Villeworth Security Services Ltd

week 40

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PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

Armed Youths Invade Rivers Community, Behead One

Armed men, numbering up to 50, invaded a community in Ogoni area of Rivers State leaving a youth beheaded. The invasion occurred in Taaba community in Khana LGA of the state. The youths also raided the residence of the paramount ruler of the area, destroying properties. The Deputy Speaker of the Rivers House of Assembly, Leyii Kwanee, who is a native of Taaba, said the gunmen invaded the community last Thursday and launched the attack on the community. He blamed the attack on desperate politicians, whom he said were seeking power by all means ahead of the 2015 general election. He said the remains of the youth that was killed had been deposited in a mortuary, promising to ensure that peace returned to Taaba community immediately. The Deputy Speaker also confirmed that the palace of the paramount ruler of Taaba was destroyed during the attack while residents have deserted the community, seeking refuge in other communities.

10 Houses Razed, Scores Injured In Enugu Community Clash

No fewer than 10 houses were burnt, while unspecified number of people seriously injured at Ette in Igbo-Eze North LGA of Enugu State, following disagreement by rival groups. They were said to be agitating over whether to remain as part of the Enugu State or be merged with Kogi State. However, soldiers from the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army have been deployed to the area to contain the situation. It was gathered that the latest violence erupted when those who wanted to be merged with Kogi State attacked a youth leader opposing their move, after burning down his house. According to police sources at Enugu Ezike, the headquarters of the local council, the group attacked and shot the youth leader of those in favour of remaining in Enugu four times. The attackers also burnt other houses in Onoda part of Ette. The injured youth leader was said to be recuperating at a private Hospital (name withheld) in Enugu. It was alleged that those in favour of remaining in Enugu State later re-grouped and launched a reprisal attack before the deployment of soldiers.

Oil Worker Killed, 2 Others Kidnapped in Rivers, Delta States

The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), and its Petroleum and its Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria counterpart (PENGASSAN), announced on Thursday that one oil worker was killed, while three others were kidnapped in Port Harcourt and Warri, respectively, in recent days. While a PENGASSAN member working for Halliburton Oil Services, Mr. Bankole Orisanyan, was murdered in his home in Port Harcourt on Monday, two staff of Agip were kidnapped in Port Harcourt, while a staff of Chevron Nigeria Limited was kidnapped in Warri between Saturday and Sunday. President of NUPENG, Mr. Igwe Achese, after a joint meeting of leaders of both unions in Enugu, under the aegis of NUPENGASSAN, said the late Orisanyan was killed on September 22 when unknown persons entered his house, used a nylon bag to forcefully wrap his head, until he died of suffocation. He said those kidnapped were abducted on their way from their offices, calling on security operatives in the two states to ensure that they were rescued without harm.

Six to Die over Murder of Activist

Abia State High Court sitting in Arochukwu has sentenced six persons to death by hanging for the murder of an Aba-based human rights activist, Comrade Chidi Nwosu. Nwosu was killed in his Ameke Abam home in Arochukwu LGA on the night of December 29, 2010. He was then the General Manager of Abia Rubber Plantation located in his Abam community. Those sentenced are Acha Uka Awo, the driver to late Nwosu; Chimezie Awo, Oti Uka Awo, Sampson Ngozi Atum, Awo Uka Awo and Iroha Orji Ogbuagu. During the trial which started in January 2013, the accused persons entered a no-case submission, arguing that the prosecutor did not satisfy the requirement of the law by linking the accused persons directly with the crime. But the court presided over by Justice Uche Okoroafor over-ruled and rejected the no-case submission, insisting that the accused person entered their defense.

Police Arrest Woman for Burying Day-Old Baby Alive

The Police in Akwa Ibom State have arrested Miss Patience Aaron of Afaha Abia village, Nsit Ibom LGA of the state, for allegedly burying her day-old baby alive. State Commissioner of Police, Gabriel Achong, said the baby, who was buried in a shallow grave, was rescued alive after about seven hours. He said the woman had been seriously ill since she was arrested and was receiving treatment. He also said more than six children, who were victims of child theft had been recovered. Achong said the command had recovered items and N8.9m cash from hoodlums who trailed and shot the driver of the manager of a telecommunication company who was on his way to the bank in Ikot Ekpene.

Enugu Police Kill 2 Kidnap Kingpins

Two members of a notorious robbery/kidnap gang on the wanted list of Enugu State police command for allegedly terrorizing residents of Trans-Ekulu and its environs have been killed, following a fierce gun battle with the police. According to the State Police spokesman, Ebere Amaraizu, “a joint operation on September 19 led to the arrest of two notorious armed robbery suspects who had been terrorizing the lives and property of the good people of Trans-Ekulu and its environs”. The hoodlums who were four in number, on sighting the operatives, opened fire on them and in the ensuing gun duel, two of the suspects were fatally injured, leaving them dead, while the rest believed to have sustained bullet wounds escaped into the bush. Among the deceased suspects is the leader of the gang, simply called Udochukwu, and his cohort also identified as Onyebuchi. They had been on the wanted list of the operatives over some killings in Trans-Ekulu and Abakpa, including the last two weeks incident of killings at a filling station in Trans-Ekulu, among others.

Group Arrests Student over Explosives in Varsity Hostel

The operatives of Peace on Campus Initiative (PCI) have arrested a diploma student of the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Kufre Anwana, after two Improvised Explosive Devices were uncovered in the institution male hostel. It was learnt that the two IEDs, widely speculated to be hand grenades, were found in a bag that belonged to the suspect by some students, who alerted the operatives of the PCI. National Coordinator of PCI, Mr. Oliver Cromwell, said in Uyo on Monday that his men in the UNIUYO chapter got information about the suspect keeping the explosive devices. He added that some members trailed him to his male hostel room in the university. Cromwell explained that the explosives were packaged in a bag in the hostel’s room. He said the suspect was apprehended while the anti-bomb squad of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command, Ikot Akpan Abia, Uyo, was invited to the scene. He stated that the squad defused the two improved explosive devices as well as conducted a search round the other hostel rooms.

Abia Police Raid ‘Baby Factory’ Hospital, Arrest Nurses, Declares Doctor Wanted

The Abia State Police Command has paraded two nurses and four pregnant inmates, one of them with a two year old baby, rescued during a raid at a hospital allegedly used as baby factory. Parading the suspects in Umuahia, the Police Public Relation Officer, Geoffrey Ogbonna, said police were still on the trail of the Medical Director of the hospital located at Ihie Umudem Isuochi in Umunneochi council of the state who fled during the raid. According to him, the fleeing doctor and the nurses were using the hospital as shelter for young women with unwanted pregnancy only to buy off the babies upon delivery and in turn sell them to willing buyers. The police also paraded some suspected kidnappers and robbers arrested at different parts of the state, disclosing that constant weekly raid of suspected criminal hide- outs in the state had led to the arrest of over 150 suspects since August.

Police Arrest 51 Robbers, Kidnappers, Cultists in Rivers
…Recovers 242 Ammunitions

Commissioner of police in Rivers State, Mr Dan Bature, has said the command under his leadership arrested a total of 51 suspected armed robbers, kidnappers, and cultists in the state between September 1, 2014, when he assumed office and September 19, 2014. Bature, who disclosed this, said 15 of those arrested within the period were suspected armed robbers, 10 were suspected kidnappers while 26 were arrested for their involvement in cultism in the state. He stated that a total of five suspected armed robbers and one kidnapper lost their lives during exchange of gunfire with men and officers of the command, while a total of 20 kidnap victims were rescued within the period. The police chief also stated that a total of 15 fire arms as well as 242 ammunitions and 10 bullet proof vests were recovered within the same period.

Police Foil Bank Robbery in A/Ibom

Police in Akwa Ibom state, last weekend, foiled a robbery attempt by a gang of armed robbers who stormed the Okobo branch of the Union Bank Plc. The dare devil armed robbers, who were said to have enter the sleepy town of Okobo through the creek at about 1am with heavy guns and assorted explosives, made straight for the bank located in the heart of the town few meters from the divisional police headquarters shooting sporadically to scare away residents of the area. Residents of the area, who woke up from their sleep due to booming of gun shots, were said to have ran into the bush for their dear lives.

60-Year-Old Woman Arrested for Illegal Bunkering

The Bayelsa State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) has arrested a 60-year-old mother of 15 children for oil theft. The grandmother, Victoria Sorkibulor, is said to be popular among the people engaged in illegal oil activities. Nicknamed Mama Militants, for her known closeness to most militants operating along the creeks of the Niger Delta at the height of militancy, she was arrested at Fish Town, Southern Ijaw LGA, by a special team of the NSCDC. Sorkibulor was said to be notorious for pipeline vandalism and illegal refining of petroleum products. Her workers were said to have led the security operatives to her hideout at Fish Town, where she was arrested and brought to Yenagoa. He said 20 drums of illegally refined kerosene and diesel were seized from the suspects. Her arrest followed the raid of her illegal refinery by NSCDC operatives, who apprehended her workers while evacuating their illegally refined product in a large wooden boat.

Port Harcourt House Wife Arrested for Plotting Kids’ Abduction

A house wife in Port Harcourt and her four-man gang were arrested last Friday after police foiled an attempt by the gang to kidnap her three children in Rumuagholu, near the state capital. The arrest took place at Phase D Close, Rumuagholu road in Obio Akpor local government area of Rivers State, following a tip from a taxi driver which the suspected kidnappers hired for the operation. Sources from the area said the woman popularly known as Mama Princess, who hails from Akwa Ibom State, is married to a retired soldier and runs a supermarket in front of her husband’s compound, where the botched kidnap attempt took place. The source further said the woman approached the kidnappers to abduct her daughter, Princess and her brothers and after paying them and giving them the description of her children she told the husband that she was travelling outside town.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

Navy Intercepts Ship with 540mt of Illegal Crude Oil
….Arrests 11 Crew Members

A ship suspected to be carrying 540 metric tons of illegal crude oil and 11 crew members has been arrested while trying to escape with the stolen product along the Dodo River creek by men of the Nigerian Navy in Delta State. The ship identified as MV Maga was intercepted on Thursday while trying to escape with the stolen product. This occurred as the navy destroyed 54 illegal refineries in the state. Commander of the NNS Delta, Navy Captain Musa Gemu, disclosed this during a post-operation’s briefing last weekend. Gemu further disclosed that the problem of oil theft had been reduced to the barest minimum within his area of responsibility, adding that the command would not rest until oil thieves were totally flushed out. He however lamented that lack of equipment to properly penetrate remote parts of the creeks was a big challenge to the force. He urged the Federal Government to direct the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to device ways of evacuating seized stolen crude oil.

Delta Police Foil Robbery Attempt, Kill 4 Suspects

Police operatives in Asaba, Delta State, penultimate Friday disarmed a 10-man robbery gang that attempted to rob a new generation bank around Inter-Bua roundabout leaving four of the robbery suspects dead during a gun battle. There have been reported cases of attacks on banks and bank customers in recent times. Eyewitness said that some of the victims attacked during the gun battle with the police had gone to the new generation bank to cash some money not knowing that they were being monitored by the robbery suspects. Expectedly, the hoodlums who came in a Toyota bus with no registration number, were said to have trailed their victim to an area they thought would be safe to rob them, but this was not to be as the police responding to distress calls immediately swung into action, and engaged them in a gunfight. Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Celestina Kalu, disclosed that the robbery suspects abandoned weapons that included an assault rifle with and assault magazines with 13 rounds of 5.56 life ammunition.

Police Arrest 48 Robbers, Kidnappers in Delta

Delta State Police Command, yesterday, said 48 suspected armed robbers/kidnappers were arrested by men of the command in the last two months and expressed the readiness of the command to tackle criminal activities in the state. The state Commissioner of Police, Mr Alkali Usman, disclosed that the challenges of tackling rampant robbery and kidnap cases were enormous, but assured that the command was up to the task of policing the state. Usman vowed to ensure that crime was reduced to the barest minimal for people of the state to go about their normal businesses and sleep with their two eyes closed.

Police Rescue 19 Kidnapped Victims in Edo, Delta, Bayelsa

The Nigeria Police Force, Zone ‘5’ Command comprising Edo, Delta and Bayelsa states, on Monday announced that it rescued 19 kidnap victims between August and September this year, while seven suspected kidnappers were arrested. The Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the zone, Mr. Musa Daura, who disclosed this, also announced that 68 suspected armed robbers were arrested, while 11 were killed. He said five police/military riffles, 38 locally made guns, 149 police/ military ammunitions, 142 cartridges, 32 stolen vehicles, and five stolen motorcycles were recovered within the same period. Besides, he said 14 cultists, four suspected sea pirates, five murder suspects, two pipeline vandals and two electricity cable vandals were arrested and one kidnap attempt foiled. The AIG explained that the achievements were made possible due to emphasis the zone put on intelligence gathering and other proactive measures, including constant raiding of criminal hide-outs, intensive visibility patrol, synergy and collaboration with sister security agencies in intelligence sharing, stop-and-search and prompt response to distress calls.

Man Butchers Wife over Claims of Promiscuity
…Housewife Slashes Hubby’s Genitals

Police in Delta State have arrested a man, Michael Akpore of Urhiephron, Ughelli South Council Area for reportedly killing his wife, Julie Akpore, 32, over claims of promiscuity. A statement by DSP Celestina Kalu, Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Delta Command, indicated that the suspect reported himself to the Jeremi Police Division last Thursday, a couple of days after luring Julie to the bush along Iwhrekan/Ekakpamren Road where he allegedly butchered her with machete. Kalu stated that the suspect claimed he “Killed the wife because she confessed that she was having extra marital affairs. Similarly, a 42-year-old housewife in Ugbolu community near Asaba, Delta State, is currently helping the police at the state CID after she allegedly slashed off her husband’s genitals during a fight that ensued over his perceived interest in other women. It was gathered that the suspect, a mother of two, allegedly attacked the husband after he was caught with a woman in a hotel room, at the outskirts of the community. Police spokesperson in the state, Celestina Kalu, confirmed that the suspect, upon interrogation, confessed to the crime.

Police Probe Headless Bodies in Delta Community

The police detectives in Asaba, Delta State are currently probing various headless bodies allegedly found in flowing streams. Reports said that there have been unidentified headless bodies allegedly found in the streams. Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Celestina Kalu, confirmed that the police were working round the clock to bring to book, the culprits, adding that no arrest has been made in the ongoing investigation. As it were, there has been palpable tension and fear of the unknown in the community where in the last three weeks, there have been physical activities of suspected ritualists, who have killed no fewer than three persons with their bodies mutilated. Kalu, however, assured that the police would get to the root of the bizarre activities disclosing that some persons are currently being interrogated for useful information.

60-yr-old Man Confesses To raping Girl, 13

A 60-year-old man has narrated how he defiled a 13-year-old girl when he was paraded by the Edo State Police Command in Benin City. Edekin Ojaogbe confessed that he had invited the girl to his room and had carnal knowledge of her. Meanwhile, two persons were shot dead on Thursday in a suspected clash between two rival cult groups. This was as the command also paraded 46 suspected armed robbers and cultists. The killings shocked residents of Oloku area as they woke up to see two dead bodies by the road side. The Edo State Police Commissioner, Funso Adebanjo, who paraded the 46 suspects, including suspected cultists, said the police were on the trail of the killers.

Delta Police Arrest Robber, Six Suspected Cultists

The Police in Delta State on Friday said they arrested a 28-year-old man, Kelvin Pere on the charge of armed robbery. The Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, Celestina Kalu, who confirmed the arrest, said Pere was arrested after the police in Warri following a tipoff. Pere had been on the wanted list of the Police in connection with series of crimes ranging from armed robbery. Items recovered from him include one Toyota Camry (Spider), with number plate GRA 306 KH, suspected to have been stolen. In another development, the PPRO said a police patrol team from Area Command, Warri, operating in collaboration with vigilante men arrested six suspected cultists at Ogedengbe area Warri.

18-Year-Old in Court over Alleged Rape, Robbery

An Abraka Magistrate’s Court in Ethiope East LGA of Delta State, has remanded an 18- year-old in prison for allegedly raping and robbing a female resident of a private hostel in Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka. The accused, Samson Ebise was arraigned on a four count charge of intent to commit felony, having unlawful carnal knowledge of his victim and robbing her of the sum of N7,000 with a knife. According to the charge sheet, the accused was said to have on September 7, 2014, opened and entered the home of the victim at night and allegedly had carnal knowledge of her after robbing her. The case was adjourned till October 30, 2014 by the trial Magistrate, Mrs. O. Omonemu for further hearing.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

Four Feared Killed as Cultist Clash in Ilorin

Four people were feared killed in Ilorin, as suspected cult members engaged in violent clash. The clash, which happened between Thursday and Friday was said to have spread across Post Office, Taiwo-Isale, Opo-Malu and Agbo Oba areas in the town. It was gathered that the crisis began when some of the suspected cult members, who laid ambush for another suspected member, killed him in the Post Office area. The victim was said to have been cut with machete and dragged on the rail line before he was shot. It was learnt that his colleagues decided to avenge his death by attacking those they believed were responsible for the death. Three people were feared killed in a retaliatory attack at Agbo-Oba area. The state Police Public Relations Officer, Ajayi Okasanmi, said no report of death from the clashes had been officially made except those mentioned by people without confirmation. Okasanmi disclosed that the command had deployed its men to the affected areas to ensure security of lives and property.

Robbers Shoot Pastor in Abeokuta

Some armed robbers have been arrested after attacking a pastor of a Pentecostal church in Abeokuta, Ogun State, shooting him on his mouth for daring to plead that his daughter should not be raped. According to reports, the gang had blocked a car driven by the Reverend at about 5.50a.m while on his way to church with his wife and daughter. He was dispossessed of N150,000 and other items belonging to his daughter. One of the armed robbers, ordered the cleric’s daughter to move away from her parents into the church, with the intention to sexually abuse her. The Reverend was said to have pleaded with them to spare his daughter since he had surrendered all they wanted to them. In anger, one of the gang members pulled the trigger and shot the man in the mouth. Another member went to their operational vehicle, brought out a bottle of beer, opened it and poured the content on the man of God where he fell. They were however arrested by the Ogun state police Command, on September 11, 2014.

Murder: Police Begin Investigation in Ekiti, Make Arrests

Police in Ekiti State have launched investigation into the murder of a former Ekiti State Chairman of National Union of Road Transport Workers, Omolafe Aderiye. The Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Victor Babayemi, also announced the arrest of a number of suspects over the violence that erupted in the state on Friday. Aderiye was a staunch loyalist of the Governor-elect, Ayo Fayose. Though the circumstances leading to his death remained unknown, the former NURTW boss was said to have been gunned down at his office in Matthew Street, Ado Ekiti, at about 8.30p.m. Aderiye had accompanied Fayose to virtually all the towns and villages during his campaigns for the governorship election. There was massive deployment of security agencies in the state capital, Ado-Ekiti. The office of the Kayode Fayemi Campaign Organisation, the All Progressives Congress Ado Local Government’s office and three campaign buses at the APC state secretariat in Ajilosun were burnt by hoodlums. The police enjoined the people to comply with the dusk to dawn curfew order declared by the state Governor, Kayode Fayemi.

Lagos Police Parade 7 Interstate Armed Robbers

The police in Lagos, on Tuesday, paraded seven suspected robbers, who specialise in mounting roadblocks on some states in the Southwest to rob people of their belongings. Lagos Police Commissioner, Kayode Aderanti, said he received information on September 20 that a gang of armed robbers, who snatched a Toyota Hiace earlier, were meeting at a place around Ebute Metta in Lagos. Based on the information, the men of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) mobilized and went after the robbers. Items recovered from them included one berretta pistol with S/No: P175131, nine rounds of 9mm ammunition, three locally made pistols cut to size and 33 live cartridges.

Police Arrest Six Kidnappers in Ondo

Six suspected kidnappers were amongst the 48 suspected criminals paraded by the Police in Ondo State on Monday. The six suspects were said to have requested for N50 million as ransom before they were arrested. Parading the criminals, the state Police Commissioner, Isaac Eke, said that the kidnappers robbed one Adeniji Ayewamide in Idanre and later kidnapped him. Luck ran against the kidnappers on the fourth day when detectives from the state Criminal Investigation Department stormed their hideout. According to the Police Chief, two of the suspects initially escaped arrest but were later apprehended last week Saturday, while planning to carry out a robbery operation. The two suspects are Christian Jacob and Basiru Ijimiga. Eke said men of the state command also apprehended a bus filled with Indian hemp in Owo area of the state, while the driver of the bus and the other suspects fled.

Police Arrest Female Armourer for Robbers

Operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS Ikeja Lagos, have arrested a woman said to be wife of a dare devil armed robber. She was arrested for selling guns to armed robbers. The 34-year-old suspect identified as Sarah Emmanuel, an indigene of Ogun State used to hawk wares before she went into illegal arms supply. According to reports, the mother of two was apprehended after some SARS operatives apprehended some armed robbery suspects, who revealed during interrogation that they bought their guns from her. It was gathered that the suspect and her friend, one Modinat, who is currently at large used to buy locally made guns from a border town between Benin Republic and Nigeria and re-sell same to armed robbers.

Police Make Arrests as 5 Die in APC/PDP Clash

Many people have been arrested in connection with a violent clash between supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on the Island of Lagos, last weekend. About five people were reportedly killed in the clash. Investigations revealed that the weekend clash might not be unconnected with the crisis between the youth who were all formerly supporting the same party. It was gathered the crisis started on Saturday evening, when some youths, suspected to have been mobilised for the visit of President Goodluck Jonathan to the state were returning to the island shouting and singing. A clash reportedly ensued between them and members of the opposing party on the island and one person, said to be a member of the APC, was reportedly killed in the process. In what appeared to be a reprisal attack, members of the other group mobilised on Sunday and stormed the Isale Eko base of the rival groups and a free-for-all, in which dangerous weapons were used, ensued.

Man Rapes of 20-Year-Old Girl, Uploads Her Nude Photos Online

A 30-year-old man has allegedly raped a 20-year-old girl (names withheld) and uploaded pictures, taken during the act, on the social media. It was gathered that the suspect, Olaniyan Oluwakayode, who hails from Osun State allegedly, raped the victim in his apartment at Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government Area of the state. The victim, a native of Akwa Ibom State, alleged that after being raped, Oluwakayode took her pictures and uploaded them on a popular social media despite pleas from his sister not to do so. Oluwakayode, the suspect, however denied ever raping her, saying “she was my girlfriend.” He (Oluwakayode) was arrested by the Police at Ifako-Ijaiye and brought to the state Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, WAPA.

Ex-Council Boss, Others Docked over Illegal Possession of Arms

A former Chairman of Ose LGA of Ondo State, Afolabi Mabogunje, alongside six others, was on Thursday, docked before an Akure Magistrate Court for illegal possession of firearms. A The charge sheet brought before the Chief Magistrate W. Daomi accused them of conspiracy to commit felony to wit unlawful possession of firearms among other allegations. The suspects were accused of 10-count charge of being in possession unlawfully of one locally made revolver pistol and one Russian double-barreled gun and therefore committed an offence publishable under Section 6(b) cap R11 Robbery and Firearms (Special Provision) Act, laws of the federation 2004. Others, including Abiola, Adeniyi, Owadara and Ayodeji and others at large, were accused of arming themselves with firearms and being members of secret cults, including Eiye and Ayee, contrary to Section 39 vol 11 laws of Ondo State, 2006.

GENERAL

Gunmen Attack Kogi Police Station with Explosives

Unknown gunmen have attacked Adogo Police station in Ajaokuta LGA of Kogi State, with dynamites in an attempt to loot the armoury, but they were repelled by the Policemen on duty. The attempt by the hoodlums to cart away arms, was aborted, as the Police successfully evacuated the arms from the station. The attack which was carried out on Sunday with heavy dynamites, set the building on fire, according to a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Emmanuel Ojukwu, on Monday in Abuja. The Police said no casualty was recorded by the men on duty, but some of the hoodlums, it said, escaped with bullet wounds, adding that the area has been reinforced while frantic efforts are ongoing to track-down the fleeing gunmen. The Police appealed to members of the public, to report anybody seen with bullet wound, to the nearby Police Station or other security agencies.

Man, 51, Beheaded in Nasarawa

A 51-year-old man, Ismaila Atupa was last Saturday night, beheaded by yet-to-be identified persons in Doma, headquarters of Doma LGA of Nasarawa State. Investigations revealed that the victim’s head was chopped-off and the remaining body dropped at the refuse dump site beside the local government secretariat. It was learnt further that police had since evacuated the corpse, with a view to forestalling outbreak of cholera and other related infections. The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ismaila Numan, confirmed the incident, saying “the victim was a mad man.” He explained further that the police had evacuated the corpse and autopsy was carried on him, before handing his remains over to the family.

40 Bandits Arrested in Yobe

The Yobe state Police command on Monday said that it has arrested about 40 bandits and criminals between August and September this year. The state commissioner of police, Danladi Markus also said that about 118 cows and 38 sheep stolen by bandits were recovered. It would be recalled that suspected members of the Boko Haram last month carted away over 500 cows belonging to village heads of Gutumba and Marma in Gujba LGA of Yobe State. Markus disclosed that three of the criminal gangs were killed by the police during exchange of fire, adding that some of the arrested suspects were notorious criminals that have been on the wanted list of security agents.

Herdsmen Kill 10 in Fresh Nasarawa Attack

No fewer than 10 persons have been killed and about 40 houses razed in a fresh attack on the Eggon community of Gidan Gambo in Lafia East Development Area of Nasarawa State by gunmen suspected to be Fulani invaders. Investigations indicated that the attackers, who were well armed with AK 47 rifles, defied an early morning rain to carry out a raid on the village, where they killed 10 persons and injured several others. It was learnt that the attack on Gidan Gambo was the latest in the series of attacks on Eggon communities by suspected Fulani insurgents in recent weeks since hostilities broke out between the warring parties in the state. A resident of Gidan Gambo, Likita Alaku, who escaped from the attack, said the heavily armed Fulani, numbering over 400, stormed the village at about 6am and shooting indiscriminately, killing anyone on sight and burning houses. Police Public Relations Officer, Nasarawa State Police command, Umaru Numan, confirmed the incident, but said only one person was killed in the attack.

Gunmen Kidnap Chinese National in Kogi State

Gunmen kidnapped a Chinese national from his residence in central Nigeria’s Kogi state, police said on Wednesday, vowing to track down the attackers and free the hostage. “The incident happened in the early hours of Tuesday when armed men stormed the official residential quarters of the Kogi State Water Corporation and abducted a Chinese national,” police spokesman, Elvis Aguebor, disclosed. The gunmen shot into the air before fleeing with the hostage, who was a consultant to a government water project, Aguebor added. The motive for the abduction was not immediately clear. Kidnapping for ransom is common in Nigeria, particularly in the oil-producing region where dozens of expatriates work and live.

25 Year-Old Nabbed for Killing Boss in Sokoto

Sokoto State Police Command, on Monday, arrested a 25 -year old man Bello Ubandawaki and five others in connection with the murder of a business associate, Alhaji Yahya Saidu, the Director of Finance at Government House, Kebbi state. The Principal suspect Bello Ubandawaki was said to have conspired with five others to kill Saidu last week and buried him at his own residence at Kwarnawa area of Sokoto metropolis. Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), El-Mustapha Sani, said the suspect had last week, invited the deceased for a business transaction in his residence in Sokoto and connived with some people to kill him.

Customs Impounds Fake Military Uniforms at Kano Airport

The Nigerian Customs at the Mallam Aminu Kano Airport, Kano, have impounded fake military uniforms and boots. The army uniforms were shipped from the Middle East. The seizure was carried out by Nigeria Custom Service, Kano/Jigawa Command. The state command’s comptroller, Umar Abbas, who confirmed this to journalists, said the military gear include military camouflage uniforms and boots. Abbas said the seizure was key considering the present insecurity. This will not be the first time that such illegal commodities were seized at the airport as an aircraft loaded with heavy weapons was also apprehended at the airport a few months ago. Boko Haram insurgents sometimes carry out their terror operations disguised as military officers.

Police Arrest 4 Murder Suspects in Borno

The Borno State Police Command, on Monday, arrested four suspects for alleged murder and rape in Maiduguri metropolis. Parading the suspects, the State Police Commissioner, Adoda Clement, disclosed that after arresting the suspects in May, August and this month, they all confessed to their alleged murder and rape cases, including the slaying of an Immigration Officer, Stephen Musa Bassi, in Pompamari ward of Maiduguri metropolis. The diseased was killed by two POP decoration contractors he hired to work in his house. The police, with intelligence gathering, arrested Abdulraham Iliyasu (24) in Kano on August 22, 2014, while the other suspect remained at large. The second murder suspect, Bajoga Bello, according to the police chief, killed one Abdullahi Saidu at Bantine village in Biu council area of Borno state over non-payment of N200 debt, while the rape cases were committed by Idris Ali of Moduganari ward and Bana Kyari of Bolori ward of Maiduguri.

Suspected Mad Man Kills 2 Girls in Bauchi

Bauchi state Police Command has arrested one Musa Sale for stabbing two girls to death in Sabon Garin Sade village of Darazo LGA of Bauchi State. The command, on Sunday, stated that the culprit, aged 60 and suspected to be insane, went berserk on Saturday evening, killing the girls and injuring others, using a sharp knife. The statement, signed by the command’s spokesperson, Haruna Mohammed, said one of the injured, six-month-old baby girl, Maryam Disu, narrowly escaped death after the culprit slit her throat. It gave the names of the two girls killed as Ilawisa Abdullahi and Ummi Saidu, aged two and 12, while two other persons, Ilu Masani and Hassan Garba, were also injured, along with the baby. The command said that the corpses of the deceased had been released to their parents after an autopsy was carried out, while the injured had been admitted at the General Hospital, Darazo. It said investigations into the matter had commenced.

Herdsman Remanded for Murder

An Ilorin Magistrate Court has remanded a 20-year-old herdsman, Umoru Abubakar, for hacking a young man to death. The suspect was arraigned by police on a one-count charge of culpable homicide. The Police First Information Report (FIR) stated that on August 31, one Mohammed Usman of Fulani camp, Kosa village, reported that the suspect “criminally ambushed and attacked his son, Abdullahi Usman with cutlass and inflicted multiple machete cuts on his forehead, which caused his untimely death”. The police said investigation conducted at the department of criminal investigation revealed that the suspect immediately escaped to Patigi, but a search party conducted led to his arrest.

Cattle Rustlers Kill 5 in Katsina

Five persons have lost their lives in Katsina State, following the renewed activities of cattle rustlers in some parts of the state. The state police commissioner, Mohammed Hurdi, said the incident occurred in Jibia, Safana, Faskari and other council areas. Hurdi, however, said that efforts had been made by police to curtail the situation, adding that victories had been achieved after intensified patrols. According to him, the patrols led to the sacking of the hideouts and arrest of 55 notorious rustlers in some parts of the state. He said a total of 200 cattle, 19 sheep, and other domestic animals were recovered in the process, while investigations were ongoing to arrest more of rustlers. Hurdi assured that the command would intensify efforts to combat crime and ensure safety of lives and property in the state.

Four Drown in Katsina Pond

Four people drowned in a pond that had overflowed its banks in Kanon Haki village in Faskari council area of Katsina State last weekend. The incident took place when two sisters, Miss Rabi, 6, and Asiya, 8, went to the pond to play and swim. Their mothers, Mrs. Maria, 35, and Mrs. Hussaina, 25, on learning about the incident, rushed to the pond and tried to rescue their children. Their efforts were, however, unsuccessful as they also ended up drowning in the process, to the shock of residents. The girls and women were daughters and wives of the same man, Alhaji Goma Kanon Haki.

Bauchi Police Arrest 4 Robbers, Recover Arms, Ammunition

The Bauchi State Police Command has said its men arrested four robbery suspects in different parts of the state, recovered arms, ammunition and N5,000 from the suspects. Police spokesman, Haruna Mohammed, stated that police detectives attached to Alkaleri Division, in collaboration with members of a vigilante group last Sunday, September 21, arrested four suspects following a distress call at about 1:30a.m. He stated that exhibits recovered from the suspects included one fabricated pistol, 13 live cartridges and N5,000 cash.

Man, 50, Accused of Beheading 63 Year-old Woman

A 50-year-old man, Kefas Mashi, has been arraigned before a Jalingo Chief Magistrate’s Court for allegedly beheading his neighbour. Police report alleged that on August 13th, the complainant Andrawus Ranjovo, went to visit his 63-year-old mother, Koki Magoti, but discovered that his mother had been beheaded, with her left palm chopped off. Reports further alleged that the severed head and left palm of the woman was taken away by an unknown person. Subsequently, Kefas Mashi of the same address was suspected to be the murderer, during an investigation and was arrested in connection with the crime. When the case was mentioned, the Police Prosecutor Tyondo Oliver prayed the court to read the First Information Report FIR, to the accused which the Chief Magistrate, Ali Bappa granted. Bappa did not take the plea of the accused and ordered the accused to be remanded in prison custody pending outcome of the legal advice from the office of the Director of Police Prosecution (DPP) and adjourned the case to 16th of October for further hearing.

INTERNATIONAL

Three Dead in East Lebanon Blast

A suicide blast has targeted a checkpoint manned by the Shia Hezbollah group in eastern Lebanon, killing three people, state media says. The attacker detonated explosives in his vehicle just outside the village of Khraibeh, in the Bekaa Valley. It is not clear whether the fatalities were Hezbollah fighters or civilians. It comes amid heightened sectarian tensions in Lebanon as a result of the spill over from the three-year conflict in neighbouring Syria. It is not yet clear who was behind Saturday’s attack, which took place some three miles away from the Syrian border. Sunni militants have targeted Hezbollah strongholds in Lebanon in the past over the group’s support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in his battle against mostly Sunni Muslim rebels.

Landslides, Floods Kill 22 in India

At least 22 people have died in flooding and landslides triggered by heavy rains in remote northeastern India, officials said on Tuesday, in the second flood tragedy to hit the subcontinent in September. Rescue workers said 17 people died in the mountainous state of Meghalaya and five in Guwahati, the biggest city in the region. Authorities have deployed hundreds of rescue workers to the area. Pramod Kumat Tiwari, the head of Assam’s Disaster Management Authority, said more than 50 villages were hit by flash floods in the Garo Hills district of Meghalaya. Earlier this month at least 460 people died in flooding in Indian-controlled Kashmir and Pakistan. The tea and oil rich state of Assam on Monday reported around 108 mm rainfall. The local metrological office warned of further “heavy to very heavy rainfall” across the region.

US Policeman Arrested over Shooting of Unarmed Black Man

A South Carolina state trooper has been sacked and arrested after shooting an unarmed man whom he had seconds earlier pulled over for not wearing a seatbelt. Sean Groubert, 31, who is white, is seen on dashboard video shooting Levar Jones, 35, who is black. Mr Jones was struck in the hip and has been released from hospital. Mr Groubert has been freed on bail. The arrest comes soon after two high-profile incidents in which white US police killed unarmed black men.

15 Beheaded in Taliban Offensive in Afghanistan

A Taliban offensive in eastern Afghanistan left an estimated 100 civilians dead or wounded in the past week, including some women and children who were beheaded, a provincial deputy governor said Friday. Hundreds of Taliban insurgents stormed Ghazni province’s Ajristan district last week, sparking intense, ongoing battles with Afghan security forces, said Mohammad Ali Ahmadi, Ghazni’s deputy governor. The Taliban have taken over a large number of villages in the area, he added. The insurgents beheaded at least 15 people, including women and children, on Thursday, Ahmadi said. The exact number of people killed in the last week isn’t known, in part because authorities don’t have an adequate communications system that could help tally the figures, Ahmadi said.

22 Arrested for Killing Anti-Ebola Campaigners in Guinea

Guinea’s Justice Minister Cheick Sacko said 22 suspects had been arrested in connection with last week’s killing of eight government officials. The eight officials were involved in sensitisation of the public against Ebola Virus Disease in the southeast region of Wome. The suspected perpetrators of the assassinations would be charged before a special sitting of the Conakry Court of Appeal, the minister disclosed on Wednesday. He said that those arrested included Labile Haba, a 30-year-old hawker, who was believed to be the head of the operation. Sacko said other suspects include two residents of Wome who had tried to flee to Cote d’Ivoire, as well as their two colleagues arrested in the town of Gueckedou in Guinea’s southern region. The justice minister said the suspects, who were arrested a day after the killing of the eight officials, had been questioned by investigators.

Abducted Tuareg Man Beheaded in Mali

A Tuareg man who was abducted last week by suspected Islamist militants has been found beheaded in northern Mali. Four other men who had been kidnapped with him have been released, say residents of Zouera village, some 80km (50 miles) north of Timbuktu. Villagers believe their abductors were members of al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) targeting alleged spies. French troops forced Islamist militants from key towns in the north last year and a UN force is now on the ground. The man has not yet been identified. AQIM, along with Islamist allies, took advantage of an uprising by Tuareg rebels in the north of the country to take over territory in 2012. Since they were ousted from northern towns, militants in the vast desert region have continued to mount attacks on UN peacekeepers and French Special Forces. The kidnappings took place last Tuesday in Zouera, when the village held its weekly market which is attended by Tuareg nomads. Witnesses said armed men, who arrived in two pick-up trucks, warned those at the market against becoming informants.

Nun-Killer Arrested over Link New Killings in Brazil

A man convicted of killing a US Amazon activist who was also a nun, was re-arrested in Brazil last Saturday on suspicion of involvement in three new murders. Rayfran das Neves Sales, who confessed to shooting US nun Dorothy Stang in 2005 on her way back from a meeting with landless peasants, served only eight of his 27-year sentence before being granted parole. Police in the Amazonian state of Para said Neves Sales had been captured again for alleged involvement in a September incident in which three people were killed and a fourth was left with bullet wounds. The victims were part of an international drug trafficking network, and had been tasked with moving 50 kilos of cocaine from Bolivia to Para state, in an operation allegedly coordinated by Neves Sales. A phone message sent by one of the victims to his father, in which he warned that he was with the convicted killer should anything happen to him, led police to Neves Sales.

Six Dead, 33 Injured In China Firework Plant Explosion

An explosion at a firework plant in central China’s Hunan Province left six people dead and 33 others injured on Monday, local authorities said. The blast happened at around 3 pm at a firework factory in Baofeng Village of Liling City, the city government’s information office said. The cause of the explosion is under investigation.