Weekly Security Report Weekly Report week 11 week 11
PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS
Armed Robbers Kill 5 in Port Harcourt
Three persons, among whom were two policemen escorting a vehicle conveying money for a bank, were killed in Port Harcourt, on Tuesday, in a robbery attack. The robbers also made away with an undisclosed amount of money. In a similar incident on Thursday, a mobile policeman and a female staff of a major telecommunications company were shot dead on Thursday in Port Harcourt, as they were conveying large quantities of recharge cards worth millions of naira. The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Rita Inoma-Abbey, confirmed the attacks.
22 Illegal Oil Bunkerers Surrender in Rivers
More than 22 oil thieves, Monday, voluntarily surrendered to the Rivers State task force on eliminating illegal oil bunkering in the Ogoni area. The chairman of the task force and chairman of Eleme LGA, Orji Ngofa, said the state government was willing to give “amnesty” to all oil thieves who willingly surrendered between Monday March 8 and Friday, March 12, 2010. The repentant oil thieves, surrendered locally made ovens, made from drums and promised to abandon the illegal business. Ngofia, however, warned that any oil thief, who failed to take advantage of the amnesty, would be decisively dealt with, if caught in the act.
Ebonyi Police Dislodge Kidnappers
The Ebonyi State Police Commissioner, Emmanuel Ayeni, has disclosed that the command has arrested five suspected kidnappers who posed as men of the State Security Service (SSS), to kidnap a couple. He added that efforts were on to track down other members of the gang. The commissioner disclosed that, the suspects, penultimate Saturday, armed with an AK 47 rifle in two vehicles, had gone to the home of Mr. Sylvester Chima Oduko, a Commissioner in state Civil Service to kidnap him and his wife, but the law caught up with them at their hideout, and the couple regained freedom. Ayeni reiterated his warning to criminals that his Command would to make Ebonyi too hot for them.
2 Die as Police, Bike Operators Clash in Aba
Two Persons, a policeman and a civilian, were killed on Tuesday, when police men in Aba, Abia State clashed with motorcycle operators along the Aba-Obohia Road. The activities of the security operatives had been on the increase since last year, when the state government banned the operation of motorcyclists within the state. But authorities within the affected councils seemed to have relaxed on the government order, understandably because of the deplorable state of the Road, which is impassable by vehicles. But the security men, hiding under the government ban, have continuously terrorised the bike operators.
Woman Appeals to Ohakim, NASS over Son’s Conviction
A 60-year-old woman has appealed to the Imo State Governor, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, and the National Assembly to halt plans to execute her son, Emeka Udofia, who was condemned to death on February 25, by an Owerri High Court. She stated that if she had given a certain police officer the N50, 000, he asked for, Emeka wouldn’t have been condemned to death. Emeka’s travails started on March 1, 1999, when some robbers allegedly robbed one Chukwuma Anyiam-Osigwe of N40, 000 and five pump action guns, valued at N70, 000. According to her, four days after the robbery, some policemen started picking some youths, who were always going to Anyiam-Osigwe’s family in search of menial jobs, including her son, who was then a minor. She said that her son was not an armed robber.
Cholera Kills 9 in Enugu Community
At least nine persons have been killed by cholera scourge ravaging Aninri LGA of Enugu State in the last one month. Confirming the outbreak, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Frederick Chukwuani, on Wednesday said that his ministry had since swung into action with a view to eradicating the spread of the epidemic in the state. Dr Chukwuani disclosed that already, 55 persons, mostly children, had been treated, adding that more drugs would be supplied to the area
Police Arrest MASSOB Members
About 40 members of Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) were on Wednesday arrested by the police in Enugu, while on a peaceful protest over the continued detention of their leader, Chief Ralph Uwazurike. Police Public Relations Officer in the state, ASP Ebere Amarizu, could not confirm the arrests. The protest, which was staged simultaneously in Abia, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Enugu, Imo and Rivers states, according to the MASSOB leadership, was intended to compel the government to facilitate the immediate release of Uwazurike, who was arrested in January for allegedly kidnapping one Pascal Okorie, a former representative of MASSOB in London.
Pastor Kills Wife, Baby in Akwa Ibom
The police in Akwa Ibom State are still trying to unravel why Pastor Brown Betta allegedly killed his wife, his baby and himself. Police spokesman, Gab Ngan, said some people have been arrested, but there is still no clue as to why such incident happened. The late Brown’s landlord, Mr. James Atakpa, said that the late Brown had returned from his village, called his wife in and locked the door. But before neighbours could come, he had smashed the baby’s head several times on the wall, stabbed the wife repeatedly and proceeded to stab himself to death.
Youths Charge Oil Firms on CSR, Job Creation
Multinational oil firms operating in Onne LGA of Rivers State have been told to be alive to their corporate social responsibility or risk the angry reaction of the people. The youths, under the aegis of ONELGA Youth Federation said the oil firms had failed to contribute to the economy of the area, particularly on job creation for youths in the area. The group further decried the operations of the firms which, according to them, are causing severe pollution and damage to farm lands.
Two in Court over Attempt to Defraud LG Boss
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday arraigned two persons, Frank David, alias ‘Col David’ and Emeka Nweze, before a Federal High Court, Enugu on an eight count charge of attempting to obtain N3 million from the Chairman of Nkanu East LGA of Enugu State by falsely presenting themselves as staff of the anti-graft agency.
ANSU Students Renounce Cultism
Fifty students of Anambra State University, Uli have renounced their membership of secret cults. Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Ifeanacho Orajaka said that those, who refused to renounce their membership, would be identified and expelled from the institution. Students, who are not members of any secret cult, were also made to renew their oath of not belonging to any secret cult group as long as they remained students of the university.
BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS
JTF Arrest 6, Destroys Illegal Refineries in Delta
The security Joint Task Force (JTF) has destroyed over 130 illegal refineries in the creeks of Burutu and Warri South-West LGAs of Delta state. Six persons were arrested during the operations on Tuesday and Wednesday. The JTF Sector Commander, Col Jamil Sarham, disclosed that five outboard engine boats, seven pumping machines, a welding machine and engine saw were among the items recovered during the operations, while the refineries were set ablaze. Sarham, however, noted that there had been a drastic reduction in the number of such illegal refineries, despite the apparent spirited efforts by the criminals to relocate and build new ones.
Gunmen Kill 2 Actors in Edo
Two Benin-based actors, Mr. Erhauyi Ogheide and Eghosa Idehen were on Tuesday shot dead in Benin by suspected assassins. They were said to have been killed in the residence of Ogheide’s father-in-law. Their host, Chief Olaye was not spared by the suspected assassins who reportedly shot him in the mouth before making away with handsets of the victims. Chief Olaye is said to be receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital in Benin.
Shell Shuts Two Gas Plants
Following the completion of repair of the Trans Forcados Pipeline (TFP), Shell said it had temporarily closed down Sapele and Oben gas plants in Delta State. Shell’s Corporate Media Relations Manager, Mr. Tony Okonedo, said that the temporary closure was part of the re-commissioning of the Trans Forcados Pipeline (TFP). Managing Director of SPDC and Country Chair, Shell Nigeria, Mr. Mutiu Sunmonu, regretted the inconvenience any temporary shutdown might cause, adding that it is absolutely necessary that the company repairs damaged facilities and bring them to safe and normal operations as quickly as possible. The pipeline is responsible for the delivery of significant oil and condensate production from SPDC JV.
Suspected Militants Attack Bomadi Police Station
Suspected militants attacked the Bomadi Police Station in Delta State in the early hours of Thursday and seized two rifles, injuring a police man. The motive for the attack was not immediately known, but the Commander of the Joint Task Force, (JTF), Major-General Sarkin Yarkin-Bello, confirmed the incident and said that men of the task force were already at the police station over the attack, while the state Commissioner of Police is said to have ordered a comprehensive investigation
8 Feared Dead in Benin Cult War
Eight persons have been killed in different parts of Benin City in a renewed war among rival cult groups in Edo state. The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, ASP Peter Ogboi, said, however, that the police was investigating the actual causes of death. Meanwhile, the Edo state Police command has beefed up security in all parts of the city. The killings, it was learnt, started last Monday in different parts of the city. Corpses were found at GRA, Dawson road and Upper Mission. Ogboi said the police was doing all it could to bring the situation under control.
PCN Seals off Illegal Drug Firms in Edo, Delta
The Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria (PCN), penultimate weekend, in Edo and Delta states, sealed off the premises of four unregistered and unlicensed drug distribution and dispensing sites. The Chairman, Drug Distribution Committee (DDIC) of the council, Dr. Paul Gar, said that in the states they have visited, there has been minimal compliance with regulations on distribution of products as most of them were distributing their products through unlicensed channels. Gar said the drug production going on in the sealed companies were done in the absence of pharmacists and that there was no evidence of quality control tests on identified batches of drugs manufactured and sold to the public.
10 Expelled from Auchi Polytechnic
Following recent disturbances at Auchi Polytechnic in Edo State, authorities of the institution have expelled 10 students found culpable. A statement from the office of the Registrar, Dr. Steve Iyayi, explained that the students who were found to have actively participated in the disturbances have breached their matriculation oath and, therefore, stood expelled. The statement added that investigation into the incident was on-going, insisting that more students found to be culpable would be similarly treated.
LAGOS AND ENVIRONS
Ex-Customs Officers Lament Non-Payment of Benefits
At least 64 ex-customs officers have died while awaiting their entitlements running over N4.7billion from the Federal Government in the past three years. The Oyo State chapter of the National Association of Retired Customs officers disclosed this in a petition to Acting President Goodluck Jonathan. The Chairman of the group, Rotimi Ayorinde, attributed the deaths to the non-availability of financial support, to get good medical services, and appealed to the Acting President to order the relevant authorities to pay their entitlements without further delay.
Army Officer Killed in Ibadan
An Army officer was, penultimate Friday, shot dead by suspected armed robbers in Ibadan, Oyo State. The incident took place when the officer was entering Litmauk Barracks and robbers, who were coming from an operation, quickly opened fire on him, seeing him as an obstruction. Confirming the incident on Sunday, the Army Public Relations Officer, 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Lt.-Col. Andrew Idachaba, said the Army had reported the matter to the appropriate authorities.
Fire Guts Ex-Governor’s Office
The office of the former governor of Ekiti State, Mr Ayo Fayose was set on fire by unknown arsonists, penultimate weekend. The motive was immediately known, but associates of the former governor have accused the leadership of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state of being responsible for the incident. The former governor had, recently, raised an alarm that some people had threatened to burn down his private house at Afao Ekiti and Ado Ekiti
15 Robbery Suspects in Police Custody
Commissioner of Police, Ondo State Command, Ballah Nasarawa, on Monday said 15 suspects had been arrested over the recent robberies in Akure, in which two businessmen were killed and a judge was attacked. Nasarawa said investigations continue on the incidents saying his mission in the state includes reduction in the crime rate to the barest minimum and to ensure that the police abide by the rule of law and respect the fundamental human rights of all citizenry.
Fake Group Captain Nabbed in Lagos
A man in his late 40s, Oluwasegun Hassan, has been arrested by members of the Operation Messa, a Lagos State security initiative, for impersonating a senior Nigerian Air Force officer. Hassan was arrested alongside a young man, who claimed to belong to the Man O’ War, but was acting as his orderly. Spokesman for the 9th Brigade in Lagos, Captain Olaolu Daudu, explained that Hassan was alleged to have collected N350, 000, from the Sarikin Hausawa of the abattoir in Agege, promising to procure admission for his son in the Nigerian Defence Academy.
Islamic Republic Found in Ibadan
Some Islamic fundamentalists, alleged to be planning a raid on Christians in Ibadan, Oyo State have been identified. Investigation shows that some people have been distributing and dropping anonymous and inciting leaflets, calling for Jihad and attacks on Christians in Ibadan and its environs. Also discovered is the emergence of a fanatical Islamic sect in Beree, a suburb of Ibadan, which is now under close watch by security agencies in the state. The group was said to have established a village called ‘Madina’ about six years ago, where its followers camped. It was learnt that the group was fond of destroying and defacing Christian crusade/revival posters in public.
GENERAL
Police Cannot Tackle Armed Robbery -IGP
The Nigeria police cannot curb the rising cases of armed robbery because officers and men of the force lack the basic training and equipment to tackle the menace, Inspector General of Police, Ogbonna Onovo, has said. Speaking when he appeared before the Senate over the failure of the police to protect the lives and property, the IGP said most robbers were attacking Nigerians on the highways with sophisticated machine guns and other advanced weapons. Onovo further lamented the N21000 wage for the police is small and does not motivate the men.
Christians Accuse Military of Negligence in Jos Massacre
The Christian Elders Forum (CEF) has accused the military of failing to take appropriate action over penultimate Sunday's attacks on a Christian community in Jos. The National Coordinator of CEF, Bishop Andersen Bok, condemned the attacks by the Hausa-Fulani Muslim groups that broke into homes, killing Christians in the early hours of the day. CEF claims that assailants came into Plateau state from neighbouring Bauchi State. According to CEF, they quickly called on the soldiers during the attacks, but the soldiers did not react until after two hours when the attackers had left. CEF called on the soldiers to explain the reason for this deliberate delay, stating that they no longer have confidence in the Nigerian Army as the security of Plateau state because of their bias against Christians.
Truck Crushes 77 to Death in Lokoja
Seventy-five persons were on Tuesday crushed to death in Lokoja by a cement truck belonging to Obajana Cement Factory, when its brakes failed. Several others sustained varying degrees of injuries. In venting their anger and displeasure over the incident, students of Kogi State Polytechnic barricaded the Lokoja/Abuja highway and vandalised vehicles along the way. It was reported that about 23 others died in the hospital. Kogi State Governor, Ibrahim Idris, expressed sadness over the incident and prayed that God would grant the departed souls eternal rest. Similarly, in Edo State, four persons were crushed to death by a trailer.
Jang Indicts Army over Jos Massacre
Plateau State Governor Jonah John Jang has blamed the army for the recent killings in Jos, saying that if the military had acted on the intelligence he provided, the massacre of over 300 persons would have been avoided. Jang said he received reports at about 9pm, penultimate Saturday on movements of people with arms and ammunition around the affected villages, and promptly reported to the GOC of the army in Jos, Major-General Maina Saleh, who assured him that he was going to move some troops there, but did not do anything. But the GOC has denied complicity in the massacre. Meanwhile one person was killed at the Police Staff College, when some Berom youths had thronged the college over the Fulanis arrested for allegedly participating in the attacks. In a bid by the security to disperse the youths, one man was killed while two others sustained injuries. But the Fulanis were arrested.
Tanker Driver Hacks, Crushes Colleague to Death
A tanker driver with the Obat Petroleum, on Tuesday, hacked a driver with the RCC Quarry, Mr. Lukmon Lamidi, to death on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, following a disagreement over reckless driving. The chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), RCC Quarry unit, Mr. Abass Fasanya, disclosed that both drivers were arguing over an alleged reckless driving when the tanker driver went into his vehicle and came out with an axe, which he used to hack the deceased, before crushing him to death with his tanker but was apprehended by policemen at Alapako police station.
Jos Massacre: Suspects Confess Being Sponsored
The Acting Commissioner of Police in Plateau State, Mr. Ikechukwu Aduba, has said that some “faceless influential persons” are behind the March 7 killings in Jos. Aduba said that confessional statements extracted from the suspects indicated that while some of them volunteered to take part in the massacre, others had influential sponsors. Some 200 people were arrested after the massacre. The police said that 49 people are to be charged with murder after violence. Most of those facing charges are Muslims from the Fulani group, police spokesman Mohammed Lerama, disclosed.
Protesting SNG Demand to See Yar’Adua
Protesting Save Nigeria Group (SNG) has said it is unacceptable that ailing President Yar’Adua has been incommunicado since November 23, 2009 and has demanded to see him. SNG, Wednesday, demanded that members of the Executive Council of the Federation (EXCOF) should declare Yar’Adua incapacitated to continue in office. But the protesters were denied access to the seat of government by security. Meanwhile, a pro-Yar’Adua rally, which held simultaneously with the SNG march, said that the illness of the President is a natural occurrence and should not be used to disparage his integrity as President of Nigeria.
NEMA Reports Epidemic as Highest Killer in Nigeria
National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has ranked epidemic and disease occurrences as the highest causes of death in Nigeria. The agency said indicators have also shown that the high rate of infection and fatality recorded from epidemics were mainly due to illiteracy, ignorance, poor personal and environmental hygiene as well as the absence of functional community-based early detection and monitoring systems. Director-General of NEMA, AVM Muhammed Bida (rtd), said a study analysis of top 10 natural disasters in Nigeria carried out by NEMA showed that nine out of every 10 people killed from 1983 to 2008 died as a result of an epidemic.
FG Ready Accept Labour’s Conditions on Deregulation
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Mr. Odein Ajumogobia, has said the Federal Government has accepted some of the conditions given by organised labour for the implementation of deregulation in the downstream petroleum sector, while the governors of the 36 states have asked the Ministry of Finance to commence investigation into the N1.15 trillion claim made by the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) as petroleum subsidy from 2005 till date. Ajumogobia said government was prepared to address all legitimate issues raised by labour in order to avert any form of social dislocation.
Jonathan Appoints New NSA
Acting President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday moved to consolidate his hold on power with the removal of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Major-General Sarki Mukhtar (rtd), and the appointment of Lt. Gen. Aliyu Mohammed Gusau as his replacement. Gusau was NSA to former President Obasanjo. Initial reports suggested that Mukhtar’s sack was not unconnected with the security failure in the recent Jos massacre, but other speculations attribute this to the secrecy trailing the health of President Yar’Adua.
Money Laundering to Attract 10-Year Jail Term
Any person who commits an offence under Section 15 (1) of the Bill for an Act to repeal the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004 and enact the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2009, will be liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of not less than five years but not more than 10 years. The Bill was presented to the Senate by Acting President Goodluck Jonathan last Tuesday.
US Envoy Urges Nigeria to Tackle Extremists
United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Robin Rene Sanders, has called on Nigerian authorities to take decisive steps to address extremists from outside the country, who may have links in Nigeria. This, she said, would help to put Nigeria’s complaints of being listed as a ‘country of interest’ in proper perspective. Similarly, British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Bob Dewar, said the latest spate of violence in Jos which has claimed the lives of over 300 people has again brought to fore the need by Nigerian authorities to take decisive steps to stop the unnecessary killings. Sanders also called on all parties affected by the crises to exercise restraint and seek constructive means to address the lingering issues.
AGF Raises Team on Jos Crisis
Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Adetokunbo Kayode (SAN), has said a special legal team to complement the work of prosecuting suspects in the sectarian crisis in Plateau state and others suspected to have been involved in previous crisis in Jos will soon be constituted. The AGF said the legal team would be expected to speed up the trial of the suspects. Meanwhile, over 387 bodies were buried in mass graves. Plateau State Commissioner for Works and Transport, who is also the Chairman, Recovery and Evacuation Committee, Mr. Solomon Zang, said more corpses of those attacked in the nearby bush in the affected villages while trying to escape were being discovered.
Hoodlums Stab Student to Death
A 25-year-old secondary school student in Sokoto, Nura Sidi, was penultimate Saturday, stabbed to death by hoodlums. His elder brother, Surajo Sidi, said that Nura was found in a pool of his blood in front of the house in the early hour of the day. Surajo said he later discovered that Nura’s attackers perpetuated the act over a N3500 debt, which he owed one of them. The state Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Jinjiri Abubakar, who confirmed the incident, said one of the suspects, Aliyu Kiki, has been arrested
NYSC DG Visits, Assures Corps Members of Safety in Jos
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Director General, Ismaila Tsiga, on Wednesday visited corps members posted to Plateau State, assuring them that their safety will be guaranteed in the state. Tsiga advised corps members to be committed in serving their nation. He said security is guaranteed for corps members throughout their stay in camp. He urged corps members not to entertain any fear.
Senate Excludes Ex-Military Rulers from Upkeep Allowance
The Senate, Thursday, approved the report of its Committee on National Planning, Economic Affairs and Poverty Alleviation on a Bill for an Act to provide Remuneration for former Presidents, Heads of Federal Legislative Houses and Chief Justices of Nigeria and other Ancillary Matters. The Bill amended Decree 32 of 1999 by ensuring that only democratically elected former presidents are entitled to benefit from the entitlements and benefits. Those who did not assume office through democratic means, will only draw their pension entitlements as provided for in the 1999 Constitution.
Al Qaeda Fundamentalist Sentenced to 9 Months Jail Term
A Magistrate’s Court sitting in Jos, Plateau State, on Thursday sentenced one Mallam Samsudeen Sambo, arrested in Jos with military camouflage clothe meant to sew military uniforms for ‘fake soldiers’ to nine month imprisonment in addition to a fine of N5,000. Sambo was recently arrested with many yards of military camouflage clothes while bringing them into Jos. He had confessed that he belongs to an Alqaeda Islamic Association and also a member of Boko Haram.
Oil License: FG Insists on Investment in Refineries
The Federal Government has insisted that international oil companies seeking renewal of their acreages must first demonstrate serious commitment to investing in private refineries. The government is also planning to issue fresh guidelines on the award of new acreages after failing to use the previous bid rounds to attract the needed strategic investments in the downstream. Director of the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Mr. Billy Agha, disclosed these.
Nigerian Murdered in Deira-Police
A Nigerian woman was found dead penultimate Friday in a parking lot in Al Muraqqabat in Deira, Dubai. Preliminary investigations believed that the naked woman fell from the fourth floor of the building where she resided. Although it initially looked like a suicide case, further investigation indicates that the victim was murdered, a police source said. An Egyptian suspect is now under Police custody. The suspect had told investigators that he met the victim on the day of the crime as a client of a brothel she allegedly operates. The suspect, however, denied knowing about the victim's death.
Govt Will Not Sell Refineries -Barkindo
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has foreclosed the privatisation of the nation's refineries. The Group Managing Director (GMD), NNPC, Mohammed Barkindo, said selling the refineries is inconsistent with the tenets of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB). This comes as the United States (U.S.) Ambassador to Nigeria, Robin Sanders, advised the FG to consider a joint venture in which Nigerian and foreign partners could obtain international financing for the corporation's operations. She also disclosed that the U.S. was collaborating with the FG and the Independent Power Providers Association of Nigeria (IPPAN) to generated 10,000 megawatts (mw) by 2011.
BPE Director Goes on Suspension
The Federal Government has suspended the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Dr. Christopher Anyanwu. Sources said he has already handed over to the Director, Electric Power, Ms. Bola Onagoruwa, who is the most senior officer at BPE. The reason for Anyanwu’s suspension could not be ascertained, but it suspected to be in connected with the sale of Nigeria Telecommunications Plc (NITEL), which was trailed by controversy.
Nigerians in Mozambique, Malawi Lament Constant Harassment
Nigerians residing in Mozambique and Malawi have complained of constant harassment and arrest by the countries’ immigration officials, even though many of them were legal residents and law abiding. The Nigerian community in Mozambique tabled the complaints when Foreign Affairs Minister, Chief Ojo Maduekwe, visited. Maduekwe reassured them and those in Malawi that he would discuss the issue with the nations’ authorities with a view to addressing it.
INTERNATIONAL
UN Deplores Rights Abuse in Iran, Sri Lanka
United Nations (UN) human rights chief, Navi Pillay, has singled out Iran for its crackdown on protestors after last year's election. Pillay said human rights were "deteriorating" in Iran. She also criticized Sri Lanka for failing to examine abuses committed during the government's war last year with Tamil Tiger rebels. Meanwhile, the U.S and the European Union have urged Syria to stop foiling attempts by the International Atomic Energy Agency to investigate its nuclear activities. Syria insists it has nothing to hide but has turned down repeated IAEA requests to visit suspicious sites and provide satisfactory explanations for unusual traces of uranium at those locations.
French Navy Captures 35 Somali Pirates
The French navy has captured 35 piracy suspects off Somalia's coast - hailing it as the most successful mission since EU operations began in 2008. French officials said four mother ships and six smaller boats had been seized in four recent operations. EU forces used helicopters and fired warning shots to capture the pirates, France's defence ministry said. The EU launched its anti-piracy mission in December 2008, but the pirates have since attacked ships in a wider area. The EU's mission has focused on the Gulf of Aden, one of the world's busiest shipping lanes, which was being ravaged by pirates.
Singapore Raises Alarm on Terror Threat in Malacca Strait
The Navy in Singapore has warned that a terrorist group is planning attacks on vessels in the Malacca Straits, one of the world's busiest shipping lanes. The terrorists' intent, according to the Navy, is probably for publicity to show that it remains a viable group. The Navy did not say which terrorist group is planning the attacks. In a related development, two German Islamic converts and two Turkish men have been convicted and sentenced over a foiled 2007 plot to attack U.S. targets in Germany. The four, operated as a German cell of the radical Islamic Jihad Union.
Indonesia Forces Kill 3 Militants
Indonesian security forces say they have killed three suspected militants in two raids near the capital Jakarta. The raids were said to be linked to an ongoing operation against militants in Aceh province. Police could not confirm if the man killed in the first raid was Dulmatin, a top member of the Jemaah Islamiah (JI) group, who is wanted over the Bali bomb attacks in 2002 that killed 202 people. Two people were also arrested. In the second operation, police said they had shot dead two suspected members of the same group and arrested two more, anti-terror police chief, Tito Karnavian, disclosed.
Earthquake Kills 41 in Eastern Turkey
A strong earthquake killed 41 villagers in eastern Turkey on Monday, officials said. The quake had a magnitude of 6.0 and was followed by 30 minor aftershocks. Rescuers worked to free survivors trapped under the rubble. Turkey is crisscrossed with fault lines and frequently suffers earthquakes. A large earthquake measuring 7.4 killed some 18,000 people in August 1999.
Police Investigate Triple Murder in Chicago Suburb
Paul Darrah, spokesman for the Dupage County State’s Attorney’s Office confirmed that three people -a man, wife and their 20-year-old son -were killed early Tuesday morning in a home in Darien, a Chicago suburb. The couple’s daughter hid in a closet and called 911 during the attack, reports say. According to the local media, the killings are the first in Darien in 15 years. Meanwhile, a man has been sentenced to life imprisonment for killing his girlfriend, Amy Boscarino, in 2008. Jurors rejected Schack's contention that the shooting was accidental.
Wild Elephants Displace 4,000 Angolan Villagers
About 4,000 people have fled into neighbouring Namibia after wild elephants rampaged through a southern village in Angola, destroying farms and houses. No one was killed in what the Mucusso village's local administrator said was "a fight between man and beast," just eight years after Angola's three-decade long civil war almost wiped out all of the country's wildlife. He said the wild elephants had come from Botswana, one of the world's premier wildlife viewing destinations, and urged the Angolan government to contain animals returning to the war-torn nation.
Suicide Bombers Kill 39 in Lahore
Two suicide bombers have killed at least 39 people in the Pakistani city of Lahore, police say. One of the attacks occurred in a market and the other in a busy residential area. The authorities say the bombers targeted military vehicles. About 25 people were wounded. No group has said it carried out the attacks. On Monday the Taliban destroyed a building used by intelligence services, killing 13. Punjab Provincial Law Minister Rana Sanaullah said that two blasts took place within 15 to 20 seconds of each other. After Monday's attack the Pakistani Taliban promised to unleash up to 3,000 suicide bombers across the country unless Pakistan's army stopped its operations against the militant group and US drone strikes ended.
Quake Hits Taiwan, Injures 12, Triggers Fire
A powerful 6.4-magnitude earthquake, penultimate Weekend, rocked southern Taiwan, injured 12 persons and triggered a large fire. The quake was centered in the mountainous region of Kaohsiung County, where Typhoon Morakot killed about 700 people last August. The Ministry of Defense said troops were dispatched to Jiashian to report on the extent of the damage. No tsunami alert was issued.
Shooting Suspect Commits Suicide
A man apparently angry over a poor performance evaluation entered an Ohio State University maintenance building early Tuesday and opened fire, killing a manager before turning the gun on himself, Police Chief, Paul Denton, said. Authorities found suspect Nathaniel Brown, 51, a custodial worker, suffering from a self-inflicted gunshot at the scene. Police believe Brown -an employee since October who had received a poor performance review -entered the building dressed in dark clothing carrying two handguns and began firing into an office suite, Denton said. Officials would not say when Brown received the review.
Togolese Police Halt Opposition Rallies
Riot police, on Tuesday, dispersed a crowd protesting against President Faure Gnassingbe's victory in a recent disputed presidential election. Main opposition party, the UFC, had called for mass demonstration against what it said was a fraudulent result, but authorities denied them permission to congregate. The rally marked the fourth day of rising tension since the son of the country's former dictator was declared winner. The opposition is demanding a review of the results, which again handed victory to the family that has ruled Togo for the past 43 years.