Villeworth Security Services Ltd

week 12

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PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

Navy Arrests 7 Cameroonians, 5 Nigerians for Smuggling

Men of Nigerian Navy (NNS Victory), Calabar, patrolling the high sea of Bakassi Peninsula, have arrested seven Cameroonians and five Nigerians who specialize in trans-border smuggling. The smugglers and their wares were caught aboard a large boat laden with 3,000 textile materials; ten cartons of substances suspected to be hard drugs, one hundred bags of rice and twenty bags of shoes billed for Calabar, Cross River State. Commanding Officer of NNS Victory, Commodore Fredrick Ogu, who handed over the seized contraband and smugglers to the Nigerian Customs Service, disclosed that his men accosted the boat in the high sea while on routine patrol in the wee hours of the night last weekend.

Royal Father Arrested in Connection With Kidnapping in Bayelsa

The Bayelsa state police command Monday said it has made arrests in the investigation into the kidnap of the 70-year-old Bayelsa chief, Inengite Nitabai. The Police said it had arrested a 57-year-old traditional title holder and three others in the course of its investigation. Chief Nitabai, however, regained freedom on Wednesday Evening. It was declared that no ransom was paid, although the kidnappers had earlier demanded N500m as ransom for his release. The State Commissioner of Police, Hillary Okpara, confirmed his release. But as the police continue investigation into Nitabai’s abduction, gunmen, on Monday, struck at Oloibiri and abducted Joyce Ebua, a sister to the state Commissioner for Sports, Chief Mitema Obordor. It was learnt that five armed men stormed the residence of Ebua at about 8.55pm and whisked her away through the creek behind her house, shooting sporadically into the air. JTF Media Coordinator, Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, confirmed the incident.

Gunmen Attack Tugboats, Kidnap 2 Captains

Gunmen operating along the waterways of in Nembe LGA of Bayelsa State have attacked two tugboats belonging to an oil company, Nigerian Agip Oil Company. The gunmen were said to have abducted the captain of the two vessels during the attack that took place in the early hours of Wednesday. The tugboats were identified as MV Ebizar and MV Smoke, but the identity of the victims could not be ascertained.. The tugboats, it was learnt, were in transit from Nembe to Port Harcourt when they came under attack. The state police public relations officer (PPRO), Alex Akhigbe, said he was yet to be briefed on the incidents.

Police Parade FRSC Official over Kidnapping

An official of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Cyprian Uduak Sylvester, has been paraded by the Imo state police command over his alleged involvement in the recent kidnap of one Cyril Echesi. Also paraded by the police were members of a notorious gang that specialised in cattle rustling in Imo state. The state Police Commissioner, AbdulMajid Ali, who paraded the suspects on Thursday, said Sylvester who led other members of his gang in the abduction was arrested following a tip-off. He explained that Sylvester and his gang who abducted their victim at Uli, in Ihiala local government area of Anambra State were intercepted on their way to Ahoada in Rivers State, with the victim still in their custody, by the Scorpion Squad of the command. The commissioner said that the cattle rustlers, alongside others at large attacked a cattle rearer, Usman Goje and killed him before stealing 32 of his cows.

Bayelsa Police Nab Robbery Suspect, Rescue Kidnap Victim

The police in Bayelsa State have arrested six suspected kidnappers, who after robbing a house in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area abducted a woman. However, the woman was freed by the marine police, who intercepted the bandits along the waterways. A police source said the suspects robbed a home at Diebu community, escaped with some valuables and a woman.  But luck ran out on them when some marine policemen intercepted them along the Southern Ijaw waterways and arrested them. They are currently being detained at the headquarters of the command in Yenagoa.

Gunmen Abduct Radio Presenter, Demand N10m Ransom

Unknown gunmen on Thursday morning abducted a radio Presenter in Port Harcourt, Anthony Akatakpo, popularly known as Akas Baba on WAZOBIA FM and have demanded a ransom of N10 million for his release. His wife, Candy, confirmed that he was abducted at about 2am when unknown gunmen invaded their home at Rumuekini community in Obio/Akpor LGA of Rivers State and whisked him away after shooting him on the leg. Several media practitioners, including his employers, Globe Broadcasting & Communications Limited have condemned the abduction Akatakpo and called on security agencies to expedite action to effect his safe release. The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Tunde Ogunsakin, vowed his command would do everything to ensure the safe and early release of the presenter.

Police Kill 3 Robbers in Rivers

Rivers State Police Command has gunned down three armed robbers in the state. The state Police Commissioner, Tunde Ogunsakin, who disclosed this, said that the robbers were shot dead during an exchange of fire with policemen. He added that one AK-47, two magazines, 22 rounds of 7.66mm ammunition, one locally-made pistol with four rounds of 9mm ammunition and one black golf car were among items recovered from the robbers. He said his men also smashed a kidnap syndicate in the state and rescued a kidnap victim, Mrs Ibiso Orinari Atiegoba, who was abducted by four men on Ada George Road, Port Harcourt.

Police Accuse MASSOB over Attack at Enugu Govt House

The Enugu State Commissioner of Police, Abubakar Mohammed, Monday, alleged that members of the outlawed Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) were behind the penultimate Saturday attack at the state Government House, Enugu. Mohammed disclosed that the three persons arrested at the scene of the incident confessed that they were sent to hoist Biafran flags at the government house as the capital of the Eastern region. The CP dismissed claims that one person was killed noting that the victim, Ifeanyi Chukwuma, only received gunshot wounds and was receiving treatment. But the leader of MASSOB, Chief Ralph Uwazurike, has denied the involvement of his members in the Government House attack. He urged the police to prosecute those who were arrested as that would deter other hoodlums who may be nursing the intention of committing crime.

Police Arrest 5 over Sale of 3-Day-Old Baby

Five suspects have been arrested by the Akwa Ibom State Police Command in connection with the alleged stealing and selling of a three-day-old baby girl at the cost of N260, 000. The state Police Commissioner, Umar Gwadabe, listed the suspects as Miss Imaobong Udoh, mother of the baby; Mrs Regina James, buyer and Mr Mfon James, her husband; Mrs Comfort Henry, the traditional birth attendant; and Mr Emmanuel Okon, a homeopathic doctor. One of the suspects, Mfon James, denied any knowledge that his wife had bought the baby because she informed him about being pregnant.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

Navy Raids, Destroys 16 Illegal Refineries in Delta

The Nigerian Navy razed 16 illegal crude oil refineries in Burutu and Warri South- West LGAs of Delta State forcing suspected oil thieves to flee, abandoning their bunkering equipment, including boats and electricity generators, last weekend. The operation was led by the new Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS Delta, Captain Musa Gemu, who ordered his men to destroy the illegally refined diesel, petrol and kerosene found at the bunkering depots. It was observed that many of the bunkering sites had been burnt previously by security agents, but the bunkerers usually returned for business after two to three weeks interval. Captain Gemu disclosed that the raid was in compliance with the zero tolerance for oil bunkering directive by the Chief of Naval Staff, assuring that the Navy would continue to strike and ensure that the waterways were safe.

Ex-Militants Give 7-day Ultimatum to Free Detainees Arrested in Delta State

Ex-militants from Okerenkoko community in Warri South West LGA of Delta State have given the Delta State Government and judiciary a 7-day ultimatum to release one Michael Johnny and others who are being remanded in prison by the State High Court. The former militants threatened to use “all means” to secure their release and create chaos in the water ways if the Police and judiciary failed to release those in prison custody. Michael Johnny and nine others were remanded in prison custody over alleged threat on the life of ex-militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo. In a statement signed by one Comrade Johnson Ebierede, the ex-militants expressed worry over their arrest by the police and their subsequent remand in prison by the court, which they described as suspicious.

Tanker Fire Destroys Transmission Towers in Delta

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) announced on Tuesday that it had lost 12 transmission towers and one of its 330kv transmission lines stretching from Sapele to Ughelli in Delta the state. The company explained that a fire incident caused by a petrol tanker had razed towers 88 and 89. TCN also said the incident had caused it a huge loss to the tune of N1 billion which it would require to reconstruct the 12 towers and rehabilitate the tower. The General Manager, Public Affairs, Seun Olagunju, noted that the fire incident which started at about 9:42a.m penultimate Sunday had resulted in the melting and snapping of the all line conductors between the two towers. Olagunju also said the loaded petrol tanker which fell and caught fire at Ogborode junction, near Warri in Delta State, destroyed the 330kv Sapele-Ughelli transmission line and brought down TCN's towers No 82 to 93 along the route.

Army Destroys 98 Illegal Refineries in 3 States

No fewer than 98 illegal refineries have been destroyed in Edo, Delta and Ondo states within the last 30 days, the 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, Benin, Edo State, disclosed. The Public Relations Officer of the Brigade, Captain Abubakar Abdullahi, said that about 75 persons were arrested while 15 trucks, 141 boats used to convey petroleum products were also destroyed. He said that 40 illegal fuel reservoirs and 1,709 drums of illegally refined petroleum products were destroyed within the same period. Abdullahi said that a truck with registration number URM 298 XA was intercepted on Oyemwonsa Street in Benin while the tanker marked XA 490 USL was arrested at Ugo in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of the state.

Navy Rescues 3 Abducted Expatriates in Delta

The Nigerian Navy penultimate Friday handed over three kidnapped expatriates it rescued in Ajidaibo community in the Warri South-West LGA of Delta to their employer. The victims, Messrs Manjeel Gahlawat, Rattan Chandra, and Miyanak Caini, were handed over to Mr K.S. Pathania, a representative of CS OFFSHORE Nigeria Ltd. Capt. Musa Gemu who handed over the expatriates at the Naval Base, Warri, said they were kidnapped on March 5 in Brass, Bayelsa. He said the men were rescued by the Nigerian Navy on March 6 in collaboration with men of Delta Waterways Committee. Gemu assured that the Nigerian Navy was committed to sanitising the nation’s waterways from all forms of crime.

Wife Plan Own Abduction to get Money from Husband

The Delta State police command has confirmed that a housewife, Mrs Grace Obi, arranged her own abduction to get N1.5 million from her husband, Mr Jude Obi. Mr Obi had, on March 7, reported the abduction of his wife to the police. The Police Area Commander, Husseini Rabiu, was said to have enjoined Mr Obi to play along with the kidnappers, who had requested N1.5 million as ransom. The money was given to a close relation and a confidant of the victim, Ogonna Onu and Mr Gift Erah to deliver to the hoodlums. After delivery, the victim was subsequently released. The bubble burst when the area commander directed that the victim’s vehicle be searched and to his chagrin, N1, 189, 000 suspected to be part of the ransom money paid was seen carefully concealed in the jeep. Preliminary investigation into the saga had already revealed that the purported kidnap was stage-managed by the victim and the suspects in order to fleece money from the complainant, Mr Obi.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

Customs Intercepts 30000 Pieces of Live Ammunition in Ibadan

The Oyo/Osun Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Tuesday, announced a seizure of 30,000 pieces of ammunition packed in 20 cartons. The latest seizure was made possible through the effort of one of the anti-smuggling teams of the command. The seizure, according to the Area Comptroller, Richard Oteri, was commendable against the heightened insecurity in the country. Oteri said the ammunition was concealed under tubers of yam and yam flour in a rickety white Toyota Hiace bus. The live cartridges were intercepted on Monday morning along Saki-Ago-Are axis of Oyo State, carefully concealed in the bus. The driver of the bus, Abdulrahman Adegoke, 45, who was arrested on the spot, denied ownership of the live cartridges, saying he was only hired to transport the goods to Ibadan. The Comptroller lamented that the seizure was made at the point, where a huge seizure was made last year.

13 Killed in Lagos Boat Mishap

At least 13 persons died after a 24-passenger boat capsized at the canal running behind 4th Avenue, FESTAC Town, Lagos on Tuesday night. A combined team of emergency and rescue workers drawn from different agencies in the state were able to rescue five persons, while four persons remained missing. Eyewitness account said the mishap could be blamed on the overloading of the boat, a situation where a boat meant for 15 passengers was carrying 24 persons. The boat, which was coming from 6th Avenue and heading to 4th Avenue, capsized at the middle of the canal when an obstruction upturned the boat and its passengers into the canal.

Pastor Arraigned for Chopping-Off Toddler’s Fingers

The Sabo Police Station on Tuesday arraigned a 49-year-old pastor, Moyo Martins, before a Yaba Chief Magistrate’s Court for allegedly cutting off the fingers of a two-year-old child, Saidat Faleye. It was learnt that the mother of the victim, Bola Faleye, had left her in the care of Martins on Thursday, when she wanted to take her bath. About five minutes later, the child let out a loud shriek of pain which drew the attention of neighbours and her mother, who rushed to the scene in panic. They found the child’s ring and little fingers chopped off. It was alleged that Martins sawed off the fingers in his room. The suspect initially denied knowing anything about the incident. However, upon his arrest, he allegedly confessed that he did it in error. The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge and elected summary trial. The Chief Magistrate admitted him to bail in the sum of N100,000 with one surety in like sum.

Man Caught with 18 Human Skulls in Ogun

The Ogun State Police Command, Thursday, said it had nabbed a 38-year-old man, Adelani Ayomide, with a bag containing 18 human skulls. The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Muyiwa Adejobi, said the suspected ritualist was arrested at along Ado-Odo, Owode Road by policemen. Similarly, thirteen suspected cultists were docked in an Ebute Metta court for allegedly belonging to and managing an unlawful society, involving in cult activities and breaching peace. Counsel to the accused, Ali Abba, applied for the bail of his clients on the ground that Sections 40 to 45 of the federal constitution of Nigeria gives citizens the freedom to belong to any association of their choice. However, the magistrate, Mr. O. Olatunji, said citizens are only entitled to belong to lawfully registered associations and not un-recognised societies. Therefore, the one the accused belong to is “an unlawful society.” They were, however, granted bail in the sum of 50,000 each, with two sureties in like sum, one of who must be a gainfully-employed blood relation.

Osun LP Chieftain Dies of Gunshot Wounds

A chieftain of the Labour Party (LP) in Osun State, Mr. Tunji Oyelade, who was recently shot in his house by unidentified assailants, is dead. He died at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Osogbo as a result of gunshot injuries he sustained after the suspected assassins attacked him and his wife. Oyelade had undergone series of medical procedures to extract the bullets from his stomach before he died. Two masked men had attacked the residence of Oyelade in Inisa town penultimate Wednesday evening and shot him in the stomach. After Oyelade had been shot twice, his wife, who was also in the house when the attacker came in, had her mobile phone seized and was tied while the operation lasted. Oyelade’s neighbour, who rushed to the scene to help, was shot in the leg. Some of Oyelade’s family members claimed his attackers did not steal any property from his house other than his wife’s phone, thus drawing speculation that the incident was assassination.

Two Kidnappers Bag 22-year Jail Term

An Ilorin High Court last Friday sentenced two kidnappers, Ajadi AbdulRasheed and Ayeni Abayomi, to 22 years imprisonment for conspiracy, kidnapping, extortion and armed robbery. The accused persons were charged for conspiring to kidnap Abiodun Abdulkadir Baraje, son of former chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Abubakar Baraje. While AbdulRasheed was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment and fined N100,000; Ayeni Abayomi bagged 10 years and was equally fined N100,000. The jail terms are to run concurrently commencing from the day the judgment was delivered. Justice Mahmud AbdulGafar, found the accused persons guilty of conspiring to kidnap Abdulkadir Baraje and extorting the sum of $100,000 from Bilikis Baraje (wife of Biodun Baraje) by threatening that her husband would be killed. The said offence was committed on February 4, 2010.

Driver Arraigned in Court over Serial Rape of Student for 21 Days

The Lagos State Criminal Investigation Department, Yaba, has arraigned a 28-year-old man, Gbenga Asaye, before a Lagos State Magistrate’s Court for allegedly abducting and raping a student for 21 days. It was learnt that the 18-year-old victim had left her mother’s shop on January 21, 2014 for school, but had transportation challenge due to lack of money. She reportedly met Asaye, a family friend, on the road. He promised to assist her with money and take her back to her school in Ijanikin in his vehicle. He was said to have, however, taken the student to his house in Agege where he forcefully had carnal knowledge of her. The victim was said to have been abducted by the defendant for 21 days that the sexual assault lasted. Police enquires about the whereabouts of the victim, after her mother reported a case of missing person, led to the arrest of Asaye. The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge. The magistrate admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N50,000 with two sureties in like sum.

GENERAL

Military Captures Wounded Boko Haram Suspects

The recent counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency offensives launched against the outlawed Boko Haram Islamic sect is yielding fruits, as scores of wounded terrorists who escaped from various camps under the fire of security forces have been captured in the fringes of Lake Chad and in locations around Dikwa, Cross Kauwa, Kukawa and Alargarmo. Meanwhile, the federal government has decided to increase the air border patrol as well as intensify aerial surveillance of the states under emergency rule. According to the Director of Defence Information (DDI), Maj-Gen. Chris Olukolade, the captured terrorists some of whom were seriously wounded are giving useful information as to the locations of their remnant forces. The defence spokesman warned members of the public against visiting the dislodged camps of the insurgents in some fringe communities and forests because operations are still ongoing.

15 Killed as Fulani Herdsmen Ambush Governor’s Convoy

The Benue State Governor, Dr Gabriel Suswam, escaped death on Tuesday when his convoy was ambushed by suspected Fulani herdsmen at Tse Aekenyi in Guma LGA of his State. The governor who led a team of security men to take an assessment of the destruction caused in the area by the Fulani herdsmen last week ran into the same herdsmen who opened fire on his when he made a stopover to assess some houses that were recently burnt at Tse Akenyi. The incident occurred after a detachment of the Army in the governor’s convoy pulled out following a directive that they should not go beyond Tse Ukpam. The army detachment left despite a plea by the governor. The rampaging herdsmen who had in the early hours of the morning destroyed over 72 villages and killed 25 residents in Ukpan, near Daudu were repelled by security forces in the convoy of the governor.

Soldiers Seize 700 Vehicles during Attack on Boko Haram Camp

The Special Forces involved in the ongoing campaign against the Boko Haram insurgents have claimed breakthroughs in the campaign against terrorists in the North-East. The Special Forces, comprising ground troops and the Air Force fighters had demobilized one of the strongest fortresses of the Boko Haram sect and recovered volumes of arms and ammunition and hundreds of operational vehicles. A source put the number of vehicles captured from the insurgents at 700 while several members of the sect were arrested. The Director of Defence Information, Maj.-Gen Chris Olukolade, who confirmed the capture of the Boko Haram camp, said that several terrorists who were wounded in the military raids were arrested and had made useful confessions. It was learnt that the seized vehicles included those that the insurgents used for attacks and other vehicles they snatched from people.

Residents Flee Maiduguri as Soldiers, Boko Haram Battle

Fierce gun battle ensued between soldiers and members of the Boko Haram sect, on Friday, week, forcing residents of Maiduguri to flee. There was massive shootout between soldiers and insurgents. It was gathered that the insurgents attempted to attack Giwa barrack, but were repelled by military forces. People scampered for their lives. It was also gathered that workers are returning home with streets being deserted. Many residents of the town have fled from the places under attack to safer places. Some have even fled to the government house for safety. Some have moved from the periphery of the town that are easily susceptible to attack to the centre of the town. Soldiers have barricaded everywhere to make it impossible for the insurgents to move easily.

Gunmen Kill 103 in Katsina

Gunmen riding on motorcycles on Tuesday and Wednesday night killed an estimated 103 people in separate attacks on two villages in Faskari and Sabuwa LGAs of Katsina State. The multiple attacks on the communities occurred a few hours ahead of President Goodluck Jonathan’s visit to the state. It was gathered that the armed men, said to be cattle rustlers, invaded Koran Mota village, where they killed seven people including the Maiunguwa (ward head), Mallam Maiunguwa Bawa, Mallam Nuhu Haruna and Magaji Musa of Marabar Kindo. The fleeing armed men also shot dead a middle-aged man in the neighbouring village of Unguwar Rimi, in Sabuwa before disappearing into the bush. Efforts by the police to intervene during the attacks, suffered a setback when the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Faskari, Gwarzo, who led his men to apprehend the assailants, was stabbed and injured in the leg at Munhaye village.

Herdsmen Kill 22 in Fresh Benue Attacks, FG Deploys Security Forces

Suspected Fulani herdsmen, on Thursday, attacked settlements in Benue State killing over 22 people. The attacks came a few days after the state Governor, Gabriel Suswam, escaped death when his convoy ran into an ambushed by suspected Fulani mercenaries at Tse-Akanyi in Guma LGA. Meanwhile the federal government has sent a contingent of soldiers and policemen to Benue State to stop rampaging Fulani herdsmen who have been on a killing spree in the state in recent times. Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Frank Mba, disclosed that the massive deployment of security operatives to the state was aimed at checking an ethnic clash between Tivs and the herdsmen. Mba said a security team under the leadership of the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), Mike Zoukome, had been set up to restore peace in the area.

Senators Want Life Jail for Human Traffickers, Slave Trading

The Senate is advocating life jail for anyone caught in human trafficking and others acts of slave trade. This move followed the report on a bill, Traffic in Persons (Prohibition) Act (Amendment) 2013, which was submitted to the Senate by the Senate Committee on Judiciary on Wednesday. Although the committee had recommended a reduction of the life jail terms contained in the principal Act to seven years, senators who spoke on the bill insisted on life jail term for offenders, which they said was non-negotiable. Voting on the bill was reserved till March 18 when plenary resumes.

3 Policemen, 2 Civilians Killed as Gunmen Ambush Convoy

The Caretaker Chairman of Gwoza LGA in Borno State, Hamma Jumba, escaped being killed by suspected Boko Haram terrorists, who ambushed his convoy, Monday. However, three police escorts and two other civilians in the convoy were killed by the insurgents. The incident occurred along the troubled Firgi-Gwoza highway. It was gathered that the chairman had travelled to his council to distribute relief materials to victims of previous attack by the insurgents with some security operatives and ran into an ambush of the terrorists on their way back to Maiduguri. The state Police Commissioner, Lawal Tanko, confirmed the incident, but declined further comments.

Suspected Cultists Kill Two in Makurdi

Two persons, including a 60-year-old-man were reportedly shot dead on Sunday evening by suspected cult members in Wadata area of Makurdi, the Benue state capital. It was gathered that the four suspects who were students of a tertiary institutions in the town, had stormed the area in search of one of the victims. Immediately they sighted the young man, they shot him severally on the chest, and in their bid to escape from the scene, an elderly man of about 60 years accosted them, but they immediately shot him and fled. Neighbours mobilized and rushed them to the hospital, where they were confirmed dead. The state Police Commissioner, Adams Audu, said that his men were on the trail of the perpetrators, assuring that they would soon be apprehended.

Military Vows to Sustain Bombardment until Terrorism is Eliminated

Military authorities in Abuja have declared that the bombardment of Boko Haram camps and hideouts in the forests, hills and border areas of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states, to ensure total elimination of terrorists who have been killing and maiming innocent Nigerians will be sustained. The Defence headquarters’ made the declaration just as it warned prominent Nigerians who have continued to make inciting statements tailored towards bringing down the morale of troops or portraying Nigerian security forces as weaklings in the war, that ‘at the appointed time, anyone found to be undermining morale of the men will pay dearly for it but through constitutional procedures’.

Rampaging Gunmen Kill Scores, Raze Police Station, Court, School in Adamawa

Gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram insurgents, last weekend, attacked a police station, a court, a primary school and three churches in Fota Village in Gombi LGA of Adamawa State, during which 10 people including policemen were killed. The gunmen allegedly struck from several directions in the village, shooting indiscriminately and operated for several hours unchallenged. Three of the deceased villagers were killed at a wedding ceremony in Bisir village. The gunmen drove in dozens in a convoy of Hilux vehicles, motorcycles, among others. The residents said that troops were later deployed to the area. Reports said that the policemen at the station were killed after about 30 minutes of gun-fire, pointing out that one of the attackers was critically wounded during the operation, but he was taken away by the attackers. The Adamawa Police spokesman, Muhammed Ibrahim, confirmed the attack but declined further comments.

787 Promoted Policemen and Officers Decorated

Seven-Hundred and Eighty Seven officers and men of the Ondo State Command of the Nigeria Police Force that benefitted from the recent promotion were Wednesday decorated with their new ranks with a charge to reciprocate the gesture by discharging their responsibilities in their posts efficiently and effectively. Those that benefitted from the promotion in the command include two Superintendent of Police (SP) who moved to the rank of Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), seven Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) to  Superintendent of Police (SP) , ten ASP to DSP and six Inspector to Senior Inspector and 37 Inspectors to the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police. Others included 70 Sergeant to the rank of Inspectors, 83 from the rank of Corporal to Sergeant and 572 constables to the rank Corporal.

Gunmen Kill Ward Head, 11 Others in Katsina

Armed men, Wednesday, killed 12 people including a ward head in separate attacks at two villages in Faskari LGA of Katsina State. It was gathered that the armed men, said to be cattle rustlers, invaded Koran Mota village, Tuesday evening, and killed seven people including the Maiunguwa (Ward head). Eyewitness said the armed men, who stormed the village on motorcycles, shot sporadically into the air before killing seven people in the ensuing pandemonium. The fleeing armed men reportedly shot a man dead at the neighbouring village of Unguwar Rimi, in Sabuwa LGA before disappearing.

Gombe Police Engage Robbers in Gun Duel, Recover Arms

Men of the Gombe State Police Command, on Tuesday, engaged robbers in a fierce gun battle. During, injuring some of the robbers in the process and recovering some firearms. Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Fwaje Atajiri, disclosed that men of the command had received a distress call at about 4:30am that a gang of armed robbers numbering about 30 were operating at the Arawa area and some men of the command were immediately deployed to the area. But on sighting the policemen, the armed robbers opened fire on them, leading to an exchange of gun fire. The police spokesman further narrated that some of the armed robbers escaped with bullet wounds and the police recovered one AK47 rifle, 20 wrappers, a bag and 3 cartridges from them. The Police have called on the general public to report anybody with suspicious bullet wounds to the nearest police station.

INTERNATIONAL

UN, Congo Troops Attack Hutu Rebels Base

UN and government forces have attacked Rwandan Hutu rebels based in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s eastern borderlands, UN and Congolese officials said. Colonel Felix Basse, the military spokesman for the Congo mission, known as MONUSCO, said on Wednesday that UN troops had deployed in the Virunga National Park in North Kivu province and were backing a Congolese offensive against the Hutus’ FDLR. He added that two rebels had been killed in the fighting so far. Basse said the 3,000-strong UN Intervention Brigade, made up of troops from South Africa, Tanzania and Malawi, was taking part in the joint offensive with a mandate to protect the population and restore the authority of the state. The Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) is made up in part of former Rwandan soldiers and Hutu militia who fled to Congo after taking part in the killing of 800,000 Rwandan Tutsis and moderate Hutus 20 years ago. They are accused by rights groups of killing and raping civilians.

Indian Maoists Rebels Kill 16 Policemen in Chhattisgarh

Maoist rebels have killed at least 16 policemen in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh, police disclosed. The patrol was on its way to provide security to workers building a road in Sukma district when rebels fired at them, reports say. Twenty-five policemen were injured in the attack. Chhattisgarh is a stronghold of the rebels who say they are fighting for the rights of the poor. The Maoists are active in more than a third of India’s 600 districts and control large areas of several states in a “red corridor” stretching from north-east to central India. Tuesday’s ambush happened in the Tongpal area of Sukma. It is not clear whether the rebels suffered any casualties.

Libya says Navy Seizes Oil Tanker from Rebels

State oil firm says North Korean-flagged vessel that tried to ship oil from rebel-held port is under government control. Libyan authorities say the navy has seized control of a tanker as it tried to ship oil out of a port under the control of rebels who plan to sell it independently.  The state oil firm NOC said the tanker was being escorted back to a government-controlled port in western Libya on Monday evening. A spokesman for the rebels earlier denied that the government had taken control of the tanker. Rebels have seized three ports and partly control a fourth in the country, and the North Korean-flagged tanker had loaded crude worth $30m at rebel-held al-Sidra port despite a government threat to bomb the ship. Parliament earlier on Monday ordered the formation of a military force made up of regular soldiers and allied armed groups from across Libya to free the ports, which previously handled a total of more than 700,000 barrels of oil per day.

UN Launches Human Rights Probe in CAR

The United Nations has launched a human rights investigation into the violence in the Central African Republic (CAR). Inquiry head, Bernard Acho Muna, said that he hoped the presence of investigators in CAR would help prevent genocide. The UN Security Council ordered the inquiry in December to identify suspects, who could be prosecuted for the violence. Thousands of people have been killed in the conflict between Muslim and Christian militias. Some 7,000 troops from France and some African countries have been mandated by the UN to help restore order. Tens of thousands of Muslims have fled as Christian militias have stepped up their attacks since the forced resignation of CAR’s first Muslim ruler, Michel Djotodia, in January. Interim President Catherine Samba-Panza, a Christian, has appealed for an end to the bloodshed. The militias claim to be taking revenge for atrocities committed by mainly Muslim rebels after Mr Djotodia seized power in March 2013.

Syria Rebels Free Abducted Nuns

A group of nuns held by rebels in Syria for more than three months have been released following Lebanese-Qatari mediation and left for Damascus. The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group and a rebel source in the area, said that the release of the nuns had been agreed as part of a swap in which the government would free about 150 women prisoners. The 13 nuns and three maids were kidnapped from the Christian town of Maaloula north of Damascus in December and taken to the nearby Syrian rebel-held town of Yabroud, where they are believed to have been held by al-Qaeda affiliate Jabhat al-Nusra. Shortly after the nuns disappeared, rebel fighters said they had taken them as their guests and that they would release them soon.

Protesters in South Sudan Accuse UN of Arming Rebels

More than 1,000 people have protested in South Sudan’s capital, Juba, accusing the UN of arming rebels. The government said its troops had intercepted weapons in a UN convoy marked as carrying food. The UN denied the arms were destined for rebels, but acknowledged it made a mistake transporting them by road. The UN has about 8,000 peacekeepers in South Sudan, the world’s newest state where conflict broke out in December between government and rebel forces. In January, South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir accused the UN of running a “parallel government” in his country – a charge it denied. Protesters demanded the resignation of UN South Sudan special representative Hilda Johnson at the rally addressed by top government officials. The UN acknowledged that it had breached an agreement with the government when it transported the weapons by road, rather than by air, Ms Quentier said.

Russia Holds War Games near Ukraine as Merkel Warns of Catastrophe

Russia launched new military exercises near its border with Ukraine on Thursday, showing no sign of backing down on plans to annex its neighbour's Crimea region despite a stronger than expected drive for sanctions from the EU and United States. German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, warned of "catastrophe" unless Russia changes course, while a man was killed in Ukraine in fighting between rival protesters in a mainly Russian-speaking city. At the UN Security Council, the United States circulated a draft resolution that would declare illegal Sunday's planned referendum on independence for Ukraine's Crimea region. But Russia, one of the Security Council's five veto-wielding permanent members, made clear it opposed the draft. In Berlin, Merkel removed any suspicion she might try to avoid a confrontation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Putin declared Russia's right to invade its neighbour on March 1, as Russian troops were already seizing control of Crimea, a Black Sea peninsula with a narrow ethnic Russian majority and a Russian naval base.

Suspected Uighurs Rescued from Thai Trafficking Camp

About 200 people rescued by police from a human trafficking camp in southern Thailand are suspected Uighur Muslims from China's troubled far-western region of Xinjiang, Thai police sources said on Friday. The discovery is further evidence that human smugglers in southern Thailand - already a notorious trafficking hub for Rohingya boat people from Myanmar - are exploiting well-oiled networks to transport other nationalities in large numbers, despite an ongoing crackdown by Thai police. Two police raids in January freed a total of 636 people. At least 200 of them were Bangladeshis. The rest were Rohingya, mostly stateless Muslims from western Myanmar, where deadly clashes with ethnic Rakhine Buddhists in 2012 killed at least 192 people and left 140,000 homeless. Since then, tens of thousands of Rohingya have fled from Myanmar by boat, many of them coming ashore in southwest Thailand. It was reported that Rohingya were held hostage in illegal camps hidden near the border with Malaysia until relatives paid ransoms to release them. Some were beaten and killed. Those rescued included at least 100 children, most of them toddlers or babies, and a pregnant woman.

France Condemns Attacks on Israel

The French Foreign Ministry on Thursday condemned Islamic Jihad militants’ attacks against Israeli communities, calling on both sides to show restraint to avoid escalating violence in the region. The ministry’s spokesman, Romain Nadal, denounced the rocket attacks of Jihad militants. An escalation of violence must be avoided so that the truce agreed upon in 2012 can be fully and swiftly re-established, Nadal added. Israeli Air Force struck targets in the Gaza Strip after Islamic Jihad group fired six rockets at western Negev on Friday. After a three-year halt, Palestinian-Israeli peace talks resumed last July in a bid to reach a final accord. Israeli warplanes have struck 29 targets in the Gaza Strip in response to a rocket barrage from Gaza into Israel, the military has said. Palestinians said missiles hit bases of Gaza’s Hamas rulers and the armed wing of Islamic Jihad, which had fired the rockets. Four more rockets were fired at Israel on Thursday, Israel said. There are no reports of casualties on either side.

26 Countries Search for Missing Malaysian Airline

The search for Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, which went missing penultimate Saturday with 239 people on board, has brought together nearly 100 vessels and aircraft from 26 countries in Asia and the Pacific. The assistance poured in after Malaysia sought help in locating the Boeing 777-200 that disappeared en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. Kuala Lumpur has deployed 18 aircraft and 27 ships to lead the search and rescue mission in seas between Malaysia and Vietnam, where the jet last made contact. The countries that are leading and helping in the search include China, that had over 150 of its nationals on board, Singapore, Thailand, Australia, Indonesia, Philippines and the US, amongst others. China has also deployed four search and rescue vessels and two warships to help in the mission. China’s Premier, Li Keqiang, has pledged to continue search efforts for the missing Malaysia Airlines flight “as long as there is a glimmer of hope”. His comments came as experts fear that the plane’s communication was deliberately turned off to avoid radar, and that it is hijacked. Malaysian authorities revealed that the last communication from the jet suggested everything was normal on board.

Ex-Rebel Wins Salvador’s Presidential Election

Former left-wing rebel in Salvador, Sanchez Ceren, has won a tight presidential run-off election, El-Salvador’s electoral tribunal has said. But his rival has the right to appeal and officials say a final declaration cannot yet be made. Conservative candidate Norman Quijano had earlier called for a new poll after preliminary results indicated a margin of victory of fewer than 7,000 votes. Sanchez Ceren would be the first ex-rebel to serve as president. He was vice president of El Salvador in 2009, while Quijano was the mayor of the capital, San Salvador. The election body has already rejected calls from Quijano’s party for a rerun. The Supreme Electoral Tribunal announced on Thursday that Sanchez Ceren, a member of the Farabundo Marti Liberation Front, had won 50.11 per cent of the vote after a manual count. Quijano, of the conservative Arena party, won 49.89 per cent, the election body said.