Villeworth Security Services Ltd

week 37

PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

Gunmen Kill Magistrate in Enugu

Tragedy struck in Enugu State following the gruesome murder of a Chief Magistrate, O J Nwani, by unidentified gunmen on Tuesday evening. It was further gathered that the magistrate, who is serving in Enugu South Area of the state Magisterial Division was reportedly called by his assailant and immediately he came out, he was shot severally in his head and chest. He was however, rushed to an undisclosed hospital, where he was confirmed dead. Meanwhile, the Enugu State Police Command has confirmed the unfortunate incident, saying it had commenced full investigations into the assassination. The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ebere Amaraizu, said the command had not made any arrest, but that efforts were on to track down the killers.

Police Recover N10m Worth of Stolen Goods

Ebonyi State Police Command has recovered a stolen truck load of goods worth over N10 million in the popular Abakpa main Market in Abakaliki, the state capital. The command’s spokesman, Chris Anyanwu, said the goods, Peak Milk, were stolen in Onitsha in Anambra by a five-man gang led by its mastermind, one Ikechukwu Joseph. Ikechukwu, 21, a wheel barrow pusher, who hails from Ezza North in Ebonyi state, was said to be an expert in the business. Other members of the gang include Ayo Adebowale, 21 from Ogun state; Ogwuta Ikechukwu, 21 from Ebonyi and Iruka Lazarus, 35 from Ebonyi state; Anyanwu explained that it was when the owner of the goods, Amaobi Nwachukwu, business merchant, had finished loading trucks of Peak milk and was about dispatching the trucks to the various business contacts that Ikechukwu quickly contacted one of his syndicates, one Saidu Ibrahim, who deplored the security gadgets in the car and drove it. The Police Image maker stressed that the suspects would soon be arraigned in court.

Ex-Militants Call for Extension Amnesty Beyond 2015

Former Niger Delta agitators under Third Phase Amnesty have called for the continuation of Presidential Amnesty Programme beyond 2015. They said the programme must not be discontinued until critical areas identified by the Niger Delta Technical Report were addressed. The Leader of Third Phase Amnesty, Ramsey Mukoro, said this in Yenagoa on Monday. He also appealed to the Federal Government to integrate the militants that were denied in the programme. He said, “The Federal Government should ensure that those denied are enlisted into the programme because it will bring about lasting peace and contribute meaningfully to the development of the region. Commending the Federal Government on what had been achieved so far, he said more emphasis should be placed on community development and remediation of the environment.

Tanker Crushes Two Army Officers to Death

A tanker carrying diesel crushed two army officers at the Leru junction, Umunneochi council of Abia State on the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway on Thursday. The deceased solders were at a road block when the tragedy occurred. The driver of the tanker was said to have also lost his life in the auto crash as the tanker reportedly caught fire when the accident occurred. According to an eye witness account, the tanker driver lost control and the vehicle started hitting the drums used as barricade on the road and eventually plunged into the median of the highway. The tanker was said to have burst into flames immediately burning to ashes the patrol van of the soldiers and another vehicle parked within the vicinity. The Abia State Governor, Theodore Orji, has commiserated with the Nigerian Army over the incident, describing their death as most painful. Orji regretted the unfortunate incident and prayed that it does not repeat.

Herbalist, 2 Others Nabbed for Kidnapping in Anambra

The Anambra State Department of Security Service (DSS), on Wednesday, arrested three suspects in connection with the kidnap of one Charles Onyido in Oyi LGA of the state. The suspects were apprehended in their hideout on Tuesday, while a pump action rifle, along with 25 live rounds of cartridges used for the kidnap were recovered. It was gathered that the suspects kidnapped an Onitsha-based legal practitioner, Ejike Efobi, at Nkpor, in Idemili North LGA of the state on June 5. The state director of DSS, Alex Okeiyi, disclosed this while parading the suspects. According to him, the suspects had demanded a ransom of N100 million from the victim’s family before he could be released. The suspects were 68-year-old Ajana Onyibor from Igbakwu, Ayamelum council area, whose shrine was opposite the room, where the victim was kept for three days before his rescue. The herbalist was believed to be providing spiritual protection for members of the gang and he was said to have been arrested through the help of Oyi vigilance group and Nteje police in Oyi council area. Others were the ring leader, 25-year-old Chukwuebuka Okafor and 24-year-old Ernest Elem.

Police Raid MASSOB Base in Imo

The Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) headquarters in Okwe, Onuimo Local Government Area of Imo State was raided last weekend by officials of the Imo State Police Command but no arrest was made even as police came to disarm the men of the group. Meanwhile, a factional officer of the movement and National Administrative Secretary of the movement, Ugwuoke Ibem Ugwuoke, accused the command of compromising with the leader, Chief Ralph Uwazurike, urging that the MASSOB embattled leader should be made to report to the police station in Owerri. The Commissioner of Police, Abdulmajid Ali, who confirmed the raid, noted that the activities of the group were disturbing, expressing the determination of the command to ensure the embattled leader of the movement, Uwazurike, answered the invitation of the police in Owerri, to explain how four persons suspected to be members of the movement allegedly died in his premises in August 20. Ali also said no arms were recovered from the raided MASSOB base, contrary to the information the command had received.

Flood Wreaks Havoc in Owerri

Property worth millions of Naira have been destroyed at Mbonu Ojike Street, Owerri, as a huge flood occasioned by several days of torrential rain in the capital city, submerged houses. Narrating their sordid experience at the scene of the incident, Chairman of the neighbourhood association, Mrs. Christy Morah, lamented that most families were still trapped in their respective homes. According to the neighbourhood association Chairman, they had previously hired earth moving machines to help make the place accessible, adding that many a time, they stay in houses for days to allow the flood recede before coming out.

NDLEA Seizes 700kg of Indian Hemp

Anambra State Command of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has seized over 700 kilogramme of Indian Hemp within the first and second quarters of this year. The Assistant State Commander of the agency in charge of operations and intelligence, Inalagwu Ameh, displayed some of the seized cannabis sativa, heroine and other drugs. He stressed that the operatives of NDLEA had remained alert to check various methods devised by criminals which were the tricks of using water drums, cans, cartons and bags in conveying the illicit drugs. Ameh, commended Anambra State government for its support and encouragement and assured that the agency would sustain efforts to achieve government vision, adding that some of the suspects had been convicted.

FRSC Impounds 258 Vehicles, Convicts 101 Defaulters in Anambra

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), on Monday, said it impounded 258 vehicles and convicted 101 traffic offenders along the Benin-Asaba-Onitsha Bridge-Head road axis during its special operation last week. Assistant Corps Marshal in charge of Edo, Delta and Anambra states, Nseobong Akpabio, gave the figures while speaking at the end of Operation Shield IV special patrol in the area. Akpabio said that the traffic offenders were convicted by FRSC mobile court for offences that included overloading, reckless driving, lane violation, non-usage of seatbelt, excessive passengers, emission of excessive carbon-monoxide, among others. He said that in line with the FRSC strategic goal to reduce road traffic crashes by 15 per cent and fatality by 25 per cent by the end of 2014, the commission put in place Operation Shield IV with specific focus to tackle the causal factors.

Five Die after Consuming Meat of Poisoned Dog

Five persons, a man, two of his children and two neighbours were confirmed dead on Friday in northern Cross River State after eating the meat of a poisoned dog. According to reports, the dog was fond of eating the eggs laid by native chicken in the village and several complaints by the poultry owners were not attended to by the dog owner, forcing one of the villagers to lace the eggs laid by his chicken with gamalin 20 insecticide. The dog ate the eggs and fell ill and when it was about to die the owner quickly killed and prepared it into a delicacy which he, his family consumed and some neighbours consumed, leading to their death.

27 Traffic Offenders Arraigned In A/Ibom

Worried by incessant road accidents and the attendant loss of human lives, the Akwa Ibom State command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has dragged 27 persons before a mobile court in Uyo for various traffic offences. The Public Relations Officer of the command, Godsgift Owen, said the offenders were put on trial for offences such as use of cell phone while driving, failure to wear seat belt, invalid driver’s license, worn out tyres, absence of number plates, speed limit violation, dangerous driving, among others. The FRSC image maker added that some of the offenders that pleaded guilty to their charges were made to pay fines in order to regain their freedom while one of them was discharged and acquitted. He explained that the essence of the trial of the offenders was to instill punitive measures against any culpable motorist to serve as deterrent to others. Uwem noted that most of the offenders were warned severally on the need to obey traffic laws.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

32 Suspected Cultists Arrested in Delta State

The police detectives in Umunede, Delta State, have arrested 32 suspected cultists alleged to be students of the state owned College of Education after a tip-off. The suspects were reportedly arrested at the initiation hideout ground in Agbor town where they allegedly shot a farmer who stumbled on them and shouted for help to the police. The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Celestina Kalu, confirmed that the suspects were arrested on Monday night in their operational hideout while they were perfecting plans for initiation of fresh members. Kalu disclosed that the suspects upon interrogation, confessed to the crime, adding that they will be charged to court on completion of investigation.

Pastor in Police Net for Murder

The police detectives in Asaba, Delta State, have arrested one Pastor Jossy for alleged murder. It was gathered that the pastor, who presides over one of the popular Pentecostal churches in Asaba, had allegedly been sleeping with female members of his church. He was also accused of defrauding the church to the tune of N700,000.00 before his arrest. Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Celestina Kalu, said the suspect was arrested right inside the church last Sunday before the congregation by police detectives after he attempted to escape. She said that the suspect, upon interrogation, confessed to many atrocities. Kalu said that the suspect, through his fake deliverance, had destroyed many women’s womb.

Man Kills Father over Stick of Cigarette, Arrested in Edo State

The Edo State police command, on Monday, arrested a 22-year-old man, Bestman Momodu, who allegedly killed his father over a stick of cigarette. Momodu was among the 68 suspects paraded by the state police command for their alleged involvement in various crimes ranging from armed robbery, kidnapping, murder, illegal possession of firearms, rape, cultism, defilement, unlawful possession of fake product to obtaining money under false pretense and impersonation. Parading the suspects, the state Commissioner of Police, Foluso Adebanjo, said Momodu reportedly killed his father, Zuberu Momodu on August 16, 2014. He explained that investigation revealed that the young Momodu stabbed his father with a knife following an argument over a missing one stick of cigarette in the house Adebanjo said items recovered from some of the suspects include 17 assorted guns, 48 live cartridges, three cars, one Lifan motorcycle, one battle axe and one cutlass.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

Assassins Kill UNILAG Security Chief

Suspected assassins have killed the Head of Operations, Security Unit, University of Lagos, Sunday Adejumo. The 50-year-old was shot dead at a beer parlour on Oyenuga Street in the Akoka area of Lagos on Friday evening. It was learnt that Adejumo on the fateful night was in the joint with three of his friends when some strange faces stormed the pub. They were said to have headed straight for their target where he sat and hit him in the chest, before firing shots at him. The gunshots were said to have caused confusion in the area. The deceased died some minutes later because he could not get help on time. The Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, Lelma Kolle, confirmed the incident.

Customs Intercepts 22 Smuggled Vehicles

A daring attempt by trigger-happy smugglers to take advantage of slow activities of security operatives last weekend to move 22 brand new vehicles into Lagos State, has been frustrated by operatives of the Federal Operations Unit, FOU, Zone ‘A’, Nigeria Customs Service, NCS. The seizure of the vehicles in one fell swoop after a gun battle with the suspected smugglers, it was learnt, followed the renewed determination of the Unit’s new Comptroller, Usman Adamu Turaki, to make business difficult for smugglers and their activities. The 22 brand new vehicles, which were reportedly intercepted by the Unit around 11:45am at Ikoyi/Victoria Island axis of Lagos, comprise 19 Toyota Hilux pickup trucks, two Isuzu-DMAX jeeps and one Toyota Land Cruiser GRX 2014 model. The vehicles were valued at N186, 474,128.00.

Police Nab Leader of Ondo Robbery Gang

Detectives in Ondo State, last weekend, arrested the leader of a five-member robbery gang who robbed a filling station in Akure. It was gathered that the leader of the gang, Abraham Haruna, was arrested following a distress call to the Oba Ile Police station. On the receipt of the information, the Policemen mobilised to the scene and on sighting the policemen, the suspects fled into nearby bush. Police source said they were given a hot chase and following a thorough search, the leader of the gang was arrested. In another development, two suspected motorcycle thieves, Monday Gabriel and Segun Olawale, of 15, Damusegun Street, Ijebu Igbo, Ogun State have been arrested in Igbara Oke area of the state by a patrol team. The Police image maker, Wole Ogodo, confirmed the arrest of the robbery suspect. He disclosed that efforts were on to track down the fleeing suspects.

Woman, 39, Arraigned in Court for Kidnapping Neighbour’s Son

A 39-year-old woman, Rosemary Chinagoro-Chukwu, who claimed that she was sent by her church pastor to kidnap her neighbour’s six-year-old son in Ikorodu, was on Monday, arraigned before an Ebute-Metta magistrate’s court for alleged kidnap. The defendant is facing a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, kidnapping, unlawful abduction and intent to kill preferred against her by the police. The police prosecutor, Etim Nkankum, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on June 25, 2014. She was arrested after her landlord raised alarm when he discovered she was carrying a human being on her head inside a box. He also claimed that the defendant confessed after she was apprehended that it was her pastor, whose church was also located around Majidun area of Ikorodu that sent her to carry out the act. The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges against her.

Police Nab 11 Fraudsters in Ogun

Eleven persons suspected to be fraudsters have been arrested by the men of the Ogun State Command in Ewekoro LGA of Ogun State. The suspects have allegedly been into the fraudulent act of duping innocent victims, since 2004. The state Police Commissioner, Ikemefuna Okoye, led a team of detectives to the scene of the crime, where items such as effigy, coffin and other spiritual things were found. Okoye said several victims have lodged complaints over the activities of the group, which made the command to take a step of action by investigating the matter. The leader of the group, who identified himself as Akoje Abiola stated that he is an herbalist and that he established the shrine to solve spiritual problems. The CP explained said that the suspects usually hypnotise their victims before defrauding them, adding that they would soon be arraigned before a court of law.

NDLEA Destroys 50 Hectares of Cannabis Plantation

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has read a riot act to officials of the Ondo State Ministry of Natural Resources, particularly forest guards who allegedly connive with cannabis cultivators in government forest reserves, warning that the agency would prosecute anyone caught aiding illegal farming. The Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade, issued the warning sequel to the revelation by two suspects, Charles Osanebe and Godwin Azonobi, who were arrested for cannabis cultivation within Ipele Forest Reserve in Owo Local Government area of the state. The suspects alleged that it is forest guards that usually give them land to cultivate cannabis after they must have given them huge sum of money. Giade spoke during the destruction of seven cannabis plantations measuring about 50 hectares of land within the forest; in an operation that lasted for almost 12 hours non-stop.

British High Commission Confirms Death of Envoy at Lagos Airport

The British High Commission has confirmed the death of its Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Peter Leslie Carter, who died on Tuesday from a possible heart attack on arrival at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos. In a statement by Rob Fitzpatrick, Head of Press and Public Affairs Section, British High Commission, Abuja, it said it was saddened by the sudden death of Carter who joined the HM Diplomatic Service in 1984 and was an experienced career diplomat. Carter had previously served as Consul General in Milan and then as the British Ambassador to Estonia before becoming Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos in 2013 where he made an exceptional contribution to the UK’s relationship with Nigeria.

Brothers Docked for Shooting Policeman in Lagos

Six brothers were on Thursday charged before an Ebute-Metta Chief Magistrate’s Court for allegedly shooting a police officer. The defendants were said to have on July 26 at about 1pm, at Elemoro, Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos State, shot the police officer. The prosecutor, George Nwosu, told the court that the defendants conspired among themselves to shoot one Assistant Superintendent of Police, ASP Alli Thomas, with a gun and inflicted grievous bodily harm on the police officer with machetes. Counsel to the defendants, Spurgeon Ataene, urged the court to grant them bail in the most liberal term. However, the prosecutor did not oppose the bail application but told the court that the victim has been admitted in hospital.

GENERAL

NIA Tasks Security Operatives on Inter-Agency Collaboration

The Director-General of National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ambassador Ayo Oke, has charged security agencies to be more committed to mutual relationships and collaboration in achieving peace and tranquility in the country. Oke made the call last weekend during the monthly meeting of the Forum of the Spokespersons of Security and Response Agencies (FOSSRA) in Abuja. He noted that attaining the objectives would also ensure that conflicts arising from the performance of their jobs are resolved amicably in the interest of Nigerians. The NIA boss who was represented by Ambassador Emmanuel Okafor, said collaboration was a mutually beneficial and well defined relationship meant to achieve common goals. Earlier, the Chairman of FOSSRA and Director of Defence Information (DDI), Maj-Gen Chris Olukolade, said since the inception of the forum, FOSSRA had actively engaged the media on the need to be objective and fair in their reportage. Olukolade said the forum had also ensured that agencies speak with one voice on security issues.

Military Moves to Reclaim Territories

The Nigerian security forces have reclaimed Gamboru-Ngala, a strategic town on the border between Nigeria and Cameroon. The town in Borno State, which has witnessed fierce fighting for the past one week, was cleared of terrorist threat on Thursday. It was gathered that the planned counter-offensive by the military in Gwoza is more complicated with soldiers said to be regrouping, reinforcing and re-strategising to take back the enclave, which Boko Haram has turned into an operational headquarters of their self-declared Islamic Caliphate. The Director of Defence Information (DDI), Maj-Gen. Chris Olukolade, said that even though the troops have made substantive gain, they will not be speaking on the matter for strategic and operational reasons.

4,511 Drug Suspects Arrested in Six Months

The Chairman, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Ahmadu Giade, said on Sunday that the agency arrested a total of 4,511 suspected drug traffickers and 47,422.678 kilogrammes of narcotic drugs between January and June 2014. This is contained in a statement by the agency’s spokesman, Mitchell Ofoyeju, which was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos. He said the drugs consisted of 45,875kg of cannabis; 34.79kg of cocaine; 43.953kg of heroin; 22.07kg of methamphetamine and 1,446.865kg of psychotropic substances. On the deadly Ebola virus in the country, the Chairman said the agency had put in place measures to medically examine suspected drug traffickers, before taking them into custody. Giade said suspected drug traffickers, including persons who tested positive for the Ebola virus, would not go unpunished.

Seven Killed in Renewed Taraba Communal Clash

Seven people were killed in a renewed clash that broke out in the early hours of Tuesday in Wukari LGA of Taraba state as warring groups engaged in gun duel. The clash erupted at about 5am when some armed men forced themselves through an army checkpoint and drove towards the palace of Aku Uka, the paramount ruler of Wukari and started shooting sporadically before they were eventually repelled by the youths of the town. The National President of the Jukun Youths and Cultural Association, Zando Hoku, disclosed that seven of the gunmen, who looked more like insurgents from outside Nigeria, were killed. Hoku, who raised the suspicion that the palace of the Aku Uka was the target of the insurgents, further told journalists 37 of the Jukun youths that repelled the attack were wounded by the soldiers drafted to the area to sustain peace.

110 Killed in Taraba, Nasarawa Attacks

No fewer than 110 people lost their lives on Tuesday to fresh crises in Nasarawa and Taraba states. Sixty   were killed in Agbolagu, Kampani and Fadama-Bona Eggon   in Nasarawa-Eggon Local Government Area of Nasarawa State by suspected Fulani cattle rustlers. The remaining 50 died in the hands of gunmen   in Wukari, Wukari LGA of Taraba state. Houses and property worth millions of naira were also torched by the cattle breeders during their   attacks on the three Nasarawa communities. It was learnt that the attacks happened while the security summit summoned by Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura to discuss the way out of crisis between the Eggon, Fulani herdsmen and Alago people was ongoing at the Government House in Lafia. It was also gathered that those caught up in the crossfire were mostly the aged and little children. Some were said to have escaped with bullet wounds. The National President of Eggon Cultural and Development Association,   Christopher Mamman, confirmed the casualty figure. The President of the Youths of Vision Wukari, Mr. Tsa-asen Agbu, who said they rose up in response to the attack, lamented that in the ensuing pandemonium, many were shot dead by the attackers.

Grandmother, 2 Others Slaughter, Eat Grandson

A 55-year-old grandmother, Fatima Saraka Mohammed, has been accused of conspiring with two others to slaughter her nine-year-old grandson, eat the flesh and drink the blood to satisfy the members of her witchcraft cult. The woman from Doso Village in Lavun LGA of Niger State is now with the men of the Anti-Homicide Squad at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Niger State Police Command. It was gathered that Fatima Saraka Mohammed allegedly abducted her grandson, Mohammed Doko Mohammed for several days before slaughtering him. It was learnt that Fatima was aided in slaughtering her grandson by Zhitsu Aliyu, a 38-year-old man and 65-year-old Amina Wusa Mohammed who are now in the custody of the men of the SCID as her conspirators in the crime. The trio has reportedly confessed to committing the crime and that after killing the boy, they collectively shared his flesh among them and drank his blood. The Police Public Relations Officer, Ibrahim Abiodun Gambari, confirmed the incident.

Cameroonian Military Kills 40 Boko Haram Fighters

Cameroon’s army claimed, on Tuesday, to have killed more than 40 Boko Haram fighters who tried to storm a strategic border crossing from Nigeria. There was no independent confirmation of the battle. Gamboru Ngala, the Nigerian town on the other side of the bridge, fell to the Islamist extremists last week after they reportedly overran the Nigerian garrison there. For several days people living in towns and villages in northeast Nigeria recently captured by Boko Haram have been fleeing towards Cameroon to escape the militants. The extremists, who have waged a bloody insurgency for five years in northern Nigeria, seem to have changed tactics in recent months, going from spectacular kidnappings, massacres and suicide attacks to attempting to conquer territory.

Fake Priest, 2 Others Arrested for Alleged Fraud

A 35-year-old man of Katsina Ala of Benue State, Jimmy James, who paraded himself as Reverend Father Mathew, was arrested by Bauchi State police command for defrauding a man of N60,000. Matthew was arrested alongside his 34-year-old colleague, Emmanuel Asemave after they masqueraded themselves as fortune-tellers and defrauded people. Luck ran out of them when they defrauded one Joel Sumi of Tafawa Balewa LGA of N60,000 along the Bank Road. The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Haruna Mohammed, said immediately Sumi complained to the GRA Police Division and the impersonators were arrested by the men of the command.

Boko Haram: 59 Terrorists Killed in Bama

The attempt by Boko Haram to expand its Islamic Caliphate in North-east Nigeria by overrunning another major Borno town, Bama, was met with stiff resistance on Monday from the Nigerian military, leading to the death of 59 members of the sect. The terrorist group, which slightly over a week ago declared a caliphate in Gwoza, attacked Bama, one of the largest towns in Borno, with a distance of 78 kilometres away from Maiduguri, but met resistance from the Nigerian soldiers. The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) confirmed the clash, saying that Nigerian troops had repelled an attempt by Boko Haram terrorists to gain more territory in Borno State, with scores killed in the process.

Boko Haram: Thousands Flee to Cameroon as Battle Rages

Following sustained Boko Haram attacks in the North-Eastern part of the country, thousands of Nigerians have been forced to flee their homes, swamping towns in the north of neighbouring Cameroon, authorities said yesterday. This came as Boko Haram terrorists, for three days, laid siege to Gamboru town, forcefully conscripting youths to fight both the Nigerian and Cameroonian troops. They were said to have killed those who resisted them. After the three-day attack, 29 persons were killed, while 215 of the youths, who fled to Cameroon to escape the forceful conscription, have recounted their ordeals in the hands of the insurgents. The number of internally displaced people in Nigeria and those who have crossed its borders into Cameroon, Niger and Chad because of the militant violence has been increasing. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said 11,442 men, women and children from Gwoza in Borno state had been registered at two facilities for displaced people in neighbouring Adamawa state.

NAFDAC Raids Seizes Fake Food Products in Katsina Market

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), on Monday, raided the New Central Market and the old market in Katsina metropolis. NAFDAC spokesman, Anslem Okonkwor, said the raid was an ongoing nationwide mop up action to sanitise Nigerian markets and rid them of banned and illegally imported regulated products. Speaking on the operation, Assistant Director (Enforcement) and leader of the team, Mr. Bitrus Fraden, explained that NAFDAC was only carrying out its routine responsibility to measure the level of compliance with its guidelines against importation, stocking and sale of banned food products. He said the agency had earlier mounted surveillance on the markets which revealed that a lot of the products in the markets came into the country illegally and posed health risk to the citizens. Fraden urged traders in the country to buy only genuine products from manufacturers or distributors to avoid unpleasant consequences.

Police Arrest Student for Raping Minor

The police in Bauchi, last Saturday, arrested a 33-year-old student of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, (ATBU), Bauchi, Habibu Abdullahi, for allegedly having unlawful canal knowledge of a six-year-old girl. Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Haruna Mohammed, disclosed that the suspect took advantage of having access to the victim’s house, being her former school teacher. He confessed to having illicit affair with the victim for the second time, the first being after Eid-il-Fitir holidays in July, 2014. The police spokesman stated that the suspect would soon be arraigned in court as soon as the police completed their investigation into the matter.

Wukari: Death Toll Hits 24, Jukun Women Demand Withdrawal of Soldiers

The death toll in the renewed clash that broke out in Wukari on Tuesday has risen to 24 as the warring factions continue to engage each other in gun duel despite efforts by security agents to bring the situation under control. Besides, Jukun women yesterday staged a peaceful protest round the streets of Wukari to demand the withdrawal of troops from the ancient town on the grounds that the soldiers deployed to the town are taking sides in the crisis by killing their men. The women, who marched in their thousands to the palace of the Aku Uka, the paramount ruler of the town and the police area command where they were addressed by the Area Commander, said it had become very obvious that the soldiers were taking sides in the crisis. Confirming the escalation of violence, police spokesman, Joseph Kwaji, said the protest by the women was conducted peacefully and were advised by the area commander to remain peaceful in their conduct and contribute to finding a lasting solution to the crisis.

15 Killed, Houses Torched in Nasarawa

Again, some Fulani mercenaries, on Wednesday morning, besieged another Eggon settlement in Lafia East Development Area of Nasarawa State and killed 15 people. Eyewitnesses told the Nigerian Tribune in Lafia, the state capital, that the Fulani mercenaries, who invaded Gidan-Mai-Akuya rural community around 10.00 a.m., started shooting at sight and set many houses ablaze. It was gathered further that the whole community had been deserted, as villagers are now taking refuge at public schools and with relatives in the state capital. Immediate response of the security operatives prevented the assailants in wreaking more havoc on the villagers.

Immigration Intercepts 9 Trafficking Victims in Jigawa

Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Jigawa State Command, Wednesday intercepted nine people suspected to be victims of trafficking at Sharuwa Yarkirya village of Babura LGA of the state. Parading the victims, the state controller general of the NIS, Isa Jere, said the suspected victims were arrested while attempting to cross the border on their way to Zandar in Niger Republic. He explained that those intercepted include seven females and two males while two others escape including the driver of the bus that conveyed them.  Jere, however, revealed that none of the suspected victims carried required traveling document that can permit them to enter another sister ECOWAS country. He added that after concluding the investigation, they would hand over the victims to NAPTIP zonal headquarter in Kano State for counselling and other appropriate action. The commandant noted that in the last two months, they have succeeded in intercepting over 30 victims of human trafficking who are transported from Nigeria to Niger and Libya for final transportation to Europe where they would be engaged in various forms of exploitation.

INTERNATIONAL

Libyan Militia Storm US Embassy in Tripoli

The United States embassy compound in the Libyan capital Tripoli has been raided by militiamen, but no Americans were present as the embassy was evacuated more than a month ago. The attack on Sunday comes as fighting between rival militias rages in Tripoli and Benghazi, the second city in the east. Even though the US suspended its mission in Tripoli for the second time in three years in July, the US Secretary of State John Kerry had said that the embassy was not closed, and its staff had been evacuated to neighbouring Tunisia. The US ambassador to Libya said the embassy was being safeguarded and had not been ransacked. Deborah Jones said on Twitter that there was no indication the complex, which has been mothballed since staff were evacuated, had been damaged.

11 Die as Islamists Attack Somalia Intelligence Site

Islamist rebels blew up a car bomb and gunmen attacked a national intelligence site in Somalia’s capital where suspected militants are held, in an assault on Sunday that left 11 people dead, government officials and the rebel group said. Three soldiers and one civilian were killed along with seven militants, including the suicide bomber who detonated the vehicle packed with explosives, Security Ministry spokesman Mohamed Yusuf told reporters at the site. After the initial blast, gunmen stormed the compound but did not reach the underground cells where suspected militants were being detained, Yusuf said. One intelligence officer, disclosed that the gunmen had entered one building, forcing security personnel to fight room-to-room to clear them out. Sheikh Abdiasis Abu Musab, al Shabaab’s spokesman for military operations, disclosed that the group was behind the attack, the latest in a series of raids in Mogadishu in recent months, including a July assault on the presidential compound. Several centres have been retaken, but al Shabaab remains in control of some towns and swathes of countryside.

Six Soldiers Die in Suspected Al-Qaeda Bombings

At least six Yemeni soldiers were killed in two separate suicide bombings by suspected al Qaeda militants in southern Yemen on Sunday, local officials said. The Yemeni army launched a major campaign earlier this year to flush out militants of al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula from their strongholds in southern Yemen, but militants have still been attacking state and military targets, Reuters reports. An official said a suicide car bomber blew himself up at a military checkpoint in Gol al-Rayda district in Shabwa province, killing three soldiers. Another local official said another suicide car bomber attacked a military checkpoint in Azzan, also in Shabwa province, killing a further three soldiers. Some militants also died, he said. On Saturday, security forces killed five militants who tried to take over a police station in the eastern province of Hadramout, state news agency Saba said. AQAP has become more active in Hadramout since being driven out of their power bases in the southern provinces of Shabwa and Abyan by U.S.-backed military offensives.

Trapped Peacekeepers Rescued in Syria’s Golan Heights

Thirty-two Philippine peacekeepers trapped by rebels in the Syrian Golan Heights have been rescued, the UN says. A UN spokesperson said the “situation on the ground is calm but tense”, with. Another group of 40 peacekeepers escaped a seven-hour siege by rebels after returning fire in self-defense, said the head of the Philippines army. The rebels – said to be from the al-Qaeda-linked Nusra Front – have taken 44 Fijian peacekeepers captive. They have also seized a crossing point into the Israeli-occupied Golan. “Everyone is in a safe position. The Fijian members of the UN Disengagement Observer Force were detained on Wednesday near Quneitra, during fighting between rebels and government forces. An online statement posted by the Nusra Front said the Fijians “are in a safe place, and they are in good health, and that we have given them what they need of food and treatment”.

Protesters Clash with Police in Islamabad

Pakistan police have fired tear gas at anti-government protesters marching on the official Islamabad residence of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. The city’s two main hospitals have told BBC 264 people have been injured, including at least 26 policemen. Demonstrators loyal to opposition politician Imran Khan and cleric Tahirul Qadri have been taking part in a sit-in for two weeks. They want Mr Sharif to resign, alleging corruption and electoral fraud. Islamabad Police Chief, Khalid Khattak, disclosed that close to 100 protesters had been arrested at the scene. Most of them were reportedly armed with axes, hammers and cutters. Pakistan’s powerful army chief, Gen Raheel Sharif, stepped in to mediate amid an ongoing deadlock. Imran Khan ended talks with the government last week.

Iraqi Forces Break Two-Month Siege on Amerli by IS

Iraqi security forces backed by Shi'ite militias on Sunday broke the two-month siege of Amerli by Islamic State militants and entered the northern town, officials said. The mayor of Amerli and army officers said troops backed by militias defeated fighters from the Islamic State (IS) to the east of the town. Fighting continued to the north of Amerli in several villages. "Security forces and militia fighters are inside Amerli now after breaking the siege and that will definitely relieve the suffering of residents," said Adel al-Bayati, mayor of Amerli. It was hailed as a huge strategic victory for the Iraqi security forces and the militia fighters who joined them after a summer that saw the Islamic State lead other Sunni armed groups in seizing almost one-third of the country's territory.  "Amerli's battle is a golden victory registered by the Iraqi security forces that are still fighting the terrorist groups in north and south areas of Amerli," said military spokesman Qassim al-Attta. While Kurdish fighters, backed by US air strikes, had beat back the Islamic State after losing terrain in August, the collection of Shi'ite security forces and militias had yet to score a significant military win. The advance of the Iraqi forces in Amerli comes after the U.S. military carried out air strikes overnight on IS militant positions near the town and airdropped humanitarian supplies to the trapped residents there.

US Strikes al-Shabab Militants in Somalia

The US has carried out a military operation against al-Shabab militants in Somalia, officials say. The Pentagon is assessing the results of Monday’s operation before releasing details, a spokesman said. However a US official quoted by the American media said “a senior al-Shabaab operative” had been targeted. The al-Qaeda-linked group lost control of Mogadishu to an African Union force in 2011 but still hold many southern and central areas. The US operation comes after al-Shabab rebels attacked a detention centre in Mogadishu on Sunday, in an apparent effort to free other militants detained there. Somali officials said all of the attackers, as well as three government soldiers and two civilians, were killed. The Pentagon and the US state department have supported the 22,000-member AU force that drove al-Shabab from their former strongholds in the capital and other urban centres.

Egyptian Policemen Killed in Sinai Bomb Attack

At least eight policemen have been killed in a bomb attack on a convoy in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, officials say. The bomb was reportedly detonated remotely as they travelled through the village of Wefaq, near the Gaza border. Security forces have been carrying out an offensive in northern Sinai, killing and capturing dozens of suspected members of jihadist militant groups. They have stepped up their attacks on soldiers and police since the overthrow of President Mohammed Morsi last year.

Bosnia Arrests 15 Suspected Jihadists

Bosnian police arrested 15 people Wednesday on charges of joining or aiding the flow of European-based Islamists to the wars in Syria and Iraq. "Fifteen people were arrested" in an operation across the capital Sarajevo and several other Bosnian towns, Kristina Jozic, a spokeswoman for the state police agency SIPA, said. Bosnia passed a law in April imposing up to 10 years prison on convicted Islamist radicals and their recruiters. About 150 Bosnian citizens area feared to have joined Islamist groups fighting in Iraq and Syria and that 20 have been killed there. Bosnia's Muslims, who make up 40 percent of the country's 3.8 million inhabitants, mostly practise a moderate form of Islam. However, during the 1992-1995 war between Croats, Muslims and Serbs, a large number of jihadist volunteers came to Bosnia, often staying on in the country.

Jihadists Kidnap Dozens in Iraqi Village

Jihadists kidnapped dozens of residents of a northern Iraq village on Thursday after villagers burned one of their positions along with a jihadist flag, police and witnesses said. The militants of the Islamic State (IS) group had withdrawn from Tal Ali in Kirkuk province on Wednesday, but returned in force on Thursday and abducted some 50 people. It is not the first time IS has carried out mass kidnappings in Iraq, with the group abducting thousands of civilians as it overran minority-populated northern villages last month, according to human rights group Amnesty International. Amnesty has accused IS of “systematic ethnic cleansing,” including mass killings, of ethnic and religious minorities in Iraq. Iraqi security forces, now bolstered by thousands of Shiite militiamen as well as Kurdish fighters, have clawed back some ground northeast of Baghdad.