Weekly Security Report Weekly Report week 2 week 2
PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS
Arsonists Burn Family of Three to Death
A young family of three was roasted alive by suspected arsonists on New Year eve. Mr. Thompson Okechukwu, his wife, daughter, and their house-help were burnt to death at their village in Umuokpara, Umuahia South LGA when their house was set ablaze following a dispute between two brothers. The suspected arsonists, Okechukwu’s elder brother’s children, set the house ablaze and locked the door while the victims were asleep. It was learnt that the said elder brother had died on December 25 and his children, who believed their father was killed by his Okechukwu took laws into their hands. Following the incident, irate youths in the area razed down the houses of the suspected arsonists. State Police Public Relations Officer Mr. Ali Okechukwu, confirmed the incident.
Soldiers, Civilian Killed in Abia
A soldier and a civilian died during a masquerade outing on New Year eve in Arochukwu, Abia state. The death of the two in Obinkita village was confirmed by the council chairman, Mr. Chibuike Jonas, who said that the incident occurred during the big masquerade outing known as Igba Ekpo. According to him, the boys possibly under the influence of drugs and alcohol became violent when the soldiers tried to take away dangerous weapons from them which they were using to harass people along the road, adding that the situation had been brought under control as they had entered into discussions with the Army authorities
Man, 74, Dumps Sick Daughter in Pit
A 74-year-old man has been arrested by the police for allegedly killing his sick daughter in Rumukpakani community, Rivers State. The septuagenarian was said to have carried his sick daughter, Deborah Ebenezer, to the outskirts of the community and dumped her in a burrow pit. She died inside the pit before help could reach her, but unknown to him, a villager saw him and raised alarm. In no time, other villagers ran to the scene and later called in policemen who arrested him.
Bayelsa Youths Shut Chevron Office
Youths from communities in Southern Ijaw LGA of Bayelsa State, Wednesday, sealed up the Yenagoa liaison office of Chevron Nigeria Limited in protest over what they described as a breach of the Global Memorandum of Understanding entered between them and the oil firm. The youths threatened to shut down the company’s flow stations, if Chevron refuses to revisit an alleged “fraudulent document” signed December 2009 in Port Harcourt, and foisted on the people. The timely intervention of policemen prevented the situation from degenerating into violence, as the police prevailed on the youths to explore constitutional means to press home their demand.
Shell Appoints Ex-Militant Commander to Secure Pipelines
Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) has appointed a former militant leader, Eris Paul, alias "Commander Ogunbus" to secure its oil facilities in Southern Ijaw LGA of Bayelsa State. The decision is a new security strategy aimed at securing oil pipelines and platforms within the Niger Delta. The 34-year-old former militant, before the amnesty programme, was a commander in the Niger Delta Vigilance Force and commanded a troop of about 250 youths. Paul confirmed his appointment by SPDC. Meanwhile, the Infrastructural Development Sub-committee of the Amnesty Programme has produced a development schedule for providing more infrastructures in the Niger Delta. Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Ufot Ekaette, challenged the committee to live up to expectations.
Onovo Alleges Recruit of Militias, Stockpile Arms by Anambra Politicians
The Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Ogbonna Onovo, on Thursday, disclosed that intelligence reports from Anambra State ahead of the February 6, 2010 governorship election in the state indicated that majority of the politicians have recruited and armed militias to cause mayhem during the election. Onovo expressed worries on the level of insecurity in the state, adding that the police will use every instrument at its disposal to ensure peaceful conduct of the election.
Police Parade Suspect in Murder of Varsity Don, Child
The Nigeria Police has paraded one Wisdom Onyekwa, 20, the suspected murderer of a former lecturer at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka in Anambra State, Dr. (Mrs) Phylis Ifeoma Okoli and her 7-year-old daughter on the 24th of January 2009. According to the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ogbonna Onovo, they arrested Wisdom in a Port Harcourt suburb where he had escaped to after the murder. The police also recovered the deceased's two GSM phones, which he had stolen from the woman's house after killing her and her daughter whom he also raped, before strangling her to death.
Three Feared Killed in Boundary Dispute
Three members of Abama community in Obot Akara LGA of Akwa Ibom state lost their lives when insurgents from neighbouring community in Ikwano LGA of Abia State attacked the area in a renewed boundary clash. Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom, Engr. Patrick Ekpotu, vowed that the present administration will not allow annexation of any land belonging to the State by people of its neighbouring states. Ekpotu, who is the chairman of the state boundary commission, condemned the recent attack by people suspected to have come from Ikwano in Abia state. Charging the people to always be prompt in reporting suspected movements to security operatives, he urged them to support the peace initiative of the State Government.
Ex-Militants Want Amnesty Bill
…Obi Wants Anti-Terrorism Agency Law
The fear that the amnesty programme of the Federal Government would end with the administration of President Yar’Adua and therefore lack sustainability has been described as the greatest threat to it. To this end the Watchdog of Niger Delta, a non-violent group of reformed militants has called on the National Assembly to fashion a bill that will legalize the reform process for the militants and guarantee sustained peace in the region. Meanwhile, Vice presidential candidate of the Action Congress (AC) in the 2007 presidential election, Senator Ben Obi, has canvassed for the enactment of the “Nigerian Anti-Terrorism Bill and the Nigerian Anti-Terrorism Agency Bill,” with a view to nipping in the bud, situations such the recent event of a young Nigerian, Farouk AbdulMutallab, who carried out a failed terrorist attack on a United States airline on Christmas day.
Imo CP Warns Against Bribing Police
Mr Aloysius Okorie, the Commissioner of Police (CP) in Imo, has urged members of the public to desist from offering bribes to policemen on the highways. Okorie said that the public should strive to help in efforts to sanitize the police force by reporting any officer who solicited bribes from them. He noted that most people were ignorant of their rights, saying that this had contributed immensely to the bribery menace.
BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS
Soldiers Kill 3 Chevron Oil Workers
Three workers at the Chevron Escravos-Gas–To-Liquid (EGTL) project were on Monday evening shot dead by soldiers. Several others sustained gun shot wounds in the encounter between the workers and the security personnel at Escravos. Trouble reportedly started on Monday when the workers returned to their residential camp at the close of work, but were allegedly denied entrance by security men. The father of one of the slain workers, Mr. Aken Tonfawei, committed suicide after news of the death of his only son got to him. The state government has promised to get to the root of the matter and has asked the military authorities to carry out full-scale investigation “to fish out the shooters.”
Edo Monarch Murdered
A traditional ruler of Ugolo community in Ovia South West LGA of Edo State, HRH Solomon Udobor, was penultimate Friday assassinated by unknown gunmen at his Benin residence. His widow, Esther Udolor, alleges that his murder might be connected with the leadership tussle between Ugolo town and Etete, a neighbouring village. She said that Udolor was crowned as Enogie of Ugolo clan in 1980, but another Enogie was crowned in Etete village two years ago which sparked the crisis. The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Ugbowo, CSP Kunle Olusokan, confirmed the arrest of three persons in connection with the killing. The late Udobor was aged 55.
Two Friends Slain in Sapele
Sapele town in Delta State was, last weekend, faced with crisis when a youth shot dead two boys. It was gathered that the suspect’s action was the climax of a fracas which started at a popular hotel in Sapele on New Year day, which resulted in the gruesome stabbing of one of their own. There has been no confirmation by the police.
Two Youths Arrested over kidnap Girlfriend, Slaying of Friend
A young man, simply identified as Oghale, has been accused of kidnapping his 20-year-old girl friend in Ozoro, Delta state. Oghale had on New Year eve, visited the family of the girl, Magaret Iduh, and taken her away for what her parents mistook for the ‘watch night’ fun, only for Oghale to return some hours later, saying that some unknown persons had abducted her. The father of the lady, not satisfied with the boy’s conduct, contacted the police, and the boy was arrested. Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Charles Muka, who confirmed the report, said the girl was yet to be found. Another young man, identified as Precious, has been arrested for the gruesome murder of his friend, Kenneth Oliver, last October, during an argument. But the suspect said he killed his friend in self defence.
Thugs Brutalise Delta NULGE Council Boss, Others
There was chaos penultimate week in Isoko South LG council of Delta State, as thugs invaded the premises injuring workers, including the chairman of the National Union of Local Government Employee (NULGE), Josaiah Umuwe. The thugs were said to have invaded the council minutes after the council chairman, Mr Askia Ogele, allegedly threatened the NULGE boss for “announcing” a work-to-rule action. It was learnt that the workers’ union, after an emergency meeting, carried out a sensitisation campaign in the council after which it issued a seven-day ultimatum for its demands to be met. The thugs left the council unchallenged. Meanwhile, the council secretariat has been shut indefinitely.
Three Perish in Delta River
Three persons got drowned on New Year Day at Udu River in Udu LGA of Delta State. Two of the victims were children between the ages of 10 and 12 years, who had gone to the river for a bath. The third victim, Joy Maxwell, 21, was said to be on a visit to her mother before her death. Police confirmed the incidents but could not give details.
Fire Guts Delta Market
The Harbour Market in Ovwian LGA of Delta state was gutted by fire. The fire started about 3a.m. on New Year Day and was said to have lasted for several hours with no fire- fighters around, and efforts by people around to put out the fire proved futile. Although no life was lost, the Chairman of the market, Mr Freedom Odiete, said over N5 million worth of goods and property were lost to the fire.
HOSTCOM Insist on Managing 10% Oil Equity
The association of oil and gas Host Communities of Nigeria (HOSTCON) has decried insinuations that it was incapable of managing the funds from the 10 per cent oil equity recently granted them. HOTSCOM’s National Public Relations Officer, Dr. Mike Emuh, maintained that the host communities were capable of managing the Funds for the development of the region. Emuh’s view is seen as a response to the observation by the Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, that the management of the funds by an independent, foreign financial concern would be more beneficial to the host communities.
26 Drug Suspects Arrested in Delta
A total of 199.76 kilograms of weeds, suspected to be Indian hemp, were confiscated in Delta State, while 26 suspects were convicted, State Commander of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Ibrahim Sani, has said. He warned that this year will be a total war against drugs as the agency has renewed spirit to fight the war, warning those involved and their sponsors to be ready to face the consequences.
Edo Police Command Loses 34 in 2009 – CP
A total of 34 policemen in the Edo State Police Command died in 2009, while 17 were dismissed for various offences. The State Commissioner of Police (CP), Danlami Yar’Adua, also announced that 367 armed robbery suspects were arrested, while 60 were killed during exchange of gunfire and 76 fire arms were recovered. The CP explained that when compared with 2008, armed robbery cases dropped by 20 per cent. He further stated that 126 suspected kidnappers were apprehended but lamented a peculiar incident in which a female victim was sexually abused for 15 days, even after her parents paid a ransom, without reporting the matter to the police, but said that the four suspects have been arrested and charged to court.
LAGOS AND ENVIRONS
Onovo Orders Dismissal of Police Officers over Checkpoint Killing
Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ogbonna Onovo, has ordered the dismissal of three out of the four police officers who were involved in the killing of a passenger in a taxi in Ilorin, Penultimate Sunday, at a checkpoint. The affected police officers would be arraigned before a magistrate court on Wednesday; while the Kwara state Police Command expressed displeasure at the way and manner some of the members of the police conduct themselves while on patrol duty. State Police Public Relations Officer, Ezekiel Dabo, confirmed their dismissal, adding that the fourth policeman who drove the dismissed trio during their patrol operation was not culpable. The trio, were on Wednesday remanded in Prison custody by an Ilorin magistrate court.
Policeman Suspected for Armed Robbery
The leader of an armed robbery gang, alleged to be a policeman, has been arrested. The suspect was arrested at a scene of a robbery incident at Moniya, headquarters of the Akinyele LGA. The state Commissioner of Police, Baba Adisa Bolanta, who confirmed the incident, said the suspect was not a member of the Oyo State police command, but a fake one. He said that it was true that the robbers attacked the people wearing a black uniform but that they were not policemen.
Man Attempts Murder on Mother over Witchcraft
A 27 year old man has been arrested for attempting to kill his 50-year-old mother over alleged witchcraft, penultimate Thursday. The man, Nnamdi Mokoye, said he was told by his pastor that his mother was the architect of the problems in his family. Nnamdi threatened to “show her hell” if she did not give a satisfactory reason to why she had been bewitching them. Before help could reach her, Nnamdi attacked and badly wounded her, before he took to his heels but he was arrested barely 24 hours later. The suspect maintained that he simply wanted find out why she bewitched all her children.
Lagos Pilgrim Gets 8-year Jail Term in S’Arabia
A Lagos State pilgrim arrested during the last hajj exercise in Saudi Arabia over illegal possession of fake $22, 000 has been convicted to serve a jail term of eight years. The pilgrim, simply identified as Alarape from Agege LGA, was found with fake $22, 000, some of which he had already exchanged for the Saudi currency. In a contrary incident, a 50-year old pilgrim from the State, Alhaji Mutiu Oriola, returned N1.5 million ($10,000) found on the floor of the Holy Mosque of Ka’abah while praying during the just-concluded Hajj.
Pastor, Others Bag Jail Terms for Fraud
Pastor Michael Inyang and some others were sentenced to various jail terms for fraud. Inyang, the proprietor of Christian Millionaire Club, bagged four years jail term for fraud. The pastor, through his organisation, persuaded victims to part with their resources with an assurance that bountiful rewards awaited them here on earth and in heaven. But at the end of 2006, Inyang was no where to be found, and the case was reported to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Also convicted is Mr. Alli Olumide Monsuru, who was arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, after officials discovered counterfeit travellers cheques concealed in three pairs of shoes.
Police Commence Investigation on Child Theft on Flight
The Airport Police Command, last weekend, said it had commenced investigation into an alleged child theft aboard an Owerri-Lagos bound flight on December 31. Two suspects were nabbed for attempting to steal a five-month-old baby on the plane. The Commissioner of Police in charge of the Airport Command, Mr. Danazumi Doma, explained that the command had commenced full investigation to unravel the syndicate behind the alleged child theft.
Heroin Hidden in Shock Absorbers
…NDLEA Vows Though Times for Traffickers
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted 56.25kg of substances suspected to be heroin, concealed inside shock absorbers of a vehicle imported from Pakistan at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos. Meanwhile, 29-year-old Ogbeide Prince was arrested on January 1, 2010, at the same Airport and has admitted ingesting 73 pieces of substances that tested positive to cocaine. The Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade, commended the United Kingdom authorities for supplying the intelligence that led to the seizure and promised to strengthen the agreement. Giade, who also expressed satisfaction with the growing use of full body scanners, said it would be a painful year for drug syndicates.
Suspects in Container Robberies Arrested by Police
Lagos Police Command has smashed an 11-man syndicate that hijacks articulated vehicles laden with containers from the Apapa Ports, Lagos. The suspects, who were reportedly armed with dangerous weapons, had trailed a container from Apapa Wharf and hijacked it after they injured the trailer driver who resisted their attempts. Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Marvel Akpoyibo, said the truck was recovered through concerted efforts of the Police Anti-Vice Special Squad.
GENERAL
Maduekwe Protests anti-Nigeria Measures by US, as FG Opts for Dialogue
The new security measures by the U.S. targeted at Nigerians is unacceptable, Foreign Affairs Minister, Chief Ojo Maduekwe, stated on Tuesday reacting to the inclusion of Nigeria on the US terror watch list, following the failed bombing of an American airplane by a Nigerian, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab. Maduekwe also alleged double standards since the action of a Briton, Richard Colvin Reid, a shoe bomber, did not lead to a blacklist of Britain when he was caught in a similar act. Meanwhile, the Nigerian Senate issued a seven-day ultimatum to the US to withdraw the measure. But in another development, the FG indicated, on Thursday, that it was not pursue the ultimatum, saying it had opted for “friendly resolution”, according to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Michael Aondoakaa.
Police Battle 14-Man Robbery Gang
Men of the Benue State Police Command, last weekend, engaged a group of bandits numbering about fourteen, in a bloody gun duel that left six members of the gang riddled with bullets. The incident, which happened at Youghu village in Katsina-Ala LGA, was the first major incident to be recorded by the Benue State Police Command in the year. Benue State Police Commissioner, Alhaji Ibrahim Mohammed confirmed the incident.
Marketers to Resume Fuel Importation
Oil Marketers have agreed to resume full importation of fuel, after the government agreed to pay all their outstanding claims on subsidy. The Federal Government also admitted that there was actually a huge gap in fuel supply, which the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) had tried to fill without success. The accord to pay marketers was reached by the Federal Government at a stakeholders’ meeting convened in Lagos at the instance of the Minister of State for Petroleum, Mr. Odein Ajumogobia.
NANS, Others Calls on US to Delist Nigeria from Terror Watch List
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS); Professor Wole Soyinka; Former Attorney-General of the Federation, Prince Bola Ajibola and the president of Islamic Mission for Africa (IMA), Dr Abdullateef Adegbite, have joined other Nigerians in faulting the inclusion of Nigeria amongst countries on the US terror watch list and have called on the United States (US) to remove Nigeria from that list. Soyinka described the US decision as and irrational and lacking objectivity, adding that there is no other country where a parent has done what the father of Farouk Umar Abdulmutallab did in advance, for reporting his son to security agencies. Ajibola declared that Muslims would not be blackmailed into accepting responsibility for the actions of deviants, dismissing suicide bombing and all acts of terrorism as anti-Islam.
FG Rolls Out New Security Measures at Airports
As a follow up to the plan by the Federal Government to equip the nation’s airports with full body scanners, new security measures were rolled out on Thursday, under which there will be thorough frisking of all flight passengers. The new measures, aimed at further tightening security at the airports, emerged after the first National Security Council meeting of the New Year. All hand luggage will now be “thoroughly searched” to ensure they don’t contain anything that will be of any threat to flights and airport installations. Vehicle scanners are also to be installed at all the entrances leading to the airports.
Reports Allege CIA, Mossad, Indian Intelligence behind Mutallab’s Terror Act
The United States (US), Indian and Israeli top security agencies have been alleged as conspirators in the December 25 attempt by Umar Farouk AbdulMutallab, to detonate explosives aboard an Airplane from Amsterdam to Detroit. According to sources, his flight was said to be a false flag operation carried out by the US’ CIA, Israeli’s Foreign Intelligence Agency (Mossad), and Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) of Indian Intelligence. The intelligence report also indicted the trio as being behind the December 28 terrorist attack on Mumbai. The three agencies with former Afghan KHAD intelligence agents; were also behind the killing of former Pakistani Prime Minister, Benazir Bhutto.
AbdulMutallab Indicted by US Jury
Umar Farouk AbdulMutallab has been indicted by a federal grand Jury in the United States for trying to down a US plane on December, 25 2009. He faces life imprisonment if convicted. This comes as former Nigerian Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, asked the US to apologise to Nigeria for lumping it with countries that are suspected of harbouring terrorists and remove the country from the terror list. Also, the Inspector General of Police (IG) Ogbonna Onovo insisted that Nigeria is not a haven for terrorists. He said the country has a zero tolerance policy towards all forms of terrorism and terrorism acts.
Jigawa Ex-Commissioner get Life Jail for Murder
A High Court in Jigawa State has sentenced an ex-Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Abba Umar Kukuma and one Hamza Muhammad to life imprisonment for killing two children, aged three and four. According Justice Ahmad Isa Gumel, based on the fact that the corpses of the deceased were found in a car belonging to the first accused in his garage, and the confessional statement by the second accused, Hamza Muhammad as well as the circumstantial evidence, the court was satisfied and charged them accordingly. The convicts have three months to appeal if they are not satisfied with the judgment.
Kano: 16 Suspected Armed Robbers Killed, 162 Arrested in 2009
The Kano state Police Command, has disclosed that from in 2009, it killed a total of 16 suspected armed robbers and arrested about 162. The state's Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Baba Muhammad Azare, added that during the period under review, 80 armed robbery cases were reported and seven police personnel were killed, while only one person was killed by armed robbers. According to the PPRO, three police weapons were carted away, with 62 arms and 198 ammunitions recovered from the armed robbers. On rape/assault, drugs related, fraud and kidnapping cases, he disclosed that the police arrested 81 suspects after receiving 80 numbers of such cases, with 80 victims involved.
Kidnapper Nabbed While Collecting Ransom
Security agents in Kaduna state, Penultimate Saturday, arrested a suspected kidnapper, simply identified as Nurieni, as he arrived to collect ransom money. His three-year old victim, Zainab Murtala, was also rescued after 11 days in captivity. According to Mohammed Musa Soba, the victim’s uncle, the suspect is known to the family. The kidnappers had demanded for N5 million as ransom, which was negotiated down to N500, 000. At this point, he said security men were told and plainclothes operatives that flooded the area, swooped on Nurieni when he proceeded to collect the money.
SSS Director Slumps Dead at Meeting
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) State Security Service (SSS) Director Mohammed Al Nasir slumped and died on Monday during a marathon meeting. Al Nasir, who hailed from Katsina State, died at a meeting held with the SSS Director General and others directors in the 19 Northern States on the frequent occurrence of religious violence in the region.
Oil Rises Above $80
Oil prices on Monday rose above $80 a barrel at the global market. The price surge is the first in the year 2010, amidst optimism that a gradual economic recovery could occur in the year to boost demand for crude. Benchmark crude for February delivery was up 93 cents at $80.29 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract added 8 cents to settle at $79.36 on Thursday. Oil has flirted with the $80 level the last two trading days.
Reps Kick Against Importation of Military Equipment
The House of Representatives has restated its resolve to stop importation of military equipments, including uniforms and boots for the Nigerian Armed Forces. The House committee on defence decried the situation where huge sum of money is being spent on the importation of Army uniforms, while the nation’s textile industries are not patronised. While acknowledging the capacity of the Nigerian Army to drive the nation’s economy, Committee chairman, Honourable Wole Oke, opined that more funds should be voted for research and development (R&D) to ensure maximum utilization of the institution.
Immigrations to Commence Biometric Registration of Foreigners
In a bid to build a database of foreigners in Nigeria for reference purposes, the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) said on Tuesday that it would soon commence bio-metric registration of expatriates in Nigeria. The organisation also disclosed that it began the process of reviewing Nigeria’s visa policy. The objective of the visa review also includes placing Nigeria in a position to benefit from the global upswing in tourism, divest Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to create more jobs and reinforce professionalism by transforming the visa issuance process to be convenient without compromising security.
INTERNATIONAL
Somali Rebels Force UN Agency to Halt Aid
The United Nations' (UN) World Food Programme (WFP) has pulled out of parts of southern Somalia because of threats from Islamist rebel groups. The WFP claimed the suspension would affect about one million people. The al-Shabab militant group has repeatedly threatened the WFP, accusing it of ruining local farming by forcing Somalis to rely on imports. But the WFP said without help, Somali farmers cannot supply enough food. Drought and war have left many people to dependent on the feeding centres run by the WFP. Late last year, al-Shabab gave the WFP a deadline of 1 January to halt all of its operations in the area and issued a string of demands for aid agencies working in there.
Yemen Forces Arrest al-Qaeda Suspects
Yemeni forces have arrested three suspected al-Qaeda militants who were wounded in a raid on Monday. They were captured at a hospital north of the capital, Sanaa. The arrests came as the US, UK and France reopened their embassies in Yemen. The embassies had been temporarily closed in response to what was described as an al-Qaeda threat, after Yemeni security forces lost track of six trucks full of arms and explosives. French citizens in the country had been warned to be vigilant. Reports say local al-Qaeda leader, Mohammed al-Hanq, was thought to be behind the security threats that had prompted the embassy closures.
74-Year-Old Hotel Manager Killed in LA
A hotel manager was murdered in downtown Los Angeles on Tuesday and authorities are searching for her killer. Officials say the victim, 74-year-old Hideko Oyama, was found bleeding in her office at the Chetwood Hotel about 11:30 a.m. Tuesday. Lieutenant Paul Vernon, head of the detective bureau, said the homicide was the first in the downtown area this year. Last year, five people were killed downtown, and that marked the lowest rate in more than 20 years, he said.
CIA Bomber was al-Qaeda Double Agent -Report
The suicide bomber who killed seven CIA agents in Afghanistan was an al-Qaeda double agent, reports say. He is said to have been a doctor from Jordan who was arrested by Jordanian intelligence a year ago, but was later recruited by the Jordanians and CIA, after they thought they had successfully turned him, and given a mission to find al-Qaeda leaders. He is believed to have been working undercover in Afghanistan for weeks before detonating a bomb at a CIA base. The attack at Forward Operating Base Chapman was the worst against US intelligence officials since the US embassy in Beirut was bombed in 1983. The bomber's identity came in a report in which the top US military intelligence officer in Afghanistan, Maj Gen Michael Flynn, criticised the work of US intelligence agencies there.
Philippines Massacre: Accused Pleads Not Guilty
The main suspect in the mass killing of 57 people in the southern Philippines, Andal Ampatuan Junior, has pleaded not guilty to 41 counts of murder. Mr Ampatuan is part of a politically influential clan, which has close ties to President Gloria Arroyo. He denies multiple charges of murder over the attack, in which members of a rival political family and journalists travelling with them were killed. They were on their way to register a rival candidacy for local elections. Prosecutors say Mr Ampatuan led more than 100 armed men who stopped the convoy, then killed them and buried them in mass graves. His father and several other clan members have been charged with rebellion.
Egyptian Guard Killed in Clash with Palestinians
Egyptian security forces and Palestinians clashed at the Gaza border on Wednesday over the delay of an international aid convoy. The clash reportedly claimed the life of an Egyptian border guard, while nine Egyptian guards and 15 Palestinians were wounded. The incident further raises the tension between Egypt and the Hamas rulers of the Gaza Strip, who see Cairo's attempts to seal the border as a direct threat to their survival. Gaza's Hamas rulers had called for a protest earlier over the delay of an international aid convoy at the Egyptian port, but lost control of the situation as youths began hurling rocks at the guards. Gaza's Interior Ministry, said 35 Palestinians were injured, including five who are brain dead. His tally could not be reconciled with that of local doctors.
Honduras Military Chiefs, Others Charged Over Zelaya's Removal
A spokesman for Honduras' Attorney General's Office has issued charges against the Military High Command and five others with abuse of authority for sending President Manuel Zelaya out of the country in June 2009 because it is illegal under the Honduran Constitution to forcibly remove a citizen from the country. Zelaya was removed from office and flown out of the country amid a row with the courts, Congress and the military over his plans to look at rewriting the constitution. The UN, the Organization of American States (OAS) and the European Union have condemned the situation as a coup and demanded Zelaya's immediate reinstatement. In November, a presidential election was held as scheduled and the man elected, Porfirio Lobo, is due to be sworn in on January 27.
Freezing Weather Disrupts Transportation in Europe
The icy weather gripping northern Europe has disrupted flights and transportation across the region. In Germany, at least nine homeless men froze to death as temperatures fall below -10C.
139 Killed in South Sudan Raid
Armed Nuer tribesmen have killed about 139 members of a rival tribe in an attack in a remote area of southern Sudan, an official disclosed on Thursday. Meanwhile, international aid groups have indicated that a 2005 peace deal in Sudan is on the verge of collapse and that the world must act now to prevent renewed conflict. The agencies attribute rising violence, chronic poverty and political tensions as reasons for their warning. The Nuer tribesmen attacked Dinka cattle herders in Tonj, penultimate Saturday and seized about 5,000 animals, reports say. Southern leaders last year accused Khartoum of backing militias to undermine the south. The United Nations has disclosed that it was sending a team to check on the reports, saying other sources had confirmed there were a large number of deaths.
Police Remove Explosives from Apartment in Washington
Police have removed a half pound of highly sensitive explosives from one of the apartments in a residential building in Spokane Valley, Washington, a sheriff's spokesman said. John D. Raymond, 53, is being held and is likely to face charges for illegally manufacturing and possessing explosives, said Sgt. Dave Reagan. Raymond, who uses a wheelchair, lived in a ground floor apartment of the building. A police robot removed a half pound of TATP, or Triacetone Triperoxide, from his apartment. TATP is extremely sensitive to impact, temperature change and friction, according to the experts. It has been used by suicide bombers in Israel and was chosen as a detonator in 2001 by the thwarted "shoe bomber" Richard Reid. Reagan said Raymond was angry about how his divorce case was being handled.
Court Upholds Jail Term for Ex-Peruvian PM
The Peruvian Supreme Court has upheld a 25-year prison sentence on the country’s former president Alberto Fujimori, who has been convicted of massive human rights abuses. A review of Fujimori’s convictions was requested in November by his defense lawyer, who asked the high court to revoke his client’s sentence. Fujimori, 71, has been found guilty in four trials since he was extradited from Chile in September 2007. He was found guilty of abuse of power in 2007. He pleaded guilty to charges of illegally paying a 15 million dollar bonus to his security chief and right-hand man, Vladimir Montesinos, and was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison. The sentence is under appeal.
Death Toll Hit 75 in Brazilian Floods
The death toll rose to 75 on Sunday after three days of torrential rains unleashed a series of deadly mudslides in Brazil's southeast coast, an emergency official said. More than 3 inches of rain has accumulated in Rio's western regions. Forecasters are predicting more rain to come in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo. Brazilian President, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, said he will send marine and naval forces to aid in rescues in remote coastal areas where more bodies were believed to be trapped.
Six Killed in Mexican Gang Execution
The bodies of six men, including a California educator, were found on Thursday in the north-central Mexican state of Durango, hours after they were abducted from a nearby restaurant, the man's relatives said Friday. Augustin Roberto Salcedo, of El Monte, east of Los Angeles had traveled with his wife to visit her family in Gomez Palacio, his brother, Carlos Salcedo, said. They were eating in a restaurant Wednesday night when armed men barged in and abducted all six men who were in the party, Carlos added. Reports say 7,600 Mexicans lost their lives in the war on drugs in 2009. Mexican President Felipe Calderon said earlier that 6,500 Mexicans died in drug violence in 2008.
Six Feared Killed in Karachi Explosion
At least six people are thought to have been killed in an explosion at a house in the Pakistani city of Karachi. The cause of the blast was not immediately known, but police said explosives stored at the house may have gone off. Senior police official Abdul Majeed Dasti said hand grenades and a Kalashnikov rifle had been found at the site of the explosion. Separately, at least eight people have been killed in what appear to be incidents of targeted killings in parts of Karachi on Thursday. The killings were apparently triggered off by the discovery of a beheaded body of a member of Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) in the old city's Lyari district.
Malaysian Churches Attacked over Use of “Allah”
Three churches have been attacked and bombed in Malaysia's capital Kuala Lumpur, ahead of planned protests by Muslim groups. Some Muslim groups are angry at a court decision allowing non-Muslims to use the word Allah to refer to God. Prime Minister Najib Razak condemned the church attacks, saying such actions would destroy the country's harmony and vowed that the government will take whatever steps it can to prevent such acts. A Kuala Lumpur High Court struck down a three-year old ban on use of the word Allah. Some major Muslim organisations agree that other Abrahamic religions may use the word Allah, but others, including the Muslim Youth Movement, Abim, disagree, casting the use of the word Allah as an effort by Christians to seduce Muslims away from Islam.
Three Palestinians Killed as Israel Strike Gaza
Three people have been killed in Israeli air strikes overnight in the Gaza Strip, Palestinian medics say. The Israeli military said it was responding to mortar and rocket attacks on Thursday from Gaza. The militant group Hamas, which controls Gaza, said an Israeli jet had also bombed a building in Gaza City. On Thursday, Israeli planes dropped thousands of leaflets over the Gaza Strip warning residents to steer clear of the border after Palestinian militants fired mortar rounds into Israel. Gaza militants have fired more than 280 rockets or mortars at Israel since the end of a devastating offensive against the territory on January 2009, according to the Israeli military.
Clashes in Egyptian Town over Coptic killings
Clashes broke out in the southern Egyptian town where seven people died in a shooting outside a church after a Coptic Christmas Eve Mass on 7 January. The attack is thought to be in revenge for the alleged rape of a 12-year-old Muslim girl by a Christian man, which was followed by five days of riots, with Christian properties set on fire and damaged. Three people are reported to have pulled up outside the church in Naga Hamady on Wednesday evening, killing at least six Coptic Christians and a security official and injuring 10 others, including two Muslims. Police say the chief attacker in Wednesday's shooting has been identified but no arrests have yet been made.
Bomb Explosion under Man's Car in Randalstown
A bomb exploded under a car in County Antrim and a man has been taken to hospital, the Police Service of Northern Ireland confirmed. His condition is not known at this stage. There is an ongoing security alert at the scene of the explosion on Milltown Road in Randalstown. The man's identity is not yet known and no one has claimed responsibility for planting the bomb. The road has been closed and army technical officers have been called to the scene. Dissident republicans have been responsible for a spate of bomb attacks across Northern Ireland in the last year.