the applicant before he was moved to Abuja. Justice Kolawole who adjourned ruling in the case indefinitely said the matter would be mentioned on January 28.

Homosexuals Stoned in Court

There was pandemonium at the Upper Court 4 in Anguwan Jaki, Bauchi State, Wednesday, as an angry  mob almost lynched seven suspected homosexuals brought to court for trial. The development forced security personnel at the court premises to rescue the suspects by firing gunshots in the air and using teargas to disperse the mob. The angry mob hurled stones at the van carrying them as it sped dangerously back to prison. The suspects faced charges of allegedly engaging in gay activities in Bauchi State, an action that contravenes the Islamic laws which the state is operating. Similarly, a Makurdi Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday remanded herbalist, Tarvhi Nyitse, in prison custody for alleged homosexuality. Prosecutor James Zungwe told the court that one Terzungwe Yev reported that the herbalist had taken him to the bush to get some herbs to treat his mother, but was surprised when the accused pounced on him there in the bush and forcefully had sexual intercourse with him through his anus.

8 Farmers in Court for Stripping, Forcing Widow to Dance Naked in Market

Eight farmers were, Thursday, arraigned before a Makurdi Chief Magistrate Court for allegedly stripping a widow and parading her at a market square. According to the First Information Report, FIR, filed in the court by the prosecutor, Inspector George Nyev, the victim had written a letter of complaint to the Benue State Commissioner of Police on November 18, 2013, stating that she was in her matrimonial home in the morning of September 18, when one Omanche Adikwu led his family members and some youths of Orokam village to attack her. She alleged that the group forcefully stripped her naked and went ahead to arrest one Augustine Odoh and forced both of them to dance naked at the market square while photographs of the dance were taken by the accused persons. According to her, the group also carted away her clothes, jewellery and cash. The prosecuting officer told the court that the accused persons were arrested during police investigations, adding that the accused confessed to the crime during investigations.

INTERNATIONAL

34 Killed as Floods, Landslides Hit Philippines

At least 34 people have been killed in floods and landslides caused by a tropical depression in the Philippines, the national disaster relief agency said penultimate Friday. Seven people were missing while more than 212,000 people were displaced from 14 provinces affected by the bad weather. The weather bureau warned the tropical depression was moving slowly and would bring more rains over the weekend in the southern, central and eastern Philippines. Some areas devastated by Typhoon Haiyan in November were also experiencing heavy rains due to the tropical depression. Haiyan killed more than 6,200 people and displaced over four million people when it hit the eastern Philippines with record winds, flattening houses and buildings.

Two Killed, 150 Evacuated as Floods Strike South/Eastern France

Two people were killed on Sunday and more than 150 had to be airlifted to safety after floods struck south/eastern France, authorities said. A third man disappeared while out on his boat and 4,000 homes have been left without power after the inundations in the department of Var, they said. Local official, Laurent Cayrel, said one of the victims, a 73-year-old man, died in his basement, while the other was swept away in his car. Var, which lies on the stretch of Mediterranean coast known as the Riviera popular with tourists, is known for its sunny climate. But with forecasts of more rain overnight, Cayrel urged "the greatest vigilance". Eight emergency helicopters would be deployed throughout the night, with 500 fire officers and 200 police on duty. By late Sunday, 155 people had been airlifted from the worst-hit areas and efforts to evacuate residents by boat were continuing.

Suicide Bomber Kills Four in Beirut

A suicide bomber killed four people on Tuesday in a residential district of southern Beirut known for its support of the powerful Shi'ite Muslim military and political movement, Hezbollah, security sources said. Tensions from Syria's conflict have increasingly infected neighbouring Lebanon. Hezbollah has sent fighters and advisers to help its ally, President Bashar al-Assad, a member of the Shi'ite-derived Alawite minority, against mainly Sunni rebels. The blast occurred on a busy street of small shops and restaurants in the Haret Hreik area of the Lebanese capital's largely Shi'ite southern suburbs and fit the profile of previous attacks against Hezbollah targets claimed by Sunni militants. The bombing was the third to target a centre of Hezbollah support this year. The first of those came less than a week after a car bomb killed former finance minister Mohamad Chatah, a critic of Hezbollah and Assad, and six others in Beirut.

CAR Elects Samba-Panza as Interim President

Bangui mayor, Catherine Samba-Panza, has been elected interim president of the Central African Republic, making her the first woman to hold the post. She beat her rival Desire Kolingba in the second round of voting by the interim parliament. Meanwhile, EU foreign ministers agreed at a meeting on Monday to send troops to CAR, diplomatic sources said. Violence has continued, with two Muslim men killed and burnt in the capital Bangui on Sunday. Nearly a million people have been forced from their homes – 20 per cent of the population – by the conflict between Muslims and Christians. Samba-Panza succeeds CAR’s first Muslim leader Michel Djotodia, who resigned on January 10 under pressure from regional leaders and the former colonial power, France, over his failure to curb the conflict. She is a Christian but the successful businesswoman is seen as politically neutral. She was accepted by both sides when she was proposed as Bangui’s mayor under the interim administration.

25 Killed as Pakistan Bombs Suspected Taliban Hideouts

Pakistani jets and helicopter gunships bombarded suspected Taliban hideouts in a northwestern tribal district Tuesday, killing at least 25 people, in response to two major bombings targeting the military. The air strikes come a day after a Taliban suicide bomber killed 13 people in a blast near army headquarters. The focus of Tuesday’s operation was North Waziristan tribal district, a stronghold for Taliban and Al-Qaeda linked militants on the border with Afghanistan. Military officials said the strikes were based on “confirmed intelligence reports” and some of those killed were linked to high-profile attacks including a bloody double suicide bombing on a church in the northwestern city of Peshawar in September. Jet fighters began pounding targets around 12:30am, an official said, and were later joined by helicopter gunships. In claiming responsibility for the Bannu attack, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) threatened more strikes to avenge their former leader Hakimullah Mehsud, killed by a US drone in November.

Man Who Kept and Killed Sex Slaves Executed in China

Chinese authorities on Tuesday put to death a man, who held six sex slaves in his basement and murdered two. Li Hao, a 36-year-old former clerk, was executed after being convicted of “murder, rape, illegal detention, organised prostitution and manufacturing pornography for profit”. In 2009 Li dug a “dungeon” in his basement and confined six women there for periods ranging from two to 21 months, where he “repeatedly raped” them, it added. Five were prostitutes whom he tricked into his prison by soliciting their services, and one was selling birth control products, the People’s Daily website said, adding that Li installed seven metal doors to prevent their escape. The victims ranged from about 16 to 23 in age, and one who was 20 at the time of kidnap became pregnant, it said. Li also forced three of the women to kill two of the others, Xinhua said. One who participated in both murders was sentenced to three years’ prison while the rest were put on probation. Li was caught in September 2011 after one captive escaped and went to the police.

Egypt's Morsi to Stand Trial over Espionage

The trial of Egypt's deposed Islamist President, Mohamed Morsi, and 35 others on charges of espionage in collaboration with Palestinian Hamas movement will start on February 16, judicial sources said on Tuesday. It is the third Morsi trial for which a date has been fixed and is part of a relentless government crackdown on the ousted leader and his Islamist supporters since his July 3 ouster by the army. The defendants could face the death penalty if found guilty. Morsi and others including former aides and leaders of his Muslim Brotherhood have been accused of launching a "terrorist" campaign inside Egypt in collaboration with Hamas and jihadists, the sources said. The group is accused "of spying for the international organisation of the Muslim Brotherhood, its military wing and Hamas movement, and carrying out terror attacks inside the country against state property, institutions and their employees to spread chaos".

Thai Capital under Emergency Rule as Pro-Government Leader is Shot

A pro-government leader was shot and wounded on Wednesday in Thailand's northeast, a stronghold of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, as a state of emergency began in and around the capital Bangkok where protesters are trying to force her to resign. The government issued the 60-day emergency decree late on Tuesday, handing security agencies wide powers to detain suspects, impose a curfew and limit gatherings. Officials said it was aimed at preventing an escalation of the protests that have gripped the capital for more than two months and brought parts of the centre to a halt. Bangkok appeared normal and people were going about their business as usual with police making no attempt to break up the protests, including one outside a complex where Yingluck was working. But highlighting the risk of the political deadlock turning violent, "red shirt" leader Kwanchai Praipana, who had warned of a nationwide "fight" if the military launched a coup, was wounded in the arm and leg in a drive-by shooting at his home in the northeastern town of Udon Thani. Police said they believed it was politically motivated.

Clashes Rage between Protesters and Police in Ukraine

Violent clashes between anti-government protesters and police continued in the center of Ukraine’s capital, Kiev, overnight into Tuesday. Demonstrators have been rallying since the weekend in defiance of new laws that limit the right to protest. The Interior Ministry said Tuesday that more than 30 protesters had been detained and 119 police officers injured since Sunday afternoon, when the clashes began. The city health care department reported 122 injured and 50 hospitalized. Protest organizers said those treated in hospitals are questioned by police and registered as participants of mass protests, which may lead to arrest and criminal charges. Protesters and police have accused each other of violence. The controversial new protest laws go into effect Wednesday, raising concerns they could be used to put down demonstrations.

Abducted South Korean Rescued in Libya

A South Korean trade official abducted penultimate Sunday in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, has been rescued and his kidnappers detained, authorities said on Thursday. Han Seok-woo, head of the Libya unit of the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency, was handed over to the South Korean Embassy in Tripoli on Wednesday evening in good health, the South Korean foreign ministry said. Libyan security forces have arrested the four men who abducted Han and determined that they were members of “an armed group,” the ministry said. The South Korean foreign ministry had set up an emergency task force to deal with the abduction and dispatched a special envoy to Libya. It also issued a warning against traveling to Libya and asked the 551 South Korean nationals living in the North African country to leave.

Suicide Bomber Targets Cairo Police HQ, Kills Four

A suicide bomber in a car blew himself up in the parking lot of a top security compound in central Cairo on Friday, killing at least four people in one of the most high-profile attacks on the state in months. The early morning explosion damaged the Cairo Security Directorate, which includes police and state security, and sent smoke rising over the capital. The dead included three policemen, security sources said. The Cairo governor said that 50 people were wounded. Witnesses heard gunfire immediately after the blast, which twisted the metal and shattered windows of nearby shops. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack, which came a day before the third anniversary of the uprising that toppled autocrat Hosni Mubarak and raised hopes of a stable democracy in the Arab world's biggest nation.

AU Commission to Investigate Rights Violation in South Sudan Violence

The Chairperson of the AU Commission, Dr Dlamini Zuma has said that the Commission would set up a panel to investigate alleged human rights violations in the ongoing South Sudan conflict. Zuma made the disclosure on Tuesday in Addis Ababa, after a one-day working visit to Juba, capital of the Republic of South Sudan. During the visit Zuma had met with South Sudan President, Salvar Kiir and those detained by the administration since the start of the conflict in December 2013. Meanwhile, South Sudan's government and rebels signed a ceasefire on Thursday to end more than five weeks of fighting that brought it to the brink of civil war. US President Barack Obama; UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon; and the UN Security Council welcomed the news, but several diplomatic sources fear that the killing could continue. Fighting between troops loyal to President Salva Kiir and those backing the vice president he sacked in July, Riek Machar erupted in mid-December. Thousands of people have been killed and more than half a million people have fled their homes, prompting the regional grouping of nations, IGAD, to initiate peace talks.

Indian Court Orders Probe into Gang Rape of Woman

India’s Supreme Court has ordered a judge to investigate the gang rape of a tribal woman, allegedly on orders of village elders who objected to her relationship with a man. The court ordered the district judge of Birbhum in West Bengal state to visit the village and submit a report. Thirteen men, including the village headman, have been arrested, while the 20-year-old woman is in hospital. Unofficial courts in India’s villages often sanction killings of couples deemed to have violated local codes. The Supreme Court has set January 31, as the date for hearing the case. The woman belonging to the Santhal tribal group was allegedly gang-raped on Monday night for her relationship with a non-tribal man from a nearby village in Birbhum district. The couple, who were in a relationship for almost five years, was caught on Monday when the man visited the woman’s home with the proposal of marriage.

Morocco Amends Underage Rape Marriage Law

The parliament of Morocco has unanimously amended an article of the penal code that allowed rapists of underage girls to avoid prosecution by marrying their victims. The move follows intensive lobbying by activists for better protection of young rape victims. The amendment has been welcomed by rights groups. Article 475 of the penal code generated unprecedented public criticism. The issue came to public prominence in 2012 when 16-year-old Amina Filali killed herself after being forced to marry her rapist. She accused Moustapha Fellak, who at the time was about 25, of physical abuse after they married, which he denies. After seven months of marriage, Ms Filali swallowed rat poison. The case shocked many people in Morocco and sparked protests in the capital Rabat and other cities. Rights groups say that much still needs to be done to promote gender equality, protect women and outlaw child marriage.

Chinese Official Sentenced to Death for Graft

A Chinese municipal official, Zhou Jianhua, has been sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve for accepting more than one million dollars in bribes. Zhou had chaired the standing committee of the People’s Congress of Xinyu city in the southern province of Jiangxi, citing the Jiangxi Higher People’s Court. He was said to have accepted 1.6 million dollars, tens of thousands of U.S. and Hong Kong dollars as well as three gold bars and objects worth 38,991 dollars. A higher court is currently handling a retrial of the case. Chinese President Xi Jinping has made fighting pervasive graft a priority since taking office last March. He warned, like others before him, that corruption threatens the ruling Communist Party’s very survival.

Israel Arrests Three-Man Al-Qaeda Cell

The Israeli Shin Bet security service has arrested three alleged members of an al-Qaeda cell. The Prime Minister's spokesman said the men were planning to attack targets including the US embassy. Shin Bet said the men were recruited by an al-Qaeda operative in the Gaza Strip and that their other targets included a large conference centre in Jerusalem. The Hamas movement which runs the Gaza Strip rejected Shin Bet's claims. Hamas spokesman, Sami Abu Zuhri, described Shin Bet's account as an attempt to justify Israeli military strikes in Gaza. US State Department spokeswoman, Marie Harf, said the US was investigating claims that the US embassy was a target.

Fuel Tanker Feared Hijacked off Angola

A fuel tanker is suspected to have been hijacked by pirates off the coast of Angola, the ship's owners said on Wednesday. The 75,000 deadweight tonne Liberian-flagged fuel tanker MT Kerala lost contact with its Greece-based owner Dynacom on January 18. The ship was last seen around seven nautical miles from the Angolan capital Luanda, according to a security source. One security source said the MT Kerala was loaded with gasoil. Tankers seized by Nigerian gangs are often released after the oil, gasoline or other fuel on board is transferred to smaller vessels. Sometimes crew is kidnapped for ransom. International navies are not actively engaged in counter-piracy missions in the region. Angola is Africa's second biggest crude oil exporter after Nigeria, where pirate attacks have pushed up insurance costs for shipping firms and foreign oil companies.