Villeworth Security Services Ltd

week 35

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PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

Ex-militant Leader, Soboma George, Shot Dead in Port Harcourt

Repentant militant leader, Soboma George, was killed in Port Harcourt on Tuesday. The former militant, who was taken unaware, was allegedly shot dead by rival cult group after a football practice. The state Commissioner of Police (CP), Mr Suleiman Abba, confirmed the murder of Soboma George, but his corpse was still to be found. The CP mentioned that his men found two girls with bullet injuries. One was confirmed dead, while the other he said was still responding to treatment at the hospital. Abba, who said that no arrest had been made in connection with the incident, urged residents to go about their normal business as security is in place to guarantee their safety. An ex-militant, Mr. Ibi Seaboy, has called on the FG to fish out the killers of Soboma as his death has raised fears about their safety.

Police, Anambra Community Launch Vigilante to Combat Crime

Nimo community in Njikoka LGA of Anambra State has come up with a new vigilance group well equipped to combat the rising crime wave in its vicinity. Addressing his subjects and the police while presenting the new vigilante outfit with Mr Anthony Aguelu (Asp rtd.), as its commander to the police Area Commander, the traditional ruler of the community, Igwe J.C. Okafor, said the re-equipment of the security outfit had become necessary to ensure optimum security of lives and property in the area. Igwe Okafor appealed to the police to always accord rapid response to calls from the security outfit.

5 Policemen, 4 Robbers Killed in Abia

Five policemen and four armed robbers were killed in separate armed robbery incidents in Aba, Abia State on Monday and Tuesday. The five policemen were killed by the armed robbers who also carted away their weapons along the Aba-Azumini road on Monday. While the slain armed robbers were killed when a combined team of the army, navy and police confronted the bandits that attacked three commercial banks simultaneously in Osisioma. Abia State Commissioner of Police, Jonathan Johnson, confirmed disclosed that large sums of money were recovered in one of the vehicles used in the robbery operation.

Boat Explosion: Five Escape Death

Five persons including the Chief of Protocol to the Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Tienama Oburiki and the Chairman of Yenagoa LGA, Hon. Michael Obolosigha last weekend, escaped death along the Yenagoa waterways following an explosion that rocked their boat. The Incident, which occurred at about 4pm few meters away from the Government House jetty, was attributed to over speeding and faulty engine of the boat owned by the Youth Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Comrade Sobere Apa. The Yenagoa LG boss reportedly sustained serious cut on his head, while others swam to safety.

2 Children Drown in Aba Floods

Two kids were reported to have drowned in flood following a days of rainfall in Aba, Abia State. A resident of Old Express, in Ariaria International Market area, where the two kids were reported to have been drowned and where over 10 buildings were also affected, Rev. Nobert Nwokeji, confirmed the death of the kids and said three of his houses were submerged in the flood. The clergyman, who blamed the flooding of the area to poor drainage system and planning, said apart from the two kids that were drowned, properties worth millions of naira were also lost to the flood and called on the government to come to their aid.

Wife Escapes Death in Husband’s Girlfriend Attack

A jealous and pregnant concubine, simply identified as Ms. Alice, in Isobendege community in Boki LGA of Cross River State, is alleged to have attacked her lover’s wife, Mrs. Clara Ntui, who is a school teacher. According to an eyewitness, Mrs. Ntui, 30 nearly met her death when her husband’s girlfriend got wind that she had returned to spend some days with her husband, and plotted to eliminate her. It was gathered that soon after Clara arrived the village for her long vacation, Ms Alice, armed with dangerous weapons, burst into Clara’s room and pounced on her, slashing her neck and face with sharp objects. Clara’s screams drew the attention of neighbours that rushed to her rescue and took her for first aid treatment. It was learnt that nobody has been able to ascertain the whereabouts of the assailant.

Anambra Police Arrest Kidnappers

The Anambra State Police Command has arrested the kidnap gang that abducted the mother of former President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Sani Lulu and the wife of former Managing Director of Nigeria Breweries Plc, Chief Festus Odimegwu, Lolo Odimegwu. While parading the suspects and 12 others, the Commissioner of Police, Philemon Leha, said the seven members of the gang that kidnapped Hajia Lulu were arrested while attempting to kidnap the Chairman of Aba Park, Onitsha. Leha said that two members of the gang who abducted Lolo Odimegwu were apprehended at Ndiakwaeke in Ihiala LGA of the state. Among the two suspects was a 65-year-old Mr. Anthony Nwangwu in whose house the woman was kept. He confessed that he got N5 million as his share of the N100m ransom.

Court Remands Student over Rape of Groundnut Hawker

An Onitsha, Anambra State, Chief Magistrate, Ngozi Okoye, on Wednesday remanded a 21-year-old student of the University of Lagos, Mr. Chukwuemeka Muodieze, in prison for allegedly raping and defiling a 13-year old girl. The suspect was alleged to have, in the early part of August, raped the girl, a groundnut hawker, after luring her into his house on the pretext of buying groundnut. The prosecution further said the accused grabbed his victim, tore her dress and engaged her in a marathon sex from 12 noon till about 6pm. The prosecution showed the court a medical report from General Hospital, Onitsha, which established the rape. Okoye adjourned further hearing in the case to October 20.

Abducted LG Boss Regains Freedom

The Chairman of Onna LGA of Akwa Ibom State, Mrs. Owoidighe Ekpoattai, on Thursday regained her freedom after seven days in kidnappers’ den. Ekpoattai was abducted, penultimate Thursday, shortly after a meeting she hosted. The gunmen, who abducted her, also shot dead one of the policemen attached to her. The kidnappers were said to have trailed her from the LGA headquarters in Onna down to Ikot Okuborn village in Eket LGA before launching their attack. The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Walter Rugbere, confirmed her release.

Six-Year-Old Drowns in Drainage

A six-year-old girl identified, Christiana Oluebere, on Tuesday drowned in a poorly constructed drainage in Umuahia, Abia State. Some mobile policemen defied the downpour to assist the nine-year-old brother of the girl when they both fell into the drainage. The policemen said that they laboured in vain to rescue Christiana. The boy said that they were going home after watching the new yam traditional rites when the rain started. He said that he was carrying his sister and both of them slipped into the drainage that was covered with flood.

Groups Reject UN Report on Ogoni Oil Spills

The Environmental Rights Action and Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) have said a United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) report due for release in December, which exonerated Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) from series of pipeline bursts in Ogoniland, is scandalous. It was reported that a three-year investigation conducted by UNEP and funded with $9.5million allegedly provided by Shell had concluded that only 10% of the pollution in Ogoniland was caused by equipment failure and company negligence, while the rest was caused by saboteurs. ERA/FoEN said the report was objectionable as it contradicted all verifiable facts about pipeline spills in Ogoniland and the entire Niger Delta. The FG disclosed that 3,203 cases of oil spill occurred in the country between 2006 and 2010; 45% of which was attributed to sabotage/vandalism.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

Police Kill 4 Robbery Suspects in Delta

The Delta State Joint Patrol team on Wednesday night smashed a five-man gang of car –snatchers after they stole a Toyota car at gun point. The team also killed four other robbery suspects in different parts of the town while one escaped with gunshot wounds. The robbers were heading back to Benin when luck ran against them as the car-owner, who accompanied the patrol team sighted the car at about 1.30 pm around the Airport junction, Effurun and alerted the policemen who gave a hot chase that sparked a fierce exchange of bullets that left one of the robbers dead on the spot. The others died while receiving treatment.

Edo Police Kill Ex-Militant in Shoot-out

The spokesman of the Edo State Police Command, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Ahwara Ejiror, while parading four suspected kidnappers on Tuesday, disclosed that an ex-militant and trainee of the presidential amnesty programme, Grikpa Louis, was killed during a shoot-out between the police and suspected kidnappers when the police stormed their hide-out. Ejiror said two of the suspected kidnappers were arrested after the gun-battle while the other two were apprehended as accomplices after they abducted two young men from a village in Ogba near Benin City on Monday.

Abducted Ex-Varsity Don Regains Freedom

Abducted former Vice Chancellor of Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, Prof. John Okpako Enaohwo, was, last weekend, released by his captors who earlier demanded N10 million as ransom. Enaohwo was abducted by unknown gunmen penultimate Wednesday from his Ovu residence. It is still not clear if any ransom was paid. His abductors, who conveyed him in his car, allegedly passed through many police checkpoints along the route undetected before the vehicle was abandoned around the Delta Steel Company (DSC). A security expert, Mr. Bonaventure Maduafokwa, has decried lack of modern crime-fighting equipment for the police. He said it was because the Nigeria Police operated without effective intelligence network that efforts to reduce crimes like kidnapping remain Herculean.

Youths Lynch Artisan in Delta

National Coordinator of Forum for Justice and Human Rights Defence (FJHD) in Delta state, Mr. Oghenejabor Ikimi, has lamented the handling by police of an incident in which an artisan in Aladja community, Matthew Boyi, was lynched by a group of youths in the area over an alleged crime that was not reported to the Police. Investigations revealed that the youths who were seen by residents on the said day were armed with woods and others dangerous weapons, dragging the victim to the Aladja community town hall where he was beaten to death. Ikimi said that the forum was not impressed with the attitude of the police in Ovwian to the matter, condemning the action of the Divisional Police Station, Ovwian over their lackadaisical and lukewarm attitude towards the investigation.

Tanker Drivers Warn against Adulterated Kerosene in Edo

The Petroleum Tanker Drivers Union, Benin Depot, PTD, yesterday raised alarm over the presence of killer kerosene currently in circulation in the state. The union has, however, set up a four-man committee to monitor the movement of the alleged killer kerosene. State Chairman of PTD, Mr Godwin Asemota, who disclosed this, said clearance must be obtained from the unit by tanker drivers before any kerosene brought from outside the state is discharged. Asemota also disclosed that the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) had given them a utility vehicle for the monitoring of pipelines against vandals

Delta Community Appeals for Police Presence

The people of Kokodiagbene Community in Gbaramatu kingdom of Warri South-West LGA of Delta State have called for the establishment of a police post in the community to check crimes and attacks on oil facilities by criminals. They lamented that criminals and restive youths from neighbouring communities were taking advantage of the absence of security presence in the community to foment trouble. Kokodiagbene Community Secretary, Mr Sheriff Mulade, made the appeal, during a visit to the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Ogbe-Ijoh, Mr. Ufot Ekim. Mulade promised that the community will provide a minimum of three-bedroom building to accommodate the station temporarily if approved.

Lecturer Found Dead on Road

The body of a senior lecturer in the Department of Petroleum Engineering, University of Benin (UNIBEN) Dr Balvant Rai, an Indian, was found dead few meters from his home. The lifeless body was discovered in the early hours of Wednesday. Though it was yet to be ascertained what actually killed him, it was, however, believed that he probably died out of exhaustion after he trekked to his house under the down pour in Benin on Tuesday. The spokesman of the University, Osaze Osareren, who confirmed the incident, said the university authority had requested that an autopsy be carried out.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

Police Desert Ekiti Community in Burial of Slain Aspirant

Policemen, penultimate Friday, deserted the streets of Ilawe-Ekiti, in Ekiti South-West LGA of Ekiti state as youths buried the remains of the slain aspirant to the state house of assembly, Mr. Kunle Ayaga. The disappearance of policemen from the streets, it was gathered, was sequel to the warning issued by the youth in the town that they did not want police presence in the town during the burial. The youths also warned the state government not to interfere with the investigation, calling on the Inspector-General of Police to set up a panel to probe the killing. Ayaga was allegedly shot dead by a policeman attached to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad in Ilawe-Ekiti on August 8. Following his killing, a mob rounded up some policemen killing two of them.

12-Year-Old Shoots Stepmother Dead

A 12-year-old boy in a village near Odeda LGA of Ogun State, Mayowa Abegunrin, penultimate Saturday, allegedly shot and killed his stepmother with a Dane gun owned by his grandfather. Mayowa has since been arrested. Mayowa cried and said that he killed her because she was fond of beating him and he could not stand it anymore and has complained several times to his father about it. Muyiwa’s grandfather, Mr. Moses Abegunrin who has also been arrested by the police said that he was not at home when his grandson committed the heinous crime.

Abducted Chinese Rescued in Ogun

Two Chinese men who were kidnapped by a gang of three armed men penultimate Thursday have been rescued by the police. Two of the suspects were arrested along with their victims at Ifonyitedo, a border town between Nigeria and Benin Republic. The Ogun State Police Commissioner, Mr. Musa Daura described the arrest of the kidnappers as laudable. He also added that the victims’ car and some arms were recovered from the kidnappers.

Two Killed in Police, Customs Clash

Two persons, including a police constable, were feared dead on Monday in Kankon, a border village at Seme, Lagos, following a clash between men of the Federal Highway Patrol team and officers of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS). Police Assistant Superintendent (ASP) attached to the international border patrol team, Ignatius Obinacho, said the conflict started when policemen  attached to the Federal Highway patrol unit mounted road blocks which was about 10km from the usual spot  where Custom officers usually carry out their checks. He added that when he got the information, he personally went to the Federal Highway patrol team and told them to dismantle the roadblocks and vacate the areas for the Customs, but they refused saying that they were acting on superior orders.

Police Hunt for Islamic Cleric

Police in Oyo State on Monday began an intensive manhunt for Islamic Cleric, Mallam Khalid Usman, whose preaching, penultimate Sunday was believed to have sparked up violence among two Islamic sects in Sabo area. Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Baba Adisa Bolanta, confirmed the arrest of nine persons in connection with the sectarian clash that left 13 persons injured. Cars and mosques within the Hausa community were also damaged. Bolanta assured that the crisis has been put under control and adequate security has been provided to prevent a recurrence. Trouble broke out in the area penultimate Sunday when two Islamic sects, Izala and Tijaniya had disagreed over their style of preaching, which resulted in violence

Police Commence Orderly Trial of 4 Officers over Death of Driver

The Kwara State Police Command has commenced orderly trial of four policemen accused of killing one Dele Olaniyan, 27, a bus conductor, in Ilorin on Tuesday. The spokesperson of the command, Dabo Ezekiel, who disclosed this, noted that a constable, attached to the team, held hostage by the aggrieved youths in the community had been rescued. The incident occurred when a five-man team of mobile policemen at a checkpoint flagged down the driver of the truck, who stopped but was later asked to go. But the policemen later gave the vehicle a hot chase, shooting indiscriminately until a bullet hit Olaniyan. Meanwhile, three suspects have been remanded in Ile-Ife prison for allegedly clubbing a policeman to death on May 25, 2010, in Ikirun, Osun State. The pleas of the suspects were not taken because magistrate’s court lacked the jurisdiction to hear murder cases.

Gunmen Dispossess Paymaster of N7m in Akure

Two dare devil armed robbers, Monday, attacked the paymaster, Abiodun Ogunjobi, working in the Ondo State Ministry of Works and carted away N7 million. Ogunjobi was attacked few minutes after he left the commercial bank where he withdrew the money. It was learnt that the paymaster and the driver of the Hilux van conveying him were waylaid when the driver was trying to avoid a heavy traffic jam caused by the presence of police on the Oba Adesida and Oyemekun roads. The robbers, who rode on a motorcycle shot intermittently into the air and attacked the Hilux van, despite the heavy presence of the police. The spokesman of the state police command, Adeniran Aremu, said the police are currently investigating the matter.

Old Man Commits Suicide in Lagos

An 87-year-old man, identified as Baba Taju, allegedly committed suicide on Monday in Lagos. The man was said to have bought a rope in the evening, locked the door to his apartment at Bariga before tying the rope to a ceiling fan. The reason he took his life still remained unknown to his family and residents in the area. According to a resident, the deceased greeted people in the evening as he walked in holding the rope, but no one envisaged what he planned to do. The deceased was the landlord of the house where he lived. Police officers at Bariga police station claimed that they were not informed that anyone committed suicide.

Ogun Donates APC, N49m to Police

To assist the police fight violent crimes in Ogun State, Governor Gbenga Daniel on Wednesday, donated a brand new N49 million Armoured Personnel Car (APC) to the Police Command. In addition, the governor gave the command N49 million to buy modern communication gadgets for its operations. Daniel said that the government had to take loan to fulfil the purpose.   He insisted that one unit of mobile policemen in the state is no more adequate, considering the existing 17 urban locations in Ogun; hence, the need by the police authorities to increase the units had become inevitable.

Trafficker Dies after Cocaine Burst in Stomach

A suspected drug trafficker, Hakeem Adesegun Habeeb, has died of cocaine ingestion after the hard drug burst in his stomach. According to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the deceased ingested the drugs preparatory to his trip to Europe when one of the wraps ruptured. He eventually died at the hospital after admitting to drug ingestion in his dying declaration. A post mortem was carried out which was witnessed by operatives of the NDLEA in a hospital in Lagos, led to the discovery of ruptured wrap of narcotic buried deep down his intestinal track. Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade, described the incident as sad and urged youths to consider the consequences of their actions.

GENERAL

Police to Train 13000 Special Squad for Elections

London Metropolitan Police has offered to train over 13,000 officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) in readiness for security provision during the 2011 general election. An official of the Scotland Yard Police, London said that the development is in response to Nigeria's request for assistance in the area of security during the 2011 general election. Peter Clerk, the Chief Training Officer of the London Police said that members of the Nigeria Police Force would be exposed to security management during and after election, security operatives’ conduct during election and how to maintain self satisfaction during a crucial national assignment. The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ogbonna Onovo, would neither confirm nor deny the development.

U.S Sends Team to Secure Nigeria's Inland Waterways

The United States of America (USA), in support of the development of effective maritime security strategy that would eliminate pirates from her territorial waters, last weekend, dispatched a specialise team of Coast Guards to train Nigeria’s maritime law enforcement agents on the implementation of new convention on security at sea. The coast guard operatives would train the Nigerian Naval officers and officials from the nation’s maritime administration on how to technically carry out search and rescue operation, weapon confiscation and how to checkmate pirates and armed robbers at sea. According to the leader of the coast guard team, Rear Admiral Gerard Hubei (rtd), the US’ effort was aimed at improving maritime security network around the Gulf of Guinea and Somali, using Nigeria as a base.

NBA seeks UN Intervention in Jos Crisis

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has called on the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights to intervene in bringing about an end to the genocide in Jos. Also invited by the NBA was the Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General on the Prevention of Genocide and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to undertake an urgent investigation and assistance to Jos. Disclosing this, the outgoing First Vice President of the NBA, Ikeazor Akaraiwe, said the people deserve to know the truth and government had the responsibility to ensure that this happens. Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan has vowed to implement the report of the presidential committee on the Jos crisis. Jonathan made the resolve when he received the final report of the committee on the Jos Crises on Monday.

Nigeria Attains CAT 1 Status in Aviation Safety

The United States Ambassador, Dr Robin Renee Sanders, on Monday announced that the US Federal Aviation Administration has awarded the Category 1 certificate to Nigeria after scaling the International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) audit in July this year. An IASA Cat 1 status means that Nigeria now complies with the international air safety standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) which is the United Nation’s technical agency for aviation. It also means Nigeria now has the laws and regulations necessary to oversee air carriers in accordance with ICAO rules. The Cat 1 certificate, whose journey began about three years ago, will enable Nigerian registered airplanes commence direct flights between Nigeria and cities in the United States.

Flood Claims 2 Lives, Destroys 200 Houses in Sokoto

At least two people have lost their lives as a result of flooding in Giyawa village of Goronyo LGA of Sokoto State. The flood also destroyed over 200 houses, farmlands and livestock worth millions of naira.  Member Representing Goronyo in the State House of Assembly, Alhaji Bello Muhammad, confirmed the incident last weekend, describing the deaths as shocking and unfortunate. He said the House committee on disaster management has been informed about the incident and all measures would be taken to alleviate the suffering of the victims. Muhammad called on the state and federal government to come to the aid of the victims, saying this is the worst flood incident recorded in the area in the last 10 years.

Cholera Claims 352 in Northern Nigeria

Cholera epidemic in northern Nigeria has now recorded 6,497 cases with 352 deaths while the Federal Government, Wednesday, alerted that the entire country was at risk of the epidemic. The government, through the Ministry of Health warned that although most outbreaks occurred in the Northwest and Northeast zones and the epidemiological evidence from the diseases indicates that the entire country is at risk. The Special Assistant to the Minister of Health on Communication, Mrs. Rakiya Zubairu said the nation recorded 6,497 cases with 352 deaths from cholera between January and August 23.

Ex-Commissioner’s Son Kidnapped

The eleven-year-old son of a former Commissioner and aspiring lawmaker in Bauchi State was on Sunday kidnapped by a group of men from his residence at federal housing estate in Bauchi. The suspected kidnappers went straight into the former commissioners' sitting room where they met him and demanded for money. When they could not get what they demanded they broke into the main residence and took away valuables reportedly worth N150, 000 and the child. Meanwhile the Bauchi State Police Public Relations Officer, (PPRO), Muhammad Barau confirmed the incident but revealed that the child’s abduction was a mere robbery incident and not kidnapping. Road block was mounted to check every vehicle coming into the state capital and going out from the evening of the faithful day.

Vandals Break Pipeline in Kano

Members of Hawan Turau Community in Bebeji Council of Kano state resisted attempts by security agencies to ward them off from the area of a vandalised oil pipeline on Wednesday. A team of local vandals had burst an exposed NNPC diesel pipeline, resulting in the forceful release of the product into the neighbourhood. State Commander, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Alhaji Adamu Soldier Saddabs, who confirmed the incident, disclosed that the most challenging aspect of the operation was the pressure mounted by hundreds of villagers, who had besieged the scene of the oil vandalism with containers to fetch the product for their own use, not mindful of the risk.

NIS Raises Alarm over Plans to Flood Nigeria with Arms

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has alerted on plans by unidentified persons to flood the country with arms ahead of the 2011 elections, and has therefore placed its personnel on red alert to ensure that the small arms and light weapons were prevented from entering the country. Comptroller General (CG) of the NIS, Rose Chinyere Uzoma, also alerted on the plans for a large scale infiltration of non-nationals especially Nigeriennes to cause troubles by manipulating the entire process. The CG warned the comptrollers on the need to tighten their controls and ensure that such unwholesome importation do not come through their commands’ border areas.

Man, 31, in Court for Raping Girl, 6

The police in Abuja on Wednesday arraigned a 31-year-old man, Adamu Danladi, before an Abuja Magistrate court for the brutal rape of a 6-year-old girl, who was left unconscious at Kusaki village in Kuje on June 23, 2010. The incident was promptly reported to the police by the father of the victim, identified as Mr Asama Sabo. Presiding Magistrate, Hafsat Soso, granted the accused bail for N200, 000, after he had produced a civil servant who stood surety for him in the like sum. Hearing was adjourned to September 27.

Lead Poisoning Kills 30 in Zamfara

About 30 persons are feared dead in a fresh case of lead poisoning at Bagega village in Anka LGA of Zamfara State. Investigations revealed that more children are dying from the lead poisoning. Lead poisoning caused the death of more than 300 people in the last two months in the north. The Emir of Anka and chairman of the Zamfara State Council of Emirs, Alhaji Attahiru Ahmad, has inaugurated a committee with the mandate to quickly move to Bagega village to control the casualties before the intervention of the state and the federal government.

Three Policemen Killed in Borno, Yobe

Three unidentified gunmen on motorcycles, Thursday, killed two policemen on duty in Maiduguri, Borno State. In Yobe state, a policeman guarding the private residence of the State Governor was also killed by gunmen. The killings in Maiduguri brought to a total of six policemen slain at four different locations in the metropolis. The Borno State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Abdu, said that the incessant killings of policemen by unknown gunmen might be connected with the Boko Haram sectarian crisis. He said that investigations were being conducted.

INTERNATIONAL

Iran Unveils Unmanned Bomber Aircraft

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has inaugurated Iran’s first domestically built unmanned bomber aircraft. The four-meter-long drone aircraft can carry up to four cruise missiles and will have a range of 620 miles, according to reports. “The jet, as well as being an ambassador of death for the enemies of humanity, has a main message of peace and friendship,” said Ahmadinejad. The goal of the aircraft, named Karrar or striker, is to “keep the enemy paralyzed in its bases,” he said, adding that the aircraft is for deterrence and defensive purposes.

Al Qaeda Fighters Killed in Yemen

Five Al-Qaeda members were killed in clashes on Sunday with the Yemeni army in the southern city of Loder, after an ultimatum for the militants to surrender expired, an official said. The latest violence erupted two hours after a government ultimatum for suspected Al-Qaeda militants in Loder to surrender expired and two days after 21 people were killed in fighting in the city. Loder in Abyan province has been rocked by deadly violence for several days. Seven alleged Al-Qaeda members, among them three foreigners, were killed penultimate Friday and three others were wounded, the defence ministry reported. Three civilians were also killed

Al-Qaeda Frees 2 Spanish Aid Workers in Mali

Two Spanish aid workers kidnapped nine months ago by an al-Qaida affiliate have been set free, a Spanish official and a diplomatic source said. The release happened just days after a Malian who was sentenced in Mauritania for the kidnapping was extradited back to his home country. Al-Qaeda of the Islamic Maghreb, or AQIM, had demanded his return as a condition for the release of the two aid workers.

Hostages Killed In Philippine’s Bus Siege

After a 12-hour hostage situation on a hijacked Philippine bus, an angry ex-policeman demanding his job back was gunned down after he killed eight Hong Kong tourists in the bus. At least seven captives survived, police Senior Superintendent, Nelson Yabut, said. A former policeman armed with an assault rifle had seized the bus in an apparent attempt to get his job back.  Hong Kong's government has criticised the handling of the siege. In all, 22 Hong Kong tourists were taken hostage along with three Filipinos. Chinese officials said all eight of the dead were from Hong Kong.

25 Islamic Militants Escape from Jail

A group of 25 Islamic militants in jail on terrorism charges have escaped from a prison in Tajikistan's capital after dramatic assaults that left at least five guards dead. The escaped convicts include many members of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan terrorist group, among them Russian and Afghan citizens, officials said on Monday. The prisoners attacked their guards late Sunday, killing one and badly wounding two others, the security services said. They then grabbed a supply of weapons, changed into camouflage uniforms and fled. One of the fugitives was identified as Abdurasul Mirzoyev, the brother of a jailed former head of the presidential guards, who was sentenced to 30 years in prison last month on charges of involvement in a plot to overthrow the government.

Trapped Chile Miners Alive

Thirty-three Chilean miners trapped deep underground for 17 days sent a message to the surface on Sunday, saying they were all still alive, but experts said it would take up to 4 months to dig them out. President Sebastian Pinera said the paper message was tied to a perforation drill that rescuers used to bore through to the area near an underground shelter, where the miners took refuge after the collapse at the small gold and copper mine on August 5. The accident has put a spotlight on mine safety in Chile, though accidents are rare at major mines and the incident is not seen having a significant impact on the country‘s output.

14 Dead in Nepal Plane Crash

A single-engine aircraft carrying 11 passengers and three crew members crashed south of Kathmandu Tuesday morning amid bad weather, government officials said, killing all on board. The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal said that the aircraft was flying to the Everest region of Nepal from Kathmandu when it was diverted back to the capital because of poor weather. A police rescue team was headed to the mountains in the Makwanpur district, about 62 miles southeast of Kathmandu, Home Ministry spokesman, Jaya Mukunda Khanal, said. Eyewitnesses said the plane crashed into an agricultural field and broke into pieces.

Lawmakers Killed in Somali Hotel Raid

Several members of Somalia's parliament were killed in a raid on a Mogadishu hotel on the second day of a bloody Islamist offensive. Islamist al Shabaab fighters launched an offensive on Tuesday, leaving 29 civilians dead. The government also said it had killed more than 15 insurgents in the worst clashes since the July 11 suicide attacks in Kampala claimed by the group escalated the conflict. Meanwhile, two failed bomb attempts by the Al-Shabaab killed 11 militants around Mogadishu on Saturday. In the first incident, militants were working on a car bomb when the device detonated, killing 10. Another was killed while planting a roadside bomb on Mogadishu's Ansaloti Bridge. Authorities arrested two other individuals suspected of guarding the militant who died.

Aid Groups Accuse Rebels of Raping over 170 Women in Congo

Rebels in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo raped almost 200 women during a four-day seizure of a town, according to aid groups report. On July 30, Rwandan Hutu FDLR insurgents and Mai Mai militia groups attacked the town of Luvungi in North Kivu province, which they then controlled until August 3. International Medical Corps (IMC) reported that FDLR systematically raped the population during its four-day stay in Luvungi and surrounding areas. A total of 179 cases of sexual violence were reported. IMC said it was treating the victims. The United Nations has withdrawn 1,700 peacekeepers in recent months in response to calls from Congo's government to end the mission next year, but still supports operations against several armed groups in the east.

3 Colombian Teens on Facebook Hit List Killed

Three teens, whose names were on a 69-name hit list posted on Facebook, have been killed in a southwestern Colombian town, officials say. Police say they do not know who posted the list or why the names are on it, Colombian national police spokesman, Wilson Baquero, said. But officials note that a criminal gang known as Los Rastrojos and a Marxist guerrilla group called the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia operate in the area. The hit list on Facebook, which was posted August 17, gave the people named three days to leave the town of Puerto Asis or be executed.

Recruit Kills 2 Spanish Officers

An Afghan police recruit opened fire on Spanish trainers early Wednesday, killing two of them along with their interpreter, Spain's Interior Minister, Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba, said. The recruit was subsequently shot and killed by Spanish officers who had been conducting a police training course at their base in Badghis province. The officers were members of a paramilitary unit that falls under the command of Spain's Defense Ministry. The motive for the attack was unknown. Afghan officials also reported the death of an Afghan police officer in an exchange with Spanish police in Badghis' Qalay-I-Naw district, but said they were still investigating the incident. A member of the provincial council said there were suspicions that Taliban fighters active in the remote area had infiltrated the local police force.

6 Sunni Fighters Killed in Iraq

Insurgents killed six members of a government-allied Sunni militia in an ambush northeast of Baghdad on Thursday, police said, offering no respite to a nation still reeling from a spate of attacks on police and soldiers a day earlier that left at least 56 dead. Diyala police spokesman Maj. Ghalib al-Karkhi said the government-allied fighters, known as Sahwa or Awakening Councils, were driving near the town of Muqdadiyah when their car hit a roadside bomb. In Afghanistan, insurgents killed eight policemen in a raid Thursday, and the provincial police chief, Abdul Raziq Yaqoubi, said police suspected the raid was carried out by militants from Russia's restive Chechnya region. The militants apparently hoped to steal the policemen's weapons, but were beaten back before they could do so, he said.

Congo Plane Crash Claims 19

No fewer than 19 people died on Wednesday after a plane going from central Congo to Bandundu crashed in Bandundu. Police chief, Col. Joli Limengo, said that the bodies had been pulled from the wreckage. Congo has one of the worst air safety records in the world. The Central African country’s safety regulations are notoriously lax.

Maid Tortured with 24 Nails inside Body

A Sri Lankan housemaid has returned home from Saudi Arabia with 24 nails embedded in her body after allegedly being tortured by her employer. L.T Ariyawathi, 49, alleged that her Saudi employer tortured her and drove nails into her body. Economic Development Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena said doctors who examined the woman found the nails inside her body and she was currently being treated at a local hospital. Some of the nails are about two inches long and were driven beneath the skin of Ariyawathi's hands, feet and legs.

North Korea Releases Imprisoned American

Aijalon Gomes, an American, who was imprisoned in North Korea after allegedly crossing illegally into the country from China, has been released to former U.S. President Jimmy Carter. Carter flew to the North Korea on a private mission to secure a pardon for the 31-year-old American, who has been detained since January. North Korean leader, Kim Jong, granted Carter's request to "leniently forgive" Gomes, according to reports. Gomes was the fourth American in a year arrested for trespassing in North Korea.

Bombs Kill 3 US Troops in Afghanistan

Homemade bombs killed three U.S. troops in southern and eastern Afghanistan on Friday, and a roadside blast tore through a crowded market in the increasingly volatile north, killing three police and two civilians. No further details were given by NATO. A total of 55 foreign troops have been killed in Afghanistan this August, including 35 Americans, according to reports. Meanwhile, a police official said three Afghan policemen and two civilians were killed and 15 civilians wounded in Thursday evening's bombing in Kunduz province's Archi town. The blast went off as residents shopped for food in anticipation of the breaking of the dawn-to-dusk fast observed during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack.

Landslide in Turkey Kills 12

Torrential rains triggers landslides and floods in northern Turkey, killing at least 12 people, officials said on Friday. The landslide hit dozens of homes in Gundogdu, in the Black Sea province of Rize. The rains began late Thursday, as many people were breaking their dawn-to-dusk fasts for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. The Interior Ministry also said two people were reported missing.