Villeworth Security Services Ltd

week 9

PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

SARS Kills 27-Year-Old Man in Enugu

Men of the Special Anti-robbery Squad (SARS) have allegedly killed a 27-year-old student, Nnabuike Nnaji, in Enugu. The incident occurred late last Saturday at Ibeagwa-Nike community in Enugu East LGA. It was learnt, on Monday, from indigenes of the community, that the late Nnabuike was shot and killed during a traditional wedding ceremony. The shooting allegedly took place seconds after an indigene of the community, Ndubuisi Ugwu, led a team of SARS police officers to the venue of the traditional wedding ceremony. It was gathered that the killing of Nnaji may have been an offshoot of the communal crisis in Ibeagwa-Nike since 2008. The remote cause of the crisis, residents disclosed, had to do with the booming sale of land in the community. The traditional ruler of Ibeagwa-Nike, Igwe Emmanuel Ugwu, noted that he had met with security agencies on the incidents. The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Enugu State, Ebere Amaraizu, said investigation is being conducted by men of the state Criminal Investigation Department, Enugu to unravel the circumstances behind the incident.

Police Investigate 3 Officers over Shooting in Umuahia

Abia State police command said that it had placed three police officers from the command under investigation over the shooting incident that resulted in the death of an aide to the son of Abia State governor, shortly after a reception organised for Governor Theodore Orji in Umuahia by the people of Ikwuano/Umuahia. Police spokesman, Geoffrey Ogbonna, stated that the three policemen being investigated “were at the immediate vicinity” of the scene where the victim was shot dead. The statement added that the rifles of the policemen were recovered after their arrest. The PPRO assured that the result of the investigation would be made public soon and anyone found culpable would be made to face the full wrath of the law. It would be recalled that John Ndukauba, a personal aide of Abia State governor’s son, was shot dead shortly after the end of a grand civic reception organised for the Governor.

High Court Invalidates Appointment of Rivers Acting CJ

A Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, on Wednesday, invalidated the appointment of Justice Peter Agumagu as the acting Chief Judge of Rivers State by Governor Chibuike Amaechi. The court also directed Amaechi to conform to the provisions of the constitution on the appointment of an acting chief judge. Justice Lambo Akanbi gave the directive while delivering judgment in a matter brought before the court by a group, Kengena Unity Forum, challenging Amaechi’s appointment of Agumagu as acting chief judge of the state. Agumagu, until his appointment as acting chief judge was President of the Customary Court of Appeal in the state. Justice Akanbi said the 1999 Constitution was clear on who should be appointed acting chief judge of the state. Akanbi however refused to give an order that Justice Daisy Okocha should take over as acting chief judge as requested by the plaintiff.

Police Parade 13 Suspected Armed Robbers, Kidnappers

The police in Rivers State Wednesday paraded 11 suspected armed robbers and two kidnappers arrested in different operations in Port Harcourt. While parading the suspects at the headquarters of the state police command, Moscow Road, Port Harcourt, the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Tunde Ogunsakin, disclosed that a gang of suspected armed robbers opened fire on a police patrol team on Friday, February 14, at Ogbunabali Area, by St. Patrick Hospital. According to him, “This prompted the police to immediately engage them in an exchange of gun fire. The gang was, however, overwhelmed by the superior fire power of our men who displayed their resilience in the course of the gun exchange.”

FRSC Insists on June Deadline for Old Number Plate, Licence

The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) in Bayelsa, on Wednesday, advised motorists to beat the June 30 deadline for the change to the new number plate and driver’s license policy. The Sector Commander, Vincent Jack, said that the policy should be embraced in view of security benefits, including recovery of stolen vehicles. According to him, enforcement of the new policy will begin as from July 1 and that defaulters would be sanctioned. Jack explained that the number plate comes with in-built security features that would drastically reduce the incidents of car theft.

Old Men Dragged to Court for Defiling Young Girls

Two old men, 65-year-old Johnson Nwosu, and Okechukwu Onuoha, 75, have been arraigned in Magistrate’s Court, Nwaorieubi in Mbaitoli local council area of Imo State, for allegedly defiling three under-aged primary school children. Nwosu, who is a physically challenged cobbler and his accomplice, Onuoha, are facing a six-count charge slammed on them by the Commissioner of Police. The duo are alleged to have on February 4, 2014, at Afor Otis Market Square in Mbaitoli Magisterial District, did conspire among themselves to commit the offence. They were also accused of having carnal knowledge of the three little girls and on different occasions, between the months of September last year and February this year.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

UBTH Records Breakthrough in Sickle Cell Anaemia

The University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) has successfully recorded a breakthrough in “Total Red Blood Cell Exchange.” The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the hospital, Prof. Mike Ibadin, who disclosed this last weekend, said the exercise being the first in the country and Africa was successfully conducted on a 27-year-old Master’s degree student, who was a sickle cell patient. According to him, there are no drugs available for it and the only remedy is that either the red blood cells are changed through an operation. He stated that the process employed by UBTH was to remove all the abnormal red blood cells while the patient is still alive and replace it with new cells. Corroborating the explanations of the CMD, the Head, Hematology of the hospital, Dr. Godwin Bazuaye, who lead the operation, said the exercise only took two hours to carry out the full therapy.

Arrested Kidnap Gang Member Implicates Lawyer

The Delta State Police Command says it has arrested a member of the notorious kidnap gang led by Kelvin Oniarah, who had implicated a lawyer. Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Celestina Kalu, said that the arrested gang member, Enueme Ogaga, gave up other members of the gang in possession of their arms and operational vehicles, including a lawyer, who is on their payroll for legal services. The kingpin of the gang, Kelvin, was nabbed in September 2013 along with five others at an undisclosed hotel in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, by a combined team of security operatives. The suspect was arrested on February 2, 2014, after security operatives acted on a tip off. The suspect has allegedly confessed to being a loyal member of the notorious kidnap gang, which was a terror to Delta State and neighbouring states.

Reps Ask Edo Attorney-General to Take over Oyerinde’s Murder Case

The House of Representatives, Wednesday, mandated the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to ensure that the Attorney General of Edo State takes over and facilitates the prosecution of suspects in the murder of former Principal Secretary to Governor Adams Oshiomhole, Comrade Olaitan Oyerinde. This follows revelations in the report on investigative public hearing carried out on the matter by the House Committee on Public Petitions. The House also tasked the IGP to harmonise all perceived areas of conflict in the separate investigations carried out by the police and the State Security Service (SSS), based on quality of evidence. It should also transmit the case file to the state Attorney General for subsequent prosecution of all the arrested suspects. The police and SSS presented conflicting reports on the murder investigation, which prompted Oshiomhole to accuse the police of deliberate cover-up.

Chevron Release of Hostages

More than 1000 workers have been released from the Chevron Escravos gas-to-liquid project in Nigeria after being held hostage by protesters for about a week. Chevron confirmed the release of the workers on Saturday from a camp at its project in the Delta state. The workers had been held against their will by some protesting community workers employed by local community contractors. The Joint Task Force (JTF) successfully set the workers free on Saturday February 15, 2014. Chevron is one of the largest investors in the Nigerian oil and gas industry, holding a number of lucrative offshore permits.

Eight Die in Edo Auto Crash

At least eight persons died in an accident along the Ugbogui area of the Benin-Ore Expressway on Wednesday. The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) Benin Toll Gate Unit Commander, Adewale Ameen, said the crash involved an 18-seater bus and a Mercedes Benz truck. The victims were said to be returning from a vigil. Ameen attributed the accident to fatigue on the part of the bus driver, who was said to have rammed into the stationery truck while driving from Lagos to Benin. The unit commander explained that it was an avoidable accident because the truck parked well away from the road.

Student Found Dead in Pool of Water

A secondary school student of Useh Secondary School in Egor LGA of Edo State was on Wednesday found dead in a pool of water around the school.  It was reported that the deceased, identified as Osamudiamen, had left the school premises at about 9am alongside 5 other students before the sad incident occurred. His friends disclosed that they had gone to the water which gathered after it rained, but the boy jumped inside to swim and drowned. His friends quickly called people to help but before they could rescue him on time. Some of the teachers expressed shock, wondering why the students left the school premises when they were supposed to be in class.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

Man Remanded in Custody over Brutal Murder of 4-Year-Old Son

An Ebute Meta Magistrate’s Court, Lagos State, has ordered that 30-year-old Chris Elvis be remanded in prison for allegedly killing his four-year-old son, Godrich Elvis, while padlocking his mouth. It was learnt that Chris had killed his son on the allegation that he was evil and responsible for his ill-fortune. The security guard was said to have locked Godrich in a room, padlocked his mouth and beat him to death, including using a hot pressing iron on him at their home in Lagos. Chris had used hot pressing iron to burn him all over his body, put him inside a plastic drum and locked the drum with padlock and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 221 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, Nigeria. His plea was not taken. The matter was adjourned till April 2, 2014.

FRSC Dismisses over Rape of Colleague’s 9-Year-Old Daughter

The authorities of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Thursday, said a 31-year- old officer of the agency, Emmanuel Ilori, who defiled his colleague’s nine-year-old daughter has been dismissed. The Head of Operations in Ondo State, Sunday Ajayi, said the action of the officer was an embarrassment that should not be treated with levity. Ilori was promptly arrested by the police. Ondo state police spokesman, Wole Ogodo, said that Ilori would be charged to court. The suspect was said to have visited his colleague at his residence where he committed the crime. During the visit, the father of the victim decided to go outside to buy something in the neighbourhood. However, immediately he left the house, the suspect locked the door and pounced on the little girl. Luck, however, ran out on him as the father of the victim discovered that he had no money on him and decided to rush back to the house only to meet his colleague defiling his daughter following which he raised an alarm. Attempt by the suspect to escape was thwarted as neighbours arrested and took him to the police.

Lagos Alerts on Heavier Rains in 2014

The Lagos State Government has alerted residents in the state that 2014 would possibly witness heavier rainfall than the previous years, taking cognisance of the pattern of rainfall since January. The state government, consequently, urged stakeholders across the state including traders, community leaders and artisans among others to desist from dumping wastes on canals and drainage channels. The Commissioner for the Environment, Mr. Tunji Bello, disclosed this while inspecting a drainage channel, which runs from Yaba through Animashaun in Surulere to Ajegunle in Ajeromi Ifelodun. The commissioner, who led a team of government officials to inspect the drainage channels, acknowledged that rain would be heavier in 2014 compared with the pattern of rainfall in the previous seasons.

Police Arrest 13 Robbery Suspects in Osun

The Osun State Police Command has arrested 13 robbery suspects in different locations in the state. The suspects, who were paraded by the new state Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Maishanu, were arrested between January and February. Various items, including motorcycles, money, charms, handsets, handset accessories, cutlasses, axes and guns were recovered from the suspects. According to the CP, some of the suspects had confessed to be members of a robbery gang terrorizing motorists along Ilesa/Akure express road and various locations in the state, adding that the suspects would soon be arraigned before the court. The Police boss further disclosed that four of the suspected robbers were members of a robbery gang in Ibadan, Oyo State but were arrested in Kosere via Ile‑Ife where they allegedly stole N170,000 from the villagers.

Beggar Steals 5-year-old School Girl, Remanded in Custody

A popular beggar identified as Aminu Hamisu has been arrested and remanded at the Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison for allegedly stealing a five-year-old girl in a school compound in Lagos State. It was gathered that Hamisu who begs for alms at Agege area of the state was caught by the residents of the community while trying to abduct five-year-old Aishat Hassan in her school, claiming that she’s his daughter but the bubble burst on him when a resident who knew Hamisu challenged him as he made frantic efforts to escape with the girl. When Hamisu could not explain his relationship with the girl and suddenly bolted without the girl, residents of the area gave him a hot chase and caught him. Hamisu has allegedly confessed to stealing the girl, but refused to disclose why he abducted her. The Magistrate, Mr. TA Elias, granted Hamisu bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum and ordered that he should be remanded in Kirikiri Prison pending when he would fulfill his bail condition. The matter was adjourned t0 March 15, 2014.

Cultists Kill Student for Rejecting Sexual Advances

A 17-year-old undergraduate, Opeyemi Odusanya, has been killed by suspected cult members in Lagos. The girl was murdered for allegedly rejecting sexual advances from some youths in the area. Police authorities disclosed that Opeyemi was stabbed to death by the cultists at her parents’ house on February 3, 2014. After killing her, they took her phone and the keys to her parents’ vehicle and fled. They reportedly used her phone to send a text message to her mother, explaining why they killed the 17-year-old. It was gathered that the murder weapon had been recovered.

Sons, Brother, Quizzed over Man’s Death in Ibadan

Three members of a family in Oje area of Ibadan, Oyo State have been quizzed by detectives of the Oyo State Police Command over the death of one Dauda Raji hours after he was given herbal concoction to cure him of his mental illness. The arrested members included two sons of the deceased, Taofeek and Suraju, as well as his brother, Kazeem Raji (43), a driver. A lawyer to the deceased had reported on Thursday, January 30, that late Raji had called him on phone that his son and others wanted to kill him. The lawyer was reported to have gone to the man’s house and met him locked up while the son and the two others stood outside. On enquiry about why the man was locked up, the son was said to have told the lawyer that his father was mentally sick and they had wanted to apply the herbal concoction which he himself used to prepare for use to treat the sickness.

GENERAL

Commission Wants Review of Laws against Rape

The Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, on Tuesday urged the federal government to take measures to review legislations relating to all forms of violence against women in the country. Odinkalu maintained that the inadequacies in Nigeria’s anti-violence law against women and children indirectly encouraged rape of children in the country. The NHRC chairman said while law specified life imprisonment for rape of women, the same law only specified 14 or seven years imprisonment for rape of a child. According to him, steps should also be taken to address the criminal justice system in the country. He pushed for special training of people to handle violence against women, which he said, should not only be seen as criminal justice issue, but also as a social issue, medical issue and an adaptation issue. The Force Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr. Frank Mba, representing the Inspector General of Police, said that members of the Police Force been mandated to treat all violence against women, including domestic abuses as a crime.

Boko Haram Attacks Claim 158 Lives
…FG Sends More Troops to Tackle Boko Haram

Suspected members of the Boko Haram sect, last weekend, struck eight villages in Adamawa and Borno States, killing over 158 people. The attacks, which happened on Saturday night, forced about 100,000 residents of the villages to flee over fears that the insurgents could come again to kill more people. The FG, in a bid to stem the tide of the attacks, has sent more troops to the terror-stricken villages. The authorities of the Nigerian Army have deployed over 800 soldiers to strengthen the Special Forces in the troubled state. It was gathered that the insurgents killed over 65 people in the attacks on seven villages in Adamawa State, while about 93 others were killed when the terrorists struck Borno State. Chairman of Madagali LGA of Adamawa State, Maina Ularamu, confirmed the attacks. In Borno, the gunmen reportedly rounded up a group of men in Izghe, a largely Christian community and shot them during the attack that lasted about five hours.

NSA Seeks Media Partnership on War against Terror

The National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), has advised spokespersons of security and response agencies in the country to cultivate and sustain mutual relationship with the media professionals towards a better understanding of the current security challenges. A statement signed by the  Secretary of the Forum of Spokespersons in Security and Response Agencies (FOSSAR) quoted Dasuki to have emphasised during the inauguration of the forum in Abuja, last weekend, the need for accurate and responsible public information as a key strategy to winning the war against terror. The NSA urged the spokespersons to be more proactive and responsive to major issues that required urgent public attention.

Boko Haram’s Training Camp Discovered in Niger Republic

The efforts of the Nigerian security forces and their Nigerien counterparts yielded results on Tuesday with the discovery of a Boko Haram training camp in Niger Republic. A security source said that the discovery was made by the Nigerien security forces. The source stated that the discovery of the camp of the insurgents was conveyed to Nigeria in a security report on Tuesday. The Nigeriens, who were believed to have interrogated some of the insurgents, said Boko Haram devoted the camp to a specialised training for the use of long range anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapons. Investigations revealed that the insurgents were focusing on the use of a dangerous weapon they had acquired, the AA 12, which is one of the world deadliest shotguns.

Presidency Suspends Lamido Sanusi as CBN Governor

President Goodluck Jonathan has suspended Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity), Reuben Abati, disclosed that the suspension was sequel to reports of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria and other investigating bodies, which indicate clearly that Sanusi’s tenure had been characterized by various acts of financial recklessness and misconduct which are inconsistent with the administration’s vision of the CBN, amongst other acts. President Jonathan has further ordered that Mallam Sanusi should hand over to the most senior Deputy Governor of the CBN, Dr Sarah Alade, who would serve as Acting Governor until the conclusion of on-going investigations into breaches of enabling laws, due process and mandate of the CBN.

Commission Promotes 1,402 Senior Police Officers

The Police Service Commission (PSC) has promoted 1,402 senior police officers with effect from February 19, 2014. According to a statement by the Assistant Director of Press, Ferdinand Ekpe, while wishing the newly promoted officers well, the Chairman of the Commission, Mike Okiro, enjoined them to live up to expectations and brace up to the challenges of their new positions.

195 Illegal Private Security Firms Sealed by NSCDC

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) say it had sealed the premises of 195 private security companies across the country for allegedly operating illegally in 2013. This is contained in a statement by the spokesman of the Corps, Mr Emmanuel Okeh, on Tuesday. Okeh said that the corps registered 183 new companies and renewed the licenses of 362 existing ones. He said that N275 million was generated from the registration and renewal exercise, adding that the amount was remitted into the coffers of the Federal Government. Okeh added that the corps offered free training to about 2,190 personnel of private guards companies, to update them on modern techniques of the job. The spokesman said the move was to reposition, restructure the industry, in line with the corps’ mandate. He urged the operators to enlighten the public on their activities through stakeholders’ forum.

Kaduna Govt Donates N7.6m to 300 Displaced Victims of Boko Haram Attacks

The Kaduna state government has donated relief materials worth N7.6 million to over 300 displaced victims of the persistent attacks in Manchok, Kaura LGA in the southern part of the state. Making the donation at the weekend, the deputy governor of the state, Ambassador Nuhu Bajoga, who is also the chairman of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), said government was concerned about the welfare of the victims of the attacks in the area. Bajoga condemned the attacks, urging the people not to take vengeance. He said the relief materials were meant to cushion the suffering of the victims and pledged government readiness to promptly respond to the needs of the victims.

Death Toll Rises to 80 in Bama Attack

The death toll of Boko Haram attack on the commercial town of Bama on Wednesday has risen to 80, even as it was discovered that billions of naira worth of properties were destroyed. The chairman of the LGA, Baba Shehu Gulumba, disclosed that 80 persons were felled by the insurgents. The chairman’s figure was however disputed by the leader of the youth volunteer group, Civilian JTF, Akura Satomi, who said members of his group retrieved 98 corpses of innocent residents of the town from all over for burial, even as he claimed that about 100 insurgents killed were ferried away by their colleagues. The District Head of Goniri Ward, Alhaji Baa Shehu Terab was among those killed by the insurgents. Over 500 buildings comprising the palace of monarch of the town, Shehu of Bama, Alhaji Kyari Ibn El-Kanemi, house of the LGA chairman, residential houses, shops, schools and markets were burnt.

13 Killed in Plateau Attacks

Another 13 persons were, on Thursday, confirmed killed in a fresh attack by unidentified gunmen in Rapyem village, Fan District of Barkin Ladi LGA of the state. The interim Administrator of the local government, Mr. Habila Dung, while confirming the killings, said it was sad and barbaric. The attack took place around 1am on Thursday morning. Dung also said those killed were nine children, two women, and two men, while five persons were injured and are currently receiving treatment in the hospital. The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Felicia Anslem, confirmed attack. She added that calm had since returned to the area. In another development, the House of Representatives has appealed to the Defence Headquarters to deploy more troops and arsenals to the North-eastern part of the country where the wave of insurgency masterminded by the Islamic sect, Boko Haram, has been on the increase in recent days.

COAS Pledges to give Training, Equipment Priority

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-Gen Kenneth Minimah, has completed a morale boosting operational visit to units within the 7 Division Area of Responsibility, following the upsurge in Boko Haram attacks in the North-east. The COAS, in company of Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Adekunle Amosu, specifically visited troops deployed on Operation Zaman Lafia in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States in the ongoing military operations against terrorists and insurgents in the North-east. The army chief charged the troops particularly those in the border units to ensure that arms and ammunition are not smuggled through their areas of responsibility. He further urged the troops to steadfastly observe the rules of engagement in the conduct of their operations.

Police Deploy Sniffer Dogs in International Airports

The Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, has ordered immediate deployment of sniffer dogs to all international airports in the country. The order came against the back-drop of threats by criminal elements to shift their nefarious activities to the nation’s airports. It was also gathered that the sniffer dogs would be test run in certain functions, preparatory to their deployments for the 2015 general elections, while their deployments would further reduce possibility of arms smuggling through the airports. While charging the dog handlers to be vigilant, Abubakar, who was represented by the DIG in charge of operations, Zuokumor Michael, advised them to respect the fundamental rights of the citizens and also work in collaboration with other security agencies to provide effective security at the airports.

ECOWAS Court Halts Execution of Convict

The ECOWAS Community Court of Justice sitting in Abuja has ordered the stay of execution of a judgment of a Katsina High Court, which sentenced Maimuna Abdulmumini to death in 2012 for a murder she allegedly committed when she was 13 years old. Justice Hansine Donli said the application brought by Avocats Sans Frontieres France (ASF) to stop the execution of the judgment had merit. Justice Donli stated that the application for stay of execution was granted in order to protect the ‘res’ (Maimuna) from any action of the defendants, which might render the proceedings nugatory. In addition, the particular urgency of the case prompted the court to order for an accelerated hearing of the matter in accordance with the rules of the court.

Senate Passes National Health Bill

After months of hectic legislation, the Senate Wednesday passed the National Health Bill (NHB). The bill which has been a subject of controversy in the nation’s health sector, seeks to provide framework for the regulation, development and management of the national health system. It is also aimed at setting standards for health services in the federation.  The Chairman, Senate Committee on Health, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, stated that the bill would help Nigeria achieve universal health service and also meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) target.  Okowa expressed confidence that it would guarantee improvement in the health care sector, as well as regulate health care practice, promote professionalism as well as eliminate quacks. Okowa, who said the bill guaranteed the establishment of a primary health centre in every community, added that the quantum of money to be provided for that purpose would help in both the training and retraining of nurses and other health workers.

Nigeria, Pakistan Partner on Counter-Terrorism Training

As part of efforts in tackling headlong security challenges such as terrorism, insurgency, kidnapping and other crimes and criminalities besetting Nigeria and Pakistan, the Inspector-General of Police (IG), Mohammed Abubakar, and the Pakistani High Commissioner to Nigeria had pledged mutual collaboration and assistance for each other. The pledge was made on Wednesday, at the Force Headquarters, Abuja during the courtesy visit of the Pakistani High Commissioner, Muhammed Ashraf Saleem, to the IGP. At the end of the meeting, Abubakar announced that the first batch of 10 Nigeria police officers will be leaving Nigeria to Pakistan for extensive training on Counter-terrorism, Counter-insurgency as well as bomb diffusion and disposal. Similarly, the Pakistani police personnel are also expected in Nigeria to participate in specialised training at the Police Intelligence Institute.

Seven Killed in Attack on Benue Village

Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam, has condemned the Tuesday’s killing of seven persons in Torkula village and the burning of the country home of Tor Tiv, Orchivirigh Alfred Akawe Torkula, by Fulani herdsmen in Guma, Gwer-West, Makurdi and Agatu LGAs. Suswam said the huge number of the attackers and their sophisticated weapons raised the question as to whether they were really herdsmen or militia pursuing a different agenda. The governor said it was regrettable that the incessant, bloody attacks on the farmers have persisted in spite of the comprehensive security arrangements already put in place to deal with the situation. He called on the federal government to take urgent measures to support the state government in its bid to contain the Fulani invasions in some parts of the state as well provide relief materials to the displaced persons.

INTERNATIONAL

5 Killed as Explosions Derail Train in Pakistan

A bomb targeting a passenger train in southern Pakistan has killed at least five people and wounded more than 30, officials said. Sardar Jamali, a senior local administration official, disclosed that the Khushhal Khan Khattak express was travelling to Peshawar from Karachi when it was hit by the blast. Three carriages were derailed and two of them were severely damaged by the force of the explosion. The general manager of Pakistan Railways, Anjum Parvaiz, suggested it was a remote-controlled device planted on the track. Sindh borders the restive province of Balochistan. Baloch separatists also operate in Sindh, although no one has claimed to have carried out the bombing.

Three Yemeni Soldiers Killed, 14 Captured in Clashes

Three Yemeni soldiers and up to five other people were killed on Tuesday in clashes with suspected southern separatists in al-Dhali province. Separatists seeking to restore the former independent state of South Yemen ambushed the troops, subsequently capturing 14 of them. Four other people, including one child, were also killed in the clashes, the report said. It was not clear whether separatist fighters were among the casualties. Al-Dhali is a stronghold of the Harak or Southern Movement, a mostly peaceful group of organisations seeking independence for the former Marxist republic of South Yemen. A committee headed by President Abd Rabu Mansour Hadi last week agreed on a new federal structure to placate southern demands, with two autonomous regions in the south and four in the north. But Southern Movement representatives, who have previously demanded such a federation, rejected the committee’s decision.

EU Imposes Sanctions on Ukraine after Deadly Clashes

The EU has agreed to impose sanctions on Ukrainian officials “responsible for violence and excessive force” after the bloodiest day of clashes in Kiev. The EU foreign ministers said targeted sanctions including asset freezes and visa bans would be introduced “as a matter of urgency”. Dozens of anti-government protesters died in Kiev on Thursday. Many were reportedly killed by snipers. In all, 75 people – including policemen – have been killed since Tuesday. In addition to those, Ukraine’s health ministry also said that 571 were injured during three days of violence in the Ukrainian capital. Protesters had captured 67 police, the interior ministry said. A number of them were later released by activists on the main protest camp in Independence Square – widely known as the Maidan. Russia criticized the European and U.S. measures, calling them “blackmail” that would only make matters worse. It also stepped up pressure on Yanukovich to crack down and restore order if he wanted more loans.

Libyan Military Plane Crashes in Tunisia, 11 Killed

A Libyan army medical plane crashed south of Tunis on Friday, killing all 11 people on board, Tunisian emergency services said. The Passengers on board included three doctors, two patients and six crew members, spokesman, Mongi El Kadhi, said. He said there were no survivors from the accident in the Grombalia area as the whole plane was completely burnt out. Shortly before the plane disappeared from radar screens, the pilot radioed the control tower at Tunis airport to say an engine had failed, emergency services disclosed at the crash site. The aircraft crashed in a field and managed to avoid any houses. There was no immediate word on the identities of the two patients on board or why they were being flown to Tunis. The aircraft was a Soviet-designed twin-propeller Antonov-26.

Seven Killed in Ukraine Mine Blast

Seven miners were killed and nine injured when a gas explosion ripped through a state-owned coal mine in eastern Ukraine, officials said. The blast occurred on Monday evening at a depth of around 800 metres, while some 90 workers were on shift at the mine in Makiyivka in Ukraine’s mineral-rich Donetsk region. The bodies of all the victims had been recovered by Tuesday and work at the mine has been suspended, a statement said. Fatal accidents are regular at Ukrainian mines, most of which are located in the country’s industrial eastern region. Many of the mines are underfunded and poorly equipped, and safety violations are rife.

German Court Jails Rwandan Mayor for Genocide

A German court, on Tuesday, sentenced a Rwandan Hutu to 14 years in jail for his role in the genocide of Tutsis in Rwanda in 1994.  Onesphore Rwabukombe, who has lived in Germany since 2002, was a mayor in north Rwanda at the time of the genocide in which an estimated 800,000 people were killed in 100 days. The Judge, in his verdict, said that while Rwabukombe did not kill anyone, he oversaw and assisted in the murder of at least 450 men, women and children at the Kiziguro church compound in east Rwanda. Judge Thomas Sagebiel, who had heard more than 100 witnesses over three years of hearings, described scenes of slaughter committed with machetes, sticks and hatchets, which Rwabukombe helped to direct, even driving militia men to the site of the ongoing massacre in his own pick-up truck. Lead prosecutor, Christian Ritscher, had argued that Rwabukombe was responsible for the deaths of more than 3,730 Rwandans and called for a life sentence. Rwabukombe, 56, denied all charges.

Trapped South African Miners Emerge, Evade Arrest

Ten illegal gold miners have emerged from an old South African mine in which more were feared trapped. Some of the men came out when it seemed the threat of arrest had abated – but all 10 have now been detained. The miners are reported to have been trapped by a group of rival illegal miners. The landscape around the abandoned mine near Johannesburg is dotted with similar abandoned shafts – attracting men from around the region with the promise of remaining gold deposits. Some men may also be resisting coming to the surface of the mine because they fear losing any gold they have found, reports indicate. Previous reports suggested as many as 200 miners remained underground. The official rescue operation was suspended on Sunday after 11 miners agreed to come out. All 11 have now been charged. Other trapped miners refused to leave after discovering they faced arrest.

Former Georgian PM Jailed for Bribery

Former Georgian Prime Minister, Vano Merabishvili, was on Monday sentenced to five years in jail over charges of bribery, misappropriation of public funds and abuse of office. Merabishvili became prime minister in July 2012 and held the position for only four months because his United National Movement party lost its majority in parliament in October. The case against him related to payments made by the state to more than 1,000 activists from his party in the run-up to parliamentary elections. Prosecutors also accused him of acquiring a luxury villa from a company through blackmail. Merabishvili, who served as Interior Minister for almost eight years before becoming Prime Minister, was one of several allies of former President Mikheil Saakashvili to be accused of graft by the succeeding government.

Al Qaeda-Linked Group Bombs Beirut

The al Qaeda-linked Abdullah Azzam Brigades claimed a twin bomb attack in Beirut on Wednesday, saying such attacks would continue until Hezbollah forces withdrew from the fighting in Syria. Meanwhile, its own fighters were released from Lebanese jails.
The radical Lebanese group also said it was responsible for a November 19 attack on the Iranian embassy that killed 23 people. It also used the same tactic of twin suicide bombs. In both cases, most of the victims were civilians. Hezbollah is a powerful Shi’ite Muslim political and militant group in Lebanon that is funded by Iran. The group has sent hundreds of fighters to neighbouring Syria, giving a boost to its ally President Bashar al-Assad against mainly Sunni rebels seeking to topple him. The Abdullah Azzam Brigades have strong links to Lebanon’s Palestinian refugee camps as well as connections with the Gulf.

Three Killed in Tourist Bus Blast

At least three people died and 14 were wounded Sunday by an explosion on a tourist bus in the resort town of Taba in Egypt, an official said. Brig-Gen. Alaa Mahmoud disclosed that 33 tourists from South Korea were on the bus and were headed for Israel in line near a border crossing when the incident occurred. Israeli police dispatched ambulances and patrol cars to the border with Egypt to help if needed, Israeli Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld, said. Taba is in the northeastern Sinai Peninsula, just a few miles from Israel. The region has seen Islamist militants become more active in recent years.

China Cracks Down on Social Vices

The Chinese Ministry of Public Security on Sunday ordered police across China to step up efforts to tackle the “three vices” — prostitution, gambling and drug trafficking — warning officials they would be held accountable for illegal activities. Dongguan deputy mayor and police chief, Yan Xiaokang, was fired from his post last week and ten other senior police officers have been subject to a range punishments in the wake of the raids, state media reported. Other provinces including Zhejiang, Gansu, Shandong, Guangxi and Heilongjiang have conducted their own vice raids in recent days, indicating that the campaign has been directed from the central government. Hong Kong police plan to step up efforts against vice operations in the city following a massive crackdown on prostitution across the Chinese border, where police in Dongguan raided 2000 establishments and detained more than 900 people.

Colombian Army Chief Dismissed over Scandal

Colombia’s president has dismissed the country’s head of armed forces after he verbally maligned prosecutors and suggested action be taken against them in audio recordings. General Leonardo Barrero’s phone conversation with a colonel, who was imprisoned over possible links to extrajudicial killings, was recorded by prosecutors investigating corruption by senior officers in allegedly inflated military contracts. President Juan Manuel Santos made it clear that Barrero was being fired for ‘disrespectful remarks’ and not for corruption, although four generals were forcibly retired on Tuesday in connection with the contracts scandal. Semana said hundreds of hours of audio recordings in its possession showed that senior military officers received kickbacks of up to 50 percent on deals, according to reports. Colombian soldiers, the vast majority enlisted men, have been convicted of nearly 900 extrajudicial killings, dressing victims in fatigues and falsely presenting them as rebels killed in combat.

Gunfire Erupts in CAR Capital as Muslims Flee

Heavy gunfire has erupted near the airport in the Central African Republic’s capital Bangui as a Christian militia tried to block the evacuation of Muslims from the area, witnesses say. Wednesday’s clashes began after Chadian troops tried to escort a convoy of Muslims out of the city, according to a Bangui resident. Killings and abuses carried out by the Seleka led to the creation of a mainly Christian self-defence militia known as Anti-Balaka. An Anti-Balaka spokesman said their fighters went to the airport to defend the local population after they were targeted by Chadian troops who were escorting the Muslim convoy. Wenezoui said troops from the African peacekeeping force MISCA and French soldiers removed the roadblocks and dispersed the crowds, which prompted some Anti-Balaka, Christian fighters, to respond with gunfire. A UN official said that African peacekeepers were dispatched to reinforce troop.

Family Stabbed to Death in Egypt

Four members of a Syrian family were stabbed to death on Monday in the Egyptian city of Alexandria, Amin Ezzedine, Alexandria’s head of security, disclosed. The family is reportedly Christian but Ezzedine described the murder as criminal. The family consisted of a 44-year-old father, a 35-year-old mother, a 6-year-old son, and the father’s 43-year-old sister. The father, identified as Yousef Nakhle Taweel, reportedly works at a hotel in the resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh. He was found face-down in the living room, having been stabbed to death. His wife, Abeer, was found dead in her bedroom. She was reportedly found lying on her back with a slit throat. Her son, Michel, was killed next to her and was stabbed on his neck. The father’s sister, Muna, was killed in her own bedroom.