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

week 6

PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

Gunmen Attack Agip Boat, Abduct Two Crew Members

Gunmen operating along the creeks and waterways of the Niger Delta, last weekend, attacked a tug boat belonging to the Nigerian Agip Company (NOAC) along the Nembe Waterways in Bayelsa State and abducted the captain and engineer aboard the vessel. The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), Monday, claimed responsibility for the attack. The MEND statement, signed by it spokesman, Jomo Gbomo, described the attack as a reminder of their presence in the creeks of the Niger Delta and a sign of things to come. He claimed that the attackers were a new group of MEND trainee fighters. The whereabouts of the abducted captain and the engineer is still unknown, while security operatives have intensified efforts at locating them. The tugboat had six crew members at the time it was attacked by the assailants, who dispossessed of some of them of their valuables.

Police Arrest Kidnappers, Traffickers in Imo State

The Nigerian Police have arrested two suspects alleged to have snatched two babies from their parent at Ahiazu Mbaise LGA of Imo State. Parading the suspects at the command’s headquarters in Owerri, the Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Katsina, disclosed that the suspects were arrested by the command’s ambush squad after getting some intelligence report about the incident. The two suspects gruesomely murdered one Madukalu Okechukwu for recognizing them while they forcefully snatched the two children from their mothers at their residence. Two other suspects were also paraded over the alleged kidnapping of a 60-year old woman, who was held in a building at Obollo Eziama in Orlu West LGA of Imo State.

Gunmen Abduct 4-Year-Old, Man, 42, in Aba

A four-year-old school girl whose name was given as Ngozi was, on Monday, abducted in Aba by gunmen suspected to be kidnappers in Osisioma Ngwa LGA. Ngozi, along with her elder sister, was going to their school, when the gang struck. The gunmen, who operated in a Volkswagen Golf car, whisked Ngozi away, leaving her sister shouting for help. Meanwhile, a 42-year-old man was kidnapped a day earlier. The man, identified as Ugochukwu, according to a source had stopped at a spot opposite Fr. Tansi Catholic Church in the World Bank Housing Estate, Aba to buy something when the three armed men emerged and whisked him away in their car. Meanwhile, the mother of the Abia State Accountant-General, Gabriel Onyedilefu, has regained freedom. The 70-year-old, Rose Onyedilefu, was kidnapped by gunmen penultimate Sunday at in Isiala Ngwa North LGA on her way back from church. It was not clear if any ransom was paid.

Policeman Arrested over Shooting Death of Driver

A Police corporal, Efom Andei has been arrested and detained by the police for allegedly shooting and killing a driver along the Abakaliki-Enugu Expressway in the Ohaukwu LGA of Ebonyi State. The State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Chris Anyanwu, disclosed that the corporal, who was on stop and search duty, while pursuing a suspected felon, misused his firearm and killed the driver. Anyanwu, however, said that the commissioner of police and the entire management team of the state command commiserated with the family, relatives and friends of the deceased with firm assurance that the circumstance leading to the unfortunate incident would be thoroughly investigated and justice will take its full course.

Pastor Nabbed over Rape of 13-Yr-Old

The Police in Imo State have arrested the General Overseer and head of a popular church in Ikeduru council area of the state, for allegedly raping a 13-year-old girl. His arrest followed a petition by the lawyer to the father of the alleged victim, Mr Emperor Iwuala. The father of the victim, a widower, had alleged that the pastor severally raped his daughter between 2010 and 2013. According to him, between 2010 and 2013, the prophet offered him accommodation in his house which he also uses as church, and he moved in with my daughters. Because he was quite ill at the time, he did not know that the prophet was taking advantage of my predicament to defile one of the girls. Confirming the petition, Iwuala also disclosed that the said prophet was currently under investigation by the police for buying an alleged stolen vehicle.  He applauded the security operatives for the impressive manner they are handling the matter.

Police Release 275 Arrested Boko Haram Suspects

The police in Rivers State Wednesday released the 275 Boko Haram suspects out of the 294 arrested on Sunday. The release came three days after the suspects were arrested and detained at the state Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Port Harcourt. The other 19 suspects who did not have any reasons whatsoever to move to Port Harcourt and who did not give any satisfactory account of their mission to Rivers State were recommended for further investigation. The Deputy Commissioner of Police of the SCID, Sam Okaula, said one of the suspects, Mohammed Musa, was discovered to be in possession of expended ammunition, which was hidden in a bag. He said the 295 suspects were being driven into River State in 17 buses and that they were arrested between 2am and 6am on penultimate Sunday by two different teams of policemen on the instruction of the States Commissioner of Police.

Cross River Raises the Alarm on Insecurity in Gulf of Guinea

The Cross River State Government has raised the alarm over the increasing security challenges in the Gulf of Guinea and wants the Eastern Naval Command to intensify maritime patrol and general security operations in the area. The state Security Adviser, Rekpene Bassey, told the new Commander of the Nigerian Naval Ship (NNS), Victory Calabar, Commodore Frederick Ogu, that the Gulf of Guinea was facing security problems, which needed to be tackled urgently. Sea piracy, smuggling, oil bunkering, sea robbery and other sea crimes generally have been giving the nation's security operatives challenges. The state Security Adviser commended the navy for rising to the occasion to stem the tide of piracy and robbery, thus making Cross River safe and secure for human habitation.

FG Fines Shell N1.84trn over Bonga Oil Spill

Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCO), was, on Wednesday, ordered by Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), and the National Oil Spill Response and Emergency Agency (NOSREA), to pay a total of $11.5 billion, about N1.84 trillion, as fines and compensation for the 2011 Bonga oil spill incident. The Director General of NIMASA, Patrick Akpobolokemi, said the maritime agency calculated a total of $6.5 billion, about N1.04 trillion, as compensation to be paid to the communities affected by the spill. Meanwhile, the Director General of NOSREA, Peter Idabo said that the agency fined Shell $5 billion, about N800 billion for the oil spill incident.

Man Wanted over N4m Dud Cheque

The Enugu State Police have declared one Benneth Nkwocha wanted for allegedly issuing a dud cheque of N4.040 million. The 40-year-old man, who is now at large, is said to have issued the cheque to one Zed Chukwujama. Nkwocha allegedly disappeared after issuing the cheque. A statement signed by the police spokesman in the state, Ebere Amaraizu disclosed that the suspect issued the dud cheque of four million, forty thousand naira having paid in the sum of one million naira out of the sum of five million, forty thousand naira, which a court had earlier awarded against him in a civil suit against him at the Court of Appeal.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

Mutilated Corpse of Police Officer Found in Delta

Residents of Agbor in Ika South LGA of Delta State woke up last Sunday morning to discover the headless body of a man later identified as Anthony Jeaga, the Divisional Traffic Officer (DTO) in-charge of Agbor Police Division. The deceased, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) was allegedly murdered by along the Benin-Asaba Expressway where his lifeless body was found. DSP Jeaga was transferred from the state police headquarters, Asaba to Agbor division. He hailed from Otuo in Owan East LGA of Edo State. Acting spokesman of the state police command, Charles Muka, who confirmed the incident, said the murder of the traffic officer remained a mystery. It was gathered that one suspect had been arrested in connection with the murder, while investigations had been intensified. According to the source, the suspect had uttered unwarranted comments about the victim before his death.

Boy, 14, Mastermind’s Grandmum’s Kidnap for Ransom

Men of the Delta State Police command have arrested a 14-year-old boy for allegedly masterminding the kidnap of his grandmother. Ironically, the abductors also took away the boy along with the grandmother and another victim in the process of kidnap but dropped off the accused before getting to their hideout. It was also not the first time the boy had planned the abduction of his grandmother to enable him share from the ransom. State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Charles Muka, confirmed the arrest of the boy, lamenting the case of conspiracy in which a grandson, for the second time, planned his grandmother’s kidnap.

Suspected Cultists Nabbed in Delta

Two suspected cultists, Ekugbe Umukoro and Kelvin Otewoh have been arrested and handed over to the Area Command of the Nigeria Police Force in Warri by the Aladja Community Vigilante in Udu LGA after a serious confrontation with the cultists who attempted to evade arrest.  It was gathered that Ekugbe Umukoro, who is alleged to be the leader of the cult group, is the nephew of the Transition Committee Chairman of Udu LGA, Raymond Edijala. The two suspects and 13 others of the cult were allegedly holding a meeting at a two bedroom flat in Ekreghware Quarters in Aladja at about 4am on the fateful day when the Aladja Community Vigilante who had been on surveillance stormed the meeting. In a bid to evade arrest, the cultists led by Umukoro engaged the vigilantes in a combat with dangerous weapons, but the vigilantes overpowered them and arrested Umukoro and Otewoh, while the others escaped. But in a twist, Men of the Nigeria Police Force, stormed the area and arrested the commander of vigilante groups, Hon. Prosper Erhihonjare.

Court Remands Nine in Edo over Community Fracas

An Igarra Magistrate Court, Wednesday, remanded nine persons in prison custody. The suspects were alleged to be involved in the shooting of two persons during the celebration of Ekuochi festival, which was said to have been banned since 1989. The nine accused are facing a three-count charge of felony, conspiracy and attempted murder. The prosecutor, Samuel Obeze, told the court that the accused committed the offence on January 15, 2014. No plea was taken while the Chief Magistrate, Oare Mutere, ordered the accused to be remanded at the Auchi Prison and adjourned till February 17 to await the advice of the State Director of Public Prosecution. Reports indicate that the suspects attempted to enforce the ban on the festival, which the victims were said to have attempted to hold, when the fracas that led to the shooting ensued.

Community Petitions President over Soldiers Invasion

Fresh communal crisis is brewing in Okerenkoko community, Warri South-West LGA of Delta State over the recent invasion of the community by soldiers. Community leaders under the Okerenkoko National Development Forum, led by Chief Michael Johnny, through their lawyer, LO Ayoro, had written a petition to the President, alleging that the soldiers were sponsored by a former militant leader. The lawyer also noted that the ex-militant leader with the aid of a director-general of a federal agency is opposed to any good development initiated by elite of the forum. The petition states, in particular, that: “On 23rd day of January, 2014, several men of the army where deployed to Okerenkoko community putting it under siege till the time of writing the petition and appealed to the President to urgently intervene.”

Edo Council Vice Chairman Slumps, Dies in Hospital

The Etsako Central LGA of Edo has been thrown into mourning as its Vice Chairman, Charles Eshiesimua, slumped and died while waiting for a doctor, penultimate Friday. The vice chairman died at about 3.55pm, while waiting to see a doctor at the Iruua Specialist Hospital in Esan Central LGA of Edo. He had gone for a medical check-up. The council Chairman, Emmanuel Momoh, described the death as shocking. Momoh described the late vice chairman as a loyal official, who was committed to the development of the council area.

Inferno Kills Two Siblings in Edo

Two children of the same parents were penultimate Saturday night burnt to death in their sleep at Ekpoma, in the Esan-West LGA of Edo. The children, aged four and two, were reportedly burnt when fire from a local lamp engulfed their room at night. It was alleged that the mother of the children, Christy Akamezie, had locked them up in the room while asleep and left the house. A crowd of sympathisers, who had gathered at the residence, rained curses on the bereaved mother, calling her unprintable names. The Police had arrested their mother for alleged negligence. The father of the children, Chike Akamezie, a trader based in Uromi, Esan North East LGA, who wept uncontrollably, disclosed that he had been estranged from his wife, but he never failed to provide for the upkeep of the children.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

Navy Boss Vows to Battle Oil Theft and Piracy

The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Samuel Alade, has vowed to raise the bar in the fight against oil theft and piracy within his area of responsibility. Alade gave the assurance while taking over the command’s leadership from Rear Admiral Ibok Ibas, at the Western Naval Command, Apapa, Lagos. He said Lagos, being the economic gateway of the nation, would be given the deserved security attention, so as to ensure free flow of economic activities on the sea. Alade pledged to give his best to the nation without compromising the interest of the nation, adding that the command would continue to strictly follow the Chief of Naval Staff’s strategic guidance 01 and 02. Ibas, who served as the command’s FOC between January 18, 2013 and January 16, 2014, was redeployed to the Armed Forces Command and Staff College as Deputy Commandant.

Police Nab 70, Recover Bags of Indian Hemp in Ogun State

The police in Ogun have arrested 70 suspects from various hideouts across the state. The police also recovered 38 bags of Indian hemp from suspects across the state. The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Muyiwa Adejobi, disclosed, penultimate Sunday, that the arrest of the 70 suspects was sequel to the command’s vow to reduce crime to barest minimum in the state. The Commissioner of Police had vowed to continue raiding black spots to reduce crimes, but warned police officers to carry out the raids devoid of corruption. He warned that any police officer found engaging in corrupt practices in the course of the raid would be dealt with.

Gunmen Assassinate Monarch’s Son in Kwara

The eldest son of Oluganmo, a traditional ruler in Ganmo community in Ifelodun LGA of Kwara State, has been gunned down by assassins suspected to be opponents of the ruler. The middle-aged prince, according to sources, was killed by a shot fired by his assailants while driving along a street leading to the palace at about 6.30p.m last Sunday. Sources said there had been uneasy calm in Ganmo community since Sunday night. The Kwara State Police Commissioner, Agboola Oshodi-Glover, confirmed the shooting and death of the prince, adding, though, that no arrest had been made. However, he said the Oluganmo and some traditional chiefs in the area had been invited for questioning on the matter.

Ex-ACP, 23 Others Arrested over Baby Factory

A sixty-six years old man, Aliu Ojo, who claimed to be a retired Assistant Commissioner of Police, was among 24 suspects arrested by men of the Ondo State Command of the Nigeria Immigration Services (NIS) on Wednesday at a house allegedly being used as a baby factory in Ondo State.  The suspects paraded at the Ondo State Headquarters of the NIS also include the alleged kingpin in the operation of the factory, 45-year-old Happiness Ogundeji, five ladies at different stages of pregnancies, five babies and eight men, some of who claimed to be husbands of the women. Parading the suspects, the Comptroller General of NIS, Ondo State, Musa Al-Hassan, said the raid of the house and arrest of the suspects was sequel to a tip from the Comptroller-General of the NIS, who directed the state command to work on a circular that emanated from Calabar, Cross River State.

Hunter’s Dog: Shot Policeman Dies, 40 Suspects Arrested

The Police Corporal, Agboola Joachim, who was attacked by angry youths of the warring communities of Abayawo and Dada in Ilorin, Kwara State capital over the killing of a hunter’s dog, Wednesday, has been confirmed dead. Forty persons have been arrested in connection with the incident. Kwara State Police Commissioner, Agboola Oshodi-Glover, confirmed the death of the corporal. The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Okasanmi Ajayi, said the corporal died on the way to University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital. He also said the police command had commenced interrogation of those arrested to know the actual persons that participated in the act. He warned people of the state to desist from any act that may hinder the current existing peace in the state. The killing of a dog, Wednesday in Ilorin, caused a violent clash between the two communities which snowballed into a pandemonium, which prompted police intervention.

NDLEA Nabs 20-Year-Old with Drugs
…Man Jailed Five Years for Dealing in Narcotics

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 20-year-old undergraduate at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos for importing 1.745 kilogrammes of dried weeds that tested positive for cannabis popularly called hemp. The agency said the suspect, Udiomeh Kufre Ita, was found in possession of the drug during the inward screening of passengers on an Africa World Airlines flight from Accra, Ghana last weekend. NDLEA Lagos Airport commander, Mr Hamza Umar said that the drug was detected during routine screening of passengers. In another incident, Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia of the Federal High Court, Lagos, Wednesday, convicted and sentenced an 18-year-old man to five years’ imprisonment for dealing in 500 grammes of marijuana, a narcotic drug. The convict, Mustapha Mohammed, pleaded guilty to one-count charge of drug trafficking preferred against him by the NDLEA.

76-Year-Old Rapes, Impregnates 12-Year-Old Girl in Lagos
…Police Nab Man, 60, For Raping 12-Year-Old In Ogun

A 76-year-old man in Oworonsoki area of Lagos has been arrested by police on suspicion of rape. The suspect, identified simply as ‘Baba Debo’, is said to have raped a 12-year-old girl and gotten her pregnant. The victim, a fish hawker, was lured by Baba Debo who feigned interest in her merchandise only for him to overpower her and have forceful intercourse with her.  The girl claimed the old man invited her to his room under the pretext of buying fish and raped her. The girl also claimed to be two-months pregnant. In Ogun state, A 60-year-old man simply identified as Akinduro, was arrested for allegedly defiling a 12-year-old student, who was put under his custody. The victim alleged that Akinduro, had canal knowledge of her on two occasions and she girl could no longer cope with the situation, thus she raised the alarm, which attracted sympathisers. The Ogun State Police spokesman, Muyiwa Adejobi, said investigations revealed the suspect had been involved in such acts before and such cases were swept under the carpet.

Hoodlums Wreak Havoc in Mafoluku

Over 100 armed hoodlums invaded Olaiya Street, Mafoluku in the Oshodi Isolo area of Lagos State penultimate Sunday morning and vandalized about 50 vehicles and some buildings. The identified by residents as Garage Boys, armed with bottles, cutlasses and other weapons, attacked the area and did the damage around 2am. The residents said it was the fourth time the group would wreak such havoc without any challenge from policemen that usually come after the harm had been done. It was gathered that the Sunday morning attack was a reprisal for an earlier onslaught against the Garage Boys by the Alagbole Boys, another notorious group in the area. The Chairman of the Landlords and Tenants Association, Dauda Sulaiman, berated the attitude of the Makinde Police Division, which he described as non-challant. The traditional ruler of Mafoluku, Husam Elemo called on the government to wade recurrent attacks in the area.

Thugs Invade Mushin, Kill Pregnant Woman, Daughter

Gunmen on Monday night stormed Amodu Street in Mushin, Lagos State, killing an eight-month pregnant woman, Musili Bello, and her 12-year-old daughter, Suliat Olowu. A commercial motorcycle rider was also killed in the 20-minute operation. The slain woman’s father, Tajudeen Odusanwo, disclosed that his daughter was shot in the stomach and in the face, while his granddaughter was shot in the head. The State Police Public Relations Officer, Ngozi Braide, who confirmed the incident, said the police authorities in the state would focus more on the area, with the intention of removing criminals and criminalities there.

Court Remands 23-Year-Old Man over Alleged Rape

An Osogbo Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday remanded a 23-year-old man, Kwame Dogo, in the Ilesa prison for an alleged rape. Magistrate Olusola Aluko ordered that the accused should be remanded in prison because of the magnitude of the offence. The prosecutor, Elijah Olusegun, had told the court that the accused committed the offence on January 17. Olusegun said that the accused forcefully and unlawfully had carnal knowledge of one Mojesi, 11, who was his neighbour’s daughter. Counsel to the accused, Mrs Nnena Ugwu, prayed the court to grant bail to her client in most liberal terms. The magistrate, however, overruled the bail application and ordered that the accused be remanded in prison. The case was adjourned to April 7 for mention.

GENERAL

70 in Adamawa, Borno States Boko Haram Attacks

Gunmen suspected to be members of the Boko Haram Islamic sect have killed about 70 persons in two separate attacks in Adamawa and Borno States. In Adamawa, men armed with guns and explosives killed 18 people on Sunday morning at a Catholic Church in Waga Chakawa village, a community in Madagali LGA, which borders Gwoza LGA of Borno State. The assailants set off bombs and fired into the congregation in the church before burning houses and taking some residents hostage during a four-hour siege. The spokesman for the Catholic Diocese of Yola, Reverend Father Raymond Danbouye, confirmed that the 22 people who were killed in the attack were buried at a funeral on Monday. In Borno state, the suspected Boko Haram extremists used explosives to attack a village, killing 52 people and razing more than 300 homes. They were alleged to have also wounded several policemen as well as civilians in the attack at about 5pm on Sunday. The Borno State Commissioner of Police, Lawal Tanko, confirmed the deadly attack.

Chinese National Killed, Two Others Injured in Plateau Gun Attack

A Chinese railway contractor has been confirmed killed and two of his associates seriously injured after unknown gunmen attacked them in Atakar village, Riyom LGA of Plateau State. The injured are currently receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital in the state. The spokesman for the Special Task Force (STF), Captain Salisu Mustapha, confirmed the attack but said his two associates were taken to the hospital alive. Atakar village is a border community between Plateau and Kaduna States. Plateau State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Chris Olakpe, confirming the incident, added that the attackers injured a police officer who was escorting the foreigners and confiscated his gun.

Jonathan Urges Service Chiefs to Work Together

President Goodluck Jonathan has warned that he would not tolerate unhealthy competition or rivalry, especially amongst the service chiefs, stating that this had caused lapses which gave way to insurgents' attacks. Jonathan read the riot act on Tuesday while commissioning the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Comprehensive School in Yola, the Adamawa State. He directed the armed forces to, as a matter of compulsion, work in harmony or face the consequences of their inability to cooperate. Meanwhile, the President commended the NAF’s efforts at research and development, using the meagre resources at its disposal. The, had, on Monday, Senate cleared the officers Thursday without a single dissenting voice. This confirmation followed the presentation of the report by Joint Senate Committee on Navy, Army and Air Force by Senator George Sekibo, which recommended them for confirmation.

Task Force Arrests 73 Terror and Kidnap Suspects

No fewer than 173 suspected terrorists have been arrested by the Inspector-General of Police Task Force on terrorism and other violent crimes. Among those arrested are members of the Boko Haram, cultists, rapists and kidnappers. It was gathered that detectives also recovered a large quantity of arms and ammunition from the suspects. Among items recovered from the suspects across the country are 59 AK 47 riffles, 11 pump action guns, one Rapid Propeller Grenade, three locally made pistols, five Dane guns and 44 vehicles. The IGP Task Force also raided the kidnappers hide-out in Orlu LGA of Imo State where the kidnappers abducted a 75-year-old man. The source disclosed that four persons including their leader, were picked up by detectives who set their victim Pa Oliver Ononaku free.

60,000 Police Officers in Training for 2015 General Election

At least 60,000 anti-riot mobile Police officers are currently being trained at the Police Mobile Training College, Ila-Orangun, Osun state for the 2015 general elections. The Police officers were drawn from all the 36 states of the federation and being prepared for the next year's general elections. The Commandant of the college, Mr. Jackson El-Ekoh, stated at the weekend that the training was to make police officers more effective before, during and after the elections scheduled for this year and next year.

Gunmen Kidnap LG Boss's Wife, Child, Demand Ransom

Unknown gunmen have kidnapped the wife and two year old child of Adavi LGA of Kogi State, Hon. Salihu Adaviruku, at his Kuroko residence, demanding N50 million as ransom. The Chairman was reportedly trailed to his house by about seven armed men, who forced their way in as the main gate was opened. Adaviruku said the Kidnappers said they were after money and not interested in violence, unless they were forced. He confirmed that the kidnappers had demanded for N50m from him, but that he told them he had no money to give them.

Ex-NAICOM Commissioner Bags 15 Years Imprisonment

A former Commissioner of the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), Chief Okechukwu Chukwulozie, has been sentenced to 15 years in Kuje prison by an Abuja High Court over a N10.4 million fraud.  Chukwulozie was charged to court by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), alongside his wife, Angela, and a former Deputy Commissioner in charge of Finance and Administration, Adedolapo Ogungbe. He was arraigned on a five-count charge that includes demanding 50% of the fees paid to liquidators of Gateway Insurance Plc and awarding the furnishing of his official residence to a company owned by him.

Gunmen Attack Police Station in Bauchi, Free Suspect

Gunmen, on Thursday, attacked the Giade Divisional Police Station in Bauchi State with explosives, damaging parts of the station building before breaking into the cell to free a suspect. Confirming the incident, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Haruna Mohammed, gave the name of the freed suspect as Illiyasu, a native of Jigawa State. Haruna said the gunmen were suspected cattle rustlers. He urged members of the public to volunteer useful information that could lead to the arrest of the gunmen.

Woman Poisons 3-Month-Old Baby

The Sibre Police Division, in Ardo-Kola LGA of Taraba State, recently arrested an 18-year-old, Ashai Abdullahi, for allegedly killing her three-month-old son, Ibrahim, by feeding him with a local insecticide. Abdullahi admitted killing her child because the baby had been tagged a “bastard child” by her kin and neighbours. Abdullahi said that she had received all manner of insults from people because of the baby, whose alleged father, Safiyanu Ubale, had denied from conception. The district police officer, Ukam Stephen, said that the suspect confessed to the crime and that the bottle containing the substance was found empty at the scene. Stephen confirmed that case has since been transferred to the state CID for necessary investigations.

Gunmen Kill Niger Polytechnic Lecturer

The Head of the Science Department at the Niger State Polytechnic, Alhaji Abdulrashid Abdullahi, was on Thursday, killed by three gunmen on the Zungeru-Tegina highway. Abdullahi was killed while on an official trip to Kaduna. According to Abdullahi’s driver, Malam Hussaini Babangida, the gunmen stopped them at an abandoned check-point after the Zungeru Bridge. But when he realised that they were not policemen, he tried to drive away but the lecturer hit. The state’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Richard Oguche, confirmed the incident, describing it as a robbery attempt. He said that the police had begun investigation into the incident to bring the attackers to justice.

INTERNATIONAL

Gunmen Kill Three Soldiers in Egypt

Gunmen killed three Egyptian soldiers in an attack on a bus in the Sinai Peninsula last Sunday, the military said. Al Qaeda-inspired Islamist militant groups based in Sinai have stepped up attacks on security forces since the army toppled President Mohamed Mursi of the Brotherhood in July following mass protests against his rule. On Saturday, the third anniversary of the uprising that toppled, President Hosni Mubarak, 49 people were killed in anti-government protests, which were attacked by supporters of the new political order and security forces, witnesses said. Security forces fired live rounds on Brotherhood supporters as they tried to set up a sit-in Cairo’s Alf Maskan district, security sources said. The sources said that 23 people died in the incident, 22 from by bullet wounds, and that they were included in the official death toll of 49. In another attack in Sinai, five soldiers were killed on Saturday when an army helicopter crashed in the north of the peninsula in an operation against militants. Security sources said it was a missile attack, without giving further details.

Suicide Bomber Kills Four in Afghanistan

A suicide bomber has blown himself up close to a bus carrying soldiers in the Afghan capital Kabul, killing at least four people. The Taliban said they carried out the attack in the south-east of the city. They have stepped up their campaign ahead of the departure of NATO-led combat troops at the end of 2014. The latest attack is the third by the insurgents in Kabul in just over a week. On 17 January, 21 people died in a gun and bomb attack on a restaurant. In Sunday’s attack, two soldiers on the bus and two civilians on the road died when the suicide bomber detonated his vest, a spokesman for the ministry of defense said.

Mauritanian President, Abdel Aziz Emerges AU Chair

President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz of Mauritania was, on Tuesday, elected as the Chairperson of the African Union (AU). Also, first vice president went to Zimbabwe, second vice president was Democratic Republic of Congo, while Nigeria emerged third vice president of the AU. The election was held during the on-going 22nd Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the Africa in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Abdel Aziz succeeded Ethiopian Prime Minister, Hailemariam Dessalegn.

Arms Smuggling: Bangladesh Court Sentences two Ministers to Death

Two former Bangladeshi ministers were among 14 people sentenced to death on Thursday for aiding an insurgent group in neighbouring India to smuggle weapons, court officials said. According to the case documents, police seized nearly 4,000 firearms, ammunition and other military equipment on April 1, 2004, which the accused tried to smuggle to north-eastern Indian states to support the United Liberation Front of Asom. ULFA, which had been fighting Indian security forces for an independent homeland for ethnic Assamese since 1979, declared a ceasefire in 2011. The special court in the south-eastern city of Chittagong, acquitted 38 of a total 52 accused. Lutfozzaman Babar, former State Minister for Home Affairs, and Matiur Rahman Nizami, former Industries Minister and chief of the current opposition Jamaat-e-Islami party were among those sentenced. Babar and Nizami served in the cabinet of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia between 2001 and 2006.

Hand Grenade Kills Six Children in Pakistan

Six children playing in a field in rural Pakistan were killed Sunday when a hand grenade they mistook for a toy exploded, police said. Hangu district police officer Ifitkhar Ahmed said the two girls and four boys were between ages seven and 12. Another child was injured. The incident occurred in Babar Mela, about 5 kilometers southwest of Hangu, a troubled district bordering Pakistan’s tribal areas. Hangu is rife with sectarian violence between Shia and Sunni Muslims. Earlier this month, a 14-year-old boy tackled a suicide bomber and died at the main gate of his school in Hangu, saving schoolmates gathered for their morning assembly. Two other people were injured when the bomber set off his device.

12 Killed in China “Terrorist” Attack

Chinese police shot dead six people during a “terrorist” attack in the restive western region of Xinjiang and six more died when explosives they were carrying detonated, state media said, as officials accused a prominent academic of aiding militants. Police came under attack, penultimate Friday, by a group throwing explosive devices in Xinhe County. Five suspects were captured and one policeman was slightly wounded, according to reports. Spokesman for the main Uighur exile group, the World Uyghur Congress, Dilxat Raxit, suggested that the beauty salon was a front for a brothel that had offended Uighurs. Xinjiang has been the theatre of numerous incidents of unrest in recent years, which the government often blames on the separatist East Turkestan Islamic Movement. Around 100 people, including several policemen, have been killed in violence in Xinjiang since last April, according to reports.

Togo Arrests Three over Huge Ivory Haul

Police in Togo have arrested three men after finding nearly two tons of ivory in a container destined for Vietnam. Two of the suspects are from Togo and the other is Vietnamese. Conservationists say the West African country is a transit point for illegal ivory between Central Africa and Asia. Despite a global ban on the ivory trade nearly a quarter of a century ago, Africa’s elephant population is heading towards extinction. The numbers of forest elephants in central Africa have decreased by more than 60% over the past 10 years. The three suspects were paraded by police before reporters along with the haul of ivory in the Togolese capital, Lome. Lt Pierre Awi said 1,680kg (3,700lb) of ivory had been concealed in a container at the city’s port bound for Vietnam. Conservationists say the seizure represents the tusks of about 230 elephants. African countries are struggling to contain the illegal trade in ivory.

Abducted Egyptian Diplomats Released in Libya

At least two of the five Egyptian diplomats kidnapped in Libya on Friday have been released, according to Egyptian and Libyan authorities. Libyan Defense Minister, Adel El-Faadey, said that the remaining two would be released soon. Five Egyptian diplomats and an embassy worker were abducted penultimate Friday in Libya by gunmen. The two diplomats and the embassy staffer that were released arrived at their residence in Tripoli in good health. The embassy was evacuated Saturday. Libya’s Justice Minister Salah al-Maghani stridently condemned the abductions and called for their freedom. The motive behind the kidnapping remained unknown and the Libyan authorities are investigating.

250 Arrested, 19 Policemen Injured in Protests against Hollande

Hundreds of arrests were made after 17,000 people hit the streets of Paris to protest about President Francois Hollande’s leadership. Nineteen police officers were injured after what had been a peaceful demonstration turned violent, police said. Clashes erupted as the demonstration came to an end. Some of the protesters wearing ski masks and hoods threw bottles, firecrackers, and iron bars at police, reports show. Interior Minister, Manuel Valls, condemned the violence “by individuals, varied groups from the extreme and ultra-right, whose only goal is to create unrest”. The number of detentions and injuries is higher than previous protests against Mr Hollande, whose handling of the economy has caused anger in France. Some 50 associations were involved in the initial protest, including conservative and far-right groups. But many of the larger groups opposed to his policies avoided the demonstration.

Ukraine PM Resigns, Parliament Revokes Anti-Protest Laws

Ukrainian Prime Minister, Mykola Azarov, resigned on Tuesday while deputies loyal to President Viktor Yanukovich, acting to calm violent street protests, back-tracked and overturned anti-protest laws they rammed through parliament days ago. These concessions by Yanukovich brought cheers from several thousand demonstrators. Opposition leaders said they would continue to harness street power to wring more gains. The 66-year-old Azarov tendered his resignation as parliament met for an emergency session to work out a deal that would satisfy the opposition and end protests in the capital Kiev and in other cities in which six people have been killed. Yanukovich quickly accepted his resignation and that of his cabinet. First Deputy Prime Minister Serhiy Arbuzov will step in as acting prime minister and other ministers will stay on in caretaker roles until a cabinet is formed.

S/Korea Tasks North on Hastening Reunions
…to Continue Military Drills

South Korea, on Wednesday, urged the North to speed efforts for reunions of families separated since the war that divided the neighbours. The North proposed the family reunions a fortnight ago in a move welcomed by China and the United States. If they come about, the reunions would be the first such event in more than three years. But the North has yet to respond to a call by the South for the event to be held over six days in February and for a meeting to hammer out location and logistics. While it made the call, South Korea maintains that but it would continue joint military drills with the United States, despite protests from North Korea. The South said it would not use the military exercises as a means to secure the family event. The North calls the drills a prelude to war, despite the South's denial and assurance that they are defensive exercises that have been held for decades with no major incident.

UN Urges Use Force in CAR, if Required

The UN Security Council voted Tuesday to not only continue its peacekeepers’ mission in the tumultuous Central African Republic (CAR) but to authorize the use of force by European Union troops there, the world body said. This decision was reached just after the parliament voted Catherine Samba-Panza, the mayor of the capital of Bangui, as its interim president. She replaced Michel Djotodia, the leader of the Seleka rebels who seized power in March only to step down earlier this month after failing to halt the escalating violence in the country. Those dangers remain high, the UN said, explaining the Security Council’s vote. The UN peacekeeping mandate in that country now extends through January 31, 2015. The new vote also includes banning travel and freezing assets of some involved in the conflict, on top of an existing arms embargo. The resolution was adopted unanimously by the 15-member Security Council.

Tunisian Parliament Approves Interim Government

Tunisia’s parliament on Wednesday approved a new government to run the country until elections are held later this year. Prime Minister Mehdi Jomaa’s cabinet was approved in the National Constituent Assembly, with 149 votes in favour, 20 against and 24 abstentions. This was coming three days after the assembly adopted a ground-breaking new constitution which guarantees gender equality and freedom of conscience. The new administration replaces the Islamist-led coalition that had been in power since the first elections after the overthrow of Zine Ali, in 2011. It said that the Islamist party, Ennahda, agreed to relinquish power to end the political crisis sparked by the assassination of an opposition politician in July 2013.

South Sudan Frees Alleged Coup Plotters

South Sudan has freed seven political figures who had been arrested on suspicion of plotting a coup, partially meeting a rebel demand made at peace talks focused on ending weeks of fighting. The seven, who were handed over to neighbouring Kenya, were among a group of 11 detained after fighting broke out in mid-December 2013. Kenya’s President, Uhuru Kenyatta, stood beside the freed men and called on South Sudan’s rival sides to end a dispute that has killed thousands of civilians. South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir accused his former Vice President, Riek Machar, of starting the fighting in a bid to seize power. Kiir and Riek’s factions signed a ceasefire deal last week. Machar, who is in hiding, denies the charge and accuses Kiir of using an outburst of violence in the presidential guard to round up his political rivals. Justice Minister Paulino Wanawilla Unago said the detainees would be in Kenya for the duration of the investigation “for their own safety” but will return to face trial.

France Charges Yemenia Airways over 2009 Crash

France has charged Yemenia Airways with manslaughter over a 2009 plane crash off the Comoros Islands that killed 152 people. The French authorities say the Airbus A310, which set off from the Yemeni capital, should not have been allowed to fly. Most of the 152 people killed in the crash were French citizens visiting relatives in the Comoros. There was just one survivor – a teenage girl who was rescued from the sea. Many of the passengers were travelling to the Comoros, but had begun their journey in Paris or Marseille on another jet operated by the national airline of Yemen, before boarding flight IY626 in Sanaa. Yemenia has previously said that bad weather –strong winds and high seas – was the more likely cause of the crash. The crash caused anger amongst the Comorian community in France as people complained that the aircraft had been in poor condition. The plane was banned from French airspace after inspectors found numerous faults in 2007, according to the then transport minister.

Former Ecuadorian Police Chief Arrested in US for Rights Abuses

Police in the United States have arrested former Ecuadorean police commander, Edgar Vaca, who is accused of human rights abuses. The Interior Minister in Quito issued a statement saying that the retired general was arrested in Washington and will be extradited to Ecuador. Vaca and nine other officers have been accused of kidnapping and torturing three left-wing rebels in 1985. He denies all charges. An international arrest order had been issued for Vaca. He was detained on Monday at the request of Interpol. The alleged violations were committed under the government of late President Leon Febres Cordero, who was in power from 1984 to 1988. The three victims – Susana Cajas, Javier Jarrin and Luis Vaca – were detained in November 1985 for alleged links to an underground opposition group, the Eloy Alfaro Popular Armed Forces.