Weekly Security Report Weekly Report week49 week49
PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS
Two Killed in Uyo as Police, Cyclists Clash
Two persons, including a traffic warden were killed, penultimate Saturday in Uyo. According to an eye witness account, trouble started when a traffic warden, in an attempt to stop a cyclist allegedly hit him on the head, He reportedly died on the spot. Other commercial cyclists and sympathizers immediately attacked the traffic warden before a team of joint military task force appeared at the scene. The state police commissioner, who condemned the action of the traffic warden, assured that the incident would be properly investigated.
JTF Arrests Oil Bunkerers, Militants
The Joint Task Force (JTF) in the Niger Delta said it had arrested criminal gangs engaged in oil theft and militancy in Bayelsa State. The Coordinator of the JTF Media Campaign Centre, Lt Col. Rabe Abubakar, said the JTF arrested two foreigners and 14 Nigerians suspected to be militants. The suspects had with them marked maps indicating JTF locations, some foreign currency and assorted local charms that had been soaked in blood.
Drug Traffickers on the Increase in South East-NDLEA
Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mr Ahmadu Giade, on Monday lamented the rising profile of hard drugs related cases in the South-east, saying that the South-east accounts for the highest number of drug traffickers in the whole country.
No Fireworks in Rivers -Police
Rivers State Police Command has prohibited the use of fireworks popularly known as knock -out to enable it distinguish the activities of criminals in the state. The State police commissioner, Mr. Bala Hassan and explained that the reason was to enable the police ensure that the residents of the state experienced-crime-free ember month and New Year celebrations.
N-Delta Technical C'ttee Advocates 25% Derivation
The Technical Committee on the Niger Delta has recommended an open trial and bail for the detained leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), Mr Henry Okah, as an immediate panacea to the crisis in the region. Similarly, the committee has recommended an upward review of the Derivation Funds from 13% to 25% in order to tackle the infrastructure challenge in the region.
Unknown Gunmen Assassinate Mornarch
Residents of Enugu metropolis were on Tuesday thrown into mourning following the murder of the traditional ruler of Obe community in Nkanu West Council area of the state, HRH Igwe Uche Nwachime, by unknown gunmen. Sources said the traditional ruler was abducted from his hotel, penultimate Saturday night by the gunmen who were armed with AK47 rifles. His body was later discovered at a dump site.
Sea Pirates Arrested in Bayelsa
Twelve suspects including a three man gang of sea pirates believed to be the brain behind the increasing insecurity in the state's water ways were on Wednesday paraded by the Bayelsa Police Command at its headquarters in Yenagoa, the state capital. The sea pirates had been terrorizing boat drivers and passengers as well as vessels along the Nembe-Brass and Southern Ijaw axis of the state. The police also paraded two suspects, who hitched a ride with a police officer and attempted to rob him at gunpoint, but the police officer overpowered them.
NNPC to Repair Damaged Pipelines
window.google_render_ad(); Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has concluded plans to embark on repairs of the vandalised pipelines in the south east, conveying fuel from Port Harcourt to the Enugu depot to ease the hardship experienced by the people in area lacking the supply of petroleum products. The special adviser to the Ebonyi State Governor on Solid Minerals Development, Ifeanyi Ike, disclosed this. Security Operatives Foil Kidnap Attempt of Expatriates
Security operatives attached to Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited have foiled an attempt to kidnap expatriate workers attached to the oil major at their camp in Eket LGA of Akwa Ibom State. It was gathered that the gunmen were forced to retreat following gun battle with security personnel. But both sides sustained injuries. The State Deputy Governor, Patrick Ekpotu, reassured the expatriate community in the state of the determination of the state government to ensure that everything possible is done to guarantee their safety. Ekpotu also disclosed that 31 suspected kidnappers had been arrested in the state.
N50m Property Burnt, Two Escape Death
Two persons on Thursday escaped death, while property and goods worth over N50 million were destroyed at Isu, in Onicha LGA of Ebonyi state when youths of a neighbouring community, Onicha-Igboeze allegedly invaded the town early hours on Wednesday setting buildings, market stalls ablaze following a fight between two youths of the communities. The two persons, a young girl from Isu, and a boy from Onicha-Igboeze nearly bled to death following injuries they sustained from beatings. The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Onicha LGA, Mr. Joseph Eze, confirmed the incident.
Akunyili’s Brother Rescued from Kidnappers
The Enugu State Police Command, Thursday, rescued Dr. Paul Edemobi, the younger brother of the Director-General of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Dora Akunyili, who was kidnapped by gunmen on Monday. The gunmen had demanded a N50 million ransom for his release. The rescue operation at Ebeano tunnel, Ogui, Enugu, hideout of the gunmen, by the police resulted in the death of the leader of the kidnappers and the arrest of two others.
Kidnappers Free Wife of Rivers Commissioner, Abduct Senators’ Mother
The wife of Rivers State Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Mrs. Joy Boma Iyaye regained her freedom from her abductors on Thursday morning. The Press Secretary to the Commissioner, Dickson Iwarime, who announced her release, did not disclose whether any ransom was paid. The abductors had initially demanded for a huge sum of N1 billion before cutting it down to N150 million. In a related development, the 70-year old mother of Senator Lee Maeba, who represents Rivers East, was kidnapped, Thursday, by unknown gunmen in Ogoni land. No word has been heard from the kidnappers.
NSCDC Foils Child Trafficking in Enugu
The Enugu State Command of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC) has narrated foiled the attempt to get away with a day old baby by one Mrs. Fidelis, a child trafficker who visited Enugu to buy a baby for N150,000 from one Dr. Uzoma Kenneth who operated a maternal home. The prime suspect, Dr. Akume was handed over to the National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Person (NAPTIP) has been charged to court for allegedly trading in human beings.
Gunmen Attack Vessel, Kidnap 3
Gunmen attacked an oil services vessel near a rig off the coast of Nigeria's restive Niger Delta on Thursday, kidnapping two expatriates and a Nigerian. The vessel, Oceanic Orion, was attacked some 13 nautical miles off the coast of Akwa Ibom state near a crude oil flow station operated by Canada's Addax Petroleum. "It's the sixth time this year that OML 123 has been attacked". Addax officials were not immediately available to comment.
14 Oil Thieves Trapped in Tank, Arrested
Fourteen suspected illegal oil bunkerers trapped inside a 10,000 cubic meters capacity Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Tank 11 were on Thursday arrested by the Police. However, the suspects accused the Police of aiding their operations. The Cross River State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Emma Ezeozue, said the men broke into the giant tank 11 and were busy siphoning fuel before the long arms of the law caught up with them. But he denied police involvement in the illegal business and promised to investigate the alleged police connivance.
Bayelsa Faults Building of Petroleum College in Kaduna
Bayelsa State Government has criticised the siting of the proposed College of Petroleum Technology in Kaduna describing the action of the Federal Government as unjust to the people of the oil and gas rich Niger Delta. The state Commissioner for Information and Communication, Chief Asara A. Asara, who disclosed this, lamented that the Federal Government is not doing enough to justify the enormous sacrifice and contribution of the oil and gas rich but backward region to the economic growth of the country and called on the FG to rescind its decision to site the petroleum institution in Kaduna and site same in Bayelsa where oil was first discovered in commercial quantity.
BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS
Family Protest Killing of Father of Seven by Police
The aggrieved family of the late Mr. Nze and some okada riders besieged the Ukwuani council secretariat in Delta state to protest the killing of their persons, penultimate week, by the police, who branded them as armed robbers. The people argued that Mr Nze, father of seven, was a sculptor who travelled from place to place to eke out a living, while the bike man was an innocent commercial bike rider, saying that the culprit, was another passenger who sat between Nze and the bike rider. They lamenting that police acted too swiftly without verifying their innocence.
WRPC Resumes Operations
The Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company (WRPC) has resumed operations almost two months after it was shut due to lack of crude supply. Two major units in the crude oil refining plants were brought back on stream. Production of petrol, diesel and kerosene resumed at the plant, penultimate Saturday.
1,300 Rape Cases in Delta in Seven Months
The Coordinator of a Delta State-based Non-Governmental Organisation, Women of Compassion, Mrs. Joy Anthony, has alleged that about 1,300 women and ladies were victims of rape in the state between January and July. She said the statistics came from a study initiated by the organisation to ascertain the prevalence of rape in the state. She said 328 juveniles including infants and 927 adults were victims. She called for concerted efforts to tackle the menace.
Delta Waterways Arrests Sea Pirates, Recovers Stolen Boats
Delta Waterways Security Committee (DWSC) has arrested two of the suspected sea pirates, who robbed fishermen of five outboard engine boats at the Forcados Estuary in Delta State, about a fortnight ago, at gunpoint. Three of the boats that were stolen have also been recovered and one of them handed over to the original owner.
US Court Clears Chevron in 1998 Shootings
A United States (US) federal jury on Monday said that American oil firm, Chevron cannot be held accountable for the fatal shootings of two unarmed protesters at an offshore oil platform belonging to the company in the oil rich Niger Delta region. The plaintiffs in the suit had alleged that Chevron hired soldiers to open fire on unarmed protesters on a platform. Survivors of the 1998 incident had argued that the oil company should be held accountable because it paid the police and soldiers and transported them to the oil platform, where they killed two unarmed protesters and wounded two others.
Security Alert in Delta, Bayelsa over Planned Attacks
Following fresh reports that militants were planning fresh onslaught in Delta and Bayelsa states, the Joint Task Force (JTF), said its troops are on red alert to deal with any insurgence. The latest development followed intelligence report and confession by some suspects arrested last week and are being interrogated by detectives in Effurun, near Warri. The report indicated that militants are rebuilding the camps destroyed by the task force in the wake of security operations.
Oil Workers Lament Attitude of Govt over N/Delta Woes
Workers in the nation’s oil industry have decried alleged casual attitude of government in handling the insecurity and underdevelopment problems in the Niger Delta region and the collusion of government officials in perpetuating acts of kidnapping, maiming and killing of Nigerians especially oil workers for the benefits of political gladiators holding the nation to ransom. The workers called for direct Federal Government intervention through a well articulated realizable master plan rather than resorting to wasting tax payers’ money on middle men/agencies that engage in haphazard and uncoordinated white elephant projects.
Redefine JTF's Role in N-Delta, Otuaro Tasks FG
The Chairman, Sub-Committee on Security, Delta Water Ways Security Committee, Chief Dennis Otuaro, has advised the Federal Government to re-define the role of the Joint Task Force (JTF) in the Niger Delta, saying that the present role of the JTF in the region is creating the impression of a state of war. Otuaro argued that the military approach being adopted by the JTF in tackling issues such as kidnapping in the region was prolonging the crisis.
LAGOS AND ENVIRONS
Lagos Govt Must Pay Compensation on Pipeline Explosion -NNPC
The Group General Manager, Public Affairs Division of The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Levi Ajuonuma, penultimate weekend, said that the Lagos State Government would have to pay the sum of N97billion as compensation demanded by the victims of Ijegun Pipeline Fire, saying that the rupture of the NNPC pipeline, which led to the explosion that claimed over 100 lives in Ijegun Community in Lagos was caused by the Lagos State contractor, HITECH Construction Company Limited.
Ibadan Robbery: 2 Persons Killed
Armed robbers returned to the city of Ibadan, penultimate Saturday, killing two guards at Yemetu area of the city. It would be the third robbery strike in the city in a week. But the police was able to foil another robbery attempt at the new Gbagi market on Friday while the suspected armed robbers were arrested.
Navy Panel Submits Report on Assault
The board of enquiry set up by the authorities of the Nigerian Navy to probe the assault on a lady, Miss Uzoma Okere, in Lagos on November 3, penultimate Friday, submitted its report to the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Isah Ibrahim. The panel was set up to ascertain the complicity of the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Logistics Command, Oghara, Delta State, Rear Admiral Harry Arogundade, and six naval ratings attached to him over the alleged assault on Uzoma on Muri Okunola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos. The panel concluded its mandate without obtaining evidence from the victim of the incident. Uzoma had accused the panel of frustrating her attempts to appear before it.
Police in Gun Battle with Robbers, Recover Ak-56, Foreign Currency
A gang of suspected armed robbers had a gun battle with policemen in Lagos, penultimate Saturday, after allegedly unleashing terror on some victims. The four-man gang reportedly engaged the policemen in a gun duel, after which one of them was arrested. The security men recovered an AK-56 rifle with serial number BH 44111, three magazines, 39 rounds of 7.6mm live ammunition and 16 rounds of .9mm calibre.
NDLEA Destroys 16 Hemp Farms in Osun
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency says it has destroyed 16 Indian hemp farms, covering about 180 plots of land in Osun State. The state Commander of the agency, Mrs. W I Audu, disclosed this. Audu linked armed robbery, kidnapping, arson, assassinations and rape to cannabis use.
Police Kill Protesters in Ondo
The hilly town of Idanre in Ondo State was at the weekend thrown into confusion following the death of five persons, who were allegedly shot by mobile policemen in the town in what was described as self defence strategy. The incident, according to investigation, occurred when policemen in the town opened fire on a crowd protesting the death of a woman, who died in an accident alleged to have been caused by some mobile policemen at a checkpoint in the town. But the Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Adeniran Aremu, who confirmed that though the woman died, exonerated the police.
5 Sisters Suffocate in Car Booth
Disaster befell one Mutiu Nurein at the weekend Ado-Ekiti, as five out of his eight children died mysteriously having been locked up inside the booth of his car by yet to be identified assailants. The only survivor, Rashidat, 8, managed to explain that, two "big people" came to their house, and parked them inside the booth. A top police officer confirmed the incident and investigations were in progress.
Ogun Police Kill 66 Suspected Robbers
Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Mr Emmanuel Ayeni, on Monday disclosed that 66 suspected robbers were killed between January and December, at different locations during shoot out with men of his command and a total of N13.2 million which was stolen by robbers and abandoned at the end of confrontation with his men had so far been recovered. A total of 133 vehicles were also recovered at robbery scenes.
Robbers Invade Lagos, Kill Two, Injure Others
Two persons were killed while several others were wounded, Monday, when armed robbers invaded three locations in Lagos State. The rampaging robbers also made away with undisclosed huge amount of money. Sources said the robbers numbering over ten invaded an oil depot at Elere around 12 noon where they succeeded in carting away cash and other valuables before proceeding to the motorcycle market at Isokoko. A team of Policemen reportedly came to the scene after the robbers had fled.
2 Sentences to Death for Murder, 3 Policemen Face Murder Charge
An Ondo State high court has sentenced to death by hanging, two men, Mustafa Tijani and Omoniyi Oladiran, charged with killing their friend, Gbenga Ojo, during a fracas. Also, another court in the state has sentenced a policeman to seven years imprisonment for killing one Mufutau Alejolowo, a motor dealer in Akure, at a roadblock. In another development, three policemen are to face murder charge over the killing of a banker, Modebayo Awosika, on October 1, 2008 in Lagos. Awosika was allegedly shot by the policemen in Lekki area of Lagos in the night of October 1, 2008, while on his way home.
Lagos Uncovers Illegal Tomato Paste Re-canning Factory, Arrests Two
Even as the killer teething powder, MyPikin, controversy rages, the Lagos State government has discovered another illegal factory repackaging tomato pastes in Ayobo, a suburb in Ipaja in the Alimoso council of the state. The state's Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, who disclosed this, named the tomato paste “Tasty Top Tomato”. He added that the task force on health also arrested two people at the ramshackle building where the repackaging was done.
Oyo Bank Robbery: Police Reinforce Security, AIG Meets Bank Managers
Oyo State Police Command on Thursday reinforced the security network within the Ibadan metropolis just as banks refused to fully operate over unsubstantiated rumour of armed robbery operations. Worried by the situation, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), Zone 11, Mr. Tunji Alapinni, held a meeting with representatives of all banks operating in the state in order to allay their fears and also intimate them about the security measures put in place to ensure security of lives and properties.
Dog Devours School Girl
Tragedy struck on Wednesday at a border town between Lagos and Ogun states, Agbado Crossing, when a wild dog ripped open the tummy of a school girl and ate up her intestines. The little girl was said to be returning from school when the wild dog pounced on her. A police officer said the police was on the trail of the owner of the dog as he described the incident as unfortunate, warning parents and guardians to find a way of taking their little ones to and from the school.
Baby Dies in Pit Toilet
There was pandemonium at Oko-Oba, Agege area of Lagos State on Wednesday when a male child fell into a pit toilet and died. It was not known how the incident happened but it was learnt that the baby had obliviously played near the toilet when he fell into it, while a source informed that the baby was actually guided into the toilet by an undisclosed elder to pass excreta when he slipped into the pit.
GENERAL
High Crime Rate May Endanger Vision 2020 -IGP
Inspector General of Police (IGP), Sir Mike Okiro, has identified high crime rate as a major impediment to the realisation of Nigeria's vision to join the 20 best economies in the world by the year 2020. To forestall the idea of the vision becoming a mirage, Okiro harped on the need for more police /public partnership in crime control and prevention in the country.
Govt Deploys More Troops as Death Toll Hits 400
376 Jos Riot Victims Get Mass Burial,
Amidst fears that the crisis in Jos, Plateau state, might spread to other states, the Federal Government has deployed more troops in the state. Meanwhile more bodies were recovered during the week, bringing the death toll from two days of clashes between Muslim and Christian gangs to about 400 people. Three hundred and seventy-six bodies said to be victims of Jos violence, penultimate weekend, were given a mass burial in the Muslim rights. But the Igbo community and the youth wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has called for the exhuming of the corpse for proper identification, saying that some of their members were buried as Muslims.
Army Chief Takes over Security in Jos
The Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazzau, has taken over security in the state as fresh tension reigned in Jos, Plateau State. He arrived in the troubled city on Saturday hours before another set of troops were deployed from Kaduna to restore peace and order. Meanwhile, the Police have rolled out tanks in Kano city in readiness to quell possible reprisal that could arise from the Jos riots. Meanwhile, Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State said in Jos that mercenaries were brought in from the neighbouring Chad and Niger Republic to perpetrate the three-day mayhem. AS precautions are being taken in Kano, many Northerners resident in Onitsha, Anambra state have taken refuge at the Army and Police barracks in the town.
PSC Wants Reinstatement of 10,000 Sacked Officers
The Police Service Commission (PSC) has called for the immediate re-instatement of 10,000 policemen of various ranks who were dismissed from the Police Force before it (PSC) fully came on board April this year, describing the dismissal as illegal. Chairman of the Commission, Mr. Parry Osanyande, said the Force lacked the locus standing to dismiss policemen, except the commission gave its nod of approval.
AC Tasks Police on Rising Extra Judicial Killings
Following the increase in alleged cases of extra-judicial killings, the Action Congress (AC) has asked the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Mike Okiro, to urgently step in to ensure that the matters are speedily investigated, the perpetrators punished and the victims' families compensated so as to stop the menace. The National Publicity Secretary of the AC, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the cover-up of such cases had been fuelling the rise in such killings across the country. Meanwhile, Chairman, Police Service Commission (PSC), Mr. Parry Osayande, has said that Commissioners of Police would be sanctioned for cases of extra judicial killings within their commands. He further stated that any policeman or officer, caught escorting contraband or performing any illegal duty would also not go unpunished.
NNPC May Cut Jobs in Oil Sector
Indication emerged last weekend that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), may cut top-level jobs as part of the oil and gas reforms. The job rationalisation exercise is part of the steps towards releasing fresh energy into the NNPC when the Oil and Gas Implementation Reform Committee (OGIC) recommendations are operational.
Climate Change, a Threat to National Security -Jonathan
Vice President Goodluck Jonathan has raised an alarm on the danger of climate change in the country declaring that climate change and global warming threatens national security. Jonathan called for concerted efforts by all stakeholders in the Nigerian economy to tackle the menace of global warming and prevent the occurrence of a national disaster in the country.
Unions Threaten to Shut Down Oil Industry
Leaders of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and their Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), have threatened to shut the nation’s oil industry within the next one week over a number of industrial disputes especially a lingering face off between the management of Chevron Nigeria Limited on right of workers to freedom of association. The unions also issued a 21-day ultimatum to the management of Conoil Plc to recall retrenched over 100 workers or risk series of industrial actions. Both unions have accused the management of Chevron of meddling in union activities and forcing on the workers management preference contrary to what the labour law says.
Five Die, Three Others Injured in Fire Accident
No fewer than five people died on Sunday in a fire accident, which occurred at Ungwan Katanga in Kachia LGA of Kaduna State. Three other persons also suffered various degrees of burns. The cause of the fire which razed a building on Sunday morning could not be immediately ascertained.
FG Signs N34.8bn River Niger Dredging Contract
The Federal Government on Monday signed a N34.8bn contract for the dredging of the Lower Niger. The project, which covers about 572km, stretches from Warri in Delta State to Baro in Niger State. Minister of Transportation, Mrs. Deziani Allison-Madueke, who signed the agreement on behalf of the government, said the project was divided into five sections and to ensure that they were completed within one year.
Judicial Workers Begin Nationwide Strike
The Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), Monday, commenced a nationwide indefinite industrial action. JUSUN is demanding that government fulfils its agreement by signing and implementing the earlier agreed unified scheme of service, welfare package and salaries of its union. The strike makes it the second strike embarked upon by the association this year.
Nigerian, US Senators Seek Stronger Defence Relations
Some members of the United States (US) Congress and the Nigeria Senate Committee on Defence, Wednesday, met to explore ways of strengthening defence relations between the United States and Nigeria. The US congress underscored the imperative of Nigeria accepting the United States African Command (AFRICOM). The delegation pledged to help reactivate the large number of C-130 transport planes in the fleet of the Nigeria Air Force in order to strengthen defence relations.
Nigeria, Russia to Conclude Bi-lateral Agreements
President Yar’Adua has directed that all outstanding agreements and treaties between the Russia and Nigeria should be signed under the aegis of the Nigeria – Russia Joint Commission. Meanwhile, the new Russian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Polyakov, told President Yar’Adua that Russian companies were interested in doing business in Nigeria, especially in the gas sector, and assured that he would work hard to achieve more cooperation between the two nations.
Govt to Sanction Defaulting Oil Firms over Gas Supply
The Federal Government will sanction indigenous oil companies that do not meet their domestic supply of gas, the Minister of State for Energy (Petroleum) Mr. Odein Ajumogobia has warned. Ajumogobia also disclosed that he would soon instruct the Department for Petroleum Resources (DPR) to penalise defaulting indigenous oil firms.
INTERNATIONAL
Indian Minister Resigns over Attacks
Indian Home Minister, Shivraj Patil, penultimate Sunday, resigned after claiming "moral responsibility" for the killing of almost 200 people by some terrorists. Meanwhile, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari appealed to India not to "over-react" after reports suggested the gunmen could have been members of the group Lashkar-e-Taiba from Pakistan.
Somali Pirates, Ship Owners Reach Negotiate Deal
Somali pirates and owners of a Ukrainian ship carrying 33 tanks and other military hardware have reached a deal to release the vessel, a Kenyan maritime official said on Sunday. Gunmen captured the MV Faina on September 24, with its cargo of T-72 tanks, grenade launchers and ammunition, and demanded $20m in ransom. A piracy wave in the Gulf of Aden has left about a dozen vessels with more than 200 hostages still in hijackers’ hands.
Congo Rebels Threaten War
Rebel leader, Gen. Laurent Nkunda, has threatened war unless the government of DR Congo holds a new round of talks. Troops loyal to Nkunda have been battling government forces in North Kivu province since August, forcing 250,000 people to flee their homes. Government during the week rebuffed the possibility of direct negotiations, calling on Nkunda to return to an earlier peace pact signed in January.
Pakistan Army Pledges Peace amid Tensions with India
Amid heightened tensions with nuclear armed rival India after the deadly Mumbai attacks that killed about 171 people, Pakistan's military chief has vowed to maintain peace and security in the region. Meanwhile, airports in India, Thursday, went on high alert following fresh attack warnings as officials said India suspects two senior leaders of a banned Pakistani militant group orchestrated the deadly Mumbai attacks. The alert comes as Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari promised that his country would take "strong action" against any elements in his country involved in the siege.
Odinga Calls for Mugabe's Removal
Kenya's Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, has called on African governments to oust Zimbabwean President, Robert Mugabe, saying Power-sharing in the country has died. After talks with Zimbabwe opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai in Nairobi, Odinga, reportedly, said that Mugabe had no interest in sharing power. Zimbabwe is in political deadlock over a unity coalition government deal. Meanwhile Zimbabwe has appealed for international help over a cholera outbreak that has claimed at least 565 lives. At least 12,545 cases have been recorded since August.
Zimbabwe's Army Probes Protest, Looting by Soldiers
Military authorities in Zimbabwe have begun investigating a looting spree carried out by "unruly" soldiers in Harare, vowing that the culprits would be punished. The soldiers were accused of looting shops in Harare and beating foreign currency dealers, as some residents fear the country has reached a dangerous turning point in its crisis.
51 Protesters Wounded as Thailand’s Crisis Deepens
Attackers set off explosions at anti-government protest sites on Sunday, wounding 51 people and raising fears of widening confrontations in Thailand’s worst political crisis. The first blast occurred inside Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat’s office compound, which protesters seized in August and have held ever since. At least 49 people were injured. Two more blasts rocked an anti-government television station but there were no injuries. Two people were wounded. No one claimed responsibility. The People’s Alliance for Democracy says it will not give up until Somchai resigns. Somchai has appeared at a loss on how to end the crisis but still refuses to step down.
Israel Approves Release of 250 Palestinian Prisoners
Israel has approved the release of 250 Palestinian prisoners in a bid to bolster Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, in his power struggle with Hamas Islamists who control the Gaza Strip. Outgoing Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert, had promised to free the prisoners during a meeting earlier this month with Abbas, who launched peace talks with Israel a year ago after Gaza’s violent takeover by Hamas.
Gunmen Kill Mexican Diners
A group of masked gunmen, penultimate Friday, killed eight people at a restaurant in the Mexican border town of Ciudad Juarez. The city has seen series of violence this year, most of it connected with the drug industry. Mexican government figures showed limited success in a campaign to reduce the murder and kidnapping rates.
India Warns of Frosty Ties with Pakistan
India, Monday, warned of likely frosty relations with Pakistan over the recent attacks on Mumbai. The warning came on the heels of an appeal by the United States' asking Islamabad to show "absolute" cooperation with India's probe into the assault. India and Pakistan, both armed with nuclear weapons, have fought three wars and were on the brink of a fourth over a 2001 militant assault on the Indian parliament.
20 Die in Pakistan, Afghan Militant Attacks
Militants in north-western Pakistan, Monday, attacked trucks ferrying supplies to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) and the United States (U.S.) forces in Afghanistan, killing nine people and destroying a dozen vehicles. Also in Afghanistan, eight civilians and two police officers died after a suicide bomber detonated his explosives in a market. While some gunmen fired automatic weapons at the Faisal terminal, killing a driver and a clerk and destroying 12 trucks. Meanwhile, shooting and violence continued in parts of Karachi, the largest city and commercial hub of Pakistan, raising the death toll to 32 in three days of violence. The city has seen an upsurge in violence in recent weeks.
Russia Ponders Modern Missile System against U.S Arms Plan
The Russian military will upgrade its missiles in response to United States (U.S.) plans for weapons in space, according to a top Russian general. Russia's Strategic Missile Forces chief, Col.-Gen. Nikolai Solovtsov, said that Russia's intercontinental ballistic missiles will be modernised to protect them from space-based components of the U.S. missile Defense system.