Villeworth Security Services Ltd

week 6

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PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

Parents Sue Police for N200m over Checkpoint Killing

The parents of Emmanuel Victor have approached the Federal High Court over the alleged killing of their 20-year-old son by the police at a checkpoint in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State in October 2011. The father of the deceased, Mr. Edet, a Staff Sergeant attached to the Joint Task Force in Niger Delta and his mother, Grace, filed the suit in the court in Yenagoa seeking N200m as damages for the violation of Emmanuel’s right to life. The suit was filed on their behalf by Falana & Falana Chambers, a legal firm owned by a human rights activist, Mr. Femi Falana. The suit also asked the court to make an order directing the police to investigate and prosecute the policemen who killed Emmanuel. Emmanuel Victor was killed by three armed policemen in Yenagoa during an argument at a checkpoint.

Police Dismiss 15 Officers

The Bayelsa State Police Command has dismissed at least 15 police officers found guilty of corrupt practices. The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Hilary Opara, who said this on Monday, vowed to stamp out corruption in the command. He said on his assumption of office in the state late last year, he found many files of officers recommended for dismissal and acted on them. Opara said he had commenced investigations into most of the alleged abuses, vowing to deal with all the indicted officers.

Shell Lifts Force Majeure on Bonny Crude

Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) has lifted the force majeure declared on Bonny crude export, after crude oil thieves damaged the 24-inch Nembe Creek Trunk line in Bayelsa State. Following the production deferments of 70,000 barrels per day caused by the activities of the vandals on the Nembe Creek Trunk line, SPDC declared force majeure on the Bonny Light loading, effective January 5, 2012. Shell spokesman, Tony Okonedo, confirmed that the force majeure had been lifted after crude oil production stabilised in the area. The Nembe Creek Trunk line serves to evacuate majority of the crude oil produced by SPDC and third party in the Eastern Swamp operations to Bonny Export Terminal.

Bayelsa Community Threatens SPDC over Electricity Supply

Worried by the failure of the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) to fast track the ongoing power project in its area, the people of Nembe community, in Brass LGA of Bayelsa State, on Tuesday, threatened to shut down oil exploration activities of the multinational company. They gave SPDC a one-month ultimatum to connect Nembe city to the Nembe Creek turbine or risk the shutting down of its operations in the area.

Acting Governor Sacks Security Adviser, Seeks Compensation for Community

The acting governor of Bayelsa State, Honourable Nestor Binabo, on Tuesday, sacked the Special Adviser on Security Matters, Richard Kpodoh. Kpodoh would be the fourth political appointee of the former governor to be fired by the acting governor since he assumed office. Kpodoh headed “Operation Famou Tangbei,” the dreaded state security outfit under the administration of Governor Timipre Sylva, accused of gross human rights abuse. Operation Famou Tangbei was proscribed last September by the former Inspector General of Police, Hafiz Ringim, following investigations by the police headquarters and deluge of petitions against the special security outfit. Binabo also threatened to sue Chevron Nigeria Limited if it failed to stop the environmental crisis arising from its exploded oil rig.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

Police Superintendent Jailed for Receiving Bribe

A Superintendent of Police, Temple Nwankwoala, serving with the Edo State police command, has been sentenced to four years imprisonment for accepting a bribe of N500, 000 to manipulate a case in favour of a suspect. Nwankwoala was arraigned by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) before the High Court in Benin City for demanding the sum of N1million and consequently accepting N500, 000 from a suspect whose case he was handling. When the suspect reported the matter to the ICPC, a sting operation was set in motion, which eventually led to the arrest of the suspect, after he had received the sum of N500, 000 in marked notes in the presence of ICPC operatives.

Delta High Chief beheaded

A High Chief in Delta state was, on Thursday, beheaded while returning from farm. The chief was allegedly attacked by some unknown assailants at the neighbouring community of Utagbe, Ndokwa axis of the state He was said to have been hacked to death with machete on a lonely footpath. The State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Mr. Charles Muka who confirmed the incidence explained that the police was working frantically to unravel the mystery surrounding the killing. Muka said that the police was yet to determine if the killers were ritualist on the prowl or hired assassins who trailed their victims to the farm. The PPRO said that no arrest has been made.

Fulani Herdsmen, Soldiers Kill 4 in Delta State

Four persons were feared dead on Monday in a bloody fight between Fulani nomads and community members at Ohoro, Delta state. Two members of the community were said to have died of machete wounds, while two others were allegedly shot dead by soldiers deployed to restore peace. It was learnt that trouble started when cattle driven by the nomads invaded farmlands belonging to Ohoro community. The farmers, who were angry over the destruction of their crops by the cattle, were said to have confronted the nomads. A source said the nomads suddenly attacked two of the farmers with daggers, killing them. Other farmers were said to have cried to their community members compelling the youth to go after the fleeing nomads. The Media Coordinator, JTF, Lt. Col. Timothy Antigha, confirmed the incident, saying nobody was killed by the soldiers.

Woman Sues Police for Alleged Torture and Illegal Detention

A woman, Mrs. Evelyn Egbine, and her three- year-old son, Goodluck Egine, have filed a N500 million suit against the Police as damages and compensations for their alleged torture and detention by some policemen attached to the Edo State Police Command. Mrs. Egbine also sued the respondents for award of special damages in the sum of N270,000,00 jointly and severally for the traditional cleansing rites in accordance with Isoko Native Law and She alleged that she and her son were, between 16 – 25th November, 2011, arrested, detained and tortured in order to force her to confess that her husband belonged to a criminal gang. She wants the court to compel the Commissioner of Police, Edo State to write an unreserved apology and deliver same to her through her Solicitors.

SSS Parades 10 Suspected Kidnappers, Cultists in Edo

The State Security Service (SSS) in Edo state, Tuesday, paraded 10 suspects for various offences ranging from kidnapping to cultism. Parading the suspects in Benin City, the State Director, Makori Tukur, said that the suspects were involved in various kidnapping incidents across the state. The two girls, also paraded, according to Tukur, were part of a kidnap ring. Another kidnap gang was also alleged to have abducted an 18-year-old girl, raped her and collected N18,000 from the parents. Leader of the gang, who gave his name as Emmanuel, said the victim was his girlfriend, and that she was the one that arranged the kidnap in order to get money from her mother. Items recovered from the suspects include four cut-to-size double barrel gun and 54 live cartridges.

Senate Seeks Compensation for Victims of Bonga Oil Spill

Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream), Thursday, told Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCO) to provide palliatives for communities affected by the recent oil spill on its Bonga Offshore platform on December 20, 2011. The Committee Chairman, Senator Emmanuel Paulker, told SNEPCO’s Managing Director, Mr. Chidi Onyejekwe, that the Bonga spill was big enough to impact negatively on the marine life of the people and urged the oil producing company to “offer palliative measures for the affected people as well as remediate the environment for them.” But Onyejekwe said that the spill, which occurred at 120 nautical kilometres off the coast of Delta State, did not impact significantly on the aquatic activities of the community. He said the company took immediate actions to mitigate the effect of the spill.

Delta Police Arrest 5 Suspected Kidnappers

The Delta State Police Command, on Monday, arrested five suspected kidnappers in connection with the kidnap of one Madam Justina Ezeife on January 9, at her residence in Ibusa. Police spokesman, Charles Muka, who confirmed the arrest, said the Anti-Kidnap Squad of the command, acting through covert intelligence, traced the suspects to Oji River where they were arrested. The victim was rescued unhurt. He added that the suspects were already assisting the police with information on how to track down other fleeing members of the gang. In contrast, no information has been heard in relation to the kidnap of the Stamp Duty Officer of the Delta State Board of Internal Revenue, Mrs. Josephine Eke.

Court Jails Edo Attorney-General for Contempt

The Federal High Court in Benin on Monday sentenced Edo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Osagie Obayuwana, to one month jail for contempt in a case pending against him before the court. Justice Adamu Hobon, who sentenced Obayuwana, expressed concern over Obayuwana’s continued absence in court despite an earlier order directing him to appear in person over the case. Consequently, the court ordered the commissioner of police to execute the bench warrant by effecting Obayuwana’s arrest. Edo State government has alleged foul play in the court order remanding Obayuwana in prison custody. Commissioner for Information, Louis Odion, stated that Obayuwana never received the personal service of required forms “48 and 49 as provided by the Sheriffs and Civil processes Act” that would have led to the contempt of court.

1 Killed in Delta Cult Clash

One young man, Ese Stephen Akpoveta, lost his life while others are recuperating at various hospitals following a violent cult clash in Sapele, Delta State, of two rival cult groups. According to President of the Sapele, Itsekiri Youths Association, Comrade Omolubi Newuwumi JP, the fight broke out on Wednesday between two members of rival cult groups which escalated into a full blown battle between the two groups as dangerous weapons like guns and cutlasses were used freely. He said the remote cause of their quarrel was over development levy which they tried to collect from a young man who bought a piece of land. It was in the process of negotiating that an argument broke out between the two and a fight ensued.

Ex-militants Want FG to Return Arms

Hundreds of Niger Delta ex-militants in Bomadi, Delta State on Thursday gave the Federal Government a 10-day ultimatum to return the arms taken from them. The ex-militants stated that efforts to make the government include them in the amnesty programme had failed, and they were left with no option but to return to the creeks. They accused the government through the Joint Military Task Force of deceiving them into submitting their arms. The Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta, Mr. Kingsley Kuku, maintains that their protests were illegitimate as they embraced the amnesty programme after the window had closed.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

LATSMA Official Kills Conductor

An official of the Lagos State Transport Management Agency (LASTMA), Thursday, allegedly murdered a commercial bus conductor at Motorways bus stop along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, after he pulled him down from a moving vehicle and he hit his head on the ground. According to eyewitness report, when the conductor fell off the bus, the LASTMA pick-up van, which was trailing the bus, crushed the conductor. The death of the conductor drew the ire of the crowd, who then attacked the LASTMA official, beating him to stupor before he was rescued by policemen. The state Police Public Relations Officer, Jaiyeoba Joseph, confirmed the incident. The police, however, claimed that, “A Faragon bus was driving against traffic and was being chased by LASTMA officials when the bus conductor fell and was crushed.

Suspected Political Thugs Arraigned in Ibadan

About 110 suspected political thugs were arrested during the penultimate Saturday’s re-run polls in Irepo/Orelope/Olorunsogo Federal Constituency. They were, Thursday, arraigned before an Ibadan Chief Magistrate’s Court. The suspects were arraigned on a two-count charge of unlawful possession of firearms and breach of peace. The prosecutor, Oriola James, urged the court to remand the accused persons in police custody to enable them conclude investigations on the suspects’ involvement in the polls. The trial magistrate, E.A. Idowu, however, granted bail to the accused persons in the sum of N100,000 and two sureties in like sum. The case was adjourned till February 15.

Armed Robbers Cart N96m at MMIA

Robbers, Wednesday night, carted away US$600,000 (N95, 969, 998.17 million) from a Bureau De Change operator inside  Murtala Muhamed International Airport Lagos. A source said that the robbers stormed the car park and shot sporadically into the air, wounding a woman, before dispossessing their victim of the said amount at about 8.30pm. The incident, according to the operator, took place without any intervention from the security agencies stationed at various locations at the airport. He said the robbers, who arrived with sophisticated weapons, traced a Dubai bound passenger that came to change his money into American dollars.

Police Parade 10 Suspects in Akure

Ten persons suspected to be armed robbers and cultists were on Monday, paraded by the Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Sani Magaji, who said that the suspects would soon be arraigned in court. Three of them had allegedly confessed to be members of a robbery gang on Ore Road and explained how they used to carry out their nefarious activities. Magaji, who appealed to the public to assist the police with information that could lead to the arrest of criminals, said the gang also confessed to robbing several communities along the expressway. One locally-made double barrel gun, one dummy pistol, two big sledge hammers, one chisel and two live cartridges were recovered from the suspects.

Five Killed in Lagos NURTW Factions Clash

The five-day battle between two factions of the Lagos State chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers reached a climax on Tuesday as five people reportedly lost their lives while many sustained injuries. It was learnt that the violence was perpetuated by loyalists of the two contenders for the chairmanship position in the union. A reliable source said there had been a leadership tussle in the union between a former chairman, Alhaji Akanni Olohunwa and a former treasurer, Alhaji Musiliu Akinsanya. An eyewitness said the thugs wielded sophisticated guns and shot indiscriminately. Policemen reportedly fired tear gas canisters to disperse the hoodlums and later began searching houses for weapons. The Police Public Relations Officer, Jaiyeoba Joseph, however, said that that only one person was killed, and arrests had been made.

GENERAL

UN, AU Back Anti-Terrorism Fight in Nigeria

The United Nations and the African Union Commission have thrown their weight behind Nigeria in solving the problem of terror attacks masterminded by Boko Haram and pledged their support and cooperation. This is as the President of Benin Republic, Mr. Boni Yayi, emerged Chairman of the African Union (AU). Giving their backing to efforts by the Federal Government to tackle the menace of terror attacks in Nigeria, the Secretary General of the UN, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, and Chairman of the African Union Commission, Jean Ping, separately condemned the attacks and pledged to work with Nigeria.

Al Mustapha gets Death Sentence

After 13 years in detention, Major Hamza Al-Mustapha and a protocol officer in the Chief MKO Abiola Campaign Organisation, Alhaji Lateef Shofolahan, have been sentenced to death. Al-Mustapha was Chief Security Officer (CSO) to late General Sani Abacha. The court, presided over by Justice Mojisola Dada found them guilty on the two-count charge of conspiracy and murder and consequently sentenced them to death by hanging. The convicts, who had been in detention since 1999, were standing trial for the murder, on June 4, 1996, of Alhaja Kudirat Abiola. The duo was prosecuted by the Lagos State Government. Justice Dada added that the former CSO admitted that he headed the Strike Force in the Presidential Villa which was mandated to protect the government.

Acting IGP Loses Wife

The Nigeria Police Force Monday announced the passing away of the wife of the Acting Inspector-General of Police, Hajia Mariam Mohammed Abubakar. Mariam, 48, was said to have died in the early hours of Monday after a brief illness. She was buried at the Tarauni Cemetery at about Noon according to Islamic rites. As news of her death spread, condolence messages continued to pour in for the acting Inspector-General of police and the family.

Acting IGP Warns against Security Breach
…to Hold CPs Accountable

Acting Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, Wednesday, expressed zero tolerance for criminality in any part of the country, and warned that any police officer responsible for any security breach would be held accountable. He also said he was adopting neighbourhood viewpoint as his administration’s strategy to fight crime and criminality across the country. The Acting IGP warned that CPs would be held responsible for any problems in their commands. With the neighbourhood viewpoint, he said his men and officers would be enabled to physically comb all nook and crannies of every community and neighbourhood in the country with a view to fishing out criminals.

Two Killed in Kano Police Station Attack

Gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram members attacked two more police stations in Kano, killing at least two people. One of the attacks occurred on Monday morning, setting off a gun battle with police, residents said. Gunmen, had, penultimate Sunday, stormed another police station, leaving two civilians dead. It was not immediately clear who was behind the violence. In Sunday’s attack, a large group of gunmen converged on a police station in the Naibawa district, sparking a shootout with police that lasted more than 30 minutes, residents said. Kano State Police Commissioner, Ibrahim Idris, confirmed the attack and the death of a civilian that was shot by the sect members after the security agents forced them to retreat.

Okah’s Trial in South Africa Adjourned to October

The trial of Henry Okah, accused of masterminding two deadly bombings in Abuja during the 50th independence celebrations, will resume in October after a South African court on Monday, delayed his case by nine months. He is facing trial in South Africa, where he has permanent residence, on charges that he orchestrated the twin car bombings -- which killed 12 people in Abuja on October 1, 2010. Lawyers for both sides said they needed more time to prepare their arguments. Neither the prosecution nor the defence was in a condition to continue with the trial at the moment, so we agreed to postpone it, Okah's lawyer, Rudi Krause, said. Okah was denied bail last year and has been in jail awaiting trial. South Africa is trying Okah because Nigerian authorities have not applied for his extradition, said prosecutor Shaun Abrahams. Okah has denied involvement in the attacks.

Boko Haram Threatens Families of Security Agents and Attacks in Sokoto

The Boko Haram sect has warned the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, to intervene in the release of its arrested members by the police, as failure to do so could lead to attacks and bombings of Sokoto. The sect alleged that many of its members were arrested by security agents in Sokoto. Boko Haram has threatened to abduct members of families of government workers, especially security agents, in retaliation for the arrest of relatives and friends of its members. The group, which said the killings of its members in non-combatant process would not be left unpunished, also threatened to attack schools attended by members of families of government and security agents. The sect asked security agents to immediately release their women, children and non-combatant relatives and associates. Its spokesperson, Abu Qaqa, gave the warnings.

Soldiers, Boko Haram Clash in Borno

The Military-led Joint Task Force (JTF) in Borno has killed another Boko Haram sect member. Some sect members had attacked the task force outpost located around the London Chiki in the metropolis on Sunday night, leading to exchange of gunshots. A suspected member of the sect was said to have been killed in the gun battle that lasted about 30 minutes. JTF spokesman, Lt Col Hassan Ifijeh Mohammed, who confirmed the incident, disclosed that the suspected Boko Haram men had opened fire on the troops, adding the JTF troop killed one of the attackers.  Lt. Col Mohammed urged those harbouring the sect members to turn them over to the security agencies in the state in their own interest.

SSS Grills Ex-Governor on Boko Haram

Former Governor of Kano State, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, was Tuesday grilled by operatives of the State Security Service (SSS) over an allegation by Boko Haram that it stepped up attacks in Kano because the present administration had cancelled the monthly stipend it enjoyed while Shekarau was governor. It was also gathered that the former governor denied that he had links with the sect and that his administration did not give monthly stipends to the group. Shekarau was allowed to go back home after the chat.

Acting IGP Sends 500 MOPOL to Kano

The Acting Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Dahiru Abubakar, has ordered the redeployment of 50 mobile policemen to enhance security in Kano. Abubakar, while disclosing this, assured Nigerians of the police resolve to protect them and admitted that Kano is under-policed considering the ratio of policemen per the population. Abubakar, who paid a condolence visit to Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, said the police would do everything legal to nip in the bud the nefarious activities of Boko Haram. He said that 10 units of anti-riot mobile policemen from Abuja and other parts of the country had been redeployed in Kano to keep the peace.

Family Killed in Benue Auto Crash

Six members of a family died in a road accident while fleeing from their residence in Damaturu, the Yobe State. The victims identified as members of Steven Offia’s family from Awhum in Udi Local Council, Enugu State were reportedly crushed to death by a trailer while returning to their home town on Tuesday to escape the bloody attacks by Boko Haram. The private car driven by the family head was said to have collided with a trailer coming from the opposite direction at Otukpa in Benue State. Offia, who was a panel beater and spare parts dealer in Yobe State, his wife Nneka, four children – three boys and one girl as well as their house maid were involved in the fatal auto crash. However, only the second son of the family identified as Chibuzor survived the crash.

GOC 3 Armoured Div Moves to Gombe to Tackle Violence

The Army headquarters has directed the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Armoured Division, Major General Adamu Buba to move the division’s tactical headquarters to Gombe to properly coordinate and fight the activities of criminals within the zone. Consequently, the GOC has relocated to Gombe and while on tour of the area, warned that the division would not condone any act of criminality. A press statement issued by the division’s Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Col. Andrew Idachaba in Jos said Maj. Gen. Buba on resumption in Gombe, took a tour of the zone during which he warned that the division would not condone any act of criminality within its area of control.

Trailers Crushes 4 at Military Checkpoint

Four persons, including a soldier, have been crushed to death by an oil tanker at a military checkpoint in Bauchi.  The accident involved the tanker and two saloon cars. The Bauchi State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Zakaria Momoh, said six persons were affected in the accident. According to him, the military man died on the spot while the others were seriously injured and taken to a hospital. The Sector Commander said the tanker had a brake failure and its driver lost control. According to him, the tanker ran over the two vehicles and crushed their four occupants to death. The soldier, Shuaibu said, was on a routine check of vehicles.

Boko Haram Kills Air Force Personnel in Borno

The Boko Haram sect killed two Nigerian Air Force officers at separate locations and four others within and outside Maiduguri. One of the officers was gunned down a few metres away from the Maiduguri Air Force Base on Monday night. A witness said the officer, who was killed at the Ngomari area, was shot after the gunmen had earlier killed two of his brothers at a residence in the area. In Another NAF officer was killed when the group attacked his neighbourhood at Polo area of the town. The sect members also killed another man during sporadic gunshots at the popular Monday market. The Fields Operations Officer of JTF, Col. Victor Ebhaleme, while confirming the killing on phone, said the military was on top of the situation.

Wada Sworn in as Kogi Governor

The Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) has asked that Capt. Idris Wada should to be sworn in immediately as Governor of Kogi State, after the Supreme Court nullified the mandate of the governors of five states, including, Kogi. INEC Chairman, Prof Attahiru Jega, said “INEC decided that the Kogi State Governorship election, which took place on December 3rd, 2011, is a concluded election and therefore, the Governor-elect should be sworn in immediately.” He has since been sworn-in. INEC went on to fix the following dates for elections into the four other states affected by the ruling: Adamawa –February 4; Bayelsa, February 11th; Sokoto -February 18th; and Cross River –February 25th. The Commission also insisted that only candidates that emerged after the Court of Appeal judgement of Friday, April 15th, 2011 are “the recognised candidates for the elections.

Court Acquits Bankole, Nafada on Charges of Misappropriation of Funds
…EFCC to Appeal

A Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday said a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, and his deputy, Bayero Nafada, had no case to answer in a N40 billion misappropriation charges against them. Justice Suleiman Belgore gave the verdict while ruling on a no-case submission made by Bankole and Nafada over a 17-count charge of criminal breach of public trust preferred against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Both men were accused of having approved loans that were not captured in the 2010 Appropriation Act. EFCC said it will appeal the judgment.

Boko Haram Spokesman Arrested

Security agencies have arrested a spokesman for Islamist sect, Boko Haram, Abul Qaqa. Boko Haram has claimed responsibility for several violent attacks in the north. Abul Qaqa has claimed to speak on behalf of Boko Haram on numerous occasions. The security agency said “he was tracked down using state of the art tracking equipment. The sect, on Friday, said the arrest of its member is an obstacle to the Federal Government’s planned dialogue with it. The sect also said the person arrested and in the custody of the security organisation is not its spokesman, Qaqa, but head of its enlightenment department, Abu Daadaa. But the suspect, after interrogations is said to have owned up to being the one with the name Abul Qaqa.

Six Killed in Boko Haram Factional Clash

Two factions of Boko Haram sect clashed on Thursday in Maiduguri, leaving seven men dead after their throats were slit. A source revealed that there had been rumours of impending attack on the group as one faction was dissatisfied that the killing of eleven of its men last Saturday was as a result of the other faction selling out on the group. Spokesman of the Joint Task Force (JTF), Lieutenant Colonel Hassan Mohammed, who confirmed the killing, said the dead were suspected to have been slaughtered by suspected Boko Haram sect men. According to him, the deceased were also suspected to be members of the sect.

13 Killed in Nasarawa Communal Clash

The ward head of Adoka, Doma LGA of Nasarawa State, Mr. Joseph Maku and 12 others were, penultimate weekend, killed in a clash between Tiv and Eggon farmers in the area. According to a witness, Maku and four of his children were at home when the incident occurred while their houses and other belongings were razed. The incident allegedly occurred over grievances at Angwan Yara as a result of support that the Eggon people in the area were giving to Fulani herdsmen during the Tiv and Fulani crisis in Nasarawa and Benue border towns. Six people had been killed a week earlier when the clash began.

INTERNATIONAL

14 Kidnapped Chinese Workers Freed in Sudan
…56 Unaccounted for

The Sudanese army has freed 14 Chinese nationals who were kidnapped in the volatile South Kordofan state. Ahmed Haroun, the state governor, said the workers were taken to neighboring North Kordofan and were in good condition. The report did not mention the fate of the other 56 construction workers who militants had captured when they attacked a construction site in a remote area penultimate Saturday. China confirmed the incident but did not say how many of its workers were among the group of 70 who had been taken. International concern has grown over the violence in South Kordofan and nearby Blue Nile states, which has forced hundreds of thousands to flee their homes.

74 Killed Egypt's Football Riot

Two more persons were killed and over 400 injured in protests across Egypt following the deaths of 74 people after a football match. The two killed were shot by police trying to disperse angry crowds in the city of Suez. In Cairo, thousands of protesters remained on the streets following a day of clashes with police. 74 people were killed when fans invaded the pitch after a fixture between top Cairo club al-Ahly and the Port Said side al-Masry. Throughout Thursday, al-Ahly supporters gathered outside the club's stadium in Cairo. A series of protest marches moved towards Tahrir Square, and then on to the ministry of interior.

Four Killed in Bangladesh Clashes

Four people were killed in Bangladesh following violent clashes between police and anti-government protesters, penultimate Sunday. The main opposition, Bangladesh Nationalist Party and its ally, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, had called for anti-government rallies across the country but the government slapped a ban on all gatherings in the capital, Dhaka, and five other cities. The protesters demand an independent caretaker government to oversee general elections in two years. The government has rejected that demand. The inspector general of Bangladesh police, Hassan Mahmood Khandker, said that he had ordered an investigation into the deadly clashes in Chandpur and Laxmipur.

Three Canadians Jailed for ‘Honour Killings’ of Family Members

Three members of an Afghan Canadian family were found guilty of the "honour killing" of three siblings and a fourth relative. A jury in Kingston, Ontario, penultimate weekend, found the three -husband and wife Mohammad Shafia and Tooba Mohammad Yahya, and their son Hamed Mohammad Shafia -guilty of four counts of first-degree murder. Their victims were three of Hamed's sisters and the woman introduced to outsiders as a cousin, who turned out to be Mohammad Shafia's first wife in a polygamous marriage. Over a three-month trial, the court heard repeated evidence that the three teenaged sisters had clashed with their conservative father on many issues.

Clashes Erupt after Bahrain Funeral

Anti-government protesters clashed with Bahraini police on Monday after the funeral of a teenager who died in police custody. Many residents of Sitra, a town inhabited mainly by members of the Gulf Arab state's Shi'ite Muslim majority, were doused in tear gas as police faced off against youths who blocked roads, set tyres alight and threw petrol bombs. The clashes followed the funeral of Mohammed Ibrahim Yacoub, a 19-year-old who police said died from sickle cell disease, but protesters believe he was beaten up by police after his arrest. They said his body showed bruising, abrasions and a cut. Bahrain has been in turmoil since protesters inspired by revolts in Tunisia and Egypt took to the streets last year to demand democratic reforms in an island state dominated by the ruling Al Khalifa family.

Scores Killed in Freezing Weather in Europe

Dozens of people were killed, last week, by freezing weather across Europe. Authorities warned that temperatures are set to drop even further. Over 160 persons froze to death as temperatures plunged to minus 27 degrees Celsius (minus 16 Fahrenheit). Most of them were homeless who froze to death in the streets or old people who died in their flats or after hospitalisation. Nearly 500 people sought medical help for frostbite and hypothermia. Authorities have opened several shelters to provide food and heat, as temperatures plunged lower.

Arab League Suspends Syrian Mission

At least 64 people were killed in Syria, penultimate Sunday, according to an opposition group, the Local Coordination Committees (LCC) of Syria. Earlier, another opposition activist group, the Syrian Revolution General Council, said as many as 34 people had died Sunday, including a person who had been killed under torture, a woman and two children. Heavy clashes took place in the Eastern Ghouta area outside Damascus, the LCC said. At least 50 people were wounded in random bombardment by government forces, the group said, adding the government forces attacked residential areas and cut off electricity, water and communication. The army, on Monday, launched attacks to retake control of the suburbs of Damascus from rebel forces, in the fiercest fighting since the 10-month uprising. The major escalation came as the Arab League suspended its month-old monitoring mission in the country.

Air Raids in Yemen Kill 15 al Qaeda Suspects

Overnight air raids struck an Al-Qaeda meeting and control post in southern Yemen, killing around 15 people including a long-hunted regional militant leader, tribal chiefs said on Tuesday. The four night-time raids hit targets in the Loder and Al-Wadih areas of Abyan province, a tribal chief said. Al-Qaeda militants control much of the province after taking advantage of months of political turmoil. Three of the raids targeted a school in which Al-Qaeda fighters and chiefs of a local militant network were meeting around midnight, the sources said. Regional Al-Qaeda leader, Abdul Monem al-Fathani, who has long been sought by the Yemeni authorities, and other local chiefs, was killed, they said. The fourth strike hit an Al-Qaeda control post, killing three more people, they said.

Russia Resists Move to Stop Killing in Syria

Western powers and the Arab League have demanded immediate UN action to stop Syria’s “killing machine” but Russia refused to give its support, as fighting on the ground intensified. The wrangling at the United Nations on Tuesday came as fierce clashes raged across Syria. Activists said on Wednesday the unrest had killed nearly 200 people in the past three days, including 28 civilians on Tuesday. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, backed by her French and British counterparts as well as Qatar’s prime minister, led the charge for a tough UN resolution that would call on President Bashir Assad to end the bloodshed and hand over power. The United Nations says more than 5,400 people have been killed in Syria since the pro-democracy uprising began in March last year.

Japan Snowstorm Kills 52

Heavy snowfall has crippled much of Japan's western coast, killing more than 50 people and injuring nearly 600 and causing one bridge to collapse. Western Japan has been battered by one snowstorm after another since the beginning of the year, overwhelming cash-strapped cities.  In the Niigata Prefecture, officials said nearly half of their 30 cities had run out of funds set aside snow removal. Further north in the Aomori Prefecture, the government had already applied for additional funds from Tokyo, after draining its budget. Residents, frustrated by the slow response, have taken it upon themselves to clean up the winter mess, resulting in deadly consequences. Nearly all the storm-related deaths have been a direct result of snow removal.

Court Jails Killers of Lesbian in South Africa

A court in South Africa, on Wednesday, sentenced four men convicted of murdering a lesbian in Cape Town to 18 years in prison. The four were convicted in October of stoning, kicking and stabbing to death of Zoliswa Nkonyana a few metres from her home in 2006. The 19-year-old had lived openly as a lesbian. Prosecutors welcomed the sentence and said it sent a message that hate crimes would not be tolerated in South Africa, where violence against gays is common despite a liberal constitution, the only country in Africa to allow same-sex marriage.

Over 100 Missing from Papua New Guinea Ferry Sinking

Rescuers have rescued over 200 persons from sea after a passenger ship sunk off the east coast of Papua New Guinea, according to Carly Lusk, spokeswoman for the Australian Maritime Safety Authority. The Australian authorities have been helping Papua New Guinea with rescue efforts after the ship, the MV Rabaul Queen, sunk about 16 kilometers off Cape Fortification after getting into trouble early Thursday morning. Boats and helicopters rushed to the scene to try to save scores of people left adrift by the sinking ferry. Lusk said that the information from the ferry company suggested that there were about 350 aboard the boat when it sunk. Over a hundred remained missing.

Seven Aid Workers in Yemen Freed

Tribesmen in Yemen freed six U.N. aid workers Thursday, two days after they were kidnapped to secure the release of a jailed man from police custody, one of the hostage-takers said. Valerie Amos, the U.N. emergency relief coordinator, confirmed that seven abducted aid workers had been released unharmed, but gave no details on the kidnappers' demands. Electricity and Energy Minister, Saleh Sumai, who led the negotiations with the kidnappers, confirmed the hostages were handed over to him and said they were on their way to the capital, Sanaa.

Indonesia Jails 10 for 2011 Mosque Bombing

An Indonesian court on Wednesday sentenced 10 Islamist extremists to jail terms of between five and eight years over a suicide bomb attack on a police mosque last April. All 10 were sentenced Wednesday for their parts in a suicide attack in Cirebon, West Java province. Thirty people, mostly policemen and including the Cirebon police chief, were wounded in the April attack when a 32-year-old suicide bomber detonated explosives strapped to his body as worshippers began their prayers.