Villeworth Security Services Ltd

week 10

PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

3 Kidnappers Killed in Failed Abduction Bid

A joint team of the police, Joint Task Force and local youths in Port Harcourt, Monday, rescued a member of staff of one of the oil majors from kidnappers and in the process, killed three of the kidnappers, while one escaped with bullet wounds. The youths trailed the kidnappers to the waterside where some policemen had waited for them. At this point, a shootout allegedly ensued and some passersby were wounded by stray bullets. Police Area Commander, Yishak Habilla, said an AK47, two locally made pistols, charms, and other dangerous weapons were recovered from them, alongside different vehicle plate numbers.

Pirates Seize Boat with 21 Passengers

Sea pirates on Wednesday struck again on the Bonny-Port Harcourt route when they attacked and seized Bonny LG boat carrying 21 passengers who they dumped in the mangrove, after disposing them of their personal belongings, and made away with the boat and two passengers. That is the second attack on four of the boats purchased by the Local government to ease water transportation to and from the oil and gas rich island.  The attackers said to be numbering about six were armed with assorted weapons ranging from AK47 to General Purpose Machine gun and Rocket Propelled Grenade and thereby overwhelmed the unarmed passengers.

Rivers House Okays Capital Punishment for Kidnappers

The Rivers state House of Assembly, Monday, approved capital punishment for anyone caught for kidnapping, wherein the victim dies.  The Speaker, Mr. Tonye Harry, said capital punishment had been the position of the law, noting that the life imprisonment recommended earlier was a committee's proposal. Harry said if the kidnapped victim loses his life in the process of being abducted, it becomes a murder case, which is different and weightier than armed robbery, and the suspects should face capital punishment.

Amaechi Seeks More Troops for Rivers

The Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi, has tasked the Federal Government to deploy more troops to his state. Against the backdrop of the growing attacks in the region and threats by militants to blow up major gas projects in the country, the Federal Government plans to reappraise its military strategies in the Niger Delta in order to better protect oil installations in the region. This was disclosed by the Minister of Defence, Shettima Mustafa, in Port Harcourt on Monday.

JTF Kills Robbers

The JMCC coordinator of the Joint Task Force (JTF), Col. Rabe Abubakar, has disclosed that JTF operatives have arrested a gang of armed robbers that was terrorizing residents of Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. The robbers were intercepted after dispossessing one Mr Ernest of the sum of N200, 000.00 along Alamieyeseigha Road, Yenagoa. In an ensuing gun-battle, two of the criminals were gunned down, two escaped with gun-shot wounds. Two locally-made guns were recovered. The corpses and the said guns have been handed over to the Bayelsa Police Command for further investigations.

Govt Okays 10 per cent of Refinery Shares for Host Community

The Federal Government has approved a proposal for the Bureau of Public Enterprises to sell 10 per cent equity in Eleme Petrochemicals Company Limited (EPCL) to the host communities and members of staff of the company while the government retains five per cent shares. The National Council on Privatisation (NCP) tasked its secretariat, the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), to develop appropriate mechanisms for acquisition and payment for the shares by the beneficiaries. Approval was also granted that the shares be sold to the stakeholders at a discounted price.

Bakassi Returnees Protest in A'Ibom

Displaced Nigerians from the Bakassi Peninsular protested over their plight on Wednesday at the gates of Government House, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital. The returnees, who were initially camped at Government Technical College, Ikot-Ada-Idem, alleged that they had been chased out of the camp. Their leader, Mr. Ikpoto James Ikopot, said that all they wanted was for the state government to resettle and empower them like their counterparts in other states.

Judge Dismissed over Abuse of Office

The big hammer of the National Judicial Council [NJC] has descended on the head of Justice Chudi Nwokorie of the Owerri division of a Federal High Court with his dismissal from the nation’s judiciary over abuse of official powers. Already, President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, acting on the recommendation of the NJC, has approved Nwokorie’s dismissal from office.

Police Nab Matron, Pregnant Women for Human Trafficking

The head of a human trafficking syndicate, Florence Anthony; five pregnant teenagers and some of their male sex partners, have been arrested at their operational base, called Mother Mary Florence For The Less Privileged, Disable, Motherless Babies And Maternity Home, in Port Harcourt, Rivers state. Some of the teenagers confessed that Florence Anthony pays them between N20, 000 and N50, 000 for each baby delivered. So far, preliminary investigations showed that Florence sells babies to needy couples both in Nigeria and abroad, for not less than N200, 000.

Bakassi Returnees in Akwa Ibom Arrested

Security agents in Akwa Ibom State stormed the gate of the Government House in Uyo and arrested four leaders of the displaced people of Bakassi on Thursday. The Bakassi returnees had been at the Government House for the past four days, seeking to see the State Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio, and plead for resettlement. Our correspondent gathered that the leaders of the protesting group were arrested on the orders of the state Deputy Governor, Mr. Patrick Ekpotu.

Gunmen Abduct Lebanese

Unknown gunmen have abducted a Lebanese worker in Kolokuma/Opokuma LGA of Bayelsa State. Coordinator of the Joint Media Campaign Centre of the Joint Task Force in the Niger Delta, Lt Col. Rabe Abubakar, confirmed on Thursday that the Lebanese, identified as David, was a member of staff of the Elite Construction Company. Elite Construction Company is handling the Polaku-Sabagia road construction project of the Niger Delta Development Commission.

Military Raids Militant Camp

The hide-out of the Niger Delta’s most notorious militant group headed by Woki Godswill Ibralayu was raided by the Nigerian Army, leaving at least 6 suspects dead. The group leader was however, reported to have escaped with gunshot wounds. The militant leader and his throng of rebels had attacked an Agip helicopter and the Agip’s Brass oil terminal, last week. In July last year, Mr. Woki Godswill was said to have murdered three soldiers along the Nembe Creek in Bayelsa state.

Youths Arrest Suspected Kidnappers

Ogbakiri youths in Emuoha LGA of Rivers State arrested and handed over 6 suspected kidnappers to naval gunboat on patrol. The suspects have been transferred from NNS Pathfinder to JTF Headquarters at 2 Brigade Bori Camp Port Harcourt. In a related incident, Oremi Pepple also known as Irenami Hart, 2ic of Okoloma Ipangi a militant leader within the Bonny area was arrested by government security forces around Iwofe axis at about 1115hours date.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

Oil Thieves Blow up Shell Pipeline

Suspected gangsters, reportedly working for some oil bunkers, whose barges containing stolen crude oil were seized by the Joint Task Force on the Niger-Delta in the past two months in Delta State, penultimate Sunday, blew up the Escravos crude oil pipeline, between an Ijaw community of Yokri in Ogulagha kingdom and Ogidigben, an Itsekiri riverside community in Warri South-West LGA. The oil pipeline is believed to be operated by the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), which has reportedly shut down its North Bank and South Bank operations, including the crude oil line to the Forcados Terminal.

Militants Plot to Attack JTF

The Joint Task Force (JTF) on the Niger-Delta, on Monday, disclosed that some militants have concluded plans to attack the locations of the task force, oil flow stations and government economic assets in the region.  The Joint Media Campaign Centre of the JTF, Colonel Rabe Abubakar who confirmed this and the planned attack by militants, said “The JTF is hereby advising such misinformed groups, in their own interest, to drop such plans, as any attack on any location, be it military or economic, would be viewed seriously. The outfit would be proactive, more than ever before, in defending its men and economic facilities within its professional guidelines.

Protesting Women Seize Oil Platforms

Protesting Ijaw women on Thursday seized Olero and Dibi oil flow stations belonging to the American oil giant, Chevron Nigeria Limited in Delta State. The women were protesting the effects of oil spillage resulting from the operations of the oil major on their communities identified as Opia and Tombolo in Warri North LGA of Delta State.  Thursday’s development terminated the respite being enjoyed by the oil major as the crisis in the Niger Delta, especially in the oil industry, failed to abate. Consequently, the two oil production platforms and some oil heads operated by the American oil giant have been shut down apparently to control the spread of the spill and pacify the aggrieved women.

Militant Group Warns Kidnappers, Pipeline Vandals

A militant group from Egbema Kingdom in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State known as the “Underdogs” on Monday warned those involved in hostage taking, pipeline vandalism, illegal oil bunkering as well as attacks on oil installations to steer clear of its area or face the consequences. The group threatened to deal with any group of persons which hid under the guise of militancy to wreak havoc in its domain, since it no longer believed in destroying government property to address the problem of underdevelopment of the Niger Delta.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

Gunmen Kill DPO

The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Lafenwa Police Station, Abeokuta, capital of Ogun State, Mr. Adesola Okesola, was on Wednesday killed right in front of the station by unknown gunmen. An eyewitness said the other policemen fled the scene when they realised that Okesola had been hit by the gunmen’s bullet and was lying in his pool of blood. The Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, Mr. Dipo Ayeni, who visited the scene, said his men, who were on the trail of the gunmen, would soon apprehend them.

Police Recover 35 Cartridges Buried under Banana Tree

Policemen from Ikeja Division, weekend, recovered 35 rounds of live cartridges buried under a banana tree in one of the government quarters in Ikeja, but there had been no arrest yet as the residents claimed ignorant. But the police said investigation was on-going. Police spokesman, Mr Frank Mba, said detectives were closing in on suspects connected with the offence. In another development, two suspected pipeline vandals were, weekend, arrested by the Marine Police with the recovery of 37 25-litre jerry cans filled with petroleum product suspected to have been stolen, along CMS waterfront, Lagos.

Fake Mobile Cops Nabbed

Two fake mobile policemen have been arrested in Lagos, by detectives from the state CID, Panti, Yaba, while conducting a stop-and-search on vehicles and motorcyclists at Bolade Bus Stop, Oshodi, Lagos. It was learnt that that the detectives were on a special assignment at Oshodi, when they sighted the fake mobile policemen in mobile police outfit. The suspects were identified as Sunday Odion, a dismissed police corporal from Esan, in Edo state, who claimed to be working with Ganvison Security Company, located at Ikoyi and Endurance Odigie, also a dismissed mobile constable from Esan in Edo state.

GENERAL

CNPP, Labour Vow to Resist Removal of Fuel Subsidy

Labour movements, Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) and civil society groups have resolved to resist the implementation of full deregulation of the downstream petroleum sector. The Trade Union Congress (TUC) also slammed the decision on the deregulation of the downstream sector. TUC said the ordinary Nigerians had not contributed to the corruption following Federal Government’s subsidy in the downstream sector. The Senate Committee on Petroleum (Downstream) has faulted the full deregulation of the downstream sector by the Federal Government, saying the removal of the subsidy, which is a component of the policy, should have been gradual rather than abrupt.

NDLEA to Ground Airlines with Illicit Drugs

National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDEA) has said it would ground any airline where any passenger or crew member is caught with illicit drugs. Chairman of the Agency, Ahmadu Giade, said that any airline, shipping and transport company found to be involved in illicit drug trafficking will be grounded.

FAAN Orders Airlines to Remove Aircraft from GAT

Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has ordered airlines whose aircraft had been abandoned on the active apron of General Aviation Terminal (GAT), Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMA), Lagos, to remove them before the end of March or face sanctions. The directive was given by the Managing Director of FAAN, Richard Aisuebeogun, who also instructed that no aircraft should be parked on the active apron of the terminal for more than one week, to enhance safety of operating aircraft.

Fed Govt Injects $1b into Troubled Power Plants

Nigeria’s troubled power plants are expected to wake up, with the Federal Government’s approval of $2.5billion (about N375 billion) to improve gas supply and complete projects. Of the cash, $1billion has been released; it was learnt at the weekend. It is all in a bid to increase electricity supply and actualise the presidential mandate to attain generation of 6,000 megawatts (mw) this year. It will also encourage gas producers, such as Shell, ExxonMobil and other multinationals, to pay attention to projects that would improve domestic supply as against the current choice of building for export.

FG Orders NNPC to Meet Local Gas Demand

A presidential directive to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation to meet the country's gas demand by December this year has caused the management of the corporation to return to the drawing board. NNPC Group Managing Director, Dr. Mohammed Barkindo, who hinted of the presidential mandate, said that the Federal Government has provided the incentives to achieve the goal with improved funding of gas projects to ensure availability.

Meningitis, Lassa Fever Kill 333 in 22 States

The Federal Government has confirmed the outbreak of two deadly diseases, Lassa fever and Meningitis, in the country.   Health Minister Babatunde Osotimehin who made the confirmation on Wednesday said 5,323 Cerebro-Spinal Meningitis (CSM) cases had been reported in various parts of the country with 333 deaths in 22 states. He also said Lassa fever had recorded 12 cases with five deaths within two weeks. The minister has therefore directed that Ribavirin, the specific antiviral drug for Lassa fever, be given to Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Health Department and health facilities in FCT and its environ for prompt and adequate treatment of cases and contact.

Oil Spill: FG to Sanction 66 Firms

The Federal Government has warned 66 oil prospecting companies in the country to desist from further violation of regulations guiding oil spill management or be sanctioned. National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), on Wednesday issued a statement accusing the  companies, including Chevron, Mobil, Shell and Elf, of violating regulations relating to reporting of oil spills, prompt clean-up and remediation of impacted sites.

FG Cancels 8 Port Charges

Federal Government has stopped with immediate effect, collection of eight different local shipping charges at all the nation’s seaports, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports. Assistant Director, Public Relations, Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Mr Ignatius Nweke, who confirmed this, said the directive was given by the Minister of Transportation, Alhaji Ibrahim Bio, after extensive consultations with freight forwarders, terminal operators and the Shipping Association of Nigeria (SAN). According to him, the affected charges are; service charge, bank charge, turnover charge, concessionaire service charge, tally clerks, port administration charge, International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) charge and sorting charge.

Police Reforms to Cost N3tr, says Minister

The Minister of Police Affairs, Dr. Ibrahim Yakubu Lame, has said that about N3 trillion would be required to reposition the country's police force.  Speaking in Calabar recently, the minister explained that so much is required to reposition the police because it covers a wide spectrum of people's lives. Lame noted that the Federal Government intends to implement the 125 recommendations made in the report submitted to it on the reformation of the Nigeria Police.  These reforms, according to him, would achieve effective policing, capacity building, welfare, training, logistics and infrastructure.

Curfew in Benue Community as Five Students Die in Clash over Water

Five persons have been killed in a conflict involving Tiv students of the College of Education, Oju and members of the host community in Benue State over disagreement between the two groups at the only source of potable water situated inside the school. In a swift reaction to the killings, which have dislodged the entire Oju community, Benue State government has ordered a dusk-to-dawn curfew in the area to allow security agents bring the conflict under control. Other students went on rampage, burning kiosks, houses and motorcycles owned by members of the host community. They also blocked the two major roads leading to the town. Following the attacks, members of the host community of the school reacted, sending local fighters to confront the Tiv students, which led to the deaths and the injuries.

PFN Warns against Further Ethno-Religious Violence

The National President, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, has urged the Federal Government to take immediate steps to stem the spate of ethno-religious violence in the North. The cleric warned that failure to tackle the issue now might lead to violent disruptions of the democratic process in the country. Oritsejafor further appealed to President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua to urgently call to order all religion fundamentalists.

Presidency Apologises To NASS over 'Missing Budget'

The 2009 budget has been found. Aso Rock Spokesman, Olusegun Adeniyi, apologised on Monday for saying last Friday that the document had not been sent to the Villa as claimed by lawmakers. Before Adeniyi made the clarification on Monday evening, the NASS had denied claims that the N3.101 trillion harmonised 2009 budget was still with legislators. Lawmakers and Yar'Adua's own link man in the NASS insisted that it was forwarded to the Villa last Friday.

Reps Invite Security Chiefs over Kidnapping

The House of Representatives on Tuesday initiated a move to check the incidence of kidnapping in the country. Meanwhile, Vice President Goodluck Jonathan, same day, reiterated that the Federal Government would ensure security of lives and property throughout Nigeria in order to encourage investments and economic development. The Vice President expressed displeasure with the spate of kidnapping in parts of the country, vowing that the Federal Government would "stop at nothing to ensure that this vice is eliminated."

Forced Marriages: 40 Kids Flee Homes, Seek Refuge in Etsu Nupe’s Palace

Over 40 girls, including many kids in Niger State, have fled home and taken refuge at the palace of the Etsu Nupe and the state’s chairman of traditional rulers, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, over the decision to give them out in marriage. The girls, whose ages range between 11 and 17 years, our correspondent gathered, fled their homes as a result of undue pressure from their parents to give them out against their will.  This development was made known by a director of the Women’s Right Advancement Protection Agency, a non- governmental organisation, Alhaji Shehu Ammen. The agency seeks to protect the rights of women and the girl-child.

Police Arrest Octogenarian with 11 Guns

The Zamfara State police command has announced the arrest of an 85-year old man alleged to be a local gun manufacturer, Baushe Makeri of kotorkoshi village in Bungudu local government area of the state.  While parading the suspect with 11 locally made guns in his possession, along with nine other armed robbery suspects, the state commissioner of police, Alhaji Mohammed J. Abubakar, said the old man was arrested for supplying guns to armed robbers. However, in an interview with Baushe, he denied the allegation levelled against him by the police that he supplied armed robbers with guns. He claimed to be a member of Den Gun Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Zamfara State chapter.

Robberies: Ex-LG Boss Tasks Police on Security

After series of burglaries within Damaturu metropolis recently, the Yobe State police command has been charged to tighten security in the Yobe State capital, Damaturu. This charge was made by the former member of the Federal House of Representatives in the state and former Damaturu local government chairman, Alhaji Hassan Yusuf Aminu Kano Khalifa. Khalifa stated that even though security is a collective responsibility by all citizens including ward heads, village heads and traditional rulers, the police must endeavour to play their most important role in protecting lives and property.

Reps Grill DG over Toxic Dump

A committee of the House of Representatives on Wednesday grilled the Director-General of National Environmental Standard Regulatory Agency (NESRA) Dr. Ngeri Bonebo, over alleged dumping of toxic materials at the Alaba International Market, Lagos.  The Committee on Environment, had invited Bonebo and the Director-General, Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Dr. John Akanya, to tell members of the committee what they know about the reported toxic materials allegedly dumped at Alaba Market.  Mrs. Bonebo, however, told the committee that the agency had raised a team to investigate the report. She said the team discovered in Lagos that the alarm about dumping of toxic materials at the market emanated from the importation of unserviceable electronic equipment from the United Kingdom by some traders.

INTERNATIONAL

Israel's PM Threatens Severe Response to Gaza Rockets

Israel's prime minister has threatened "uncompromising" retaliation against Gaza militants. The military said Palestinians had launched over 110 rockets and mortar shells at Israel since the offensive ended January 18. Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's incoming prime minister is among the many Israelis, who believe the Gaza operation ended too soon, leaving Hamas in power in Gaza and seemingly undaunted. Israel and Hamas have failed so far to reach a long-term truce, while violence has persisted.

Soldiers Kill Vieira, G’Bissau President

Angry soldiers on Monday shot dead, President Joao Bernardo Vieira of Guinea Bissau dead following the death of the country’s Chief of Army Staff, General Batiste Tagme Na Waie, who was, penultimate Sunday, killed in a bomb explosion. The army denied there was a coup in the country, but confirmed that the killing of Vieira was a reprisal to Waie’s death. The European Union (EU) and Africa Union (AU) have condemned the killings. Vieira was accused of being responsible for the death of Waie. Meanwhile an interim leader was on Tuesday sworn-in. The new leader endorsed by the parliament is the erstwhile Speaker, Raimundo Pereira. He has been saddled with organising fresh elections within 60 days.

Germany Raids over 200 Suspected Neo-Nazi Premises

Police in Germany have raided more than 200 homes and businesses of people suspected of belonging to the country's extreme right. "The primary aim of the concerted action by crime fighting authorities is to seize and confiscate prohibited items like music in order to move effectively and extensively against the spread of right wing extremism," the Federal Crime Office (BKA) said in a statement. More than 60 years after World War Two and the Nazi Holocaust, right-wing radicalism is still a problem in Germany, particularly in the former communist eastern part of the country where unemployment nearly double the rate in the west. The BKA said last year that neo-Nazis appeared to have shifted their tactics and stepped up violent attacks. Government figures show anti-Semitic crimes rose at the end of last year.

Truck Explosion Kills 10 at Iraqi Market

A truck bomb killed at least 10 people and wounded more than 50 on Thursday at a crowded livestock market near the Iraqi city of Hilla, police and medical officials said. The blast in the town of Al-Medhatiaya was the worst single attack in the country since a suicide bomber killed 35 Shiite pilgrims heading to the holy city of Karbala south of Baghdad last month. The bombing followed a series of attacks on Iraqi police, soldiers and a pro-US militia leader on Wednesday that left at least 11 people dead and 33 wounded across the country.

N'Korea Threatens Attack on South's Planes amid Tensions

Amid rising tensions, North Korea has threatened South Korean civilian planes flying near its airspace. This is coming as the North Korea accused Washington and Seoul of attempting to provoke a nuclear war with upcoming joint military drills. The warning from North Korea comes four days before the annual exercises are to begin in South Korea and amid concerns that the North is preparing to test-fire a long-range ballistic missile.

33 Rebels Killed in Sri Lanka

At least 33 Tamil Tiger rebels were killed during a gun battle between the government troops and the rebels in the northern Sri Lanka on Thursday, the military said. Officials from the Ministry of Defense said the exchange of fire erupted when the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam rebels attempted to break the troops‘ defense line at south of Chalai in the Mullaittivu district. Thirty-three bodies of the LTTE were found in a search operation conducted by the troops after the fierce battle. But the military did not mention any casualties on the troops.

Obama Seeks Russia's Help on Iran, Denies Missile Deal

United States (U.S.) President Barack Obama has urged Russia to resolve a nuclear stand-off with Iran but denied reports he had offered to slow deployment of a missile defence shield in exchange for Moscow's help. The Obama administration has said it wants to "reset" U.S.-Russian ties, which deteriorated under former U.S. President George W. Bush and then Russian President Vladimir Putin, partly because of the plans to deploy the shield. Meanwhile, Iran's supreme leader has accused Obama of following the same mistaken path as the George W. Bush administration with his "unconditional" support of Israel - seen by Tehran as a negative sign of hope to improve relations with the Islamic state.

Blast Hits U.S. Base in Afghanistan, Several Hurt

Several people were wounded on Wednesday after a bomb blast exploded outside the main United States (U.S.) base in Afghanistan. The governor of Parwan province, Abdul Jabar Takwa, said the bomber was in a car that exploded after he drove past a police checkpoint. The Taliban, meanwhile, have claimed responsibility. Capt. Elizabeth Mathias, a U.S. spokesperson, said the blast did not appear to kill anyone.  Takwa said that the bomber died in the blast, but he did not have any other casualty reports. But a Canadian General said a roadside blast killed three Canadian soldiers in the south.

Seven Die as Terrorists Attack Cricket Team in Pakistan

Seven persons were killed on Tuesday as about a dozen gunmen ambushed the convoy of Sri Lankan cricket team as it drove through a traffic circle near an eastern Pakistani stadium.  In the attack, seven players, an umpire and a coach were wounded, though none with life-threatening injuries. But six policemen and a driver were killed. The assailants abandoned the machine guns, rocket-propelled grenades and plastic explosives used in the ambush, Punjab police chief, Khwaja Khalid Farooq, said. They carried backpacks stuffed with dried fruit, mineral water and walkie-talkies, which were also abandoned at or near the scene, officials said.

ICC Issues Arrest Warrant for Sudan President, Al-Beshir

The International Criminal Court (ICC), Wednesday issued its first ever warrant of arrest for Sudanese President Omar al-Beshir to face charges of war crimes in Darfur.   Al-Bashir's government immediately dismissed the move as thousands of Sudanese took to the streets to vent their anger, while his allies, including the African Union (AU) and Russia, said it would undermine peace efforts. Analysts wondered how a sitting head of state could be arrested and the method of arrest.

Bangladesh Plans Tribunal for Mutineers, Hunts 1,000 Suspects

Police in Bangladesh have begun hunting for more than 1,000 troops accused of murder during a bloody mutiny in which 77 people have so far been confirmed dead. The government, penultimate Sunday, announced plans to form a special tribunal to try the border guards behind a bloody mutiny in the capital that left the people, most of them army officers, dead.  About 71 people were still unaccounted for in the uprising at the Bangladesh Rifles border force headquarters in the capital Dhaka, and teams were searching for more bodies buried in the compound or dumped in nearby sewers. The insurrection apparently erupted over the border guards' long-standing complaints that their pay has not kept pace with the salaries of soldiers in the army.

South Korea urges North to Halt Missile Plans

President Lee Myung-bak of South Korea has urged North Korea to abandon its plans to develop weapons of mass destruction and return to talks with its capitalist neighbour. But North Korea has stoked regional tensions in the past weeks by readying a test-flight of its longest-range missile, which is designed to carry a nuclear weapon as far as Alaska, United States (U.S.) and South Korean officials have said. North Korea has said it was preparing to launch a satellite and it had the right to do so as part of a peaceful space programme.