Villeworth Security Services Ltd

week 4

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PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

Five Injured In Ogoni Clash.

About five persons were injured when soldiers invaded Teyor Kaani community in Khana LGA of Rivers State. The soldiers, who were heavily armed, were said to have stormed the community on Tuesday with about 15 trucks. MOSOPAssociate Editor, Tambari Deekor, explained that a number of individuals were manhandled by the soldiers and others arrested including a mother and her 8-month-old baby. The Army denied the alleged invasion of the community by soldiers. The Army Public Relations Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Aminu Iliyasu, said officers and men of the command were deployed in the state for safety and security of lives and property.

Chevron Confirms 2 Dead in Rig Fire

United States energy giant, Chevron Corporation has stated that its subsidiary, Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL), has called off the search and rescue activities for two foreign contractors who were missing after fire broke out aboard the KS Endeavor drilling rig offshore Nigeria. KS Endeavor was drilling a natural gas exploration well for Chevron in Bayelsa State, when it caught fire. Managing Director of Chevron Nigeria and Mid-Africa Strategic Business Unit, Andrew Fawthrop, stated that the three days of intensive search and rescue activities for the missing persons were not successful. The company, however, noted that it was continuing its plans and preparations to drill a relief well, and its investigation into the cause of the incident. 152 workers working on the shallow water rig and associated barge were safely evacuated from the incident.

Police Vows to Rescue Kidnapped Corps Members

Gunmen have kidnapped two members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and their female friend in Odagwa, Etche LGA of Rivers State.The Police says it is working hard to rescue the two members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) that were kidnapped on January 15. The Police Spokesman, Ben Ugwuegbulam, disclosed that several police units were on coordinated trail of the kidnappers. He said that everything was being done to ensure a successful rescue of the victims and arrest of the kidnappers. Several corps members have been reported kidnapped in Rivers state, but security agencies had successfully rescued all the victims and arrested some suspects.

Soldier Killed in Ogoniland

A soldier was killed by suspected criminals in Teyor Kaani community in Ogoni area of Rivers State on Tuesday. The victim was reportedly attached to Sector Two of the Joint Task Force (JTF).  A spokesman for the division, Lieutenant Colonel Aminu Iliyasu, confirmed the incident and said that a number of suspects had been arrested in connection with the killing. Iliyasu also refuted allegations that JTF personnel had invaded the Teyor Kaani community in retaliation. The president of the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People, Goodluck Diigbo, had claimed that a group of heavily armed soldiers had stormed the community at dawn on Tuesday and manhandled several individuals.

FG Raises Team to Battle Oil Theft, Piracy

A special joint Military task force, code named, Operation Pulo Shield, has been set up by the Federal Government in the Niger Delta to combat widespread illegal oil bunkering and sea piracy in the region. Operation Pulo Shield is to replace Operation Restore Hope. The Commander of the 2nd Amphibious Brigade, Brig Gen Tukur Buratai, stated this at the handing over of former sectors 2 and 3 JTF Operation Restore Hope to the 2nd Amphibious Brigade now also the headquarters of Operation Pulo Shield. He explained that with the end of militancy in the region, the government now deemed it necessary to tackle the problem of economic sabotage which Includes oil pipeline vandalism.

Dynamite Targets Bayelsa Bridge

Police say unknown bombers detonated locally made dynamite near a bridge in Bayelsa state, but no one was injured. The blast happened Friday night in Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa state, the home of President Goodluck Jonathan. Bayelsa state police spokesman Eguavoen Emokpae said the bomb targeted a bridge, but caused little damage. This comes amid rising insecurity in the state due to the upcoming gubernatorial race in the state. There have been running intra-party battle within the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP). The incumbent governor, Timipre Sylva was screened out by a panel before the party primaries. While there is a lingering litigation, a federal high court ruled that the name of the winner of the primaries, Dickson Seriake be placed as the candidate of the party in the February race.

JTF Arrests 81 Suspects in Rivers

A total of 36 kidnappers, 11 suspected armed robbers and 34 suspected illegal crude oil thieves have been arrested in the last one month in Rivers State by security operatives under the Joint Task Force (Operation Pulo Shield). JTF Commander, Brigadier-General Tukur Buratai, said that 13 bandits were killed in gun duel with security operatives and that JTF lost two soldiers within the period. According to Buratai, over 60 bandits were wounded during exchange of gunfire with JTF operatives. He further explained that the JTF foiled six robbery attempts, four kidnap attempts and rescued no fewer than 20 persons who were kidnapped by hoodlums. Items recovered include six vehicles, including four speedboats, five AK-47 rifles, 26 short-guns, two pump action guns, and one pistol. He said security operatives have destroyed no fewer than 108 illegal refineries in the state.

Dutch Govt to Clean up Ogoniland

A year after the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) released its findings on Ogoni oil spill attributed to Shell Petroleum Development Corporation, (SPDC); the Dutch government has resolved to clean up the land. The decision was announced by the Netherlands Ambassador to Nigeria, Bert Ronhaart during a visit to the Director General of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), Peter Idabor to discuss relations between both countries. Ronhaart explained that the compensation aspect of any spill contained in the report should be a sole responsibility of the Nigerian government while the cleanup exercise should be part of the Corporate Social Responsibility of the multinational oil company responsible for the spill.

Enugu Doctors Protest Kidnap of Pregnant Colleague

Medical practitioners in Enugu State, on Wednesday, staged a peaceful protest over non-release of their eight-month pregnant colleague, Dr. Chidinma Okwor, who was abducted by suspected kidnappers in front of her residence. The doctors insisted that abduction of the eight-month old pregnant doctor was the height of criminality. They threatened to embark on an indefinite strike if the government and security agents failed to secure the release of the woman within the next seven days.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

Cattle Rearers Stab Policeman in Delta

…Mob Avenge Stabbing
Two Hausa/Fulani cattle rearers allegedly stabbed a policeman in Asaba during an argument on Friday. An eyewitness said that when the officer who was bleeding slumped, many people felt he has died and lynched the two of suspects instantly. The corpses of the cattle rearers were displayed by the police. It was not immediately ascertained if the stabbed policeman has died or hospitalized. Contacted, the State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mr. Charles Muka confirmed the incident.

Hospital Workers Protest Kidnap of Colleague in Benin

Workers at the Federal Psychiatric Hospital, in Benin City, Edo State embarked on a protest over the kidnap of a senior consultant in the hospital, Dr. Charles Ikeji, who was abducted penultimate Thursday on his way to work. The workers, led by Kennedy Osamwonyi, staged a peaceful protest round the hospital’s premises and insisted they would not work until their colleague was released. It was, however, learnt that abductors have raised their demand from the initial N2 million to N3 million.

Fire Razes Spare Parts Market in Warri

The Tools and Motor Spare Parts Market in Effurun, near Warri, Delta State was on Thursday gutted by fire. The incident occurred barely a month after the popular Udu Harbour Market was razed. The fire was put out by a combined team of the Delta State Fire Service, Shell Fire Department and Chevron Fire Service. Some of the affected traders said they had lost all their investments to the inferno. Though the cause of the inferno could not be immediately ascertained, some of the traders ascribed it to a bush fire around the area. No life was lost in the inferno. The Chairman of the Tools and Spare Parts Dealers Association, Mr. Andy Obinnali, said that it was the second time such incident would happen in the market.

Delta Assures Labour on Palliatives over Subsidy Removal

The Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Chief Victor Ochie, lauded the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Federal Government over the peaceful resolution of the impasse over the removal of fuel subsidy. Ochie made the remark when leaders of organized Labour and the Delta House of Assembly met in Asaba. Ochie said as a Labour-friendly administration, the palliatives announced by the Executive arm of government would be faithfully implemented.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

Police Arrest 38 Suspects in Ilorin after Protests

About 38 suspects have been arrested by the Kwara State Police Command for allegedly extorting, stealing and burning of the campaign office of state governor during the recent fuel subsidy protest in Ilorin. Parading the suspects, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Dabo Ezekiel, said 14 persons were arrested for allegedly looting and burning the campaign office, 13 for extortion, while 11 were picked for causing grievous harm on people by fire. The PPRO said the suspects were arrested by three different teams of special anti-robbery squad (SARS) and detectives in the state. Similarly, the police in Lagos said it had arraigned 51 suspects for alleged acts of violence during the recent fuel subsidy protest.

Soldiers to Remain in Lagos after Protests

Federal Government has declared that soldiers would remain deployed in Lagos and other strategic cities in the aftermath of the street demonstrations over the removal of fuel subsidy. Minister of Defence, Dr. Bello Haliru Mohammed, said the government would not risk withdrawing soldiers from the streets while some aggrieved unleash violence on Nigerians. He explained that government acted following security reports that the initial peaceful and lawful demonstrations had been hijacked by people with selfish motive. Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos, pointing out that it was not wrong for citizens to air their grievances peacefully, urged the Federal Government to re-think its decision to clamp down on the protests in Lagos with heavily armed soldiers.

NDLEA Nabs Suspect with Liquid Cocaine

A drug suspect was nabbed on Monday by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), with 7.1kg of liquid cocaine at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos. The suspect, 32-year-old Patrick Chukwuemeka, emulsified the drug in a solvent and packaged it as wine. It was intercepted during the screening of passengers in an Emirate flight from Brazil en route Dubai. Three of the nine packs of wine that the suspect imported were found to contain cocaine. The estimated street value of the drug was N63.9 million. Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade, vowed that the agency would continue to expose the tricks of drug barons in the country.

Tear Gas Used to Disperse Protesting Elder Statesmen

Security personnel forcefully dispersed the protest against troops deployment in Lagos as eminent Nigerians, who organised the rally were tear-gassed. The rally, which was organised by the National Action Coalition (NAC), had in attendance Prof. Ben Nwabueze, Dr. Tunji Braithwaite, Dr. Kalu Idika Kalu, Sheikh Abdur-Rahaman Ahmad, Dr. Lakin Akintola, Dr. Tunji Abayomi, Mr. Festus Keyamo, Mallam Yerima Usman Shetima and Mr. Wale Okuniyi, among others. Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), operations, Mr. Tunde Sobulo, reminded the organisers of the need to seek a police permit, pointing out that anything contrary would amount to running afoul of the law. The organisers, however, ignored him and were intercepted with tear gas that caused a stampede.

Defence HQ Denies Deployment of Troops in Lagos

The Defence Headquarters, Abuja, on Thursday, debunked claims that the Federal Government ordered the deployment of troops in Lagos to halt protests against the fuel subsidy removal. Director of Defence Information, Colonel Mohammed Yerima, said that the soldiers seen on the streets of Lagos were still the same men of the Special Task Force, Operation MESA, set up and sponsored by the Lagos State government long before the fuel subsidy protest. Colonel Yerima said the special task force was set up by the state government for the purpose of supporting the police in protecting lives and property as is the case in many parts of the country.

Fishing Trawler Explosion Leave One Dead

A fishing trawler belonging to an indigenous company on Thursday exploded while specialised welders carried out maintenance works on its open deck at Kirikiri, Apapa, Lagos. One person was reportedly killed while others were injured in the incident. Senior Public Relations Officer, Nigerian Maritime Safety and Administration Agency (NIMASA) Hajia Lamil Tumukar, confirmed the incident. Tumukar disclosed that NIMASA officials were investigating the cause of the explosion.

GENERAL

Kano Attacks Leave Over 150 Dead

Coordinated attacks by radical Islamist sect, Boko Haram, in Kano state led to the death of about 178 persons. At least 8 explosions were heard on Friday, targeting government facilities and the security agencies, including police stations, immigration offices and the local headquarters of Nigeria’s State Security Service (SSS). President Goodluck Jonathan, during a visit to Kano state to see the site of the blasts, said the federal government will not rest until the perpetrators of the act were arrested. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon also condemned the multiple attacks Sunday. A Boko Haram spokesman, Abul-Qaqa, claimed responsibility for the attacks, He said the attack came because the state government refused to release Boko Haram members held by the police.

11 Killed in Bauchi Attacks

Unrest continued in northern Nigeria as unknown assailants in Bauchi state killed at least 11 people overnight Saturday in attacks that saw at least two churches bombed. At least four foreigners were wounded in the attack, the report showed. Bauchi state commissioner of police Ikechukwu Aduba said Sunday that the attack happened overnight. He said a total of 11 people were killed, including civilians, police and army personnel who were running a checkpoint. Aduba said at least two churches were also attacked in a separate incident in the state. He did not immediately name who was responsible for the attacks. A police station in Tafawa Balewa LGA was targeted while another military checkpoint was attacked by Boko Haram gunmen at Marar Rabar Liman Katagun.

Boko Haram Suspect Escapes from Police Custody

There was outrage over the escape of a Boko Haram suspect, Kabir Sokoto, from police custody on Monday. Sokoto, the alleged mastermind of the Christmas Day bombing of a Church in Niger State, was arrested at the Borno State Governor’s Lodge, Abuja, penultimate Saturday, and escaped while being taken for a search of his apartment escaped from police custody in Abaji, Borno state. Sokoto, who was arrested alongside a serving military officer, was said to have been tracked to Abuja by security agents after several weeks of investigation. The Force Headquarters said the commissioner in charge of the investigation, Zakari Biu, had been suspended for negligence, adding that he might be prosecuted. President Goodluck Jonathan read the riot act to top echelons of the Police: Re-arrest Sokoto at all costs or face severe sanctions. The police have placed N50m as bounty for anyone who provides information leading to his arrest.

CAN Youths Threaten Protest over Escape of Suspect

The Youth Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN) has threatened to protest if the government fails to prosecute those behind the escape from Police custody of Kabir Umar Sokoto, the alleged mastermind of the Christmas day bombing which claimed over 40 lives in Niger state. The Christian group, which petitioned President Goodluck Jonathan, threatened that if after 72 hours of their petition the suspect was not re-arrested and prosecuted, it would embark on mass protest. Meanwhile, a group, International Society for Civil Liberties and the Rule of Law, Intersociety, has petitioned President Goodluck Jonathan to urgently halt what it called indiscriminate and ceaseless killing of Igbo in the North.

Senate Begins Probe of Suspects Escape

The Senate has joined in the efforts to investigate the escape of Mallam Kabir Umar Sokoto, who allegedly masterminded the Christmas Day bombing of a Church at Madalla, Niger State and the complicity of some top persons in Sokoto who had shielded the suspect. Security officials disclosed that the Presidency was riled by the escape because such bungling of security matters was now becoming a pattern. The police on Thursday placed a ransom of N50 million on Umar Sokoto as Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Olusola Amore, said he is declared wanted.

Gowon Rallies Support for Jonathan over Security, Subsidy Removal

Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, has called for the support of all Nigerians for the efforts of President Goodluck Jonathan in resolving the security challenges facing the country. He also expressed his unshakable belief in the ability of Nigerians to resolve any crises facing them without any external intervener. He threw his weight behind Jonathan in the way he has so far handled issues surrounding the removal of petrol subsidy and assured Nigerians that having resolved the issue successfully; he should be given the support to resolve all other outstanding challenges. Gowon spoke when he visited the president in company of former President Shehu Shagari to commend Jonathan on the way he had handled the petrol subsidy crisis and to offer their advice.

Military Parades Suspected Gunrunner

…Son Declared Wanted
Military authorities at the 1 Mechanised Division of the Nigerian Army, Kaduna, have paraded a suspected gunrunner, Alhaji Nuhu Mohammed Marafa, and declared his eldest son, Mallam Yusuf Nuhu Muhammed, wanted. Marafa’s wanted son is alleged to have engaged in exchange of gunfire with a team of soldiers who stormed his father’s residence at Trikania/Nasarawa, a suburb of Kaduna metropolis before he escaped. The Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Lt Col. Abubakar Edun, pointed out that the activities of the suspect which necessitated the military to raid his residence bordered on issues of national security, gun-running and suspected association with and support for a terrorist group. The military displayed items recovered from the raid including arms and ammunition of different types and military accoutrements.

Strike Causes over N730b Loss to Nigeria

An inventory of losses showed that Nigeria lost about N733.5 billion due to the strike embarked upon by organized labour in protest against the hike in fuel pump price. The figure was gotten from different sectors. The aggregate loss figure was rated as conservative, given the non-inclusion of the informal sector, whose operators were less active during the strike.

JTF Arrests 6 Boko Haram Members, Kills 4

The Joint Task Force (JTF) in Borno State has detonated five Improvised Explosive Devices that it uncovered in Maiduguri. The Field Operation Officer of the JTF, Colonel Victor Ebhaleme, urged residents not to panic as a result of the detonation. Ebhaleme also said that the JTF had arrested six suspected members of the Boko Haram sect, following tip-off by residents. He said the arrest was evidence that the people had started cooperating with the security outfit to fish out suspected terrorists. In another development, four suspected members of Boko Haram were killed in Maiduguri after two soldiers were shot by gunmen suspected to be members of the sect. Ebhaleme, confirmed the incident, but noted that none of the soldiers died.

Red Cross Increases Humanitarian Operations in Nigeria

To be able to cope with the increasing casualties in the violence prone Northern part of Nigeria as well as in the Niger Delta region, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is increasing its humanitarian capacity in Nigeria. The Deputy Head of the ICRC in Nigeria, Mamadou Sow, said over 4,000 persons have also been temporarily displaced there as a result of the strike and communal tensions. He stressed that the Committee has also in recent days provided dressing kits and other first-aid materials to the Nigerian Red Cross in the states of Kano, Yobe, Borno, Gombe and Adamawa.

FG Spends N.3bn on Audit of Oil and Gas, Mineral Sectors

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) Wednesday approved N363, 613, 000 for the audit of the oil and gas as well as mineral resources to ensure transparency in the two sectors. The audit is geared at establishing processes and procedures, physical volumes and financial flows from the sectors in line with the mandate of the Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) global demand for ensuring that extractive resources aid sustainable development. Minister of Information Minister, Labaran Maku, said the oil and gas industry audit would cover the period of 2009 to 2011 and was awarded for N226, 613, 000 and that of solid mineral audit which covers 2009 to 2010 for N137, 000, 000. The minister explained that auditing firms have nine months to complete their job.

NIC Orders AGF, Labour to Appear in Court over Strike Dispute

The National Industrial Court (NIC), on Monday, ordered the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr. Muhammed Adoke, to report in court on February 9 for a formal settlement of the strike dispute with organised labour, following the fuel subsidy removal. The AGF, on behalf of the Federal Government had approached the court on January 6, asking it to grant an injunction to stop labour from embarking on a planned nationwide strike. The court granted the order, but labour went ahead with the strike, claiming that it was not served with the notice and that the NIC had no jurisdiction over the matter. Organised labour called a nationwide strike and mass protests following the January 1 increase in the pump price of petrol from N65 to N141. After negotiations, the price was dropped to N97.

Boko Haram Gunmen Kill Five in Borno, Yobe

Gunmen, suspected to be members of the Boko Haram Islamist sect, shot dead five people in their homes in Maiduguri and Damaturu on Monday, security forces said. The JTF operations officer, Victor Ebhaleme, confirmed the incident. Three Chadians were also killed in Damaturu, Yobe state Police Commissioner, Lawal Tanko, said. President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency in several parts of the north following the rising cases of violence in region.

FG Accepts Proposal on Security

The Federal Government has accepted a proposal by the United States to create a new focus on security as a different agenda under the U.S.-Nigeria Bi-National Commission (BNC), in a move targeted at confronting Boko Haram terrorism and security challenges. Under the new security focus, top military chiefs from the US will join the resumption of the BNC talks between the U.S. and Nigeria. This disclosure was made yesterday by the Nigerian Ambassador to the United States, Prof. Adebowale Adefuye, who added that Nigeria is open to international assistance on the issue of Boko Haram because of its international dimension and the global condemnation of terrorism.

Okah’s Trial to Go On, Court Rules

A Federal High Court in Abuja has rejected the request made by the alleged suspects of the 2010 Independence Day bomb blasts in Abuja, Charles Okah and three others to halt their on-going trial pending the outcome of their interlocutory appeal. Okah had filed an appeal to challenge the ruling of the court, which dismissed their application to quash the charges against them. The court also ordered the Federal Government to take Okah to the National hospital for urgent medical attention.

Six Children Die in Katsina Fire

Six children have been confirmed dead following a fire outbreak in Dagoni village of Kaita LGA of Katsina State. An eyewitness disclosed that the the fire broke out from a granary and consumed the children and large quantities of grains. According to the eyewitness, the children whose ages ranged between six and nine were suspected to have ignited the fire with matches while trying to catch a mouse. The acting chairman of Kaita local government council, Alhaji Sada Abdullahi, had visited the village to condole the families of the deceased where he prayed for the repose of their souls and for their families the fortitude to bear the losses. He donated the sum of N20,000 to each of the bereaved families.

INTERNATIONAL

Five Killed in Ethiopia Attack, Two Abducted

Gunmen, on Monday, killed five Europeans near Ethiopia's Erta Ale volcano, near the border with Eritrea, and kidnapped two others, according to officials. Ethiopia blamed Eritrea but Eritrea denied involvement in the attack. The report of the attack comes a day after the German Foreign Ministry said it was investigating "indications of an attack on a tour group" that included German citizens in Ethiopia. The German government formed a crisis team that is investigating the attack. Two German tourists were killed in the attack, and the fate of a third German who was part of the group remains unknown. A total of 12 people were rescued from the site of the attack by helicopter.

Mali Fights Tuareg as Rebels Continue Battle

Malian troops clashed with Tuareg fighters on Wednesday as the rebels carried out an offensive to seize several northern towns. Fighting erupted in Aguelhok and Tessalit towns, a day after the army said it fought off an attack in the town of Menaka. Tuareg rebel spokesman, who identified himself as Moussa Salam, said their aim is to flush out the Malian army in several northern towns. On Tuesday fighting lasted several hours as rebels battled to seize control of Menaka, south of Aguelhok, which is not far from the Niger border. Army helicopters bombed rebel positions, forcing them to withdraw, however the Tuareg maintained the held control of the town's two military camps.

Gunmen Kill 51 People in South Sudan

Gunmen have killed no fewer than 51 people in the latest ethnic clashes in South Sudan’s Jonglei state in an overnight attack on Monday. Jonglei governor, Kuol Manyang, disclosed that armed men stormed the village of Duk Padiet in northern Jonglei, blaming gunmen from the Murle ethnic group for the attack. Remote and impoverished Jonglei has seen a dramatic escalation of violence between rival ethnic groups over cattle raids and abduction of people. Meanwhile, Russia is considering withdrawing its military helicopters servicing the United Nations (UN) peacekeeping force in South Sudan after voicing alarm at attacks on Russian personnel there, a senior UN official has said.

Navy Seizes Huge Haul of Drug Chemicals in Mexico

The Mexican navy says it has seized 195 tonnes of chemicals which can be used to make the drug methamphetamine. The navy said the chemical shipment was destined for Guatemala and Nicaragua. The authorities said that Mexican drug cartels have been expanding their methamphetamine operations to Guatemala. Mexican officials said the chemical, methylamine, could be used to make the synthetic drug methamphetamine, and also to produce cocaine. In recent times, security forces have seized tonnes of precursor chemicals bound for Guatemala.

Captain Denies Abandoning Victims of Capsized Boat

The captain of the doomed Italian cruise liner, Costa Concordia, denied Tuesday he had abandoned ship that capsized near the picturesque Tuscan island of Giglio, penultimate Friday. As much as 14 bodies have been recovered, while about two dozen remain missing. A dramatic coastguard recording of ship-to-shore communications as the disaster unfolded showed that captain Francesco Schettino ignored an order to return to the vessel after it hit rocks and pitched on to its side, penultimate Friday. But Schettino said his actions as the boat was going down had saved many lives. Schettino, 52, is accused of multiple manslaughter and abandoning ship before all the passengers were rescued. About 4,200 people were on board when the ship went down.

26 Killed in as Building Collapses in Beirut

At least 26 people were killed when an old six-storey building in the Lebanese capital, Beirut, collapsed on Monday. Several others remained trapped under the rubble, Red Cross official, Georges Kettaneh, disclosed. Civil defence chief General Raymond Khattar said the building housed some 50 people, many of them labourers from Sudan and Egypt. A resident who escaped with her mother said the building was extremely run-down and the owner had warned tenants not to remain there shortly before it disintegrated. Interior Minister, Marwan Charbel, said the building's owner had been detained for questioning and a probe was under way.

UN Chief Demands Action on Syria

UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, on Monday, urged the Security Council to act with "seriousness" on Syria as President Bashar al-Assad came under renewed pressure from his political and military foes. The Syrian National Council, an umbrella group, called on the UN to intervene in Assad’s crackdown on protesters. In fresh violence on Monday, at least five people were killed and nine others wounded as armed members of the shabiha pro-regime militia shot up a bakery in Homs and burnt it down. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also said a 16-year-old girl was shot and fatally wounded by a sniper in Homs, and that security forces fired off mortars at Baliun village in Jabal al-Zawiya where hundreds of deserters had gathered.

Bomb against Kurdish Sect Kills Seven in Iraq

A car bomb targeting displaced members of a tiny Kurdish sect near Iraq's main northern city of Mosul killed seven people on Monday. The violence came on the heels of the storming of a police compound in west Iraq and a suicide attack on Shiite pilgrims. The attack in the town of Bartala, in Nineveh province, struck inside the Al-Ghadir camp housing displaced members of the Shabak community, and seven people were killed, the officials said. The Shabak community has about 30,000 people living in 35 villages in Nineveh.

French Troops Killed by Afghanistan Soldier

Four French troops have been killed in northern Afghanistan after a soldier from the Afghan National Army opened fire. Sixteen more members of the French armed forces were injured in the incident in Kapisa province. An official said that an Afghan soldier got into a "verbal clash" and opened fire. President Nicolas Sarkozy said France was suspending its training programmes in Afghanistan following the attack and threatened early French withdrawal, if security conditions were not re-established. NATO confirmed that four of its troops had been killed, and that a suspect had been apprehended. Incidents of NATO soldiers being shot by their Afghan colleagues have increased in recent months.

Mexican Army Rescues Children Abducted by Gang

The Mexican army says it has rescued three children who were being held by a suspected criminal gang. Officials said the children had been chained and locked up in a private home in the city of Temixco. Inside the home, soldiers also found the decapitated body of a man, whose head had been dumped on Tuesday. Thirteen people suspected of belonging to a criminal gang were arrested during the raid.

Insurgents Attack UN Base in Mogadishu

Somali insurgents threw two hand grenades at a United Nations base in Mogadishu on Thursday. The grenades landed onto an empty building and there were no casualties, a local UN official said. This comes after a separate explosion near a camp for displaced people in Hodan area. There were reports of casualties in that blast. No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks.

Heavy Rains Claim 30 Lives in DR Congo Town

Torrential rains in the south west of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) has left 30 people dead, and several families homeless. The rain ravaged the town of Kikwit on January 13-14, according to Kikwit Deputy Mayor, Kasanji Tshez. Both residential and public buildings were washed away by the rain water. He appealed to the government to quickly intervene and help the affected people. Kikwit is a town situated on a lower ground with some buildings being in danger of heavy rains.