Al-Qaeda plots fresh attacks on Nigeria, others

As the country struggles to curb the violent activities of the Islamic fundamentalist sect, Boko Haram, international intelligence agencies have uncovered plans by al-Qaeda, to launch fresh attacks on Nigeria, Ghana and two other African countries.

Al-Qaeda, which was founded by the late Osama bin Laden, has launched attacks all over the world.

Investigations by SUNDAY PUNCHauthoritatively showed that the targeted countries were receiving help from Western nations on how to prevent the onslaught.

However, it was not clear if the attacks would be launched by al-Qaeda in the Maghreb or the main terrorist organisation in the country.

The Deputy Force Public Relations Officer, Mr. Frank Mba, confirmed the al-Qaeda plot to our correspondent.

Mba, however, noted that such threats were received in the past, and added that security agencies were determined to ensure the group’s plan did not succeed.

According to him, the police are receiving immense support from developed countries that have counter- terrorism expertise.

Mba said, “That al-Qaeda and similar groups want to attack some certain countries is not new. As security operatives, we treat information at our disposal with uttermost care. We test their veracity and analyse them.

“Here in Nigeria, we stop most of the domestic attacks before they take place. We defuse more bombs than they detonate. We save thousands of lives daily but we do this discretely and quietly.

“More than ever, we have so much support from the international community. We are getting help from both ECOWAS and western countries. We are doing our best with the resources we have and we will continue to do so.

“We have stepped up security everywhere but we won’t disclose how we are doing that and the specifics of our mechanisms.

“I want to assure Nigerians and the international community that government is irrevocably committed to its mandate of providing adequate security in the country.”

Ghana, another country on the radar of al-Qaeda, last Tuesday stepped up security at its Kotoka International Airport, Accra, with heavy deployment of soldiers, who frisked passengers using metal detectors.

Armed troops are not a regular feature in Kotota and Ghanaians described the movement of troops as strange.

On Tuesday, Daily Guide, a newspaper in Ghana, had reported that, “Nigeria, three others are said to be on the radar of the terrorist group. Ghana is also said to be on a hit list of an international terrorist group, leading to deployment of soldiers at the Kotoka International Airport, Accra.

“It was learnt that the action of the military was informed by international intelligence fed to Ghana that the country was one of four others being targeted by terrorists for bombing. The presence of the soldiers is therefore a national security response to the alert, a source said.”

When the newspaper contacted Ghana’s Director of the Armed Forces Public Relations Directorate, Col. Mbawine Atintande, he reportedly explained that “there are only a few military policemen at the (airport) place.”

As to whether the operation was a response to certain international threat, Akintande said he would find out.

Just on August 3, 2012, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the United Kingdom warned travellers to Ghana that there was an “underlying threat from terrorism” in the country.

“Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by expatriates and foreign travellers,” it said.

Al-Qaeda‘s foot prints abound in Nigerian as it has cells in the northern part of the country and had also claimed responsibility for some terrorist activities.

In April, the State Security Service arrested Mohammed Ashafa said to be al-Qaeda linkman with a terror group in Nigeria.

Ashafa was reportedly apprehended by the Pakistani government through the National Intelligence Agency and handed over to the Federal Government for prosecution.

When he was arraigned at the Federal High Court, the SSS told the court that the accused person facilitated terrorist exchange programmes between al-Qaeda and its allies in the country.

The intelligence agency further said its investigations showed that Ashafa was allegedly the second in command to one Adnan Ibrahim, who was said to be the Resident al-Qaeda chief in West Africa, but based in Kano.

Also, in May, al-Qaeda in the Maghreb claimed responsibility for the murder of a German, Edgar Raupach, in Kano.

Raupach was killed by his abductors when security forces tried to free him during a rescue operation.

A Briton, Christopher McManus, and an Italian, Franco Lamolinara suffered similar fate in March.

Music: 'Best Of Jarmeu' Compilation+ Enigma Freestyle

Jarmeu is a shining star, in every sense of the word. With his previous singles - 'e no eazy', 'heartbeat', 'am bad' earning him revered status to the collaborative viral LMAO cover of D'Banj's 'scapegoat' tagged 'D'Banger ft. Bon Jazzy – The Last', Jarmeu is next rated superstar.

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Kuramo Beach Disaster: I’m yet to understand he is dead – Wife of deceased

LAGOS— As the search for possible recovery of more bodies swept away by last Saturday ocean surge at Kuramo Beach in Victoria Island came to an end yesterday, Mrs. Saidat Oke, widow of Mr. Joseph Oke, security officer, who died alongside others narrated how she received the news of her husband's death saying, "I am yet to believe he is dead."

Saidat, who initially declined to speak after the state government released the corpse  of her husband to the family, said the loss would for a long time affect her psyche and the only child he left behind.

Saidat, who spoke in Yoruba language, muttered "I was at home when my phone rang, I picked the call only to be informed about the death of my husband. Immediately I heard it, I cannot explain how I felt at that moment and to come to reality of what has happened."

Vanguard gathered that she had earlier urged Joseph to resign from his job as a security officer at Kuramo Beach and to go for a better job elsewhere.

It was also learnt that Joseph who was employed by the company (name withheld) on March 6, 2008, earning N3, 000 weekly as salary, died while trying to rescue some residents.

Speaking on the death of Joseph and others, Area Commander of Crime Prevention Campaign of Nigeria, Mr. Gbenga Shobowe, said "I knew it would happen because that day, I did not know what held me back from joining other security officers in the rescue effort."

According to Shobowe, "immediately Joseph called me at about 3:00 am, I was reluctant to join them immediately. But about an hour later, I called the phone number of Joseph and his colleagues, Olorunwa to know how the rescue operation went, their numbers were switched off.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Government yesterday, commenced the release of corpses to families to ensure prompt burial rites.

Chairman of Iru-Victoria Island Local Council Development Area, LCDA, Mr. Abayomi Daramola, said the corpses would be released to the families after they must have conducted screening for proper identification.

Daramola added that the state government would assist the families with the burial of the deceased.

He noted that the number of casualties would have been high had the LCDA not demolished several structures at the beach last June, and ordered the occupants to vacate the premises.

He explained that "we ordered them to vacate because of the security threat it posed to the state. The place had become hideout for criminals. According to him, "during the demolition, we discovered three pistols and other ammunitions which had been handed over to the appropriate authorities."

Daramola debunked the claim by the owners of the structures that the state collects ground rent from the occupiers.

He said: "There was never such levy being collected by the state government or the council from the occupiers. I challenge anyone to come forward with a copy of the receipt."

He added that what the state government collected from them was for the maintenance of the area because they littered the shoreline which the state spends huge sums of money to clean, by constantly clearing the refuse that were being deposited there.

Vanguard gathered that the bodies were deposited at the Isolo Mortuary. Meanwhile, at press time, no further body was recovered yesterday as five more bodies were said to be missing

2 feared dead as transporters clash over ownership of park in Onitsha



AWKA—TWO persons were feared dead, yesterday in  Onitsha and several others sustained serious injuries when rival groups loyal to two transport companies, Uguchukwu and Sons Limited and Mic Merah International Agency, engaged themselves in a free for all over ownership to the controversial Nwugo Motor Park at the Upper Iweka area of the town.

At the time of this report, stern-looking policemen in Onitsha had cordoned off the entire park and took over security to avert renewed hostilities to ensure security of lives and property following reports that the two factions were allegedly perfecting strategies to attack each other.

The incident was said to have started in the early hours of yesterday which prompted the police to storm the park and took control of security.

Addressing reporters yesterday, the manager of Nwugo Park, Chief Gregory Ezechukwu said he received information from his security men that policemen numbering over 50 accompanied by youths wielding machetes had taken over the park at about 3.30 am. Yesterday, lamenting that the incident took place despite court judgments and orders against Mic Merah over the ownership of the park.

He alleged that the Anambra State Police Command had not allowed the Inspector-General of Police, IG, to know about the court judgments and orders secured by Ugochukwu and Sons Limited against Mic Merah International Agency.

He said: "It is unfortunate that the police in Onitsha have compromised themselves and are being used to disobey the valid court judgments and orders we have secured in this matter, by refusing to forward same to the IG and the police legal department.

"The armed thugs who accompanied the policemen, chased away Ugochukwu and Sons staffers, broke into some offices while the policemen were shooting sporadically in the air apparently to scare us away. I had to tell my people to leave because we don't want to take laws into our hands and we don't believe in violence, since the court judgment is there.

"I went personally to see the Area Commander and gave him copies of the judgment and orders, but he still went ahead to deploy policemen to take over the park, thereby ignoring the court order, which to me, is an abuse of court process and I know, that the IG is not aware of this development."

He appealed to the IG, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar to order the withdrawal of policemen from the park which he said belonged the Ugochukwu and Sons and urged him to look into the case with a view to restoring the confidence of the people to police.

However, the Area Commander in Onitsha , Mr. Benjamin Wordu said Micmerah got court order which the police sent to the legal department and subsequently ordered the police to enforce the court order.

He however assured that if Ugocukwu and Sons got another court order vacating the subsisting order by Mic Merah, the police would enforce the order, adding that the police were not serving any interest group in the matter.

It will be recalled that an Onitsha High Court, presided over by Justice A . O. Okuma in a judgment on April 19, this year in a suit filed by Ugochuwku and Sons, against Emerah, held that the plaintiffs, Ugochukwu & Sons Limited and the Association of Luxury Bus Owners of Nigeria (ALBON) were not parties to suit No. 0/143/2001 in which the defendant, Chief Mike Emerah obtained an interlocutory order in 2001 restraining one Chief Joseph Ejiofor from interfering with his functions at the Nwugo Park.

Gunmen kill 2 in Biu mosques attacks

MAIDUGURI— Two persons were killed, yesterday, at two different Mosques in Biu, Borno State. Biu is 187 kilometres South of Maiduguri metropolis and is a stronghold of the Boko Haram Islamist sect.

A resident told Vanguard: "Two gunmen joined our Mosque for the early morning prayers and shot a worshiper at close range. He died on the spot.

"Two hours after the incident, a local Islamic cleric was trailed to another mosque by separate gunmen, who opened fire on the worshippers.

"The worshippers had to run for safety. But the cleric was shot dead before men of Joint Task Force, code-named Operation Flush II arrived at the scene and condoned off the area to prevent further attacks and killings."

He said the killings in Maiduguri had spread and continued to claim lives in Biu.

Confirming the incidents in Maiduguri, yesterday, spokesman of Borno State Police Command, Mr. Gideon Jibrin, said it was true that gunmen attacked two separate Mosques in Biu.

The attacks and killings, he said, occurred Monday night and in the early hours of yesterday, when the police headquarters received reports from the Biu Police Area Commander, indicating that two persons, including an Islamic cleric, were killed by unknown gunmen, suspected to be members of the Boko Haram sect.

He said no arrests had been made, adding that providing information to the police will help in apprehending the culprits.

Jibrin urged residents to continue to cooperate with JTF and police, by providing information on the hideouts of criminals, who are terrorising innocent citizens, including soldiers and policemen in the state.

… as Suswam reads riot act to warring communities

BY Peter Duru

MAKURDI— Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State has threatened to arrest and prosecute any paramount ruler in the state, who through commission or omission, encourages or fuels communal conflicts in any part of the state.

The governor handed down the warning in Otukpo, where he held a reconciliatory meeting with stakeholders and paramount rulers of the warring Ojantele and Ijekwu communities in Otukpo and Obi local government areas.

He said: "What has happened in your communities that led to deaths and destruction of lives and property is, to say the least, unacceptable and condemnable.

"It is more painful because we hardly hear of such sad developments in this part of the state; and that is the more reason why you must all talk to your people to desist from further escalating the crisis.

"I must also caution that if the fighting continues, we will not hesitate to apprehend the paramount rulers of the affected communities and if necessary, we will also not hesitate to depose them."

Manchester United is world’s most valuable sport team

NEW YORK  (AFP) – US billionaire George Soros has bought a stake in Manchester United, the British football club that made its Wall Street debut earlier this month, according to a filing with US regulators on Monday.

Soros' investment firm bought approximately 3.1 million class A shares, or 7.85 percent of the total Class A shares, a filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) revealed.

That comprises 1.9 percent of Manchester United, when the powerful Class B shares held by members of the Glazer family, who control and direct the club, are taken into account.

Class B shares enjoy 10 times the voting rights in the company as compared with Class A shares.

After an underwhelming initial public offering on August 10, shares in the club finished Monday at $13.06, down 6.7 percent from the IPO price of $14.

Still, the club earned $233 million from the IPO, which valued it at about $2.3 billion, making it the most valuable sports team in the world.

Turkish Airlines Adds Kinshasa to its African Destinations

urther expanding its global reach in Africa, Turkish Airlines is launching services to Kinshasa on
Monday, August 27th.

Turkish Airlines will offer four roundtrip flights from Istanbul to Kinshasa per week (Mondays,
Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays) with introductory fares starting at $569 (taxes and fees
included).

Kinshasa becomes one of more than 200 destinations Turkish Airlines currently flies to, including
direct, non-stop flights from its four U.S. gateways, including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago
and Washington, D.C.

In April 2013, Houston will become the fifth U.S. gateway flying direct to Istanbul.

Jonathan visits Senegal

Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan will today pay a two-day visit to Dakar, Senegal.

During the visit, President Jonathan will be received at the Leopold Sedar Senghor International
Airport, Dakar by Senegalese President, Macky Sall.

Both leaders will have a tete-a-tete at the Presidential Palace, Dakar, on how to deepen cordial
relations and promote trade between the two key countries in the West African sub-region.

The President is expected back in Abuja tomorrow.

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Man, 31, defiles 7-yr-old girl

Uchenna Nnamdi, 31, is facing trial for allegedly having carnal knowledge of a 7- year-old girl.The suspect was docked at an Ota Magistrate Court, Ogun State.
Uchenna was said to have committed the offence punishable under section 28 of criminal code vol.1 of the Revised Laws of Ogun State.
According to the prosecutor, Nnamdi, on July 28, 2012, at No 3 Olaiya Street, Adelemo, Sango Ota, Ogun State, forced the girl to bed.
The victim was said to be living in the same neighbourhood with the accused person before he committed the alleged crime.
Uchenna pleaded not guilty to the charge while the trial magistrate, S.T. Bello, adjourned the case for further hearing.

Osun disburses N89.5m loan to farmers

The Osun State Government has begun the disbursement of a loan of N89.5 million to farmers to fast-track implementation of the state’s Agriculture Quick Intervention Programme.

The Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives and Empowerment, Mr. Jayeoba Alagbada, told journalists on Friday in Osogbo that all registered farmers’ cooperative groups were expected to benefit from the loan.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Alagbada said the loan would be given only to farmers cooperative groups that had completed their registration processes, and urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of it.

The commissioner directed beneficiaries to invest the loan in cultivating plantain, maize and yam to further boost food production.

He appealed to other registered farmers cooperative groups that had yet to benefit from the facility to exercise patience, as government would extend the gesture to them.

15 persons missing, one dead as ocean surge sacks Lagos beach

An ocean surge in the early hours of Saturday left one person dead and 15 missing, as the ocean encroached on the popular Kuramo Beach and its environs in Lagos.

The Police had on July 4 announced a one-week closure of the beach to evacuate squatters and hoodlums in the area.

The Divisional Police Officer, Victoria Island Station, Mr. Adegoke Fayode, had reportedly said, “We are closing down the beach for one week; a team of security agents will continue to raid the beach to rid it of criminals.

“We are raiding all the cabins on the beach. Anyone who wants to work in the cabins must be known by the security agents. After the exercise, anyone coming to Kuramo beach must feel safe. We do not want criminals to use the beach as a hideout any longer.”

Earlier, a combined team of the police, the army, immigration and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency officials had raided the beach and arrested some people on July 1.

However, the General Manager, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Mr. Femi Oke-Osayintolu, who confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria, said the disaster occurred at about 2 a.m when residents were asleep.

He added that most of the victims were people occupying illegal shanties at the beachfront.

He said, “Yes, there was an ocean surge at Kuramo Beach very early on Saturday and we have some casualties. We have just recovered one body and we are still on a frantic search for about 15 people still missing.

“We have cordoned off the entire area and have asked residents to vacate the area immediately. It is a serious thing, but we are on top of the situation.’’

Osayintolu said ocean surge was rampant in communities around beach fronts, and this had wreaked havoc in the past.

He advised persons living or trading near other waterfronts in the state to vacate such places immediately.

A resident of Iru community where the surge occurred, Mr. Akin Bayode, said the disaster was compounded by abandoned vessels, particularly ship wrecks at Alpha Beach and other beaches in the state.

He therefore called on the Federal Government to assist the state in removing the wrecks in order to effectively address the problem.

Police, terrorists in three-hour gun battle in Kogi

An unidentified gun man was killed on Saturday when the Kogi State Command of the Nigeria Police Force engaged some gunmen in a three-hour battle at Idanre, in Okene area of the state.

One person died in the shootout.

The incident occurred barely two weeks after gun men attacked worshippers at Deeper Life Bible Church at Otite and also Muslim faithful at Central Mosque in Okene.

About 20 people were killed during the Deeper Life Church attack.

Also two soldiers and two of the gunmen were mowed down during the mosque attack.

Perpetrators of the Saturday gun battle with the police were not yet known.

It was gathered that panic-stricken residents of Idare fled in different directions to save their lives, while the gunfight lasted.

Our correspondent also learnt that economic activities at Okene were paralysed as shops, markets and even commercial motorcyclists hurriedly closed operations during the attack.

Weapons recovered by the police from the gunmen were rocket launchers, bombs and guns, it was learnt.

Also, four suspects were said to have been arrested over the incident.

An eyewitness told journalists that the gun battle ensued when the heavily armed policemen stormed the hideout of the gunmen at Idanre, in Okene.

The Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command, Mr. Muhammed Katsina, confirmed the incident to journalists on Saturday.

But he claimed that the gunmen were armed robbers.

He stated that when his men stormed their hideout, the gunmen opened fire on the police.

Katsina added that his officers over-powered the gun men,while one of them was shot dead during the operation.

Also, the state police boss confirmed that the police recovered one Baretta Pistol among other deadly weapons and ammunition from the gunmen.

Meanwhile, the Ohinoyi of Ebira land, Dr. Ado Ibrahim, has urged residents of the area to stay at home on Sunday and observe their prayer because of the prevailing precarious security situation in the area.

In a communique by the Ebira Area Traditional Council, after a stakeholders’ meeting on Saturday, Ibrahim enjoined Muslims to observe the Eid-el-Fitr congregational prayers in private places.

He appealed to them to pray for the restoration of peace and for improved security in the area.

Ibrahim disclosed that royal fathers in the area assisted in the arrest of seven people in connection with killings in Okengwen, in Okehi local government, adding that the suspects had been handed over to the police.

Meanwhile, despite the military operation to flush out armed gangs from the hills of Plateau, gunmen on Friday killed three Fulani herdsmen in Sho in Barakin Ladi Local Government Area of the state.

Five herdsmen were ambushed by the attackers; who killed two of the deceased on the spot, while the third victim died in a hospital.

One of the victims of the attack is on admission at Sunnah Hospital in Barakin Ladi, while the fifth person escaped.

The National Secretary of Miyetti Allah Cattle breeders Association, Mr. Sale Bayeri, told our correspondent that the victims were returning home when they were attacked.

“Those that died on the spot were Yero Goma and Wada Usma, while Mokaka Mogoggo died on Saturday. The only survivor, Ahmadu Usman, said the attackers were Berom”.

Confirming the incident, the media officer of the Task Force, Capt. Salisu Mustapha, said five men were on their way to Sho village when they were ambushed and attacked.

He said that despite the incident, STF was determined to see to the end of the crisis in Jos and appealed to the residents to go about their normal duties without any fear.

Presidency considers Boko Haram’s terms

Minister of Information, Labaran Maku
| credits: File copy

Facts emerged on Friday that the Federal Government was considering some of the peace terms of Boko Haram, the fundamentalist Islamic sect, which had masterminded bombings in the North for more than one year.

The Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, had after the Federal Executive Council meeting last Wednesday, told journalists that government had accepted to hold talks with Boko Haram in the interest of peace.

Earlier demands of the Islamic sect had included release of their members being detained and prosecuted, and President Goodluck Jonathan’s conversion to Islam.

However, the Presidency had spurned these demands.

But it was authoritatively gathered that one of the sect’s fresh demands was the payment of compensation or Diyya for their members they considered “killed unjustly” by security forces.

Our correspondent learnt that government might accede to the Diyya demand.

The sect is reported to have identified about 24 of such members.

One of them was the leader of Boko Haram, Mohammed Yusuf, who was killed in 2010 in Maiduguri, after he was reportedly captured alive by soldiers.

Yusuf was then handed over to the police, under whose custody, he died mysteriously.

Our correspondent learnt that the sect put the compensation to the family of the 24 deceased members at N2million each.

Consequently, for the 24 families, the Diyya to be paid is N48million.

Apart from compensation, the sect is also pressing for the release of those clamped into detention without committing any crime.

Presidency insiders said these were “not too difficult conditions.”

Under this category of persons are women and children whom they said were innocent.

The thinking of the government based on ongoing dialogue, is that the sect might not object to the trial of those found to be deeply involved in crime, once those “wrongly arrested or detained” breathe the air of freedom.

Once these conditions were met, they would cease fire, a source stated.

Contrary to the widely-held view, it was discovered that the National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.), was not the brain behind the ongoing talks between the Federal Government and the sect.

Government does not want to expose those behind the talks to avoid a previous experience, when the disclosure of the identities of the dialogue handlers frustrated the move.

A top presidency source said, “I can confirm to you that it is true that the group is currently dialoguing with the government.

“The good news is that they are talking and they have promised to cease fire once some of their demands are met.

“For conditions that are not difficult to meet such as the demand for Diyya for their 24 identified members that were killed, the government may meet such demands.

“Government can also give critical thought to those found to be innocent, but are being detained or prosecuted, particularly women and children as demanded by the group since they do not have any objection to the trial of those genuinely involved in crime.

“They have on their own promised to cease fire and go after the ‘political Boko Haram’ once the demands are met.”

The Voice of America had reported on Tuesday that Sheikh Abubakar Shekau, a top member of the sect, claimed that Boko Haram decided to initiate the peace moves in response to numerous public appeals for peace in the country.

Earlier peace talk between the two parties was stalled when a Muslim cleric, Dr. Ibrahim Datti Ahmad, who was a mediator in the discussions called it quit.

Ahmad, the President, Supreme Council of Shariah in Nigeria, said in a statement that he had come to doubt the sincerity of the Federal Government after information from a confidential meeting was leaked to the press.

He had confirmed that his group had made contact with “leadership of the sect and established from them that as Muslims they were prepared to consider ‘Sulhu’ which means ‘broad reconciliation’ regarding the dispute between them and the government.”

Ahmad had then set up a meeting with members of the top echelon of government in Nigeria to discuss a possible reconciliation. The meeting, he said, had taken place on March 5, 2012.

Chelsea ‘hurt’ over poor EPL campaign

John Obi Mikel has revealed how Chelsea’s joy at their greatest ever season was tainted by the “hurt” of finishing so far off the pace in the Barclays Premier League.

And the Blues midfielder declared he and his team-mates were determined to slash the 25-point gap to Manchester City and Manchester United in one fell swoop this term and mount a genuine title challenge.

Chelsea spent almost the whole of last season teetering on the brink of their worst campaign since Roman Abramovich bought the club, before ultimately securing an amazing Champions League and FA Cup double.

For some, that rendered their sixth-place finish in the Premier League – by far their worst of the Abramovich era – largely meaningless, but not for a squad used to competing for and winning the title.

Mikel said, “It hurts us that it was such a big gap last season. We spoke about it. We don’t want that to repeat itself.”

He added, “We don’t want a repeat of last season when we slipped out of the top four but, for us, the top four is not the target.

“The most important thing is to win the trophy. We want to regain the trophy.”

Chelsea have certainly made a statement of intent on that front in the amount they have spent this summer, but they will need all the new players they can get in a season that sees them compete for silverware on seven fronts.

One of those trophies has already slipped away after they were beaten by champions City in Sunday’s Community Shield.

But what was a fourth successive defeat in the build-up to tomorrow’s Premier League opener at Wigan did not faze Mikel.

He said, “We’re on the right track and if we keep doing what we’re doing now, we’ll be fine this season.

“It’s going to be a long season. It’s going to be too many games.

“It’s about how you cope with it, how you manage the players and how you get through the games.”

He added, “We want to defend the Champions League, we want to win the Premier League and, hopefully, we want to challenge for every cup.”

That could be made more difficult as Chelsea gradually try to implement a more attractive style of play and finally bring the best out of Fernando Torres.

“You can see Fernando fitting into the way we want to play and hopefully he can do the job,” said Mikel, who did not believe there would be a major change of approach.

“This is what we demand from him. This season, I hope he scores more goals for us.”

In the Community Shield, Torres began this season as he ended the last, with a goal, and Mikel added, “We hope he’s regained his confidence and that, during the season, he will come back and become the Torres we all know.

“There’s no doubt about it, he’s put in effort every day in training and you can see that in his game. Hopefully, it’s just a matter of things working out for him.

“When he has the chances and puts them away, I think everyone in the team will love him.”

Barcelona seal Song’s deal

Arsenal have agreed terms with Barcelona for the transfer of midfielder Alex Song to the Spanish side.

The 24-year-old Cameroon international will now travel to the Nou Camp to agree personal terms and undergo a medical, Arsenal announced in a statement on their website.

Barcelona confirmed in a statement the fee for Song will be 19 million euros (£15m).

The Barcelona statement read, “Barcelona have agreed a deal with Arsenal for the transfer of Alex Song to the Nou Camp. The fee is 19 million euros.

“The Cameroon international midfielder will sign for the next five seasons with a release clause of 80 million euros.

“On Monday he’ll have a medical and then join the rest of the squad for the official team presentation at the Joan Gamper Trophy.”

If he completes his move to Barca, Song would become the Primera Division club’s second major signing of the summer after the capture of Spain full-back Jordi Alba from Valencia.

Song would also be following a well-worn path to Barca, with Marc Overmars, Emmanuel Petit, Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Thierry Henry, Alexander Hleb and Cesc Fabregas having all moved from Arsenal to the Nou Camp during Wenger’s reign.

Wenger revealed Song had been keen on a move away from Emirates Stadium. Speaking after Saturday’s 0-0 draw against Sunderland, Wenger said, “He expressed a desire to go to Barcelona.

“It is frustrating, we have learnt to deal with that. I believe as well that the financial potential of some clubs is massive and that makes a difference.”

Eid-el-Fitri: Jonathan, govs call for peace, unity

President Goodluck Jonathan and state governors have called on Muslims to pray for peace and unity of the country during the 2012 Eid-El-Fitri celebration.

The governors include Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, Ibrahim Shema of Katsina State, Jonah Jang of Plateau State and Patrick Yakowa of Kaduna State.

In their separate Ramadan messages on Saturday, they congratulated Muslims on the completion of the month-long fasting exercise, asking Islam faithful to imbibe the teachings of Prophet Mohammed on Ramadan.

Jonathan, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, said his administration was genuinely committed to a united and peaceful Nigeria.

It said, “The imperatives of national unity, peace, collective development and progress will continue to inspire and motivate all policies and actions of my administration.

The statement said the president, who observed the Ramadan fast in solidarity with the Muslim faithful, lauded the Christian and Muslim leaders in the country on their efforts in promoting national unity and peaceful co-existence.

Similarly, Oshiomhole, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Peter Okhiria, called on Muslims to abide by Allah’s injunction in all they do.

He said, “I, therefore, urge the faithful to sustain the acts of worship and continue to pray for self, the nation and her leaders for God to guide us through these difficult times.

Also, Ajimobi advised Muslims to use the Eid-el-Fitri celebration to pray for peace, unity and economic development of the country.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr. Festus Adedayo, he urged Muslims to imbibe the teachings of Prophet Mohammed on the essence of Ramadan fasting.

He said, “Leaders in all tiers of government in Nigeria deserve to be assisted with prayers, so that they can lead right and move the country forward in all its ramifications.

“It is only in a peaceful atmosphere devoid of tension and general insecurity that our economy can thrive and Nigeria can attain its pride of place in the comity of nations.”

Shema asked Nigerians, irrespective of religion and ethnic background, to pray for the corporate existence of the country.

A statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Relations, Mr. Sani Shuaibu, said the governor urged Muslims to emulate the teachings of Prophet Muhammad by showing love and care to the needy, and by supporting peaceful coexistence at all time and levels.

Jang, in a message signed by his Director of Press Affairs, Mr. James Mannock, advised Nigerians not to allow religion to tear the country apart, urging them to embrace and stand for the unity of the country and promotion of the dignity of humanity.

Yakowa asked Nigerians to promote the needed attitude that would ensure the unity and progress of the country in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Reuben Buhari.

He expressed gratitude to Muslims for the prayer offered for the sustenance of peace and progress of the country.

NAFDAC destroyed N1.09bn goods in seven months

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, between January and July this year, destroyed fake and expired products, which comprised drugs, food and drinks worth N1.089bn.

A document obtained from the agency by SUNDAY PUNCH, showed that 61 truckloads and five containers of counterfeited products worth N279m, and 10 truckloads of expired products worth N810m were destroyed within the period under review.

The document also noted that between January and December 2011, 65 truckloads and eight containers of fake and unwholesome products, as well as five truckloads of expired products worth about N628m were destroyed.

The Director of Enforcement, NAFDAC, Mr. MacDonald Garba, said these figures were less than the volume and worth of fake and expired drugs confiscated, and those voluntarily submitted to the agency within the period.

He said the destruction exercises were done occasionally when the stores of any of the zones in the country got filled up.

This, he said, was mainly because of high cost of the exercise.

According to the Garba, the relative high volume of products destroyed within the first seven months of this year, compared to that of last year, can be attributed to the fact that more manufacturers and distributors now voluntarily submit expired products for destruction.

He, however, said the persons or companies that submit these products do bear the cost of the destruction exercise, which was aimed at removing such products from circulation.

Garba said, “If we (NAFDAC) burn products loaded in 20ft container, the person pays N100, 000. Crushing the same size costs the person N200, 000.

“If we are to crush and bury at the same time, the person pays N240, 000, while burying spoilt fish in 20ft container will cost the person N300, 000. This is for general destruction.

“But for destruction of small quantities we charge between N20, 000 and N100, 000.”

Also, Garba raised the alarm over products that bore fake NAFDAC registration number that were in circulation.

He said this practice was common with manufacturers of sachet and bottled water, adding that the agency recently arrested persons trying to smuggle water sachets with a Nigerian company’s name and fake NAFDAC number to Ghana.

He explained, “There are different ways they do these things. Some can just sit down and formulate a number and print on the water sachet they produce.

“But the more rampant one is the people who produce the sachet water legally go to their printer to print the company logo and the authentic NAFDAC number and after, these people who are doing it illegally will approach the printer and they would print the same logo and NAFDAC number for them,” he said.

Garba noted that it was difficult to differentiate the fake from the original, except for discrepancies in the formulated numbers.

He, however, said genuine manufacturers, who produced on a large scale had overwhelmed the unapproved manufacturers who produced in small quantities.

Clifford Orji dies in Kirikiri Prison

Prison authorities said Orji died Friday morning and the cause of death is unknown; but an autopsy is being performed.

The PUNCH had reported on April 13, 2012, that Orji’s health was deteriorating due to the refusal of psychiatric hospitals to take him in.

The Deputy Comptroller of the prison, Mr. Noel Ailewon, had said Orji was in a bad state and had gone completely mad.

“Orji’s health is getting worse. He has gone completely mad, vomiting and even defecating without restraint and is naked most of the time” he said

The Director of Office of the Public Defender, Mrs. Omotola Rotimi, had said during a visit to evaluate the number of Awaiting Trial Persons that following a court order, Orji was taken to two Psychiatric hospitals for treatment but had been rejected.

“Initially, we took Orji to Yaba Psychiatric Hospital but was rejected because they claimed they did not have long-term medical facilities. Subsequently, he was taken to another hospital in Ewekoro but was similarly rejected” she said.

It was learnt that due to this challenge, Orji, who was 46-years-old, could not stand trial in court.

The Attorney-General of the state, Mr. Ade Ipaye, had said Orji’s case was stalled due to the impediments, adding that unless Orji received proper medical attention, he would not stand trial.

“Orji is mentally disturbed and no hospital is accepting him. Unfortunately, one cannot be tried mentally stable, so, he’s stuck in the middle. All we can do now is find help for him” he said.

Orji was arrested in February 1999 by the police under the bridge along the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway. He was subsequently charged before an Ebute-Meta Magistrate’s Court on 19 February but was never tried.

The acting Public Relations Officer, Lagos State Prison command, Mr. Biyi Jeje, confirmed Orji’s death to our correspondent on the telephone.

“As at Thursday, Orji was fine but on Friday morning, he died in his sleep. The cause of his death is still unknown but an autopsy is being performed,” he said.

Jeje confirmed that Orji was rejected by many mental health facilities in the country and maintained that the prisons authorities did all it could to manage his illness.

“We took Orji to many health facilities but he was rejected time and time again. I don’t know why they rejected him but we did all we could to manage his illness”, he said.

Eid-el-fitri: FRSC arrests 60 for traffic offences

The Federal Road Safety Commission, Osun State Sector, has embarked on a special patrol of highways in order to curb accidents during the Eid-il-fitri festival.

No fewer than 60 motorists were arrested by the commission during a special patrol led by the Sector Commander, Mr Imoh Etuk, on Saturday.

Etuk arrested some motorists for overloading, wrongful overtaking, reckless speeding and bad tyres at Sekona highway during the exercise.

Ondo gov poll: Doubts about ACN’s compliance with INEC deadline

There was anxiety among members of the Action Congress of Nigeria in Ondo State, on Saturday, which arose from rumours that the party did not meet the deadline given by the Independent National Electoral Commission, for the submissions of forms for the October 20, governorship poll in the state.

It was gathered that INEC had all parties involved in the elections up to August 15, to submit the form with names and details of their flag bearers.

The form symbolised formal notice of the parties to INEC, of their intention to participate in the election.

Our correspondent further learnt that all other parties except the ACN submitted the form before the August 15 deadline.

When contacted on the telephone on Saturday, the ACN candidate, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, declined comments on the issue.

But he directed our correspondent to INEC for clarifications on the situation of things.

Paradoxically, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Mr. Akin Orebiyi, also declined comments on the matter..

He simply said, “I will not make any comment on that issue.”

Gunmen kill former Shehu of Borno’s secretary

Gunmen had on Thursday evening shot and killed Alhaji Zannah Kafilama, the former Secretary to the Late Shehu of Borno, Alhaji (Dr.) Mustapha Umar Elkanemi after performing his 8pm (Tarawih prayers) at a Mosque in Polo Area of Maiduguri metropolis.
An eye witness who does not want his name mentioned  told our Correspondent that two gunmen came into the mosque before other congregations around 8pm and pretend as if they are waiting for the normal time for the Tarawih prayer., Unfortunately, one of the gunmen hid his AK47 rifles, under his Sallaya carpet, pointing out that as soon as they were about going out of the mosque after the prayers they heard a sound of gunshots, a situation that forced those who were inside and around the Mosque to run away for their dear lives.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer DSP Gabriel Jibrin said, some gunmen had on thursday trailed Alhaji Zannah to a Mosque in Polo Area, and after performing the Prayers altogether, the gunmen shot him dead and fled without being arrest.”
Jibrin said, already investigation has commenced with a view to arrest the culprits even as he added that the Joint Task Force has condoned off the area to prevent further attack and killings.
He stated that the security agencies are doing everything possible to ensure a hitch-free Ed-il Fitr celebration in and around the troubled state, adding that people should continue to cooperate with the JTF and the Police with information that will expose the hideouts of criminals in the state.

70-yr-old pastor arraigned for raping girl, 10

A 70 year-old pastor, Alfred Idonije has been arraigned before an Egor Magistrate Court sitting in Benin for allegedly raping a 10 year-old orphan, Hope Kabiru.
The accused said to be a pastor of an undisclosed church, was said to have allegedly had unlawful canal knowledge of Hope on 25th of June, 2012 after luring her into his room by sending her to buy noodles for him.
Narrating her ordeal to the court, the victim said the accused had raped her on three different occasions and threatened to kill her if she reported to anyone.
In her testimony before the court, the major witness, grand mother of the raped victim, Mrs. Mary Akhigbe said Hope who lives with her has neither father nor mother.  She told the court that the accused who was their neighbor usually send the girl on errand including that fateful day, adding that in the course of searching for her,  she heard some noise from the bedroom of the accused, and when she peeped into the room through the window, she saw the victim being sexually abused by the accused.
Counsel to the accused, Barrister Osa Uwagie, appealed to the court to grant his client who appeared frail, bail to enable him seek medical attention before the adjourned date.
The presiding Magistrate, Taye Omoruyi, granted the accused bail with the bond of N200, 000.00 and a surety who must be a civil servant from grade level 12, to enable him seek medical attention.   Further hearing on the matter was adjourned to next week Thursday.

Bombers target Jos police station

Just as Muslims were preparing for the Eid-el-Fitri, an Improvised Electronic Device exploded on Thursday night in Rikkos in the restive Jos North Local Government area of Plateau State.

A nearby police outpost was said to be the target of the attack, but no policeman was affected.

The blast injured one person, while three houses and a vehicle were damaged.

The target on the police post was the first of its kind in the series of bombings in the state.

Media Officer of the Special Task Force in the state, Capt. Salisu Mustapha, while confirming the explosion in a statement, said no one was killed.

He said, “An Improvised Explosive Device exploded between a police outpost and some residential buildings on Layin Walin Street, Rikkos in Jos North Local Government Area. The police post, three other houses and a vehicle were affected by the blast.”

The media officer gave the name of the injured person as Alhaji Abubakar Adamu, who is currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.

The explosion was said to have jolted residents of the Jos metropolis and its environs, especially as security agencies in the state have made preparation for any untoward incident during the festival.

Meanwhile, security has been beefed up in Jos ahead of the celebration on Saturday (today).

As part of the security measure, a joint military and police patrol team carried out a show of force around the city.

The victim of the explosion, Adamu, said on his hospital bed on Friday, “I saw the greatest calamity of my life. I woke up around 11 pm to eat in my sitting room with one of my children.

“Some minutes later, I heard a very loud sound. At that moment, I thought it was a thunderstorm, but before I knew it, smoke filled everywhere and that is what I could remember as I finally saw myself on a hospital bed.”

Eid-el-Fitr: Heavy security presence in Kano

Security operatives on patrol
| credits: beegeagle.wordpress.com

There was heavy security presence in Kano on Friday following the fear of an impending terror attack during the Eid-el-Fitri.

The fear is occasioned by the alleged threat by members of the Islamic religious group, Boko Haram, to disrupt the celebration in the state.  

SATURDAY PUNCH recalled that the Director of State Security Service in the state, Mr. Bassey Eteng, had, while briefing journalists, claimed the discovery of a bomb factory in a Kano suburb, Tundun Bayero in Gadan Tambarawa.  

He added that the sect members arrested in the raid confessed to have planned to launch an attack in the state on Sallah Day.

About nine of them were arrested that day with three nabbed the previous Thursday, who led the security operatives to their Tundun Bayero bomb factory.  

Meanwhile, our correspondent on Friday observed long convoys of security patrol vans and personnel in many parts of the metropolis, particularly in flashpoints and busy streets.

Many of the vehicles were carrying combined teams of riot police and army operatives.  

They were patrolling the major streets in the metropolis to ensure a peaceful Sallah celebration.

Specifically, the security operatives were seen along the Airport Road, Zaria Road, Murtala Muhammed Way, as well as on Burma Road and Zungeru Road in Sabongari area of Fagge Local Government Area, among other places.  

A security source, who craved anonymity because he was not authorised to speak officially on the matter, said the heavy security presence was to assure the residents of the state of their readiness to protect them and their property during the festive period.  

Our correspondent  observed that some soldiers, mainly in camouflage, moved round the nooks and crannies of the state to assure the people that they were on ground to ensure a hitch free celebration.  

The state police command also beefed up security, particularly in places of worship and black spots spread across the metropolis.

The command, in collaboration with other security agents, issued security tips to the public on how to ensure a crime-free celebration.  

The police advised all Muslim faithful and worshippers to go to their places of worship with only their praying mats during the Eid prayers.  

Motorists were warned against reckless and dangerous driving, as well as to obey traffic rules.  

Our correspondent observed heavy police presence at all government establishments in the metropolis.  

The command, as part of measures to ensure a hitch-free celebration in the state, advised parents and guardians not to allow their underage children and wards to have access to their vehicles.

It advised them to ensure that elderly persons accompanied their children before, during and after the celebration, so as to avoid cases of missing children, which is rampant during such celebrations.

Calls for Jonathan’s resignation unnecessary –MOSOP

The Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People has described the increasing call for President Goodluck Jonathan’s resignation as unnecessary.

The Chairman, Provisional Council of MOSOP, Prof. Ben Naanen, explained that his position on the issue did not mean that the people of Ogoni were satisfied with recent developments in the country.

Naanen argued that the pressure mounted on the President by Nigerians was enough for him (Jonathan) to show more commitment to matters affecting the country.

He suggested that Jonathan should re-examine his strategies and get his administration’s decisions towards national growth right.

“I don’t think he should resign. By saying that he should not resign does not mean that we are satisfied with what is going on.

“What we advise is that he should show more commitment to solving some of the problems facing the country. He should re-examine his strategies,” the MOSOP provisional council chairman stressed.

Naanen pointed out that the call for the resignation of the President could not be easily wished away, describing the development as a wake-up call to Jonathan.

He, however, refused to rule out the petty politics in the increasing call for Jonathan to leave office, saying, “When politics is on the ground, objectivity takes flight.”

FG indicts Conoil, MRS, Capital Oil, 18 others

The Federal Government has indicted Conoil Plc, MRS Oil and Gas Ltd., Capital Oil and Gas Industry Ltd., and 18 other firms in the fuel subsidy imbroglio.

It said that these companies were being investigated based on the evidence that they might have engaged in fraudulent activities under the fuel subsidy regime.

The Ministry of Finance, in a statement on Friday, gave the names of the other companies as Aluminnur Resources Ltd., Brilla Energy Ltd., Caades Oil and Gas Ltd., Downstream Energy Source Ltd., Eterna Plc and Eurafric Oil and Gas Ltd.

Others are Lumen Skies Ltd., Majope Investment Ltd., Matrix Energy Ltd., Menon Oil and Gas Ltd., MOB International Services, Nasaman Oil Services Ltd., Natacel Petroleum Ltd., Ocean Energy Trading and Services, Pinnacle Contractors Ltd., Sifax Oil and Gas Company, Tonique Oil Services Ltd. and Top Oil and Gas Development Company Ltd.

According to the statement, a report by the Presidential Committee on Fuel Subsidy Payments led by Aig Aig-Imoukhuede, had recommended that the firms refund various amounts to the national treasury.

The statement said, “There is a second group of companies with infractions which are relatively minor. They are in discussion with the government for a quick resolution of their issues. The government is prepared to settle their claims under the following circumstances.

“For oil marketers under investigation for possible refunds to the government, their 2012 outstanding claims will be netted out against their expected refunds to the government and those with a positive net balance, i.e. outstanding claims greater than expected refunds, will be processed and paid.

“For marketers with a negative balance with the government, i.e they owe the government more in refunds than the government owes them, the Aig-Imoukhuede committee will accelerate the review of their documents after the Sallah break so that their claims can be processed and settled, if cleared, without further delay.

“It is clear that those behind the strikes are marketers being investigated for possible fraud. These elements have now resorted to hiding behind the unions to unnecessarily antagonise the government and create hardship for Nigerians.

“We want to make it clear that the government will fully investigate their activities and if found guilty, bring them to book and recover all public funds fraudulently obtained in the guise of fuel subsidy claims.

“No degree of blackmail will stop the government from doing its work. The government will, therefore, pursue justice and ensure that those who are found guilty are appropriately sanctioned.”

The Federal Government had already spent N493.67bn on fuel subsidy claims this year.

Out of the amount, N451bn was used to settle the 2011 arrears. Also, a total of N888bn was earmarked for subsidy payments in the 2012 budget.

The FG had earlier stated on Tuesday that indicted oil marketers would not be paid subsidy claims, while dismissing the threat of strike by the marketers.

The current scarcity of petroleum products in some parts of the country, particularly the Federal Capital Territory, has been blamed on the refusal of the marketers to lift products due to the decision of the FG to withhold further subsidy payments.

The government said in a statement on Tuesday by the Senior Special Assistant to the Minister of Finance, Mr. Paul Nwabuikwu, that it had been discharging its responsibilities to marketers whose claims had been verified.

Nwabuikwu said, “The claim by some marketers that they have embarked on strike because the FG has failed to pay them for fuel imports is not accurate. The true position is that the FG has been meeting its obligations to oil marketers in respect of all legitimate claims.

“For instance, between April and May 2012, batches D/12 and E/12 involving 14 oil marketers with a claim of N17bn were fully settled through the issuance of Sovereign Debt Notes and other relevant documentation.

“In addition, since the directive by the minister to the Debt Management Office to continue payments of all verified claims, N25.6bn worth of claims has been fully settled with the issuance of Sovereign Debt Notes. In all, between April and August this year, in respect of 2012 PMS claims, Sovereign Debt Notes amounting to N42.666bn have been issued to 31 oil marketers.”

He, however, said claims by marketers who had been recommended for further investigation by the Aig-Imoukhuede committee had not been paid.

Payments or sanctions to this category of marketers, according to the statement, will be determined by the outcome of investigations.

Nwabuikwu said in the statement, “Against this background, it is clear that the strike was instigated mainly by marketers who were indicted by the Aig-Imoukhuede committee, which investigated fuel subsidy payments.

“Their obvious intention is to blackmail the FG in order to escape sanctions for the crimes they have committed. Nigerians should not be deceived by their antics. Such tactics will not succeed because the FG is determined to ensure that persons and organisations that did wrong things do not get away with the wrong actions and behaviour.”

He gave an assurance that the payment of marketers whose claims had been verified would continue in a consistent and structured way that would protect the best interests of the country.

“All marketers who have genuine issues regarding their claims are encouraged to come forward for discussions or clarifications,” he said.

My pastor husband starves us, wife tells court

A 38-year-old woman, Chioma Orji, has pleaded with an Agege Customary Court, Lagos, to dissolve her marriage of seven years.

The mother of two accused her husband, Wisdom Orji, of being irresponsible and uncaring to her needs and those of her children.

Chioma, who has the custody of the children, claimed that her husband had failed to provide money for their feeding and hospital expenses.

She said, “Since the children and I left his house, he hasn’t been paying their allowances. He is supposed to pay N10,000 monthly but he pays N6,000, claiming he needs to get steady first and later on, he would adjust.

“The two children fell sick due to malnutrition and cold; how can N6,000 settle their expenses in the hospital? He is a pastor and he heads a church. He is living comfortably and he owns a car, why should he say he doesn’t have money to for the upkeep of his own children?”

The husband didn’t refute the allegations against him.

He said, “This is the money I can afford for now. I don’t have any other place I get money except through my work. That I own a church and I have a car doesn’t mean I am comfortable.

“This is all her fault because she doesn’t take care of the children properly the way a mother should. When I get back on my feet, I will restore the amount to N10,000. That is all I can afford for now, she has to manage with that.”

The president of the court, Mr. Emmanuel Sokunle, however, asked Mr. Orji to submit a letter of apology containing the fact that he could not afford the previous amount for that period and a promise that he would restore the amount immediately money starts coming in.

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China's most dangerous armed robber shot dead by police

A dreaded armed robber, said to be China's most dangerous gunman has been killed by police on Tuesday, in China.
The Chinese news agency, Xinhua , reported that the wanted gunman, who is suspected of killing nine and wounding several others in armed robbery attacks since 2004, was shot dead at southwest China's Chongqing Municipality.
The news agency quoting the local police officers with the Chongqing Municipal Public Security Bureau, said Zhou was killedat the scene by police at Wosungou in Tongjiaqiao Village, in Qinjiagang Township of Chongqing's Shapingba District at 6:50 a.m.
"Police said that Zhou's DNA information provided by police in Jiangsu Province and his physical characteristics provided by police in Changsha City of Hunan Province laid a 'solid foundation' for the operation.
"Zhou was once found in the two provinces but later fled. Crews of criminal experts from Hunan and Jiangsu set off for Chongqing to assist in the ongoing hunt.
"Police also confirmed that the Chongqing Municipal Public Security Bureau won the praises of China's Public Security Minister Meng Jianzhu immediately after the operation.
"The alleged serial killer, described as 'ruthless and highly dangerous' by China's authorities, has become infamous for robbing people withdrawing money from banks and repeatedly dodging police manhunts.
"Officials said the "Class-A" wanted suspect by China's Ministry of Public Security shot nine people dead and injured five others overthe past eight years. The latest victim was a Chongqing police officer who was trying to stop and question Zhou before he was shot over the weekend, Xinhua said.

Nigeria spent N190bn on currency managment - CBN|

THE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has used the sum of N190 billion in the last fiscal year for currency management, as a resultof poor handling of the naira by Nigerians.
Deputy Director of Currency, CBN, T. D. Daki, said this in Lafia, Nasa-rawa State capital, on Tuesday, at a conference on creating awareness on the Nigeria national symbols, organised by the National Orientation Agency (NOA).
The Director-General of NOA, Mr Mike Omeri, speaking on the reason for the conference, stressed the need for giving deserved respect to our national symbols, adding that "they represent our collective history and combined aspiration."
Omeri, at a visit to the state deputy governor, Mr Dameshi Barau Luka, said "NOA has commenced a nationwide campaign to sensitise Nigerians on the importance of national symbols of the country, including the national flag, national anthem, national pledge, the coat of arms and the
naira."
The deputy governor, who represented Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, expressed confidence that the campaign would returnNigeria to the days when "citizens took pride in identifying with their nation wherever they are on the globe, by proudly displaying the national colours and other national symbols."

Terrorism: Jonathan must not resign – OPC|

OODUA Peoples Congress (OPC), in Lagos, on Tuesday, called on President Goodluck Jonathan not to resign because of threats from terrorists.
Founder of the OPC, Dr Frederick Fasehun, made the call at a news conference, stating that Jonathan should disregard those people who were demanding his resignation.
"It will be a bad precedence for a president to leave office because were demanding his removal.
"We cannot override the National Assembly to remove him, if the people think he deserves to be removed," he said.
Fasehun said only a fool would play the ethno-religious card in contemporary Nigerian politics, adding that "religion has no placein Nigerian politics or government."
He regretted the nonchalant attitude of some Nigerians to the security problems in the northern part of the country, lamenting that "nobody seems genuinely committed to the unity of Nigeria, which is very worrisome."
According to him, the lack of respect for the country percolated the entire system, while he urged Nigerians to review their contributions to the current situation in the country, so as to pull itback from the brink.
"No country has ever survived two civil wars. We have experienced one. Another civil war will be Nigeria's Armageddon," he said.
Fasehun said the only panacea available for the restructuring, reforming, redesigning and transforming the nation was a sovereign national conference.
"We have been calling for a sovereign national conference to solve our national question. If we don't sit down together to negotiate our future, Nigeria will implode and pass into history.
"If we continue to patch this pseudo-federalism together by the glue of the faulty 1999 Constitution, the ethnic nationalities will continue to wallow in suspicion, hunger, anger, poverty, ignorance and superstition," the OPC founder said.

Plateau: Flood claims 30 in 4 LGs

NO fewer than 30 people lost their lives and many houses washed away during a downpour that led to massive flood in the southern part of Plateau State.
Nigeian Tribune learnt that the rain, which started on Saturday and lasted till Sunday evening, wreaked havoc on virtually all thevillages, destroying farmland and all structures on the waterways.
It was learnt that the flood also destroyed three bridges linking the area with Nasarawa and Taraba states, including neighbouring local govenment areas of the state, while close to 1,000 houses were affected by the flood.
Nigeian Tribune learnt that more corpses were still being picked at various locations both within and outside the affected zone, while virtually all the farmlands were washed away in the unfortunate incident.
The transition committee chairman of Shendam Local Government Area, Honourable Kemi Nshe, told Newsmen that two hundred hectares of farmland were washed away by the flood in his local government area alone.
While on an assesment tour of the afected areas, the senator representing the Southern part of the state, Senator Victor Lar, described the
incident as unfortunate, adding that it was the first time the zone would experience such a downpour.
Lar said victims of the flood were undergoing hardship, adding that with the development, there was the likelihood of an outbreak of epidemics
in the area as a result of the displacement of over 1,500 persons.
Lar called on both the state and federal governments to come to the aid of the affected communities, saying that he had contactedthe Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), which had responded by sending team of officials to assess the level of destruction with a view to assisting the victims.

JTF denies involvement in oil theft

Authorities of the Joint Task Force, codenamed 'Operation Pulo Shield' in the Niger Delta, have denied any form of complicity in the illegal oil bunkering along the coast of the South-South.
Apparently reacting to recent newspaper reports which claimed that three main groups comprising civilians, top military brass and foreigners were behind the rising upsurge in oil theft, the JTF contended that none of its rank and file was involved in oil bunkering.
In a statement issued by its media coordinator, Colonel Onyema Nwachukwu, a copy of which was obtained by the Nigerian Tribune on Tuesday, JTF said, "inasmuch as we may not be privy to the source of this claim, our concern is that this insinuation is grossly erroneous."
According to the statement, "these unsubstantiated insinuations are coming at a time when the Defence Headquarters has intensified the fight against illegal oil bunkering and the Federal Government through its Ministry of Petroleum Resources has declared that there is a positive growth in oil production in Nigeria."
While describing the claim as unfounded and baseless, the JTF said it was clear that the publication was a campaign of calumny by those whose horses had been gored by its operational activities in the Niger Delta, stressing that, "we have been accused of complicity by this set of criminals and yet, we recently arrested an oil thief whose two vessels were laden with 600,000 metric tonnes of crude oil, even when he attempted to bribe a senior officer of the JTF with $30,000 dollars, which the officer rejected and immediately ordered his arrest."
"On the whole, in the third quarter of the year, over 927 illegal refineries have been brought to complete extinction, 21 vessels, 86 barges, 293 Cotonou boats and surface tanks with total capacity of 17,515,320 litres of products have been destroyed by our operatives. 86 suspects have so far been apprehended and handed over to appropriate prosecuting authorities," the statement added

‘950 IEDs recovered in Kano’

THE Kano State Police Command, on Tuesday, disclosed that no fewer than 950 Improved Explosive Devices (IEDs) and sophisticated bombs were recovered from January till date.
Speaking with newsmen in Kano at a press briefing, the state Commissioner of Police (CP), Mr Ibrahim Idris, noted that all IEDs been detonated by anti-bomb squad without harming anybody.
The CP listied various crimes, which had been curtailed by the command, as he said his men arrested a 20-year-old man, Ibrahim Musa, for allegedly killing one Yakubu Ahmed, also a 21-year-old, following a brawl over N50.
The command has also nabbed two staff of the Stanbic IBTC for allegedly paying out N21.8 million without authorisation.
He disclosed that rampant cases of rape continued in the state, saying, two elderly men, Alhassan Uba, 35 years and his friend, Yusuf Isah, 30 years, who jointly raped a 10-year- old and the motorbike used to abduct the innocent girl was also recovered.
Speaking on the alleged fraudulent transfer of money by the two staff of Stanbic IBTC, the CP noted that, on July 25, 2012, the General Manager of the bank discovered that the sum of N27, 850,000 was missing.
Mr Idris told the pressmen that as a result of in preventing crime in the state, a raid was carried out by his command, and a total of 102 suspects were nabbed at various hideouts and 11 vehicleswere recovered.
Giving the breakdown of exhibits recovered by the command, theCP said two pistols , nine double-barrel guns, 226 cartridges, 10 rounds of ammunitions and two AK47 Magazines were recovered.
Other exhibits recovered were two long sickle (barandami), one AK 47 riffle, sword one, 13 pump action, roll of PHCN cables, 200 rubber solutions and 12 knives.
He commended members of public for their positive assistance, noting that, security is a collective responsibility. He, therefore, urged them not to relent in their efforts of furnishing them with useful information, which can lead to the arrest of men of underworld