Villeworth Security Services Ltd

week 24

PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

Shell to Pay $15.5m to Saro Wiwa’s Family

Oil giant, Shell, has agreed to pay $15.5m (N2.3bn) in settlement of a legal action in which it was accused of having collaborated in the execution of the writer Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight other Ogoni leaders in Rivers State. Saro-Wiwa and his eight other compatriots were executed by the late General Sani Abacha military junta in 1995. Shell has not conceded to or admitted any of the allegations, but the payment is seen as a step towards making international businesses accountable for their environmental and social actions. The settlement follows three weeks of intensive negotiation between the plaintiffs, who largely consisted of relatives of the executed Ogoni nine, and Shell.

4 Killed as JTF, Militants Clash in Bayelsa

A traditional chief of Letugbene community in Bayelsa State and three militants were shot dead on Friday, while several other villagers were injured in a gun battle between troops of the Joint Military Task Force (JTF) and militants. Chairman of the community, Prince Jude Biukeme confirmed that a community the vigilance team had arrested two sea pirates after they robbed a transport boat, and called the JTF to pick them up, but some militants also stormed the community to rescue them. JTF spokesman, Colonel Rabe Abubakar, claimed that the JTF troops were ambushed by militants, leading to heavy exchange of gunfire.

British Hostage Regains Freedom

A Briton held hostage for nine months by the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has regained freedom. Matthew Maguire, 35, was released on Friday. MEND had demanded the release of its leader, Henry Okah, as a condition for Maguire’s release. Maguire said he had suffered greatly in the hands of the militants, but his situation improved when the militants handed him over to local villagers, who took better care of him and fed me. “I'd like to thank them" he said.

10 Killed in Imo Pipeline Vandalism

About 10 persons in Ohaji Egbema Local Council of Imo State were, Tuesday, killed in a fire outbreak following alleged pipeline vandalism in the area. The bodies of the affected persons, who were the alleged vandals, were burnt beyond recognition. The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Dr. Amanze Obi, warned people to desist from unwholesome activities in the state.

Kidnapped Rivers LG Boss Regains Freedom

After five days in captivity, the suspended Chairman of Andoni Council in Rivers State, Mr. Felix Fyneface Ayayi, regained freedom on Monday night. Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Rita Inoma-Abbey, confirmed the release. Ayayi was abducted penultimate week a few hours after he was suspended from office by the state House of Assembly for allegation of misappropriation of the council's fund. The gunmen alleged that they were paid to kill Ayayi but said only a N200 million ransom would save his life.

IG Gives Abia New APC

Efforts to checkmate the activities of criminals in Abia State received a boost as the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mike Okiro, has deployed a new Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) to Abia to fight kidnappers and armed robbers. The commander of Mobile Police Force (MPF) 55 Aba, Haliru Aliyu, said that the APC would be stationed within the Ngwa area, the hotbed of criminal activities in Abia. Meanwhile, the Anambra House of Assembly has urged the Federal Government to deploy a joint military/police task force to the state to check the problem of insecurity.

19 Robbers, Kidnappers Arrested in Anambra

More than 19 hoodlums, suspected to be kidnappers and armed robbers, tormenting the people of Anambra state in recent times, have been arrested by the Anambra state police command. The State Police Commissioner, Mr. Musa Bello, called on Anambra state people to be calm adding that though the robbers were operating with superior weapons, the police would dislodge and arrest them.

Bandits Lay Siege on Awka, Kill DPO

Armed robbers in Awka, Anambra State Friday night after losses suffered in their encounter with the police earlier in the day when they kidnapped a businessman, Chief Paul Okonkwo, returned and killed two police officers including the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) for Awka Central Police Station in a shootout. The robbers headed towards Neni and Obeledu and threw the communities into confusion. The police commissioner confirmed the death of the DPO.

Akwa Ibom Speaker’s Father Abducted

Armed gunmen suspected to be kidnappers penultimate Sunday, abducted the father of the Speaker of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Pa Kelvin Edet. The incident occurred in his village, Ikot Osukpong in Ibiono Ibom LGA while on his way to the church. But the state police commissioner, Mr. Walter Rugbere, who confirmed the incident.

JTF Arrests Suspected Militant Leader

Joint Military Task Force (JTF) has confirmed the arrest of a suspected militant leader, Bernard Wilcox, in Rivers State. Spokesman for the task force, Colonel Rabe Abubakar, said that Wilcox was the leader of a group known as "the Bregede Camp in Bonny." Abubakar said the suspect was currently assisting security agencies to unmask those behind several attacks against the task force in Bonny Island.

SSS Parades Three Suspected Kidnappers in Imo

Officials of the State Security Service (SSS) in Imo State on Wednesday paraded three suspected kidnappers. The Director of SSS in the state, Mr. Abudu Salami, said the suspect, had on May 28, allegedly kidnapped a student of Imo State University. He said that their victim miraculously escaped, which led to their manhunt, and their eventual arrest.

Orji Reads Riot Act to Traditional Rulers

In furtherance of its vow to rid Abia State of criminals and other nefarious acts, the state Governor, Chief Theodore Orji, has warned that it would deal decisively with any traditional ruler whose domain is used as a hideout for kidnapping. Orji addressed traditional rulers in the state at the Michael Okpara Auditorium, Umuahia, making it mandatory for all autonomous communities in the state to form vigilante groups, pointing out that government would supervise them.

Tension in Odi over Killing of Ken Wanowei

Wanted Militant Leader, Government Ekpemuopolo, popularly known as TomPolo, is reportedly regrouping in Delta state as he is alleged to be preparing a raid on Odi community in Bayelsa state. A prominent youth leader from Odi, said they are coming to bombard Odi Community over the death of one Mr. Ken Wanowei, a TomPolo's ally. Tom Polo reportedly alleges that it was Odi boys that gave Ken away to JTF in the area.

Gunmen Kidnap Rivers Lecturer, as MOSOP Condemns Abduction Upsurge

Former Rivers State Commissioner for Environment and lecturer at the University of Port Harcourt, Mrs. Roselyn Konyan, has been kidnapped. She was kidnapped by some unknown gunmen around Aba, Abia State on her way to Calabar. In a statement condemning the upsurge in kidnapping incidents around the country, the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP) said the Federal Government should stand up to check the problem.

SSS Parades Suspected Kidnappers in Anambra

The State Security Service (SSS) paraded a gang of suspected kidnappers in Awka, Anambra State. The five-member gang, according to SSS State Director, Joseph Okpatimehin, abducted a four-year-old boy, Sopuluchukwu Orji. Governor Peter Obi had rewarded the informant who provided the tip-off that led to the arrest of the suspects with N2 million. Also arrested was a female teacher, Uju Agada, of the Ideal Mind Foundation Primary School, Awada, where Sopuluchukwu is a pupil. She allegedly allowed the kidnapper to pick Sopuluchukwu from the school last week Monday, contrary to a standing directive.

Kukah Opposes Further Dialogue

The Secretary General of the Conference of Catholic Bishops in Nigeria, Monsignor Mathew Hassan Kukah, declared on Monday that there was no need for the Federal Government to engage in unending negotiations with criminals that have, metaphorically, held the nation hostage. Kukah said that there has been series of plans initiated by government for bringing development to the people which the activities of the militants have disrupted.

Military Can’t Quell N-Delta Militancy —MOSOP

The Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP) has called on the Federal Government to relax the on-going military operations in the Niger Delta, stating that the use of military might in the region was not the solution to the militancy in the area. The movement believes that those governors who supported military solution did so out of great frustration, adding that their disappointment should be the reason for more dialogue and not indiscriminate bombing that violates the right to life under international laws.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

Military Moves Deploys More Armoured Tanks to Niger Delta

The crisis in the Niger Delta region appears to have another stage as the Nigerian Army, on Saturday evening moved armoured tanks into the region. The development has heightened apprehension in most parts of the region, but the Joint Task Force (JTF) has assured residents that there is nothing to fear, saying it was for their safety.

MEND Claim another Attack on Chevron’s Pipeline

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) said on Saturday that it blew up another oil well owned by Chevron in Delta state. MEND had said on Friday it attacked and destroyed Chevron’s Otunana oil well 1 and its gas lift trunk lines. Chevron confirmed damage to its Makaraba-Utonana-Abiteye pipeline and fire at its Makaraba Jacket 5 facility in Delta state.

JTF Recovers N400m Crude Oil from Bunkerers

Operatives of the Joint Task Force (JTF) have recovered crude oil worth about N400 million from illegal oil bunkerers at a creek in Egborode in Okpe LGA of Delta State. The crude oil was in a big Cotonou canoe and was about to be offloaded last Tuesday when the security agents swooped on the creek and dislodged the bunkerers. Coordinator of the Joint Media Campaign Centre of JTF, Colonel Rabe Abubakar said the bunkerers ran away on sighting the approaching soldiers. He displayed a 36,000 litre tanker, bearing a major marketer’s inscription that was about to be loaded with the stolen crude oil.

MEND Threatens Multi Billion Dollar gas Project

In another development, Niger Delta militants have threatened to blow up a $13 billion gas pipeline project being undertaken by Nigeria and Algeria. It was reported that the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), had warned that the planned project would be a target.

N'Delta Crisis Hampers Power Supply -Panel

The Federal Government on Tuesday counted the cost of the Niger Delta crisis, lamenting that the power sector had been adversely affected. The Presidential Steering Committee on the National Integrated Power Projects (NIPP) lamented that the insecurity and the agitation in the Niger Delta had greatly affected the ability of the Federal Government to deploy the 4,500 megawatts of electricity being generated.

Tompolo Flees Nigeria

Wanted leader of the Ijaw Youths Leadership Forum, Government Ekpomupolo, nicknamed Tompolo, has allegedly fled Nigeria to Ukraine in a bid to escape arrest by the Joint Military Task Force (JTF). His escape was said to have been facilitated by some Ukrainians with whom he had been engaging in arms deal in exchange for bunkered crude oil. Further investigations revealed that the militants had tactically been retreating towards Brass and Akassa, the coastal fringes of Bayelsa State, with a view to regrouping and relaunching their struggle. It is believed that the JTF will contact the INTERPOL to help hunt down Tompolo, even as it says Tompolo has not fled Nigeria.

N’Delta Leaders Warn against Militarisation of Region

Niger Delta leaders have warned against the militarisation of the region and called for immediate ceasefire of all hostilities in the area. The group which met at the residence of former Chief of General Staff, Admiral Okhai Mike Akhigbe (rtd) in Abuja also asked government to implement immediately the recommendations of the Niger Delta Technical Committee Report. The group decried failure in leadership at all levels and challenged the leaders in the Niger Delta to start speaking more for the people and less for themselves.

JTF Denies Recovering Bodies of Soldiers

The Joint Military Task Force (JTF) has denied finding the bodies of 18 soldiers missing in action in recent operations against militants in Delta State. The JTF Commander, Major-General Sarkin Yaki Bello, said that the military authorities would not presume the men dead until their bodies were recovered or concrete evidence that they were dead could be obtained. Bello, however, confirmed the death of one soldier, who he said died from injuries sustained during the attack. Some soldiers wounded during the campaign were in various hospitals responding to treatment, the commander said.

Fire Engulfs Chevron Flow Station

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) said on Wednesday that it had sabotaged an oil-pumping station belonging to Chevron. Chevron confirmed a fire at the flow station in Delta State, but said production at the facility had been shut down before the incident. It did not say how the fire started.

Militants Regroup as JTF, Oil Companies Meet

Indications that various militant groups are regrouping to enforce ‘Hurricane Piper Alpha’ declared on Monday by the Movement for Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has caused military and oil companies to meet. Sources said the development has become worrisome as the militants may have resolved to launch sustained attacks on oil facilities from their hide-outs in the creeks with the aim of crippling Nigeria’s crude exports. Authorities of the JTF and top officials of the major oil companies reportedly met on Thursday at the JTF Effurun base in Warri, Delta State, to strategize on how to tackle the emerging situation.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

Pipeline Explosion in Lagos

An NNPC in Ilado, a Lagos suburb, exploded at the weekend leaving scores of persons injured. Eleven fuel boats believed to be owned by some vandals who had gone to scoop fuel were burnt. Spokesman of the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC), Mr. Raph Ugwu, confirmed the incident, and said the fire had been put out while the damaged pipeline had been repaired, saying that no life was lost.

One Killed in Smugglers, Customs Clash

One person, identified as a notorious smuggler in Iseyin, Rasak Rahman, was killed, while several vehicles belonging to the Nigerian Customs Services (NCS) were vandalised in Iseyin LGA of Oyo State, as smugglers, who stormed the town in a convoy from Republic of Benin clashed with Customs officials. The state police chief, Baba Adisa Bolanta, confirmed the incident.

Police Declare Tokyo, 9 Others Wanted in Oyo NURTW Crisis

Oyo State Police Command has declared the strongman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Oyo State chapter, Alhaji Lateef Akinsola a.k.a Tokyo and nine others wanted in connection with the murder of two security men last Friday night. The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Olabisi Okuwobi, stated that the command had no option but to declare Tokyo and other suspects wanted as they had refused to show up as demanded by the police authorities.

Lagos Donates Power Bikes to Police

In a bid to increase police efficiency, the Lagos State government, through the State Security Trust Fund, has donated 10 power bikes to pursue criminals. Secretary to the Security Trust Fund, Mr. Fola Arthur Worrey, made the presentation to the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Marvel Akpoyibo.

One Killed in Building Collapse

At least one person was feared dead, while about 20 others were seriously injured on Tuesday, when a hotel, located at Ofatedo, Osogbo, under construction, collapsed while workers were working on the site. It took the combined efforts of men of the state fire service, the state Emergency Management Agency and sympathisers more than 40 minutes before those trapped could be rescued from the debris.

Kwara Commissioner Dies

The Kwara State Commissioner for Social Development, Culture and Tourism, Mrs. Hellen Popoola, has passed on at the age of 43. Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Abdul-Ganiyu Olododo, said Popoola died in the early hours of Monday at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, during a protracted illness.

Kwara Grants 70-Year-Old Inmate, Others Freedom

The Kwara State Criminal Justice Committee led by the Acting Chief Judge of the state, Justice Fola Gbadeyan, on Thursday released a 70-year-old man, Mallam Tanko Suleiman and 12 others detained over some misdemeanor without trial for several months at Federal Prison, Ilorin, Kwara State. The chief judge called on prosecutors in the state to cooperate with the committee so as to ensure that accused are not remanded in prison on flimsy matters.

GENERAL

Africa Needs $2.5bn Bailout –IMF

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has predicted that the next one year may witness dramatic increase in credit borrowings by African countries to the tune of $2.5 billion as a result of biting effects of global economic meltdown. The IMF Country Chief and Resident Representative to Nigeria, Mr. David Nellor, singled out Nigeria as one country that had so far escaped from the immediate impact of the world financial crisis due to the accrued benefits from the fiscal reforms. Nellor particularly pointed to the oil savings from excess crude oil account as well as the banking reforms as major contributory factors in the measure of financial stability being enjoyed by Nigeria today.

Nigerian Sailors Regain Freedom from Somali Pirates

The Federal Government has dispatched a team to Yemen to receive the nine Nigerian sailors freed on Friday by Somali pirates. A Presidential Task Force is en-route to Yemen to receive the crew, according to Nigeria's Ambassador to Kenya and Seychelles, Mr Chijioke Wigwe.  The pirates had hijacked a vessel, MV Yenagoa Ocean, run by the Nigerians in August 2008 and demanded a million dollar ransom. It is not clear if the ransom was paid.

Oil Price Rises to $71

Oil prices climbed past $71 per barrel on Wednesday. New York’s main futures contract, light sweet crude for delivery in July, surged as high as $71.65 per barrel, the highest level since October, last year.

Reps Urged to Recover $5.1b owed FG by Oil Majors

The House of Representatives Committee on Customs has been tasked to insist that oil majors in the country pay the total sum of $5.1 billion Nigerian Export Supervising Scheme (NESS) levy owed the Federal Government. The Global Network of Nigeria Patriots (GNNP) made the call last weekend in Abuja, just as it described the recently concluded public hearing on the activities of the Nigerian Customs Service as a roadmap towards restoring the glory of the service. The Comptroller- General of Customs, Bernard-Shaw Nwadialor, had told the committee headed by Honourable Yakubu Dogara that conservative estimate of the NESS levy owed by oil majors to the nations was in the region of $5.1 billion.

Windstorm Renders 100 Homeless

At least one person killed and several others injured, following a windstorm and heavy rainfall in Maradun and Talata Mafara towns of Zamfara State. The disaster, which occurred on Wednesday, destroyed more than 100 houses and students’ hostels at the Abdu Gusau Polytechnic. The state government has set up a committee to assess the damage caused by the wind-storm, with a view to assisting the victims.

WHO Declares Swine Flu Pandemic

The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Thursday declared a swine flu pandemic as infections in the United States, Europe, Australia, South America and other places rose to nearly 30,000 cases. Experts say the declaration of a pandemic does not mean the virus was getting deadlier, but should prompt governments to devote more funds towards containing the flu. According to Mr. Niyi Ojuolape, Special Assistant to the Minister of Health, the Nigerian government had stepped up efforts to combat the spread of the pandemic in the country.

100 Million Girls in Child Labour -ILO

An International Labour Organisation (ILO) has revealed that about 100 million girls are involved in child labour worldwide, warning that the ongoing economic crunch may push more children, particularly girls, into child labour. The report says the danger of girls being forced into child labour is linked to evidence that in many countries, families give preference to boys when making decisions on education of children. Other factors which could push up the number in child labour include cuts in national education budgets and a decline in remittances of migrant workers.

18 Shot in Islamic Sect, Security Agents Clash in Borno

About 18 persons, mostly members of the Mohammed Yusuf Islamic Movement (MYIM) were on Thursday shot while clashing with men of the Borno State Operation Flush security outfit. It was learnt that members of the MYIM were on a funeral procession along the Customs Area, when two motorcyclists and members of the sect, were stopped by men of the joint patrol task force, over alleged violation of traffic rules. But threats by some members of the Islamic group to force the security men to release the commercial motorcyclists, made the security agents to shoot, fearing possible attack. In all, 14 members of the sect were shot while stray bullets reportedly injured two traders around the Customs Market.

ECOWAS Defence Chiefs Meet for Regional Security

Defence Chiefs of member states of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have begun reviewing the security situation in the sub-region at their 25th quarterly meeting in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. The deliberation is expected to review the roadmap and structure of the Main Brigade of the ECOWAS Standby Force (ESF MB), as part of the process of complying with the African Union 2010 deadline for all Regional Economic Communities (RECs) to complete their standby force arrangement for peace support operations.

Sperm-Sucking Preacher Vanishes from Custody

Islamic preacher, Mande Sani accused of sucking sperm from Muslim students (Almajiri) in Erena, Shiroro LGA of Niger State, has vanished from police custody while been transported from Gusau to Minna. The Permanent Secretary for the Ministry for Value Re-orientation, Alhaji Hamidi Kadi on Wednesday urged the public to assist the police with any useful information that could lead to the arrest of the preacher. The Almajiris had reported their sexual molestation to the traditional ruler of the town. The Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Richard Oguche confirmed the story and said the police had detained the two policemen detailed to guard the suspect.

Four Women Wanted over Illegal Arms Dealing

Four women, suspected of supplying arms and ammunition to armed robbers, have been declared wanted by the Taraba State Police Command. The State Police Commissioner, Aliyu Musa, gave their names as Abanyi, Akwede, Awotu and Akudi. Efforts to stop the family from engaging in the unhealthy business recently led to the arrest of one of the male arms dealers by name Mohammed Abubakar.

INTERNATIONAL

Bombing Kills 9 in Baghdad

Nine persons are feared killed when a bomb tore through a minibus during morning rush hour on Monday in Baghdad, Iraqi officials said. The bomb was attached to the minibus in the southern area of Abu Dshir, a Shiite enclave. The explosion left a crater at the entrance of the bus station where commuters were gathered to catch rides to different parts of the city. About 24 persons were reported wounded in the explosion. Several recent high-profile bombings have raised concerns about the readiness of Iraqi forces to take over their own security.

Bodies of Air France Plane Crash Victims Found

About 41 bodies have been found at the Air France jet crash site, alongside a briefcase containing an Air France Flight 447 ticket in the Atlantic Ocean. The jet crashed in turbulent weather over the Atlantic Ocean last week with 228 passengers during a flight to Paris from Brazil. All of them are presumed dead. The French agency investigating the disaster said airspeed instruments on the plane had not been replaced as the maker had recommended, but cautioned that it was too early to draw conclusions about what role that may have played in the crash. The agency, BEA, said the plane received inconsistent airspeed readings from different instruments as it struggled in a massive thunderstorm.

Gabonese President, Omar Bongo, Dies

Gabonese President, Omar Bongo Ondimba, is dead. He was 73. Bongo was confirmed dead on Monday in a Spanish hospital. He ruled the country for 42 years. The country’s Prime Minister, Jean Eyeghe Ndong, said Bongo had died of a heart attack. Senate President Rose Francine Rogombe, a Bongo ally in the ruling Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG), is expected to take over as interim leader.

North Korea Jails U.S Journalists, Warns UN against Sanctions

North Korea has sentenced two American journalists to 12 years hard labour for "grave crimes." Many believe North Korea is using the journalists as bargaining chips as the UN debates a new resolution to punish the country for its latest military threats. Laura Ling, 32, and Euna Lee, 36, were sentenced after a five-day secret trial. They were accused of "grave crime" against the nation and illegally crossing into North Korea. Ling and Lee cannot appeal because they were tried in North Korea's highest court. The two were reporting about the trafficking of women at the time of their arrest, and it's unclear if they strayed into the North or were grabbed by aggressive border guards who crossed into China.

18 Die in Egypt Bus Crash

Eighteen factory workers were feared killed when their bus collided with a truck in Egypt's Nile Delta on Monday, a police official said. The accident occurred in Sharqiya province as the bus was leaving the factory, the official said. He said other passengers were injured in the crash but could not say how many. Egypt's roads are reputed to be among the most chaotic and dangerous in the world, with traffic laws flouted widely. Road accidents kill about 6,000 people each year, according to transport ministry figures.

26 Missing in Ukraine Mine Accident

Twenty-Six miners are missing after an accident occurred, Monday, in a coalmine in eastern Ukraine, regional officials disclosed. "In total, 53 miners were working in the zone of the accident. Twenty-seven were able to climb up to the surface and the fate of the 26 others is unknown. Ukraine's coal-mining industry, concentrated in the east of the country, has been rocked with repeated tragedies in recent years.

Hong Kong's Acid Attack Injures 24

Authorities in Hong Kong were reviewing surveillance tapes Tuesday to determine who tossed a bottle of acid from the top of a building on Monday night, injuring 24 pedestrians in a busy shopping district. Monday's incident was the third such attack in the Mong Kok district in the last six months. Police have not ruled out the possibility that they are the work of the same person.

Gunmen Kill 3 Mexican Officers

Gunmen killed three police officers in Acapulco, Mexico, on Monday in attacks on two police stations. The attacks came two days after a ferocious street gun battle that left 18 people dead, including two soldiers. Mexican soldiers, in trucks and helicopters kept watch over the resort town Monday. Witnesses told police that gunmen armed with AK-47s stepped out of two luxury vehicles, walked toward the police station in the Ciudad Renacimiento neighborhood and began shooting. Shortly afterward, at a second local police station, attackers fatally wounded an officer Andres Guzman Casiano, Notimex said. It was unknown whether the attacks were connected with Saturday's shootout, which started when soldiers went to a location called Avenida Rancho Grande in Acapulco on an anonymous tip.

Hoodlums Kill Royal Father, Abduct Another

Kidnappers in Abia State, Monday, killed a traditional ruler and abducted another one along the Ohiya axis of the Umuahia-Aba expressway. The hoodlums waylaid and killed the traditional ruler of Nkwerre, Eshi, in Imo State, and used his vehicle to abduct his counterpart of Umuojima in Isiala Ngwa South LGA of Abia State. Police Public Relations Officer, Ali Okechukwu, confirmed the ugly incident.

Pakistani Military, Villagers Battle Talibans

Hundreds of Pakistani villagers who have formed an anti-Taliban militia continued the battled to remove the Islamic militants from a region of northwest Pakistan. The Pakistani military is supporting the militia on the request of local officials and tribal elders, military spokesman, Maj. Gen. Athar Abbas said. Outraged over a suicide attack, which killed at least 40 people and wounded 80 others, on a local mosque during Friday prayers, about 400 residents formed the militia penultimate Saturday and began battling Taliban militants. The Taliban have dug into bunkers and are putting up a strong resistance.

Investigators Probe London Police Over ‘Water Torture’

England Independent investigators are looking into the conduct of six London police officers suspended over allegations they mistreated suspects arrested in drug raids last year, officials said Wednesday. The six officers have not been arrested but will be interviewed under caution, a spokeswoman for the Independent Police Complaints Commission said. While police officials did not elaborate on why the officers were under investigation, it was reported that the officers used a form of water torture on suspects they arrested in the raids last November in Enfield. Five people were arrested in the raids.

15 Dead in Pakistani Hotel Blast

The death toll from a suicide attack on a five-star hotel in the northwest Pakistani city of Peshawar rose to 15 on Wednesday, including two U.N. employees, authorities said. Three suicide attackers shot their way onto the grounds of the Pearl Continental Hotel and set off a car bomb, Tuesday night. At least 64 were wounded, according to Qhazi Jamil, senior superintendent of Peshawar police. The assailants fired on security guards at the hotel's entrance gate and forced their way inside before setting off the bomb, Jamil said.

Climate Threatens up to 200 Million

Alarmed by the predictions on climate refugees, humanitarian agencies warn that recent gains in the fight against poverty could vanish unless issues of forced migration become an integral part of the dialogue on global warming. Charles Ehrhart, climate change coordinator for CARE International, said the breakdown of ecosystem-dependent livelihoods is likely to remain the main driver of forced migration during the next few decades. The change will exacerbate stressful conditions unless vulnerable populations, especially the poorest, are assisted in building climate-resilient livelihoods, Ehrhart said, adding that it is imperative for developing nations to adopt policy that addresses these global changes, he said.

Car Bomb Explosion Kills 35 in Iraq

Violence in Iraq continued on Wednesday as a car bomb exploded in a market district in the Shiite area, killing at least 35 people and wounding many, officials said. Car bombings are a signature of Al-Qaeda in Iraq. The U.S. military has warned the Sunni terror network could be expected to try to foment sectarian violence in a bid to upset security gains ahead of the U.S. withdrawal.

Six Arrested over Planned Attack on G-8 Summit

An investigation into the Italian terrorist group, the Red Brigades, has led to the arrest of six people who police say were plotting an attack on next month's G-8 summit. Italian investigators uncovered the plot through phone interceptions, police said. The alleged terrorists had initially planned to attack the town of La Maddalena, the original location of the summit. The suspects face charges of terrorist activities and weapon possession. The Red Brigades carried out a wave of bloody attacks in the 1970s in Italy, and still wages attacks.

U.S. Rejects Nuclear Armed North Korea

The United States (U.S.) will not accept a nuclear armed North Korea, and is committed to defending neighbouring Japan and South Korea, according to the nominee for the top American diplomat for Asia, Kurt Campbell. Campbell said North Korea posed a "direct and reckless challenge" to the world with its recent nuclear test and vowed to use close bilateral and trilateral coordination to ensure that neither the United States nor its allies will accept a nuclear North Korea. But Campbell also said that the United States was leaving an open door for North Korea to re-enter dialogue.

Pakistan Kills Scores of Taliban in New Combat Zones

Government forces, Wednesday, unleashed helicopter gunships and artillery to kill scores of Taliban fighters in the Waziristan tribal region of Pakistan. The military went on the offensive on Tuesday in Bannu district after up to 800 militants infiltrated from Waziristan. In neighbouring Afghanistan, 12 insurgents and one soldier were killed in Baghlan province. Provincial police chief, Gen. Abdul Rahman Sayedkhail, said a combined international and Afghan force fought Taliban gunmen, while the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) said its troops and Afghan forces "killed and wounded a significant number of insurgents. No Afghan or NATO troops were reported killed.

Iraqi Lawmaker outside Mosque

A prominent Sunni Arab parliament member was gunned down, on Friday, outside a Baghdad mosque. The lawmaker was identified as Hareth al-Obaidi, the head of the Iraqi Accordance Front bloc and deputy head of parliament's Human Rights Committee. Salim Abdullah, a spokesman for the Accordance Front, confirmed the assassination but said he didn't know who was behind the attack.

Man Arrested for Killing Teenagers

A 59-year-old man was arrested on Friday after shooting at a group of teenagers and killing one in a French village, police said. The man, who was not identified, opened fire on the group, who police said had been were talking loudly. He killed one and injured a person traveling in a passing car. The man was arrested about three hours after the shooting after police surrounded the man's home.

Drug Tunnel Found along Mexico Border

Authorities have found a massive underground drug smuggling tunnel snaking through the U.S-Mexican border. Border Patrol agent Michael Scioli said that the tunnel measures 48 feet in the United States and 35 feet in Mexico, the tunnel contains side walls framed with 2-by-4 wooden studs and ceiling construction.