Villeworth Security Services Ltd

week 8

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PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

5 Killed in Ezza, Ezillo Communal War

Five persons, mostly commuters, along the Enugu-Abakaliki expressway reportedly lost their lives in the renewed communal war between Ezza and Ezillo communities in Ishielu LGA of Ebonyi State. The conflict which started two years ago, assumed a worrisome dimension with suspected mercenaries confronting soldiers deployed in there. The Ebonyi State government had last week accused politicians from the state, who are resident in Abuja of being behind the renewed fighting, but one of the politicians said that the government was chasing shadows instead of living up to its responsibility of protecting the lives of its citizens.

RSG Orders Demolition after Electrocution

Five days after some people died from electrocution following the cut of a high tension electricity cable in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State government has ordered that all structures close to high tension wires be immediately demolished. The State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, gave the order when the Minister of State for Power, Mallam Nuhu Somo-Wya, visited to assess the rate of damage and loss of lives that attended the cut in the power line. Amaechi said an executive directive has been issued and that relevant ministries would swing into action to stem further avoidable loss of human lives and warned those still living in such places to leave immediately.

Akpabio Petitions FG over Kidnapping

Worried by a renewed wave of kidnappings, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Godswill Akpabio, has sent a petition to the Federal Government, accusing some elders of moves to cause crisis through targeted abductions, maiming, killing of people and other crimes. Akpabio lamented that the latest kidnapping and killing incidents in the state was to rubbish the state government.

APGA Accuses AC of Threat to Peace in Anambra

The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) on Monday accused the governorship candidates of the Action Congress (AC), Chris Ngige and his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) counterpart, Prof. Charles Soludo, of "trying to cause crisis in the state over the conduct of the governorship election" in Anambra state. National Chairman of APGA, Victor Umeh, while reacting to the police arrest of some armed youths allegedly sponsored by a candidate to protest their purported disenfranchisement in the governorship election, warned that the state government would arrest and prosecute any individual who breaches public peace. The police confirmed the arrest of some persons who claimed to be members of Disenfranchised Voters' Association and recovered some dangerous weapons from them.

Ex-Militants Declare Readiness to Work with Jonathan

Former commanders of militia camps in Bayelsa State on Wednesday met to review the processes that led to the making of Vice President, Goodluck Jonathan Acting President, declaring that they are ready to work with him towards the proper implementation of the peace process and development in the Niger Delta region. A former commander of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) and the Commander of the former militia camp in Koloama Community, Pastor Reuben Wilson, said the ex-militant commanders in the state were pledging their loyalty and assured that they will tread the path of peace.

Militants Raise Alarm over Threat to Jonathan

The Joint Revolutionary Council (JRC), an umbrella body of militants in the Niger Delta has raised an alarm that some persons in the North were inducing youths in the Niger Delta against Acting President Goodluck Jonathan. They said the scheme was hatched to use the youths to destroy oil facilities to give the impression that Jonathan was not on ground in his area and therefore tarnish his Presidency. This is as the President of the Niger Delta Peoples Force, Mr. Sobomabo Jackreece, has warned against use of youths to stall developmental projects by politicians who always push for their personal interests. The alarm was raised in a statement sent via email by Cynthia Whyte, the original Spokesperson of JRC before Bakabio Walter.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

Women Protest Ritual Killings in Delta

Hundreds of women in Ibusa, Delta state, on Wednesday trooped to the streets to protest the killing of women in the community. The protesting women threatened to go fully naked if the authorities do not end the killing of women in the community for ritual purpose. The peaceful protest later took a violent turn, as hoodlums used the opportunity to barricade roads, creating gridlock along Ibusa –Asaba express road.  Confirming the development, Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, Charles Muka, said intelligent reports indicated that there has been series of ritual killings in Ibusa and other communities in the state and that the police was carrying out investigation.

Delta CJ Releases 65 Detainees

Chief Judge of Delta State, Justice Roseline Bozimo, has ordered the immediate release of 65 awaiting trial inmates who had no case files to prosecute them. Bozimo, who started a routine visit to prisons in the state from the Warri Prisons on February 1, 2010, explained that those with no diligent evidence to prosecute them, those for which there was no case submission and detainees with serious health problems were also released. The visit took the Chief Judge to six prisons in five different cities across the state.

Illegal Bunkerers Threaten Group over Exposure

A syndicate of oil thieves in the Niger-Delta has threatened to deal with members of the Niger Delta Waterways Vigilante (NDWV), for exposing their modus operandi to the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR). The threat follows an alarm by the NDWV on the new strategy of the syndicate that led to the arrest of a Sea vessel, MV Shekinah and its 17-member crew by the Joint Task Force (JTF) in Warri, Delta State. Spokesman of the NDWV, Chief Gabriel Okolosi, who confirmed the threats, vowed not to be intimidated.

Varsity Students Raze 8 Vehicles In Ekpoma

Students of the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, on Monday took to the streets protesting the increment of school fees by the state government. They disrupted vehicular movement, while at least eight cars were set ablaze. The protesters called on the state government to reverse the decision. Reacting, the Edo State Commissioner for Education, Dr Ngozi Oserenren, when contacted on phone confirmed the incident, but however said security agents have been able put the situation under control.

Shell Threatens to Shut Gas Plants

Nigeria may be plunged into total darkness as from Saturday, as Shell Petroleum Development Company gives a notice of its plan to shut down three critical gas plants that supply gas to the Power Holding Company of Nigeria. Shell made this known in a letter to the Ministries of Power and Petroleum. SPDC noted that it might be compelled to shut down the Oben, Sapele and Utorogu gas plants unless the stock of condensate, a by-product of gas blocking its pipelines, was evacuated. This came just as the total power generation dipped to 2,400 megawatts on Tuesday. Shell is the biggest supplier of gas to the Nigerian Gas Company

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

Ondo Road Accident Claims Eight

At least eight people, including four children, were killed while 15 others were injured in an accident that occurred in Ikare-Akoko, Akoko North-East LGA of Ondo State penultimate weekend. The accident involved a truck loaded with diesel, a mini-bus and a car. The driver of the truck reportedly lost control and rammed into the mini-bus and two buildings, killing the victims. The accident led to a violent protest by the youths of the town. Some of the town's chiefs, said they had recorded at least 45 deaths in the past two months due to accidents on the road, and pleaded with the Federal Government to repair the road, stressing that it has become a death trap.

Ritualists, Cultists Kill Three in Ekiti

The bodies of three persons believed to have been killed by ritualists and cultists were discovered on Monday at different locations in Ado-Ekiti. The first was identified as a student of the University of Ado-Ekiti, who was believed to have been hacked to death by a gang of cultists that invaded his residence at Araromi. The second, a lady, was discovered along Housing Road with some vital organs removed. The third was shot dead by suspected cultists, who invaded a Hotel, along Iyin Road, during a musical show. A police source confirmed the incidents.

Court Awards N10m Compensation to Victim of Police Brutality

A Lagos High Court, on Thursday granted the prayers of one Mr. Sunday Awoyera, a victim of police brutality, when it awarded him the sum of N10 million as compensation. Awoyera was mauled down by a policeman with a gun in 2008, while in company of his wife and children. The court ordered the trigger-happy cop, Constable Alibor Narman, to pay the money to Awoyera also as cost for general damages suffered by the victim. The sum is expected to be paid by the Nigeria Police. The victim had approached the court for an order "to compel Narman to pay him N10 million damages for breach of his right to life and dignity of his person".

Police Parade Five Over Ritual Killing

The police in Kogi State have arrested five suspects in connection with the killing of one Nathaniel Kyambe. The deceased was said to have been abducted from Gboko in Benue State and taken for a money making ritual at Aloji in Ofu LGA of Kogi State. The Kogi State Acting Commissioner of Police, Magaji Abdullahi, disclosed this Monday while parading the suspects in Lokoja.   The CP said five of the seven suspected killers were arrested in Benue and Kogi States on a tip-off.

Police Fault Alleged Armed Attack on Ogun PDP ‘Parallel’ Boss

The Ogun State Police Command on Tuesday faulted the alleged attack by gunmen on the chairman of a parallel executive of the state chapter of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Semiu Sodipo. Sodipo was reportedly attacked penultimate weekend in Abeokuta, while he was returning to his house. Sodipo had said that he promptly reported the incident at the Ibara Police Station, Abeokuta after he escaped from the scene of attack with his driver. But the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Musa Daura, denies knowledge of any such reported attack.

Kidnapped Anambra Boy Rescued in Lagos

The Lagos State Police Command has rescued a six-year-old boy, Kelechi Egwu, who was kidnapped from his school in Onitsha, Anambra State. The police in the state on Thursday paraded two suspects, Samuel Ani and Abraham Oskar, while two others suspected to be accomplices were arrested by the Anambra State Police Command. Samuel, a former apprentice of the victim’s father, had reportedly brought the kidnapped boy to Oskar to be harboured in Lagos. The gang had reportedly demanded N7million from the parents of the victim. The boy was found wandering by a passerby around Mazamaza area of Lagos and taken to the police, after Samuel got stranded and was looking for his accomplices. Samuel was arrested when he went to the police, asking for the boy to be released to him.

GENERAL

Journalist Hacked to Death in Abuja

The police in Abuja said they hope to trace the killers of the Efenji Efenji, a former reporter with the Independent Television (AIT), who was killed on Valentine’s Day. The FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Moshood Jimoh, said some suspects have been arrested in connection with the killing and are helping the police with information.  Efenji was reportedly stabbed to death by a gang of undisclosed people at Cortland Garden in Karu Abuja on Valentine Day. He was said to have gone to the garden with his family and was attacked by a gang some minutes after 10pm. The police however did not indicate when the investigations will be completed.

Two Killed in Jos Attacks

One person was killed and farmlands destroyed following an attack in Riyom LGA of Plateau State by suspected Fulani herdsmen penultimate weekend. The attackers, who are believed to be revenging alleged attacks on them during the recent crisis, come at night shooting sporadically. An Igbo man was killed on Tuesday as another crisis erupted in Jos North LGA, during the burial of a child. The Igbos have protested the killing, saying that they were not involved in the dispute, but we were shocked when Ikechukwu, a welder, was killed by the Hausa group in front of his shop, and the police have done nothing, even after a report has been lodged. Soldiers were able to contain the situation. Meanwhile, the state Commissioner Police has constituted a "Special Anti-Robbery Squad" to respond to distress calls.

Nigeria Alert as Epidemic Hits Burkina Faso, Chad

The Federal Government has increased surveillance in respect of Cerebro Spinal Meningitis (CSM) and has been working towards preventing a possible major outbreak of the disease in March. Vaccination campaigns to curb its spread are already being conducted in both Burkina Faso and Chad in response to a meningitis epidemic. Minister of Health, Prof. Babatunde Osotimehin, said the Federal Government had raised a forum of medical professionals and stocked millions of doses of meningitis vaccines. In 1996, Africa experienced the largest recorded meningitis epidemic in history with more than 250,000 recorded cases and 25,000 deaths, of which more than 1,000 occurred in Nigeria.

U.S Expresses Concern over Extremism in Nigeria

Nigeria's religious crisis being escalated by violent extremism associated with Islamic fundamentalists is among the worries of the U.S. government, as it tries to build a new kind of relationship with the Islamic world, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has disclosed. Clinton spoke at the U.S-Islamic World forum, penultimate Sunday in Doha, the Qatari capital city. The statement is another indication that Islamic fundamentalism and extremism in Nigeria is a core concern of the U.S, as Hillary Clinton has kept the nation in view in several public statements and speeches in recent times.

Reckless Driver Kills Two Pupils in Jigawa

A commercial bus on Tuesday ran over six primary school pupils, killing two pupils at Andaza village in Kiyawa LGA of Jigawa State. A teacher in the school, and eye witness, Malam Shehu Ibrahim, said that the driver was on high speed, and the driver of the vehicle refused to stop even though he saw the trailer that stopped in from of us, as their red flags were up. Ibrahim said that the driver overtook the trailer and ran over the pupils. According to him, the driver tried to escape, but was caught. The state Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Abdu Jinjiri, confirmed the incident, saying the driver had been arrested and was now in their custody.

Jonathan Elected ECOWAS Chair

Nigeria’s leadership of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) was extended for another year last night as Acting President Goodluck Jonathan was elected the new chairman. Ailing President Yar’Adua had chaired the ECOWAS for a year until he fell ill, a development which had twice forced the postponement of the 37th Summit of the body. In his address at the summit  of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government in Abuja, Jonathan talked tough, condemning what he described as the undemocratic efforts by some elements at carrying out political change in the sub-region. He warned that henceforth the West African sub-region would no longer tolerate any acts of political misadventure.

Diplomats Caution Nigeria over Ratification of Munitions Treaty

There is concern at the United Nations (UN) that if Nigeria, a UN Security Council member, does not ratify the Cluster Munitions Ban Treaty before August this year, the country may lose credibility with respect to its standing on international security. The Cluster Munitions Ban Treaty is about to go into full force with the attainment of its ratification by 30 UN member-states. Nigeria, believed to still have a stockpile of such munitions, is among the 104 UN member-states that have signed the treaty banning such deadly explosive remnants of war known as either cluster munitions. The treaty was adopted at the UN in 2008.

NEMA to Draft New Framework on Disaster Management

Plans are under way by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to draft a new disaster framework that will take into cognisance the irregularities and ambiguities in the current law, as well as new dynamics of emergency management. NEMA's Director General, AVM Audu-Bida, observed that the development was borne out of the need to involve critical stakeholders in emergency management the opportunity to make input into the draft of the national disaster management framework. He noted that the current disaster response was drawn up by experts and consultants with little input from stakeholders.

Onovo Raises Panel on Alleged Shooting by Police

Irked by the recent beaming on Al Jazzira television the alleged shooting of civilians by the police in Borno State during the Boko Haram crisis, the police high command has put up an investigating team to get to the root of the matter. The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Ogbonna Onovo, ordered that the investigating team should ascertain what happened and those behind the incident. The IGP also wants to know if certain things were superimposed so as to discredit the Nigeria Police, or if there were ulterior motives behind the whole beaming of the clips.

FEC Sends Six Ministers to S’Arabia

The Federal Executive Council on Wednesday raised a six-member team of ministers to visit ailing President Yar’Adua in Saudi Arabia. The decision came amidst growing public pressure for Yar’Adua to be declared unfit to continue in office, 87 days after he travelled for medical treatment. Meanwhile Acting President Jonathan alleged plans by some persons to launch "campaigns of calumny" against his Acting Presidency, but affirmed that he would not be deterred, according to Senior Special Assistant to the Acting President (Media and Publicity), Ima Niboro.

EFCC to Prosecute Corrupt Office Holders

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is to take primary role in the prosecution of indicted political office holders under proposals adopted by the Senate. The Senate’s move came at the commencement of deliberations on the report on the EFCC (Establishment) bill, during the week. The Senate, however, deferred consideration till today of a proposal in the bill seeking to strip individuals believed to be in possession of property believed to be above their income levels.

NUPENG Seeks Speedy Passage of PIB

For speedy implementation of the reforms in the oil and gas industry contained in the proposed Petroleum Industry Bill, the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has urged the leadership of Acting President, Goodluck Jonathan to take immediate action on the bill. NUPENG urged the Federal Government to ensure urgently, the speedy enactment of the PIB while also focusing on other issues like the post-amnesty challenges, the electoral reform bill, and an accelerated review of the constitution. National President of NUPENG, Comrade Igwe Achese and National General Secretary, Elijah Okougbo, also pledged the unalloyed support of oil and gas workers in Nigeria to the acting president. The NNPC has assured that passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) will not threaten old and new investments in the country's oil and gas industry.

Family Members Die in Kano Inferno

Twelve members of a family perished in a mysterious fire incident in Kumbotso LGA of Kano State. Head of the family, Alhaji Kabiru Boss, had just performed the naming ceremony of his new-born baby, Umaru Kabiru, before the inferno on Wednesday, which, eye witnesses say may have been triggered by petrol stored close to the house. Among the dead were five members of family of the Chairman of Nafada local council, one of the wives of Alhaji Kabiru Boss and four of his children. The Kano State Police Commissioner, Alhaji Mohammed Gana, confirmed the number of the dead while lamenting the incident.

Minister Laments Poor Handling of Guns by Police

Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Lame, on Thursday declared that accidental discharge cases were rampant because many policemen don’t know how to shoot the gun, and said the police reform agenda would be mainly focused on retraining of policemen. He also stated that at the completion of the reform, the minimum wage for the police would be N50, 000. The minister also promised that “by the end of this year, we will have a better police” and added that no policeman would be promoted until he goes through the required training programme.

Petroleum Subsidy Gulps N1trillion in 4yrs –CBN Gov

Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, on Wednesday disclosed that the Federal Government has spent about N1trillion in the last four years subsidising the importation of petroleum products. Sanusi also announced the commencement of a comprehensive review of the regulations guiding the nation's banking sector. He, however, allayed fears over the current foreign debt profile of the country, arguing that the real concern should be focused on local debts where states owe local contractors and stall the pace of infrastructure development across the country.

FG Raises Alarm over Threat to Waterways

Disturbed by the recent storm that made 16 vessels to run aground in the Lagos breakwaters, Minister of Transport, Alhaji Ibrahim Isa Bio has expressed worries about the dangers posed by ballast water dumping in Nigerian territorial waters. Bio warned that the country is faced with risk of invasion from micro organisms contained in the ballast water use in balancing ships. Bio contended that Nigeria’s heavy involvement in the crude oil export and the high level of her shipping activities exposes her waters to invasion.

Police Arraign 10 Suspects in Kala-Kato Crisis

Ten people accused of causing the eruption of the last Kala-Kato religious crisis in Zango,  Bauchi metropolis, were on Wednesday arraigned before a Chief Magistrate Court in Bauchi. The first accused person, Habiba Zakari and nine others were accused of being behind the eruption of the sectarian crisis on December 24, 2009. The Kala-Kato crisis, led by some Islamic fundamentalists, claimed many lives and property in the state capital. Zakari said she ran away after the eruption of the crisis, but returned to Bauchi to rescue her children who were caught in the crisis. They pleaded not guilty. The presiding Magistrate has ordered the remand of the accused persons in prison custody and adjourned to March 4.

NNPC Assures of Adequate Fuel Supply

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has boosted supply of petroleum products in the Country as 10 vessels discharged 288 million litres of petrol, penultimate weekend. The Group General Manager (Public Affairs) of the NNPC, Dr Levi Ajuonuma, said the corporation now has 14 days of sufficiency ready to discharge, 40 days on the sea and 29 days planned for March. He added that about 1135 trucks of fuel were loaded nationally by the corporation and major marketers at the weekend in its bid to ensure availability of product in every state. Ajuonuma said that at the completion of the Turn Around Maintenance (TAM) of the Warri, Kaduna and Port Harcourt refineries, normalcy will return.

Amnesty Urges Jonathan to Probe Extra-Judicial Killings

Amnesty International has called on Acting President Goodluck Jonathan to fulfill his promise of setting up an independent commission of inquiry into all suspected cases of unlawful killings by the Nigeria Police in recent years. The call was prompted by the recent broadcast of a video footage on Al Jazeera that allegedly showed police shooting and killing unarmed people in Maiduguri, Borno State, in July 2010. A statement by Amnesty International's Africa Director, Erwin van der Borght, decried the action of the police, stressing that all alleged killings and shootings should be investigated and perpetrators brought to book in the interest of justice.

INTERNATIONAL

Ex-Rebels Launch Campaign against Al-Bashir

Former Sudan's southern rebels have launched their campaign for the nation's first multi-party elections in 24 years. The Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) is fielding Yasir Arman, a northerner, as its presidential candidate. The SPLM joined Al-Bashir''s in an uneasy coalition government after ending 22 years of civil war between the Moslem north and the largely Christian south. Al-Bashir's National Congress Party (NCP) asked the SPLM to withdraw Arman's candidacy, a move analysts say shows they are worried by the competition. If no candidate wins more than 50 per cent of the vote, the top two presidential aspirants would face off in May. Opposition parties have vowed to unite against Al-Bashir.

Australia Jails Terror Plotters for 28 Years

Five Moslems who plotted an attack using guns and explosives to protest against Australia's part in the "war on terror" have been jailed for 28 years. They were convicted for gathering firearms, chemicals and bomb-making instructions, along with a mass of Islamist propaganda, for the attack on an unknown target. Justice Anthony Whealy, who handed down the sentences, said the plans were "often lacking in cleverness" but were well advanced when the five were arrested in 2005. The men from Sydney, who are Australian citizens of Lebanese, Libyan and Bangladeshi descent, were handed maximum terms of 23 to 28 years, with the shortest non-parole period being 17 years and three months.

Lebanese Troops Fire At Israeli Warplanes

Amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, Lebanese troops have again opened fire on four Israeli warplanes that flew into the country's airspace. Israeli warplanes frequently fly over Lebanese territory in what Israel calls reconnaissance missions. The overflights have been a constant source of friction between both countries. The incident comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East following some of the sharpest exchanges in years between Israel and its Arab neighbours. The Lebanese army said in a statement that its troops used anti-aircraft fire on Sunday to force the Israeli warplanes out of Lebanese airspace. A spokesman for the Israeli military declined to comment.

50 Die in Yemen, Philippines, and Brussels Crashes

Fifty persons were, Monday, killed in different crashes in Yemen, Philippines and Brussels. In Yemen, 13 soldiers were reported killed and another wounded in a helicopter crash at the Saada airport, due to a technical fault. While in the Philippines, police say a truck smashed head-on into a minibus in the north of the country after its tyre burst, killing 12 people and injuring 15. Another 25 people were killed and dozens wounded after two commuter trains collided in a Brussels suburb. The trains collided in light snow just outside of the station at Buizingen.

Landslide in Pakistan Kills 35

An avalanche, Thursday, buried an entire village in north-west Pakistan, leading to the death of about 35 people, leaving 30 others missing. The avalanche hit a remote village in Kohistan district. The regional police chief said roads had been blocked by landslides and several feet of snow and rescue workers are facing a lot of problems trying to find survivors. Currently, the area can be reached only by helicopter. Heavy snow over the past two weeks has meant an increased risk of avalanches across northern Pakistan.

Opposition Rejects Ivoirian President

Cote d'Ivoire's opposition has vowed never to recognise Laurent Gbagbo as president, a move likely to complicate his efforts to form a new government. The four-party opposition coalition RHDP, last weekend, urged supporters to mobilise against the governing party. Five years after Gbagbo’s term ended, Cote d'Ivoire is yet to hold a presidential election to replace him, having cancelled several dates since 2005. RHDP leader, Djedje Madi, said the president's action was "anti-democratic and anti-constitutional". Protests and violence have claimed lives, since the president dissolved the government penultimate week. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) called on the parties to find a swift resolution to the electoral register dispute and set a final date for elections.

29 Killed in Pakistan Bomb Explosion

A bomb blast at a mosque in Pakistan's northwestern tribal belt killed 29 people, including some militants. The attack in Khyber tribal region came as U.S. special envoy, Richard Holbrooke, met with Pakistan's prime minister in Islamabad, the capital. It also followed revelations that Pakistani authorities have been picking up Afghan Taliban leaders on their soil, a longtime U.S. demand. No group claimed responsibility.

US Plans for Two New Nuclear Power Stations

President Barack Obama has announced more than $8bn (£5bn) of federal loan guarantees to begin building the first US nuclear power stations for 30 years. Two new plants are to be constructed in the state of Georgia by US electricity firm Southern Company.  Obama said the plants would be "safe and clean" and were needed to meet the country's future energy needs. There has been no new nuclear power plants started in the US since the 1979 accident at Three Mile Island. The accident was caused by the partial core meltdown of one of the reactors at the site in Pennsylvania, which resulted in a release of radioactive gases into the atmosphere.

Niger President Ousted, Held in Military Camp

The military in Niger Republic on Thursday has ousted President Mamadou Tandja, and announced the suspension of the constitution. The order, read by Col. Goukoye Abdul Karimou, was attributed to the Superior Council for the Restoration of Democracy, called for calm. Tandja had caused unease in the country following his failure to organise elections when his tenure elapsed, the dissolution of the parliament and the awarding of himself some powers to rule by decree contrary to their constitution. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has condemned the development, while Nigeria’s Deputy Senate President and Chair of the ECOWAS Ad-Hoc Committee on the Niger and Guinea crises, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, said that Tandja refused to listen in spite of series of mediation.

Malaysia to Extradite Arrested Foreign Terror Suspects

Authorities in Malaysia are to extradite nine foreigners arrested on terror charges. Home Minister, Hishammuddin Hussein, has said the nine have links to international terror organisations and posed "a very serious threat." The men -from Jordan, Nigeria, Syria and Yemen -are being held under the controversial Internal Security Act (ISA), which allows for indefinite detention without trial. The nine foreigners were among 50 people arrested as they attended a religious class near Kuala Lumpur, on January 21. Most were released but the foreigners, along with one Malaysian suspect, were held. The authorities have not confirmed the identities of the detainees nor which terror group they are suspected of working with.

Mexican Mayor Shot Dead

Gunmen ambushed the mayor of a Mexican municipality on Wednesday night, killing him and one of his guards and wounding another. Four other people were injured in the attack that killed Ramon Mendivil Sotelo, the mayor of Guadalupe y Calvo. The mayor and the slain police official were shot more than 20 times each during the 10-minute gun battle. No motive was immediately given for the crime, and no arrest has been made.

Witness Rescues Victims in Austin Plane Crash

A window replacer in Texas, Robin Dehaven, on Thursday rescued people after a small plane crashed into an Austin, Texas, office building. Dehaven, an Army veteran who works for a glass company, was driving to a job when he witnessed the plane crash and the building in flames, while emergency personnel were still minutes away. Dehaven drove his truck to the parking lot, and pulled his ladder to climb to the second floor where five people were trapped to rescue them. Authorities said they believe pilot Joseph Andrew Stack III, 53, intentionally crashed the small aircraft into the building, where nearly 200 Internal Revenue Service (IRS) employees worked, as he apparently had a grudge against the IRS. The remains of two people were found in the building after the crash, and 13 other people were injured.

Haiti Earthquake is Deadlier than Tsunami -Report

The scale of devastation in Haiti is far worse than Asia after the 2004 tsunami, a study has said, estimating the cost of last month's earthquake at up to 14 billion dollars. Meanwhile, France's President, Nicolas Sarkozy, made the first visit ever by a French president to Haiti, offering aid to Haiti. Haitian President, Rene Preval, Some Haitians welcome France's new interest in their nation. But Sarkozy's visit is also reviving bitter memories of the crippling costs of Haiti's 1804 independence. A third of the population was killed in an uprising against exceptionally brutal slavery, an international embargo was imposed to deter slave revolts elsewhere and 90 million pieces of gold were demanded by Paris from the world's first black republic. France has already said it was canceling all of Haiti's 56 million euro debt to Paris.

Abkhazia Signs Deal with Russia on Military Base

Stoking tensions with Georgia, Russia and the Georgian rebel region of Abkhazia have signed a deal allowing Russia to build a military base on its soil. The base, according to Abkhaz officials, would accommodate at least 3,000 Russian land troops, for at least 49 years. Russia recognized Abkhazia in August 2008, after crushing an assault by Georgia on the other pro-Russian breakaway region of South Ossetia in a five-day war. The regions, which broke away from Georgia in bloody wars in the early 1990s, are almost completely dependent on Russia. The new base is one of several that Russia plans to build in the sliver of land in the near future. The others are for airborne troops and the navy.

U.S Restrictions Threaten Hungry Somalis -UN

United Nations (UN) officials have said the United States (U.S.) restrictions designed to stop terrorists in Somalia from diverting aid are hurting humanitarian operations in the country. UN agencies have not seen any evidence from the American government that food aid is being diverted to Islamists fighting the UN-backed Somali government, said the top UN humanitarian official for Somalia, Mark Bowden. The U.S. reduced its funding to Somalia last year after its Office of Foreign Assets Control expressed fear that the extended supply line and insurgent-heavy areas where aid agencies were operating meant aid could be diverted to a group with links to Al-Qaeda. The U.S. is the biggest contributor of humanitarian aid in Somalia.

China Furious as Obama Meets Dalai Lama

United States (U.S.) President Barack Obama on Thursday hosted the Dalai Lama at the White House despite China's warning that the meeting with the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader could further damage strained ties. The White House expects only limited fallout. Although admired by millions around the world as a man of peace, the Dalai Lama is accused by Beijing of being a dangerous separatist who foments unrest in Tibet. China has threatened to impose sanctions against U.S. companies and curtail military-to-military contacts over the US Taiwan arms sale. China remains the second-biggest creditor to the United States, slightly behind Japan. Washington had kept the Dalai Lama's meeting low-key to emphasis it was private rather than political.

NATO Forces Face Taliban Resistance as Fighting Rages

As troops of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) fight to break the militants' grip on Afghanistan's dangerous south, a top Marine commander, Brig. Gen. Larry Nicholson, has said it could take weeks to reclaim the Taliban stronghold of Marjah. Afghan officials said that no fewer than 40 insurgents have been killed in the operation. Five NATO service members and one Afghan soldier have been killed since the attack began. Seven civilians have been wounded but there were no reports of deaths, Helmand provincial spokesman, Daoud Ahmadi, said. As the fighting raged NATO troops face resistance from Taliban using "human shields" and hidden bombs. Amnesty International says 10,000 civilians have fled the Marjah conflict zone, but that thousands more are caught up in the fighting.

Bomb Explosion Threatens India, Pakistan Peace Talks

Following a bomb blast in a bakery in western India that killed nine people and wounded 57, Hindu nationalist leaders have demanded that peace talks with rival Pakistan be canceled. The bomb explosion is the first major terrorist attack in India since the 2008 Mumbai massacre. Forensic experts cordoned off the blast site and searched the debris for clues. Indian External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna said he would wait for the forensic experts' report before commenting on the demand. Pakistani Prime Minister, Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, denounced the blast and indicated his government interest in the peace. Meanwhile Pakistan has lodged a protest with India over firing by Indian forces into the Pakistani part of the disputed Kashmir region, penultimate Saturday night. There were no reports of any casualties.

North Africans Riot in Milan over Death of Egyptian

Dozens of North African immigrants, Tuesday, rioted in a multi-ethnic neighbourhood in Milan, to protest at the fatal stabbing of an Egyptian, Hamed Mamoud El Fayed Adou, 19, by a group of immigrants from South America. A number of Egyptians were detained for questioning and police were still searching for the suspects in the killing. A similar incident occurred in January when riots broke out in southern Italy when immigrants protested against an attack on African farm workers by a gang of local white youths.