Villeworth Security Services Ltd

week 15

PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

Militants Reject Yar’Adua’s Amnesty

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has dismissed an amnesty offer from the government as “unrealistic”. MEND said it would only agree to a peace process in which the United Nations and “reputable international mediators” play an active role. It also repeated its call for the government to release one of the group’s leaders, Henry Okah, who is on a secret trial for treason.

Gunmen Abduct Briton

Armed men, penultimate Sunday abducted a Briton from a hotel along East West road in Port Harcourt and killed his guard. Rivers State Police Command Spokesperson, Mrs. Rita Inoma-Abbey, confirmed the kidnap and said the police were investigating it.

Ken Saro-Wiwa: Shell Sued In US Over Alleged Role In Execution

Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and one of its senior officials will appear before a Federal Court in New York to answer questions on the killing of the late environmental activist, Ken Saro-Wiwa, fourteen years ago. Shell and its official are to face charges as accomplices in human rights abuses, including summary execution and torture in Nigeria in the early 1990s. The oil firm, if found liable, could be forced to pay hundreds of millions of pounds in damages. The case was originally billed for April 27, but moved to next month.

Gunmen Kidnap Expatriate Worker in Ebonyi

The gale of abduction has taken frightening dimension as an expatriate engineer with the Marlum Construction Company Nig Ltd was on Tuesday kidnapped by yet to be identified armed men at their construction site in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State. Already, the kidnappers have made a ransom demand of N150 million from the construction company and the state government. The State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Kachi Udorji, confirmed the incident but declined further comments.

Armed Robbers Return to Onitsha-Enugu Expressway

Armed robbers are back on the Onitsha- Enugu Expressway, with two separate attacks reported between Sunday and Monday. Witnesses said that the two incidents took place at Umunya and Nawfia-Enugwu-Agidi, where the robbers capitalised on a bad portion of the road to block vehicles. The robbers, who wore fake police uniforms forced shot sporadically into the air, and made away with valuables without hurting any of the victims. Confirming the incidents, the Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr Fidelis Agbo said that Area Commanders (ACs) and district police officers (DPOs) are meeting on the development.

Bandits Kill Girl in Calabar

A young girl was killed at a cold room along Egerton Street in Calabar, Cross River State capital, when armed bandits struck on Friday. The robber also made away with an undisclosed sum of money. The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Emmanuel Ezeozue, confirmed the incident. He said his men were on the trail of the robbers.

Human Skulls Recovered Police Raid Communities in C/River

Police in Cross River State on Thursday paraded 47 persons arrested as a result of the communal war between Nko community in Obubra LGA and their neighbours in Oyadama community in Yakurr LGA of the state. The police also displayed six human skulls guns and other dangerous weapons seized from both communities. The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Emmanuel Ezeozue said the arrest of the suspects and the seizure of the weapons followed a raid conducted by the police on both communities on Wednesday. The communal crisis, three weeks ago, led to the loss of lives and property. He said the police are working on the theory that the skulls and weapons were fallouts of the communal clashes that pitched both communities.

Community Banishes Six Men over Wizardry, Sets Homes, Farms Ablaze

The Anineje Community in Akamkpa, in the outskirts of Calabar, the Cross River state capital, sacked six members of the community after they allegedly confessed to possessing witchcraft powers. The six men were alleged to possess wizardry powers with which they have been terrorizing other members of the community through untimely deaths, ill fortune and bad farm harvest. Consequently, the members of the community are alleged to have destroyed their houses, farms and domestic animals.

Police Investigate Sale of Babies in Hospital

A maternity home in the suburb of Port Harcourt in Rivers State is currently being investigated over allegations of baby trafficking. The lid was blown open on the clinic, Mothercare Hospital at Rumuokwurushi village when one Jennifer, a 16- year mother was told that her new-born-baby had died. Jennifer said she could not believe it and thus raised alarm. According to her, one of her relatives wanted her to agree to sell the baby for N100, 000 to the owner of the hospital. But she refused and insisted that her child must be given to her. Eventually, she reported the case to the police. Rivers state police spokesperson, Rita Inoma-Abbey confirmed this, and said the case was being investigated.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

Gunmen Blow Up Oil Facility
Oil output drops by 300,000 barrels

A houseboat used by an oil servicing firm, Daewoo Nigeria Limited, operating in the region was destroyed on Monday. The Joint Task Force (JTF) accused "some unrepentant and unpatriotic militants" of carrying out the attack at Igbomotoru, Delta State. The JTF, which identified the leader of the militants that destroyed the boathouse as Ogunbos, vowed to "pursue and arrest those responsible for this attack." This comes as the Central Bank of Nigeria report stated that the nation's oil output had dropped by 300,000 barrels.

Kidnappers Demand N12M for Edo Commissioner’s Wife

The kidnappers of the wife of the Edo State Commissioner for Works, Mrs. Andrew Obayagbona, are said to have opened a channel of communication with the family of the woman. The gang has reportedly demanded N12million as ransom for her release. This coincides with the call by Justice Development and Peace Commission (JDPC), Benin, a humanitarian and developmental organization for a cessation of kidnappings and killings in Edo State. It also called for legislation to outlaw kidnapping in the state, adding that it should be made a serious offence in order to serve as deterrent "for others who may want to take it up as a way of life.

Three Arraigned over Abduction of High Court Judge's Daughter

Three suspects have been arraigned before an Asaba Chief Magistrate Court in connection with the March 8, 2009 abduction of Oluchi Okogwu, seven-year-old daughter of a Delta State High Court Judge, Justice Ifeoma Okogwu. The suspects, Christopher Onyana, Felix Ekpo and Sunday Ekpo are facing a three-count charge of kidnapping, armed robbery and demanding N200 million ransom.

Group Raises Fresh Alarm on Niger Delta Crisis

Civil society group, Stakeholder Democracy Network (SDN) says the geographical spread of criminal activity from the Niger Delta, Nigeria's main oil and gas region, is a symptom of more persistent problems that have not been addressed. Coordinator of the group, Gaia Sprocati, said that much of the action taken by both government and companies has been contradictory and generally for short term. The SDN is, however, of the view that lack of progress on comprehensive plans which could address the inter-locking issues of conflict, injustice, and criminality suggest there is still limited political will to bring about substantial change in the Niger Delta.

Amnesty: Govt, IYC, Militants’ Negotiations Stalled as Militants Give Conditions

Negotiations by former Ijaw youth leaders, government representatives and stakeholders with militant groups in the Niger Delta towards achieving peace in the region is said to have hit an end as the militants promised to disarm if the Federal government was sincere in its amnesty programme for them. This is just as the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) claimed that it has rejected moves by politicians to employ its services for the 2011 general elections.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

Plot by Terrorists to Attack US Embassy in Lagos Uncovered

Alleged plans by some terrorists to launch a bloody attack on the United States Consulate and other missions in Lagos have been uncovered. In a swift reaction, the US Embassy has warned its citizens in Nigeria to be vigilant, while it informed them that the Nigeria Police had increased their vigilance around the consulate. The warning also urged US citizens to report any suspicious activity and movement within the vicinity to security agencies.

Police Kill Three Year Old Girl

A 3-year-old girl, Kaosarat Saliu, was on Tuesday shot dead by the Police at the Alapere area of Ketu, Lagos state. After the cold-blooded murder, the policemen arrested the grieving parents, while the slain child was left on a police car. They were later released with the intervention of the state PPRO. Kaosarat was killed when a police man at a check point opened fire on a vehicle carrying her and her parents, without any warning. It was also reported that some policemen offered to compensate the parents with cash, which they rejected. The Police Public relations Officer in the state, Mr Frank Mba said that the shooting was an accident and that the policemen have been arrested and would be charged to court.

Expert Condemns Police Forensic Laboratory

Chief Pathologist, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Professor John Obafunwa, last weekend condemned the Police Forensic Laboratory at Ikoyi, Lagos. Obafunwa stated his position when he went to give evidence on the death of a member of Editorial Board of Thisday Newspapers, Mr Abayomi Ogundeji. He reported that the late Ogundeji died as a result of multiple injuries resulting from gunshot wounds. When asked if there was any way the bullet could be subject to some ballistic analyses to ascertain which arm of the security agencies use such weapon, Obafunwa said it was only outside the country, as Nigeria has no facility for such analysis.

Man Kills Woman over Property

A man, Asuquo Bassey Etim, reportedly hacked a woman, Mrs. Edem Anwan Asuquo Okokon, to death over the property of her late father. Asuquo carried out the dastardly act after the court declared her the heir of the property, which has been in contention for 5 years. Asuquo, who had claimed to be the first son of Mrs. Okokon’s father, hired some thugs together with whom he invaded her residence in Calabar and hacked her to death in the early hours of 23 March. The police have arrested Asuquo and two of his accomplices.

Police Kill Two Suspected Robbers, Arrest Two

Two suspected armed robbers, who were arrested in Lagos on Wednesday, are said to be assisting the police in bursting their gang‘s hideout. The police arrested the suspects during an encounter with them at the Trade Fair Complex on the Lagos-Badagry Expressway. Two other members of the gang were not as lucky as they were gunned down during the encounter with the police. A gang of anti-robbery policemen who responded to a distress call from the scene of the encounter had exchanged gunshots with the suspects. Spokesman for the Lagos State Police Command, Mr. Frank Mba, confirmed the incident to our correspondent on Monday.

Protester In Ibadan As Police Shoot Driver

Protests rocked parts of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Wednesday after a policeman shot a truck driver, identified as Popoola, in the arm and immediately sparked a riot which spread from Ogbere to neighbouring areas. Eyewitnesses said that Popoola was asked by a policeman simply identified as Sunday to stop, but as he tried to park the car, the policeman jumped down from the motorcycle he was riding and fired a shot directly at him. As soon as the deed was done, the policeman disappeared. The protest caused a commotion which lasted for about three hours. And it took over 100 policemen to quell the riot. Confirming the incident, the state police spokesperson, Miss Olabisi Okuwobi, said that the policeman who fired the shot has been arrested.

Aides of Kudirat Abiola, Abacha get 59 years in jail

For attempting to assassinate the former Afenifere leader, Abraham Adesanya in 1997, a Lagos High Court on Wednesday handed down a total of 59-year jail term to an aide to the late Gen. Sani Abacha, Corporal Aminu Mohammed and Abdulateef Aremu Shofolahan, personal assistant to the late Mrs. Kudirat Abiola, wife of the late business mogul, Chief Moshood Abiola.  The sentence was delivered by Justice Olusola Williams who sentenced Mohammed to 28 and Shofolahan to 31 years imprisonment.  They were found guilty on a two-count charge of conspiracy and attempted murder of Abraham on January 14, 1997.

Naval Ratings Brutalise Nigerian Returnee

A Nigerian returnee from China, Mr. Eric Nwandu, was manhandled by some naval ratings that also smashed the windscreens of his car in Lagos. Eric reported that there was traffic on the road, when the naval ratings ordered him to move his car, even though there was a vehicle in front of him, but as he could not drive off the naval ratings assaulted him and his car.

3 Suspected Killer-Policemen Arrested in Ife

The three policemen who allegedly killed a commercial motorcyclist in Ile-Ife, Osun State, penultimate Sunday, have been arrested by the police. The alleged killing led to a bloody clash between commercial motorcyclists and the police in the city, which further led to the death of three others. Relative peace has returned to the city.

Police Alert Public on Presence on Ritualists, Kidnappers

The Oyo State Police Command has raised the alarm on the activities and presence of kidnappers and ritualists in the state. The command’s image maker, Olabisi Okuwobi, disclosed this in Ibadan on Monday when the corpses of two children were found with their eyes plucked at Sanyo area of the state capital. Also, residents of Felele area in Ibadan and Jobele community in the state have raised the alarm that kidnappers were sighted in the areas while some ritualists were requesting for where human heads could be bought. The state Commissioner of Police has advised parents, guardians and educational institutions to be vigilant and security conscious.

Tight Security for Ikeja Cantonment Market

Over 150 security agents and a substantial number of dogs have been engaged to protect the newly built Ikeja Military Cantonment Market. Close Circuit Televisions will also be used to check armed robbers and other unscrupulous elements, who might want to cause trouble at the complex. The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Whoob Resources Limited, Mr. Jimmy Onyemenam, disclosed this on Friday. The project which cost about N6bn to complete will be operated by the financiers for 24 years on the basis of a Build, Operate and Transfer concession arrangement.

Union Bank Donates to Lagos Security Trust Fund

Union Bank of Nigeria Plc has donated N30 million to Lagos State Security Trust Fund bringing its donation to N50 million. The bank had made an initial N20 million available, when the scheme was launched. The bank’s Group Managing Director/Chief Executive, Dr. Barth Ebong assured the state government of its continued unalloyed support and willingness to partner with the government. Meanwhile, the bank has bagged the Most Courteous Bank Award at the just concluded Kaduna International Trade Fair. In the same vein, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Kaduna Zonal office adjudged Union Bank as the Best Performed Bank of the Year 2008 having cleared 538,853 cheques worth N712.684 billion, the highest during the period.

GENERAL

FG Seeks Repatriation of 8 Condemned Nigerians from Indonesia

The Federal Government is making effort to meet with the Indonesia Government on how to extradite about eight Nigerian citizens who are currently on death row in that country for drug related offences. This disclosure is coming as the government of Libya deported 140 Nigerians from the country. The Director General and Secretary of the Board of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Otunba Lanre Ipinmisho, made this disclosure.

Okiro Blames Police for Recent Crises

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Mike Okiro has said that some of the crises that took place in the country in recent months could have been averted if not for some lapses on the part of the Police.  Okiro spoke at the opening of the monthly conference with senior police officers at Maiduguri. He blamed senior police officers for their laxity in forwarding intelligence reports to appropriate quarters, as a result of which, he said, the police was embarrassed by some happenings in recent times.  He also said “henceforth, command CPs and zonal AIGs will be answerable for any damage occasioned to the force and nation as a result of such lapses.”

19 Die in Auto Crash

Nineteen people lost their lives in an auto accident on Sunday morning as the vehicles when their vehicle had a head-on collision with an oil tanker on the Makurdi/Otukpo highway in Benue State. Seventeen of the victims died on the spot, while the tanker broke into two with the tank spilling engine oil on the road. The Sector Commander the FRSC, Mr. Gbenga Oke, confirmed that 17 persons died in the accident, explaining that one of the tanker crew also died.

DPO Urges Public To Feed Police With Information

The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in-charge of Kwali Area council, CSP Usman Umar has called on the general public to be passing information to police. According to him, police depend on information from all sundry, explaining that police work is not base on magic hence the need to be assisted with information which will benefit the society. Umar also noted that kept suggestion boxes in the Division for the residents to post in their feedback on the activities or performances of the police as well as other issues bordering them.

N’Delta: Nigeria Loses $24bn Oil Revenue in 9 Months

The rising violence in the oil-rich Niger Delta has continued to take its toll on Nigeria’s revenue as the report by the Niger Delta Technical Committee revealed that the country has lost at least $23.7 billion to oil theft and sabotage in the first nine months of 2008. The report, which also raised fears that the crisis may soon worsen is coming  barely three weeks after the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) announced a shortfall in oil revenue from average N330 billion  (US $2.2 billion) monthly recorded in 2008 to about N150 billion  (US $1 billion) in January 2009.

Obasanjo, Ex-Govs, Others Lose Security Detail

The Nigerian Police has withdrawn the excess security escorts attached to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, his Vice, Atiku Abubakar, and other political office holders, in line with the directives of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approving the withdrawal of police orderlies attached to certain categories of people. Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Emmanuel Ojukwu, confirmed that the withdrawal of excess security aides affected all former presidents, vice presidents, heads of state, their deputies, governors and all others “who are found to have more than the number of aides they are supposed to have.” However, it is expected that Obasanjo as a retired four-star general will still retain his army orderlies as is the tradition in the military. The same will be applicable to Buhari, Ibrahim Babangida, Abdusalam Abubakar and Gowon.

Court Renews Injunction against FG on Korean Oil Blocs

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, Thursday, renewed its order restraining the federal government from taking over or disturbing the Korean oil firm - Korea National Oil Corporation (KNOC) - from carrying out petroleum exploration at its two oil blocks covered by the oil prospecting licenses (OPLs) 321 and 323. The chief judge of the court, Justice Abdullahi Mustafa renewed an earlier order made on March 12, 2009 upon an application to that effect. Conscious that government might take advantage of and claim that the injunction had lapsed and could act in a manner that would jeopardize the suit, Clarke applied for its renewal, which was granted by the court.

Tanker Throws Two States into Darkness

While battling to contend with its numerous problems that have made steady power supply elusive, Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, on Friday announced the loss of power supply to Adamawa and Taraba states, following the crash of a petroleum tanker into one of the towers. A statement in Abuja said the loss of electricity supply occurred when the utility company's 132KV transmission line tower, T288, collapsed after the accident, which occurred on Thursday 9 April.

FG Promises Transformation of Road Network

The Federal Government has vowed to take a radical step that will lead to the transformation of the nation’s entire road network. Works, Housing and Urban Development Minister, Dr. Hassan Muhammad Lawal gave the assurance said President Yar’Adua is concerned about the deteriorating condition of the Nigerian roads, adding, that despite the threat posed on country by the global economic meltdown, the government will try and fix some of the strategic roads in the country. He assured that eight approved contracts would be vigorously monitored and supervised by the Ministry as soon as the contract agreements are signed and the contractors mobilized to site.

2,390 People Executed in 25 Countries in 2008 — Amnesty International

Amnesty International (AI) says “at least 2,390 people were known to have been executed in 25 countries and at least 8,864 people were sentenced to death in 52 countries around the world. The organization also disclosed that China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and the United States of America were the five states with the highest rate of executions, adding that together they carried out 93 percent of all executions worldwide. AI also stated that at least 40 death sentences were handed down in Nigeria, adding that this brings the total estimated number on death row to 735, including 11 women. The human rights organization similarly disclosed that approximately 40 persons on death row were under the age of 18 at the time of the offence and should not have been sentenced to death.

France Probes Firm over Nigerian Bribes

French prosecutors have launched a probe into the activities of one of the country‘s biggest electronics company, SAFRAN, for allegedly bribing Nigerian officials in order to obtain a huge identity card contract. The new investigation is said to have been set off by fresh clues given to French authorities by British investigators who were probing an unnamed Nigerian official who placed huge sums of bribes in a bank account in London.

Nigerian Drug Baron Arrested In South Africa

The South African police have arrested a Nigerian drug baron after he abducted, for six weeks, two South African teenage girls, forced them into prostitution and into the streets to sell drugs for him. One of the girls managed to escape from a bodyguard who was escorting her to the shops and reported her plight. The 17-year-old and her 14-year-old friend had been kept prisoners by the Nigerian.

5 Fake EFCC Officials Arrested In Sokoto

Five suspected fraudster, disguising as officials of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), have been arrested by men of the Sokoto State Police Command. The state Commissioner for Police, Alhaji Ibrahim Mamman Tsafe, who disclosed this on Friday, said the suspects were in the habit of extorting large sums of money from some local government councils’ chairmen in the state. Tsafe explained that the men were arrested at Kware LG where the chairman suspected them to be fake EFCC officials and resisted their demand for money, a situation that culminated into their arrest by officials and visitors of the council’s secretariat.

N38bn Pipeline Fund: Presidential C’ttee Queries NNPC, PPPRA

The Presidential Committee on Deregulation of the downstream sector of the petroleum industry, charged with the verification of the N2 per litre charge on pipeline maintenance, has asked the authorities of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and the Petroleum Product Pricing Regulatory Agency to explain the rationale for the collection and disbursement of the sum of N38.8billion charged as pipeline margin on downstream petroleum products. According to Presidency sources, the sum of N29.1billion  was said to have been realised between March 2007 and June 2008 from payment of N2/litre pipeline maintenance charge included in the ex-depot price of PMS by NNPC whereas it was purported that the pipelines were not being used.

Soldiers Batter Kogi Speaker

The Speaker of the Kogi Sate House of Assembly, Hon. Clarence Olafemi, was last weekend attacked in Lokoja, the state capital, by military men allegedly acting on the instruction of a retired army General. It was gathered that the retired General ran into the convoy of the speaker on several occasions from Isanlu, so the Speaker stopped to confront the General which led to exchange of uncomplimentary words between them. On getting to the Barracks, the Speaker and his entourage were stopped by some army officers who dragged his CSD into the barracks and beat him up and while the speaker attempted to intervene, he was also beat up by the soldiers.

Police Arrest Alleged Serial Rapist in Mubi

The police in Mubi, Adamawa State, have arrested a man, Ali Buba, suspected of defiling seven teenage girls. The Divisional Police Officer for Mubi South Police Station, Mr Jacob Nwaja, who confirmed the arrest, said that Buba had lured and raped seven teenage girls on different occasions. The DPO said, “We received complaints from parents of the affected teenagers and had to move in and arrest him. ‘‘

NNPC Shake-up: FG Sacks Six Executive Directors

Major changes were on Tuesday effected in the top hierarchy of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) as all six Group Executive Directors (GED) were relieved of their duties, and were replaced immediately. According to the corporation’s Group Managing Director (GMD), Mr. Mohammed Sanusi Barkindo, the changes effected at the top management positions of NNPC was part of the on-going restructuring aimed at repositioning the corporation. The change of guards might have been recommended by the Oil and Gas Sector Implementation Committee (OGIC), chaired by the Petroleum Minister, Dr. Rilwanu Lukman.

INTERNATIONAL

Bombs Kill 40 In Iraq, India

A series of bloody car bombings in Baghdad on Monday led to the death of at least 34 people, while nearly 130 more were wounded. During the morning rush hour, 10 people were killed and 65 wounded when a booby-trapped car exploded in a market area of the impoverished Shiite district of Sadr City in northeastern Baghdad, an interior ministry official said. Also in India, a bomb blast ripped through a market in the capital of North-East Assam State, killing six people and wounding 30 others, police said.

Earthquake Kills 283 in Italy, Renders 17, 000 Homeless

The death toll in Italy as a result of the earthquake, which struck on Sunday rose to about 283 on Friday. Thousands of rescuers raced to dig survivors out of the rubble and dazed survivors set up tent cities in stadiums. The region has suffered at least nine smaller jolts since the beginning of April. The US Geological Survey said the quake’s magnitude was 6.3.  The aftershocks terrified many survivors, 17,000 of whom spent another cold night in tent villages after being made homeless. Rescuers said the chances of finding anyone alive under the devastated city were decreasing. Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who has declared an emergency and sent in thousands of troops, approved urgent reconstruction spending and tax breaks for communities.

Indonesia: 24 Die As Military Plane Crashes

An Indonesian military plane carrying 24 people crashed into an airport hangar during heavy rains on Monday, killing everyone on board. Air Force spokesman, Bambang Sulistyo, said that none of the 24 aboard the aging turboprop survived. There were no casualties on the ground, he added. It was not clear what caused the crash.

Plot to Assassinate Obama in Turkey Foiled

A plot to assassinate President Barack Obama of the United State was foiled in Turkey during his European tour. The plot involved a Syrian man who was arrested late last week in Turkey, according to two U.S. officials. No further details of this were given. The officials also noted that while Obama gets more threats than usual as the first African-American U.S. president, this particular threat did not force any change to his schedule. The suspect, who was carrying an Al-Jazeera TV press credential in the name of "M.G.," confessed to authorities after his arrest that he and three alleged accomplices plotted to stab Obama with a knife during the Alliance of Civilizations Summit in Istanbul.

Rwanda Remembers Massacre after 15 Years

Crowds gathered in somber reflection on Tuesday, marking the 15th anniversary of the start of a 100-day genocidal massacre in Rwanda in which an estimated 800,000 people were brutally killed. Rwandan President, Paul Kagame, criticized the international community for not doing more to prevent the bloody wave of violence. Sparked by the assassination of then-Rwandan President Juvenal Habyarimana, extremist militias made up of ethnic Hutus slaughtered ethnic Tutsis and moderate Hutus across Rwanda after Belgian peacekeepers left the country.

Sierra Leone Rebels Found Guilty of Crimes against Humanity

Three former guerrilla leaders will be sentenced Wednesday in Sierra Leone for their crimes against humanity. The U.N. Special Court for Sierra Leone found the men guilty of crimes including murder, rape, sexual slavery and forced marriages stemming from a civil war that lasted from March 1991 to January 2002. The former leaders in the Revolutionary United Front guerrilla movement were known for hacking off civilians' hands and feet during the war, which stood out for its viciousness. The former leaders are Issa Hassan Sesay, Morris Kallon and Augustine Gbao.

UK Terror Chief Quits after Security Blunder

Britain's top counter-terrorism officer resigned on Thursday after he accidentally exposed a sensitive document about a terrorism investigation. Police rushed to make a series of raids in northwest England after two news photographers at the prime minister's residence captured Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Bob Quick carrying a document containing the names of those to be arrested. Hundreds of officers raided 10 properties and arrested 12 men, including 10 Pakistani nationals on student visas and one Briton. The men arrested were involved in a "very serious" plot closely associated with al Qaeda and escaped al Qaeda operative Rashid Rauf, whom British intelligence have linked to the 2006 plot to blow up trans-Atlantic airliners, according to a security source with knowledge of the investigation. Quick later apologized for his blunder.

U.S. Warship Rescues Ship Captain

A U.S. warship arrived before dawn Thursday near a 28-foot lifeboat holding four pirates and the kidnapped captain of a U.S.-flagged cargo ship, officials said. Also nearby was the Maersk Alabama. All 20 of its remaining crew members were in good health. The hijackers boarded the Maersk Alabama early Wednesday, when it was about 350 miles off the coast of Somalia, a haven for pirates attacking shipping through the Gulf of Aden. Capt. Richard Phillips was being held in the lifeboat after the pirates reneged on their agreement to exchange him for one of their own who was captured by the crew members, Quinn said. The captain was freed unharmed Sunday in a swift firefight that killed three of the four Somali pirates. A senior U.S. intelligence official said a pirate who had been involved in negotiations to free Capt. Richard Phillips was in custody.