Villeworth Security Services Ltd

week 22

PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

Seven Killed in NNPC Jetty Explosion

At least seven persons were killed and scores of others severely injured in an explosion caused by petrol at the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) jetty, Okrika, Rivers State, penultimate Sunday. However, the Chairman of Okrika Local Government Area, Tamuno Williams, who confirmed the incident, said the fire broke out when pipeline vandals were siphoning petroleum products from the pipelines belonging to the NNPC at a jetty near Okrika. Williams appealed to the management of the NNPC to provide adequate protection and security for their pipelines and equipment to protect the lives of the people of Okrika. The South-south Zonal Coordinator of NEMA, Emenike Umesi, confirmed the incident but said that he was not aware of any death from the incident. The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has claimed responsibility for the explosion. MEND said the explosion was part of its Operation ‘Hurricane Exodus” aimed at sabotaging oil installations in the Niger Delta region.

NIS Repatriates 45 Illegal Immigrants in Abia

The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Abia state command, last week, deported 45 illegal immigrants rounded up in different parts of the state during a recent raid aimed at firming up security in the state. State Comptroller of NIS, Anthonia Okpara, disclosed that the repatriated immigrants were part of the 70 immigrants arrested in a series of raids carried out by NIS across the state. She explained that of the 70 immigrants arrested during the raids, 45 persons were found not to possess valid ECOWAS travel documents hence their repatriation while the remaining 25 persons with valid documents were allowed to continue their stay in Abia. According to her, the aliens who are nationals of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, were picked up at Umuahia the capital city and other towns. Okpara said the raid would be a continuous exercise.

Bayelsa Community Tackles Agip on Pollution

The Okoroba people in Brass LGA of Bayelsa State, hosts to Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC), have petitioned the Police and the SSS over the pollution that occurred in their environment as well as the deployment of armed youths in their community by the firm. They have called on the government and the relevant authorities to intervene in the disagreement between the community and NAOC. Since February 16, 2014, the community has been on the warpath with the company over oil spillage allegedly caused by Agip’s ruptured pipeline. The community in the petition claimed that the spillage, which occurred along the Brass/Ogoda pipeline within pillars 14 to 16, had impacted negatively on the adjoining land within pillars 17 to 27 within the Okoroba community. They also said that the various Memoranda of Understanding with the company had allegedly been treated with scorn.

Enugu Police Arrest Six for Alleged Theft

The Enugu State Police Command on Wednesday arrested six suspects for allegedly stealing 15 bags of fertilisers. A statement from its Public Relation Officer, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, said some of the suspects were arrested for alleged stealing and others for receiving the fertilisers on Oct. 14, 2013 and April 17, 2014 respectively. The alleged stolen fertilisers were said to be property of Awgu Local Government Area, which were kept at its secretariat’s warehouse. Amaraizu said that the fertilisers and a stolen plasma television set were recovered from the suspects. The suspects are currently helping the police in their investigations as they have started pleading for forgiveness, he said.

ERA, Bayelsans Protest Environmental Degradation

An environmental rights group, Environmental Rights Action and Friends of the Earth, Nigeria (ERA/FOEN), has led some concerned Bayelsans to protest against what they described as Chevron Nigeria Limited’s promotion of environmental terrorism in the Niger Delta region. The group decried Chevron’s alleged unrepentant behaviour in persistently dodging responsibility for the mess created in the region and urged the company to end the impunity in its areas of operation. Executive Director, ERA/FOEN, Dr. Godwin Ojo, led the protest in Yenagoa. Ojo said the event was aimed at drawing global attention to the ecological devastation and ecocide allegedly perpetrated by Chevron. He insisted that ending Chevron’s impunity means that the company takes responsibility and liability for the environmental destruction from consistent harmful decisions that had resulted in the loss of lives and sources of livelihood.

Rivers State Police Arrest 814 Kidnap, Robbery Suspects in 3 Months

The Rivers State Police Command has disclosed that it has arrested no fewer than 814 kidnap and robbery suspects from February and April, 2014, in the state. This excludes 11 suspects, who were arrested recently and paraded by the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Tunde Ogunsakin, at the state Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Port Harcourt. Ogunsakin said over 35 victims were rescued from suspected kidnappers. According to the state Police boss, the command had recorded a reduction of the incident by about 49 per cent in the last three months, with a total of 31 cases as against 21 cases recorded in January alone. Also, he said that there were concerted efforts by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in the arrest of armed robbers in the state. Ogunsakin disclosed further that within the period, the command recovered from suspects 1,115 arms and ammunition, vowing that the force would not relent in fighting criminals and criminal activities in the state.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

Insecurity: Uduaghan Urges Leaders to Guide against Provocative Utterances

As Nigeria grapples with the security challenges in the country, the governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, has appealed to political leaders to always use their positions to unite the nation and join hands with the relevant authorities in defeating the enemies of the country. Uduaghan   said,  the fact that  the international community is aiding the country to combat terror, especially that posed by the extremist Islamist group, Boko Haram, Uduaghan, leaders irrespective of political leaning should be statesman-like in their utterances and support the Federal Government in the war. Uduaghan spoke through State Commissioner for Information Chike Ogeah, at the weekend, in Lagos,   when the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) conferred on him the award of a “Positive Thinker".

Hoodlums Kill Policeman, Two Others in Edo

The Police officer in charge of Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Okhoro Police Divisional Station, in Benin metropolis, Edo State, Yakubu Dikko, has been shot dead by gunmen. Dikko, 33, was reportedly attacked by the gunmen, while returning home in the neighbouring community of Ugbowo in Benin City on Wednesday night. He was said to have been trailed by his killers to his residence, where he was murdered. Similarly, a female thrift collector and a tricycle operator were at separate locations in Benin, shot dead by suspected gunmen, on Thursday. The thrift collector was said to have been killed at a popular business district in the state capital and an undisclosed amount removed from her bag. The tricycle operator, identified as Kingsley James, 33, was said to have been killed at his residence when the hoodlums were said to have burgled his apartment and shot him.

Gunmen Kidnap Lawmaker’s Father Again

The father of Honourable Samson Osagie, Minority Whip of the House of Representatives has been kidnapped again. According to reports, Pa Samson Agharese Imariagbe was abducted in his house at Urhokuo-osa town, near Ehor, Edo State. The gunmen, who had stormed his house around 6pm on Sunday, went straight to the living room where the elderly man was relaxing and took him away. Honourable Osagie alleged that the abduction may not be unconnected with the crisis in the community. He further said the abduction had been reported to the Police Commissioner in the state. The septuagenarian was abducted about two years ago and was reportedly set free after payment of ransom.

DELSU ASUU Decries Kidnap of Female Lecturer

Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Delta State University, Abraka branch, has called on the state government and security agents to ensure the unconditional release of one of its members, Mrs. Enajite Ojaruega, abducted by kidnappers. Mrs. Ojaruega, a lecturer in the Department of English and Literary Studies, was on her way to Abraka on May 19, 2014 when she was ambushed and kidnapped at gun point near Eku, Ethiope East LGA of the state. The ASUU Chairman, Professor Abel Diakparomre and Secretary, Dr. Emmanuel Ufuophu-Biri, condemned the incessant harassment and kidnap of its members. The branch urged the Delta State Government and security agents to provide conducive atmosphere devoid of insecurity in Abraka and environs to enable the institution’s workers function excellently and fearlessly.

Police Parade 3 over Theft of N9.2m Cables in Delta State

Three men were on Thursday paraded by the Delta State Police Command for allegedly stealing armoured cables of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) worth N9,248,000.00. The suspects included one Emeka (32) who is a member of a local vigilance group, the Asaba Community Police (ACP); Chiboy (24), a scrap buyer and Nnanna (27) who claimed to be a tipper driver. Parading the suspects, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the command, Celestina Kalu, said the police swooped on the criminals following a report by an engineer with the electricity company that six robbers invaded the company’s premises. DSP Kalu said investigations by the police led to the arrest of Emeka, one of the security guards at the injection sub-station located along the Benin-Asaba Expressway.

Delta Police Declare Monarch Wanted for ‘Illegal’ Coronation

Police in Delta State has declared Nzefili Nwadukwe, reportedly crowned as king of Abala‑Obodo, Ndokwa East Local Government Area wanted. He was crowned by a section of the community in April. State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ikechukwu Aduba, in a statement, said that the Police Command took exception to the incident of April 5, 2014, when one Nzefili Nwadukwe was illegally crowned as king against the existence of a government recognised king. “This illegal coronation was done in flagrant contravention of existing law banning the creation of parallel monarch in any community. According to the CP, Nwadukwe is declared wanted and would be hunted down to face the full wrath of the law. Aduba warned those planning to usurp government recognised monarchy against the law to have a rethink and follow due process.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

Police Recover Nail Rods Planted On Highway

The Ogun State Police said it has recovered heavy nail‑like rods allegedly buried on highways along Abeokuta/Sagamu Expressway by hoodlums to puncture tyres of moving vehicles. The command also said the highway patrol team attached to Ijebu Ode/Benin expressway has arrested four suspects, Oluwaseun Oladapo, Julius Tepe, Kamoru Moruf and Surajudeen Busari, while on its routine express patrol along the expressway. The state Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, said the command’s anti‑robbery team attached to the expressway on patrol recovered the dangerous items allegedly planted by hoodlums along the road. The Commissioner of Police Ogun State, Ikemefuna Okoye has assured the people of adequate security of lives and property particularly on our highways.

Court Awards N2m against Police for Illegal Detention Tricycle Riders

A Federal High Court in Lagos, on Monday, awarded N2m as damages against the police for illegal arrest and detention of three tricycle riders over a loan they failed to pay when the financiers of their tricycle project did not properly insure the tricycles. The trio had filed a suit  seeking an order of the court to declare as a breach of their fundamental rights their arrest by officers of the Nigerian Police over a matter “that was purely civil.” Joined as respondent/defendant in the suit are the Inspector General of Police, Commissioner of Police, Special Fraud Unit, Commissioner of Police, Lagos State and Petra Microfinance Bank Ltd. The bank reported the matter to the police and they were arrested, detained for three days and tortured. The court held that since the transaction between the applicants and Petra Microfinance Bank Ltd. was civil in nature, the appropriate step was for the bank to have sued the applicants to court for recovery of the debt.

Policemen Attacked, Killed by Motorcyclists

Two police officers, an inspector and a sergeant, are dead after some motorcycle riders attacked them in the FESTAC area of Lagos. It was learnt that the incident happened while the policemen were raiding a dark spot in the area. A resident said that the incident was a reaction by the riders to the alleged regular harassment of the residents of the area. The resident alleged that the police have always gone there to raid and extort the riders. He said the officers were men of the Rapid Response Squad, attached to Area E Police Command. A police source said that the policemen were on patrol that night and had arrested some motorcycle riders. They were moving out, when some Hausa men around the 7th Avenue, apparently angry, came after them and attacked the officers with weapons.

Ex-Convict Jailed 4 Years for Stealing Motorcycle

A magistrate’s court in Abeokuta, Thursday, sentenced 32-year-old Kolade Adelakun to four years imprisonment over theft of a motorcycle. The accused was said to have stolen a motorcycle belonging to one Wale Omilere. The accused pleaded guilty to the one-count charge, saying he stole the motorcycle with the intention of selling it before he was caught. He added that he was recently sentenced to prison from December 2013 to March 2014 and was serving at Agodi Prisons, Ibadan over the same act. The prosecutor, Sunday Eigbejiale objected to  the plea, saying the accused was sentenced over the same act and did  not learn his lesson, adding that he would still engage himself in that act. The presiding magistrate, Martins Akinyemi, in his ruling, said the gravity of the offence was seven years imprisonment but, because he has pleaded with the court, the judge said he was motivated to temper justice with mercy and thereby sentenced the accused to four years imprisonment without an option of fine.

GENERAL

Five West African Leaders, France Declare War on Boko Haram

France and five West African countries have agreed to launch trans-border military operations against Boko Haram. With the new plan, the countries can move across international borders in pursuit of the terrorist group. The countries are Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger, Benin Republic and Republic of Chad. On Saturday, at a world press conference after a meeting hosted by the French President, Francois Hollande, the leaders said the meeting was to centralise information and intelligence on the rescue of the schoolgirls. Hollande said France would also collaborate with the United States and Britain on intelligence gathering. Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan, said 20,000 military personnel had been deployed to the North-East to search for the abducted schoolgirls. The countries agreed on a number of initiatives to curtail the excesses of the insurgents, as well as mobilise funds in support of women and girls in marginalised areas. It added that countries are to establish an intelligence-pooling unit, create a dedicated team to identify means of implementation and draw up a regional counter-terrorism strategy. France, US, Britain and the EU also pledged to mobilise donors in support of programmes fostering social and economic development of the regions concerned with particular emphasis on gender equality and the rights of women and girls.

Several Killed in Kano, Borno Attacks

Scores of people were killed and several others injured last weekend in Kano and Borno States, following successive attacks by the Boko Haram sect. In Kano, a car bomb explosion last night rocked Gold Coast Street in Sabon Gari, resulting in the death of 15 persons, while 40 others were killed on Saturday when gunmen suspected to be members of the terrorist group invaded a village in Borno. According to eyewitnesses, the bomb exploded in Kano when the suspected bomber who was driving a car laden with improvised explosive devices (IEDs) failed to reach his target and detonated near a popular local bar/ brothel in the area. The loud explosion caught residents of the area unawares and led to a stampede, resulting in multiple accidents on many roads close to the scene of the blast.

19 Children Missing after Communal Clashes in Taraba

As victims of the recent violent clashes in some parts of Taraba State continued to count their losses, 19 children from six communities are said to have disappeared. The whereabouts of the children, aged between 10 and 15, had thrown traditional and religious leaders in the state into a state of confusion as frantic efforts were being made to ascertain their locations and ensure their safety. The missing children, seven of whom are from Nagaru, Ityitsa Icholugh and Ijondugh villages in Sabon-gida Ward of Gassol LGA and four from Dooshima village in Ibbi LGA while the remaining eight of are from Kuka and Kawo villages in Bali LGA, according to Chief David Gbaa, the traditional ruler of the Tiv community in Bali, got missing during attacks on their villages by Fulani herdsmen. The traditional ruler disclosed that the attacks on his subjects were launched in the night and early hours of the morning which made it difficult for the parents of the missing children to coordinate them properly and ensure their safety. The state Police Command said it was not aware of any missing children.

WHO Bans Vaccination, Immunisation of Children by Insurgents

With the increasing cases of disruption of immunisation programmes in Nigeria, Pakistan and Afghanistan, the World Health Orgnaisation (WHO) has banned all forms of immunisation and vaccination administered on children by militants and insurgents in parts of the world where conflicts are intense. Declaring open the 67th World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva, Switzerland, the Director General of WHO, Dr. Margaret Chan, said new cases of polio around the world, beyond being an issue resulting from international travelling across borders, had been worsened by the activities of militants and insurgents in countries like Nigeria, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Libya, Syria among others. Chan, while decrying the impact of global social inequalities on healthcare, explained that the increase of virus like polio due to terrorism and insurgencies “has continued this year, during the low-transmission season of polio. The WHO boss observed that vaccination and immunisation of children by militants and insurgents had often been used as cover-up to disrupt immunisation programmes of children, including killing of vaccinators.

Northern Governors Urge Increased Military Surveillance

The Northern States Governors Forum on Monday called on security agencies working to contain the activities of the dreaded Boko Haram sect to scale up surveillance activities. Chairman of the forum and Governor of Niger State, Babangida Aliyu, also urged them to re-strategise their operations to end the senseless killing of defenceless citizens. Aliyu made the call in his reaction to Sunday’s explosion which killed several persons at a relaxation point in Sabon Gari area of Kano in Kano State. Aliyu’s reaction was contained in a statement by the coordinating Chairman of the forum of Northern Secretary of State Governments and the Secretary to the Niger State Government, Mr. Saidu Kpaki. The forum appealed to terrorists in the country to give peace a chance, saying reverting to acts of violence in the city of Kano after months of reprieve was a big blow on efforts to advance the course of peace.

Boko Haram Kills 29 in Borno Farmers

Suspected Boko Haram gunmen have shot dead 29 farm workers as they tilled their fields in a village in Borno State. It was reported that no fewer than 10 more people had been injured in Wednesday’s attack on Chukku Nguddoa, in which most of the village was razed. Militants killed 17 people in Alagarno village on Tuesday and burnt many houses. The attack according to a resident occurred barely 10 days after the withdrawal of military troops from the village. Sources said the armed men, driving 15 vehicles, stormed the village at about 11am on Wednesday and opened fire on armless residents killing 29 people. A mosque, houses and shops were burnt completely.

IG Orders Security around Makurdi Schools

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Abubakar, has given an order to reinforce security around all boarding schools in Makurdi, the Benue State capital in order to forestall another mass abduction of school children. This is coming on the heels of a recent letter purportedly written by persons claiming to be Boko Haram members to two all-boys secondary schools – Government College, Makurdi, and Mount Saint Gabriel College, Makurdi. Force spokesperson, Frank Mba, disclosed that the Benue State Police Command, working in conjunction with the state Ministry of Education and the affected schools’ authorities, has strengthened surveillance in the schools and other boarding schools within Makurdi metropolis. The police have also commenced investigations aimed at ascertaining the source and authenticity or otherwise of the handwritten letter now in their possession. The police high command advised residents, where boarding schools are located, to remain perpetually on the alert and report any suspicious movement to the appropriate authorities. The Boko Haram terrorist group has threatened to abduct students of a popular Government Boys School in Makurdi, in their campaign against western education in the country.

DHQ Cautions against Movement in Areas of Operations

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has frowned at the presence of a large number of tourists, journalists and adventurers of diverse interests moving about in areas where security operations are currently on-going especially in Adamawa and Borno States without the necessary security cover or clearance. This was contained in a statement by the Director of Defence Information (DDI), Maj-Gen. Chris Olukolade, who cautioned the affected persons against infiltrating security operation zones. Olukolade said the trend constitutes unnecessary risk to the persons especially the foreigners involved.  He added that it was also an undue obstruction to operations. He said as much as the military had nothing to hide and believes in the freedom of movement in the country, there was need for all persons to recognise the status of certain places as operational areas.

Irate Youths Protest Killing of Trader by Soldier

Irate youths took to the streets of Maiduguri to protest the alleged killing of a roadside trader who was hit by a bullet shot by a soldier that was meant for a commercial tricycle operator. The commercial tricyclist was said to have been shot at by soldiers at a checkpoint when he allegedly refused to stop when ordered by the soldiers on guard at the West End area of the town. It was gathered that the soldiers mistook him for a suicide bomber and only took the action to prevent a bomb, believed to be in his custody, from being detonated near the checkpoint and endangering the lives of many around. But instead of killing the motorcyclist, the gunshot hit at a roadside trader who immediately died. Some minutes after the killing, angry youths in their hundreds barricaded major roads in the area and also set bonfires.

Navy Kills Two Pirates, Arrest Six after During Gun Battle

Nigerian Navy (NN) personnel drawn from Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Benin and NNS Ikot-Abasi have rescued a distressed oil tanker, MT SP Brussels at the Lagos anchorage, killing two of the pirates who had hitherto hijacked the vessel and killed two crew members. Checks revealed that the naval authorities, who also rescued 15 out of the 17 crew members and the two police escorts on board, are yet to release the vessel in its custody to the vessel’s agent, Super Maritime Nigeria Limited. The 35 gross tonnage vessel and 14 metric tonnes container capacity of products, had last communicated its position on April 11, when it was at UTC terrestrial heading to its destination at Lagos offshore when it was hijacked. It was gathered that the oil-laden vessel was accosted at about 120 nautical miles outside Lagos waters, en route from Port Harcourt, by eight heavily armed pirates who overtook them in two speed boats. While two of the pirates remained on each of the speedboats to man it, six others boarded the oil tanker vessel and in an exchange of gun fire with the two police escorts attached to the vessel, shot dead two of the crew members; an Indian and the Captain.

Vigilante Group Kills 70 Insurgents in Adamawa

A vigilante group in Madagali town in Adamawa State on Friday killed about 70 Boko Haram insurgents in an ambush that underscores the frustration of residents of Northern Nigeria. Coming two days after a similar counter-offensive by residents of three villages in the KalaBalge district of Borno State, the vigilantes were tipped off by a local food vendor that the militants number more than 100 were on their way to procure food in large numbers. Meanwhile, gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen on Thursday morning invaded Gbaukuchi, a community in the Kuje Area of the Federal Capital Territory and attacked residents. While some of the gunmen, who did not cover their faces, spoke Fulani and Hausa among themselves, they also gave orders to their victims in smattering English.

Man in Court Throwing Toddler Son in River

A 25- year-old truck driver, Ibrahim Sanni, was on Monday remanded in prison custody by a Kaduna Chief Magistrates’ Court for alleged murder of his two-year-old baby. Sanni who resides at Kargi Village, Kubau LGA of Kaduna, was remanded for allegedly throwing his baby boy into the Kubau River on December 28, 2013. The Chief Magistrate, Mr Bashiru Shittu, ordered that the accused be kept in prison custody pending an advice from the Ministry of Justice. Shittu said that his court had no jurisdiction, to try the case adding that the accused was only brought for cognisance. He said that the accused had the right to apply for his bail at the state high court and adjourned the case till June 25, for further mention. The Prosecutor, Sani Umar, had prayed the court to remand the accused in prison custody pending full investigation into the case. He told the court that the accused was accosted by the mother of the baby, Shafatu Umaru, who reported the case to the Police.

FRSC Suspends Enforcement of New Number Plate, Licence

The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has suspended the enforcement of the new vehicle number plate and the driver’s licence, following two separate court judgments in Lagos and Abuja which ruled that the scheme was illegal. The Commission has therefore directed its commanding officers to commence a nationwide public awareness on the new initiative for motor vehicle administration in the country, which would emphasise the benefits of the new scheme and the need for buy-in from all Nigerians. A statement by the Commission Commander, Corps Public Education, Jonas Agwu, in Abuja explained that the new directive was in line with decisions taken by the Joint Tax Board at its 129th meeting held on April 23 and 24, 2014, at the Headquarters of Edo State Internal Revenue Services in Benin-city. It stated that the board suspended the June 30 deadline earlier announced for the change to the enhanced motor vehicle number plate and the driver’s licence pending the outcome of the appeal by the FRSC.

Group Commends Security Troops on Rescue Efforts for Abducted Girls

While a cross section of Nigerians have continued to vilify what they term as the ineptitude of the Nigerian Military in the face of rising security challenges, the Abuja Family of the 'Bring Back Our Girls' (BBOG), has chosen to encourage them for their resoluteness in the face of danger. This statement which was signed by the former Minister of Education Dr. Oby Ezekwesili and Hadiza Bala Usman,   said it was pertinent to commend the troops deployed to fight and defeat terrorism in Nigeria. The group expressed their pride that the professional officers and men are staking their lives to improve the security of the citizens of Nigeria.

Military Raids Boko Haram Camps in Bauchi

The Nigerian military has reportedly bombed some terrorists' camps in parts of Bauchi State. Investigations revealed that a number of gunmen suspected to be members of the dreaded Boko Haram sect have been operating in the Balmo forests in Darazo,  Burra in Ningi, Soro in Ganjuwa and Yugda forests between Zara and Miya, while another camp was believed to exist around the Bauchi to Gombe border in Alkaleri. A security source in the state confirmed that the army had started, its operation in the forest but did not give details of the operation, adding that the exercise was carried out without creating panic among the inhabitants of the forests.

Nine Herdsmen Gang Rape Three Women in Benue

Nine Fulani herdsmen on Thursday went beyond the frequent attacks on hapless communities when they were alleged to have gang-raped three women, including a teenage girl, in Tse Ikyuer, Yandev, Mbagwen in Guma LGA of Benue State. The women, whose ages range between 18 and 20 years, were attending to house chores in their remote settlement when the herdsmen attacked them with machete and guns and coerced the ladies into submitting to their sexual demands. The Benue State Governor, Dr. Gabriel Suswam, has ordered a full investigation into the matter. One of the women said the leader of the gang (who is at large) had come to their home earlier in the day and asked to be given water to drink. “While we were serving him, he noticed the absence of the head of our family and other male members and asked for their whereabouts. We told him they had gone out. “He then left and came back later with eight others with guns and asked us to lie down and submit to them or risk being shot,” she said. They also said the herdsmen after beating and raping them also made away with the sum of N60,000 as well as two mobile phones belonging to two of them.

UN Imposes Sanctions on Boko Haram

The UN Security Council’s Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee on Thursday approved the addition of Boko Haram to its list of groups subject to financial and arms sanctions. Nigeria sponsored the proposal to add the terrorist group to UN sanctions list. Under the terms of the sanctions, it is now an offence for any individual or entity to provide financial or material support to Boko Haram, including the provision of arms or recruits. The UK Foreign Secretary, William Hague, welcomed the resolution, saying the UK had shown its strong support for securing the listing and co-sponsored Nigeria’s proposal. Britain was the first country to proscribe Boko Haram and was pleased to support Nigeria’s demand that the UN take action. Hague recalled that at the Paris Summit on Security in Nigeria last Saturday, Chad, Niger, Cameroon and Benin, agreed to pursue sanctions against Boko Haram at the UN.

Boko Haram Kills 17 in Borno village attack

The Islamist group Boko Haram has been accused of killing 17 people in an attack on Alagarno, a village in Borno State, close to Chibok, where hundreds of schoolgirls were seized on Apr 14. The attack comes a day after 118 people died in a twin bomb attack in the central city of Jos, Plateau State, believed to have been masterminded by Boko Haram insurgents. In the latest attack, Boko Haram fighters reportedly spent hours killing and looting in the village of Alagarno. The abductions of more than 200 girls caused international outrage and have put pressure on the Nigerian authorities to deal with the threat from Boko Haram. Witnesses in Alagarno said the suspected Boko Haram fighters arrived close to midnight, and killed and looted for hours before leaving in stolen vehicles.

Five Nations to Contribute Troops against Boko Haram

Nigeria, Republic of Benin, Cameroon, Niger and Chad will contribute one battalion of troops each to the international force set up to combat Boko Haram and other insurgent groups. The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati, made this known when he briefed newsmen in Abuja on Tuesday. Abati spoke on more measures taken to strengthen fight against terrorism in the sub-region. He said that the decision to contribute the additional five battalions of troops to the international force was reached at the regional Summit on Security held in Paris, France, last Saturday. Abati said France, United States of America and the United Kingdom would extend technical assistance to assist the international force set up to patrol the five nations’ border areas.

FG to Withdraw Soldiers as Escorts for Politicians

The Federal Government has decided to stop the use of soldiers and other personnel of the Armed Forces as escorts by political office holders in the country. A security source said the Federal Government would no longer allow soldiers to be in the entourage of governors and members of the National Assembly, among others. It was stated that it was the position of the top security chiefs in the country that the Army was being saddled unnecessarily with responsibilities that could not be said to be essential. It was further gathered that all soldiers in the escort of politicians would be withdrawn and deployed to duties in consonance with their statutory responsibilities of defending the territorial integrity of the country. The source added that the security leadership was of the opinion that the deployment of the troops of the Nigerian Army in 32 out of the 36 states of the Federation had foisted the traditional responsibilities of the police on the Army.

INTERNATIONAL

US Charges Chinese Army Officers with Hacking

The US has charged five Chinese army officers with hacking into private-sector American companies in a bid for competitive advantage, in the first cyber-espionage case of its kind. Attorney-General, Eric Holder, said the alleged breaches were “significant” and demanded “an aggressive response”. US prosecutors say the officers stole trade secrets and internal documents from five companies and a trade union. The US and China have previously sparred over cyber-attacks. In Washington on Monday, Mr Holder said the hacking charges laid against the Chinese nationals were the first against “known state actors for infiltrating U.S. commercial targets by cyber means”. FBI officials said the hacking led to “significant losses” at the companies and that there were likely many more victims.

South Sudan Faces Imminent Famine

South Sudan’s president has warned that his country faces “one of worst famines ever” unless the current conflict is ended. Salva Kiir also accused his sacked deputy, Riek Machar, of stoking ethnic tension and violating a ceasefire. Kiir had recently postponed presidential elections due next year to give government and rebel forces more time to achieve reconciliation. Some one million people have fled their homes since fighting broke out. The unrest erupted last December after the president alleged that Machar was plotting a coup – allegations the ex-deputy denies. The United Nations has accused both sides of crimes against humanity, including mass killings and gang-rape, and threatened sanctions against those responsible.

Sudan Arrests ex-PM over Claims of Abuse

Sudanese opposition leader Sadiq al-Mahdi has been arrested in Khartoum, days after the public prosecutor accused him of blaming the authorities for violence in the troubled Darfur region, his office manager says. Al-Mahdi, a former prime minister in Sudan’s last elected civilian government, is the head of the Umma Party, the most prominent party opposing President Omar Hassan al-Bashir, who ousted him in 1989. Zaki had no further details about the arrest, which makes al-Mahdi one of the highest-profile figures to be detained in Sudan in recent memory. The National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) have the right to detain people for more than four months without judicial review. On Thursday al-Mahdi appeared before prosecutors for questioning after he reportedly accused a counter-insurgency unit of rape and other abuses of civilians in the war-torn Darfur region. Al-Mahdi was expected to engage in a national dialogue with Bashir’s government and other opposition leaders. Violence has escalated in the west of Darfur in recent months.

Laos Defence Minister’s Plane Crashes

A military plane carrying Laos Defence Minister Douangchay Phichit and other senior officials has crashed in the north of the country. It is thought the plane came down in the province of Xiangkhouang, nearly 500km (311 miles) from the capital Vientiane where its journey began. About 20 people, including the governor of Vientiane, are thought to have been on board. There are no confirmed reports on casualties. The officials are believed to have been travelling to an official ceremony in Xiangkhouang. The official Laos news agency KPL confirmed the crash, which it said involved an Antonov AN- 74TK-300 plane operated by the Laos air force. It said the cause of the accident was under investigation.

China Evacuates Workers after Vietnam Riots

The Chinese government has evacuated more than 3,000 of its nationals from Vietnam following a wave of anti-Chinese riots, Chinese media report. State-run Xinhua news agency says Beijing is arranging charter flights and ships to help more people to leave. At least two Chinese nationals have been killed and 100 injured in recent unrest in Vietnam over a Chinese oil rig drilling in disputed waters. On Saturday the Vietnamese government called for an end to the protests. Officials said “illegal acts” would be stopped as they could damage national stability. However, dissident groups have urged people to rally again in major cities on Sunday. In recent days crowds have set fire to at least 15 foreign-owned factories – including Chinese, Taiwanese and South Korean businesses – in several Vietnamese industrial parks.

18 Arrested over Turkey Mine Disaster

Police investigating the coal mine disaster in western Turkey have arrested 18 people, including mining company executives, Turkish media say. The rescue operation at the mine, in the town of Soma, ended on Saturday after the bodies of the last two workers were recovered. The final death toll is 301, making it Turkey’s worst mining disaster. Protests against the government and mining company have broken out since Tuesday’s disaster. Soma Holding insists it was not caused by negligence. Those arrested on Sunday included Ramazan Dogru, general manager of the mine, and its operations manager Akin Celik. Tuesday’s disaster occurred when an explosion sent carbon monoxide gas into the mine’s tunnels while 787 miners were underground. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been criticised for appearing insensitive in his reaction to the disaster. Site manager, Akin Celik, said that the mine had closed one emergency refuge when excavation work moved to a lower area. Miners were building, but had not finished, a new safety chamber at the lower level, he said.

Fighting Rages in Libya

Libyan security officials say fierce fighting is underway in the country’s east between army troops believed to be loyal to a general at the centre of recent coup rumours and two armed groups influential in the city of Benghazi. Officials disclosed that military aircraft and helicopters, apparently under the command of Major General Khalifa Haftar, had been flying over Benghazi since early on Friday. Haftar was a leading figure in the 2011 revolution against Muammar Gaddafi. On the ground, Haftar’s troops have attacked the bases of the two groups and are engaging in heavy clashes. Mohamed al-Hejazi, who said he was a spokesman for his self-declared Libyan National Army, said that Haftar’s troops had also shelled the bases.

Mali Deploys Troops to Retake Rebel Stronghold

Mali sent troops on Monday to retake the rebel stronghold of Kidal after Tuareg separatists seized local government offices, taking hostages and engaging the army in a fire fight in which dozens were killed. Eight soldiers and 28 insurgents died in fighting Saturday outside the regional governor’s offices while around 30 civil servants were being held hostage by the militants, the government said. A Malian army official said soldiers had been arriving since Saturday, while more were “on their way” from the city of Gao, a seven mile drive to the south-west, Anefis, a town between Gao and Kidal, and other locations. Prime Minister Moussa Mara, who was in Kidal over the weekend as part of a first visit to the restive north since his appointment, said that terrorists had “declared war on Mali”. The Malian government has blamed the clashes on Tuareg separatists but Mara said Islamist militants had taken advantage of the crisis “to participate in the chaos alongside other terrorist groups”.

Putin Orders End to Military Drills near Ukraine Border

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered an end to military exercises in regions bordering Ukraine, the Kremlin said, while also calling on Kiev to immediately withdraw troops from east Ukraine. “Due to the end of the planned spring training of troops that included their movement to Rostov, Belgorod, and Bryansk regions, the Russian president ordered troops participating in the drills to return to their permanent bases,” a statement sent to Russian news agencies said. Russia also called for an “immediate end” to the military operation by Ukrainian troops in the east of the country and their withdrawal, the statement said.

Ugandan Court Jails Nurse for Infecting Boy with HIV

A Ugandan court has sentenced a nurse to three years in prison for negligence over the potential infection of a two-year-old boy with HIV. Rosemary Namubiru, who is HIV-positive, was criminally negligent by using an intravenous needle, that she had accidentally pricked her finger with, on the child, the court ruled. The child was not infected and HIV/Aids activists condemned the trial. The case was keenly watched and some papers dubbed her the “killer nurse”. The boy’s father, Daniel Mushabe, welcomed the ruling, saying he hoped the case would spur President Yoweri Museveni to sign into law a bill which criminalises the transmission of HIV.

Thailand: Military Takes Over Government

Ousted Thai leader, Yingluck Shinawatra, has appeared at a military facility in Bangkok, a day after the army took power in a coup. Ms Yingluck is one of more than 100 political figures summoned by the army.  The army has banned 155 people, including some politicians, from leaving the country. On Thursday the military suspended the constitution, banned gatherings and detained politicians, saying order was needed after months of turmoil. It was not clear if she was still being detained, our correspondent says. Some pro-government MPs have now gone into hiding. The coup, which followed months of anti-government protests, has drawn widespread international criticism. It came two days after the army declared martial law.

Riot Officers Killed in Egypt

Three riot police officers trying to break up a student protest against Egypt’s military-backed government were killed in a drive-by shooting in Cairo on Tuesday as early results confirmed that the military’s former leader, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, was headed for a big victory in their presidential election. The riot police were dispersing a demonstration by hundreds of students of Al-Azhar University that began late Monday when someone in a passing vehicle opened fire, state media reported. Several other soldiers were injured. The shooting revived fears of violence around the presidential election, scheduled for Monday and Tuesday. During the two weeks of campaigning so far, unknown assailants have also attacked or set fire to at least three Sisi campaign offices, in the Nile Delta, Cairo, and Luxor, according to official media reports.

Sudan: Christian Woman Sentenced to Death over Refusal to Convert to Islam

An eight-month pregnant woman is being kept shackled to the wall of her cell as she awaits hanging, her husband has said after visiting her in prison. Meriam Ibrahim, 26, was sentenced to death in Sudan on Thursday for refusing to recant her Christianity and for marrying a Christian - Daniel Wani – a Sudanese man with US citizenship. The court found her guilty of apostasy – leaving Islam – even though Miss Ibrahim testified that she was never a Muslim, and was brought up as a Christian by her Ethiopia-born mother. The case was drawn to the authorities’ attention in August, when Ibrahim’s father’s family said that she had been born a Muslim and renounced Islam. Fatih Izz Al-Deen, Sudanese parliament speaker, said Ibrahim’s brother had denounced her. “I was never a Muslim,” she told the court. “I was raised a Christian from the start.” Her Muslim father, she said, left the family when she was a child. Miss Ibrahim’s husband, Wani, was in the United States at the time of the verdict. Ibrahim’s sentence will not be carried out until after their baby is born. But in prison with her is the couple’s 20-month-old child, Martin. Britain has described the sentence as “barbaric”.

Dozens Killed in China Blasts

A series of explosions struck a market Thursday in the capital of the volatile western Chinese region of Xinjiang, killing 31 people and wounding more than 90 others, state media reported. China’s Ministry of Public Security said the attack was “a serious violent terrorist incident” and vowed to crack down on its perpetrators. Two SUVs ploughed into people gathered at the open market in Urumqi at 7:50am, and explosives were thrown out of the vehicles, China’s official news agency Xinhua said. One of the SUVs then exploded, according to Xinhua, which cited a witness in the market who said he heard a dozen big bangs. Images circulating on social media showed flames and smoke billowing out from the end of a tree-lined street guarded by police officers. The attack at the market comes less than a month after an explosion hit a train station in Urumqi, killing three people and wounding 79 others.