Villeworth Security Services Ltd

week 19

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PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

Pipeline Fire Devastates Ogoni Communities

President of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP), Ledum Mitee, said his people might consider taking some actions against Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) over the pipeline that devastated communities in the area on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the SPDC has declared a force majeure on Bonny Light lifting for the months of May and June as a result of the fire incident affecting its Trans-Niger Delta pipeline. Mitee said that preliminary reports on the incident indicated that the oil company had failed to do enough in containing the situation, resulting in major damages to the people’s livelihood. But Shell, on Friday blamed oil thieves for the damage.

LG Boss, NAFDAC Officials Regain Freedom

Chairman of Oyigbo LGA in Rivers State, Mr. Precious Oforji, and the three officials of the National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) who were all recently kidnapped, Penultimate Friday, regained their freedom. Oforji and the NAFDAC officials were kidnapped same day at different locations, but were released together in Abia State. The Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer, Rita Inoma-Abbey confirmed Oforji’s released. The NAFDAC authorities confirmed that their abducted officials were released unconditionally and unhurt.

Police Rescue Woman, Kidnappers Abduct Another

The Police in Rivers State, Monday, engaged suspected kidnappers in series of shootouts in Port Harcourt and successfully freed a Ghanaian married to a Nigerian after the hoodlums abandoned her in the boot of a car. In a twist, the four armed men took away another woman, Rita Oparaocha, a staff of the State Ministry of Works and Housing. The Police chased and allegedly exchanged fire with the kidnappers. A patrol van hit by the kidnappers' bullets caught fire, while stray bullets hit two bystanders. The hoodlums also shot dead a police Inspector and away his AK 47 rifle. Police Public Relations Officer in Rivers State, Mrs. Rita Abbey, said that efforts were still on to track down and arrest the kidnappers. She called for vigilance and urged residents to report any suspicious movements.

Abia Police Rescue 2 Children from Traffickers

Two children, ages 2 and 5 stolen from their parents in Umuahia, Abia State, and sold to human traffickers for N30, 000 each, have been rescued by the police. The two children were rescued from their buyers, one in Lagos and another in Enugu. The suspects, who were arrested, have confessed to stealing the children and selling them. One of the elated mothers, Mrs Chinyere said it was her neighbour, who hatched the plan, to steal and sell her child.

Police Nab Pipeline Vandals, Robbery Suspects in Rivers

No fewer than 10 suspected pipeline vandals and hoodlums were arrested by the police in Rivers State in two separate incidents on Thursday. Six suspected armed robbers were arrested in Oroazi, while the other four were arrested in Etche where as they attempted to destroy pipelines and steal products. The robbers were alleged to have attempted to snatch a car, but were chased by a police patrol team, but two of them escaped leaving two locally made pistols, two live 9mm ammunition and some expended bullets. The Police Public Relations Officer in Rivers State, Rita Abbey, said the alleged petroleum thieves were seen with over 21 pipes loaded into a lorry and headed to their stealing points between Odogwa Etche and Imo State.

Car Explosion Rocks Yenagoa

An explosion, penultimate Sunday night, rocked Yenagoa Bayelsa State when a car believed to have been packed with deadly explosive exploded. The blast area was immediately condoned off by a police patrol team that rushed to the scene until Monday, when the anti bomb disposal squad were deployed there. Four un-detonated dynamites and a 4-litre jerry can of petrol were reportedly recovered from the damaged car. No life was lost. Further details were not immediately available.

Mitee Cautions FG to De-Emphasis Attention on Militant Leaders

President of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) and chairman of the Niger-Delta Technical Committee, Mr. Ledum Mitee, has cautioned the Federal and State Governments on their seeming over-emphasis on militant leaders. The renowned rights activist also expressed reservation about the 10 percent oil production participation equity, saying it reeked of a fraud aimed at hoodwinking the oil-producing Niger-Delta region. Mitee pointed out that the current focus on militant leaders by both the Federal and State Governments would likely encourage other activists and youths in the region to aspire to become militant leaders by setting up their own camps.

Oil Spill Hits Mobil’s Qua Iboe Field

Another oil spill has been reported at the Qua Iboe offshore platform operated by Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited. Mobil confirmed that a pipeline leakage from one of its offshore platforms discharged some amount of crude into the Atlantic Ocean. External Affairs Director, Mrs Gloria Essien-Danner, said that the source of the crude leakage had been identified and isolated. It was learnt that crude from the faulty pipeline has been diverted to others to contain further discharge and avoid a shut down of oil production. She added that relevant government and regulatory authorities had been notified.

Police Pledge Prompt Rescue of Abducted Cleric

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has assured the residents that Senior Pastor of Full Life Christian Church, Rev. Ntia Ntia, who was abducted last Weekend will be rescued from his captors "very soon". The Police Commissioner, Walter Rugbere, who had earlier promised zero-tolerance for crime, stressed that his command was doing everything humanly possible to ensure that the cleric is rescued, unhurt. However, the police chief appealed to the public to furnish the security outfit with information, maintaining that only the joint effort of the police and the public would curb kidnapping in the state.

Nigerians Alerted on Natural Disasters

The Director- General of the Cross River State Emergency Agency, Mr. Vincent Aquah, has alerted Nigerians on impending natural disasters associated with climate change. Aquah gave the warning at Obudu, Cross River State while inspecting windstorm disasters in the area. He observed that most of the houses destroyed had not been rehabilitated for several years, making them easy prey to violent storms. He then called on relevant authorities to monitor building construction and maintenance to avoid disasters future disasters.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

10 Suspected Oil Bunkerers Nabbed in Warri

About 10 persons, including two Ghanaians, have been arrested by the Naval Task Group for alleged illegal oil bunkering along Escravos Bar in Delta State. The suspects, who were apprehended, penultimate Saturday, were crew members on board an oil tanker belonging to Golden carrier Shipping Services Company. Commanding Officer of the Warri Naval Base, Navy Commodore Henry Adedoyin Babalola, confirmed this.

Edo Lawmaker Arrested with Pump Action Gun

Former Majority leader of the Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. Frank Okiye, was last weekend arrested by team of policemen at the Benin–Auchi Expressway for being in possession of a pump action gun. The lawmaker, however, claims he has a license for the gun, but a senior police officer explained that pump action guns are not covered by firearm license. He argued that even if the honorable member had a license, it may not have been issued in respect of the type of gun found on him.

Police Arrest 2 Students for Robbery, 3 over Community Crisis

Two students of Delta State University Abraka have been arrested over alleged involvement in armed robbery cases. Police also picked up three suspects over the recent Mosogar community crisis. Confirming the arrests, state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mr. Charles Muka, called on parents to ensure proper upbringing of their children and ensure that they did not join bad gangs. According to him, the Police recovered from the students, a cut-to-size single barrel gun and three live cartridges. One of them confessed to armed robbery.

Oghara Indigenes Protest against Oil Firm

The people of Oghara in Ethiope West LGA of Delta State, Tuesday, protested against Pan Ocean Oil Company for allegedly refusing to employ indigenes. The protesters barred workers from gaining entrance into the company’s premises. The protesters lamented that the company, which had been operating in the area for over 37 years, has brought untold hardship on the indigenes. The protesters were over 5,000, comprising youths, women and elders from Ovade-Oghara community. They claimed that the company had failed to respect the Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, and the Local Content deal it entered with the community. Efforts made to reach management of the company on the issue proved abortive.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

Policeman Killed at Varsity Don’s Residence

Barely 24 hours after he was appointed as the new Vice-Chancellor of the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Professor Wale Are Olaitan, has lost his Police orderly, Constable Akila Dauda, to gunmen who struck at his Ibadan home, penultimate Sunday. It was gathered that the three gunmen invaded the residence of Olaitan and went straight into the room where Dauda was occupying and shot him in the chest. The further attempted to get to Olaitan, but could not do so due to unspecified reason. The hoodlums did not take away any thing from the house except the rifle of the mobile policeman.

Hoodlums Cause Mayhem at Mushin

There was pandemonium in Mushin, Lagos State on Tuesday as two rival groups of social miscreants, clashed in a war of supremacy over the control of a park at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital junction, leaving many people seriously wounded. An eyewitness said that all sorts of weapons, including machetes, axes and firearms, were freely used. Another witness said that the situation would have degenerated if not for the timely intervention of riot policemen.

Gunmen Kill Business Man in Ilorin

Ilorin, Kwara State was disturbed, penultimate Sunday, when four gunmen invaded the town, killing a businessman, and carting away large sums of money, and two cars. An eye witness said that two men suddenly appeared and ordered him into the shop following which a hot argument ensued. Later, we heard a gun shot and the men dashed out of the shop. It was after they left that we rushed in and met our boss on the floor in a pool of his blood. He was rushed to the hospital where he was confirmed dead. The state Police Spokesman, Mr Dabo Ezekiel, confirmed this, promising prompt arrest and prosecution of the four suspected armed robbers.

GENERAL

Jonathan Becomes President
…as Yar'Adua Dies

Acting President Goodluck Jonathan was on Thursday morning sworn in as President and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Jonathan was sworn-in following the death of his predecessor, President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua who died Wednesday night at the age of 58, after a protracted long illness. Jonathan said his priorities would be good governance, electoral reform and the fight against corruption. The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Alloysius Katsina-Alu, administered the oath of office and the oath of allegiance on Jonathan, who will be 53 in November. President Jonathan urged all Nigerians to remain steadfast. Yar'Adua, who died at about 9pm on Wednesday, was laid to rest at about 2pm on Thursday in line with the Islamic rites.

IGP Deploys 300 Men against Pipelines Vandalism

The Inspector-General of Police, Ogbonna Onovo, last weekend, ordered serious onslaught against pipeline vandals across the country, and deployed at least 300 heavily armed policemen to critical active areas.  Onovo also ordered the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, John Ahmedu and the Assistant Commissioner of Police In-Charge of IGP Monitoring Unit, Chris Ezike to ensure full-scale deployment to those areas in order to contain the activities of vandals and economic saboteurs all over the country.

Traditional Ruler Accuses Security Agents of Taking Sides
…As Lawmaker Prepares to Drag GOC to Court

The failure of security agencies to maintain neutrality is threatening to be the biggest impediment to the return of peace in Jos and environs, Gbong Gwom Jos, Buba Gyang has said. Meanwhile, the member representing Jos-South/Jos East in the House of Representatives, Hon. Bitrus Kaze, has disclosed that arrangements are being concluded to prosecute the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 3rd Armoured Division, Jos, Major General Saleh Maina, at the International Court of Justice, Hague for crime against humanity. Kaze also accused the FG and some of its agencies of negligence as he alleged that they condone known perpetrators of the Jos crisis. He said the people and human right organisations have found that the GOC has a lot of questions to answer.

Two Drown in Well over N1000

Two young men in Sabon Tasha, Kaduna state, died penultimate weekend after they dove into a well to recover a N1000 bill. This occurred when an Igbo woman, allegedly asked for help to recover her N1000, which fell into the well, and promised to share same with anyone who helped. According to sources, the first man, identified as Bosofa, tried his luck, but didn’t come out, so the second went in to rescue Bosofa and recover the money, but got stuck. The husband of the woman raised alarm that attracted neighbours who removed the victims to a hospital where they were confirmed dead. The landlord of the house claimed that the deceased were used for rituals, and was supported by angry youths who tried to lynch the Igbo couple, who sought refuge at the police station, while other Igbos quickly went into hiding for fear of mob attack.

NLC Condemns Spate of Assassination in Nigeria

The chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Oyo State chapter, Mr Basiru Apapa, has condemned the rate at which Nigerians are being killed without the security operatives finding the killers. Apapa stated this in his May Day message, lamenting that journalists are hard hit and up till this moment, the killers are still at large despite the huge amount being expended on security. He, therefore, appealed to the governments to beef up security so that the lives and properties of Nigerians would be safe.

Police among Press Predators in Nigeria

As the world marks World Press Freedom Day, Media Watchdog, Reporters without Borders, on Monday named Nigeria Police among 40 Predators of the Press. The report noted that "Nigeria is one of the world's most violent countries for journalists and the national police are largely to blame". Meanwhile, following the death threat issued to four Abuja-based journalists over the ouster of Independent National Election Commission (INEC) chairman, Prof. Maurice Iwu and the incessant cases of brutal murder of journalists in the country, the Minister of Information and Communications, Prof. Dora Akunyili is to meet with security agencies in the country as a means of ensuring the protection of media practitioners. Nigerian journalists, on Monday, staged a rally in Lagos to protest killing of journalists in the country.

Soldier Killed By Colleague over Jos Crisis

A soldier with the military task force in Jos, simply identified as S. Umar, was allegedly shot dead by one of his colleagues over alleged complicity in the killings that took place at different locations in the state. It was gathered that Umar was at Dogon Nahawa at the time about 500 persons were massacred on March 7 and also at Kuru Karama and Bisichi where several killings were said to have also taken place. It was revealed that Umar was trying to connive with some youths to start another spate of killings, when his colleague discovered that he was giving cover to the perpetrators of this evil act and confronted him, leading to an argument that led to the shooting of Umar by a fellow Muslim soldier. The spokesman of the Special Task Force denied knowledge of the incident.

Police Arrest 25 Robbery Suspects in Niger

The Niger state Police Command has arrested 25 suspected armed robbery suspects since January this year. The state Commissioner of Police, Mr Michael Zuokumor, explained on Tuesday that 18 armed robbery suspects had so far been prosecuted while the remaining seven would soon appear in court. Zuokumor said that five suspected armed robbers were also killed by the police during shoot outs with the suspected robbers. He added that during the period under review, his command also arrested 70 miscreants and prosecuted 60 of them, while 14 pipeline vandals were arrested and handed over to the anti- pipeline vandalism squad.

NBA Faults Govs on Execution of Death Row Inmates

President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), has faulted the decision of the governors to sign the warrants for the execution of all the prison inmates on death row. Akeredolu stated that the decision is not a solution to the problem of prison congestion in the country, noting that the problem of congestion in Nigerian prisons was as a result of the sorry state of the nation's criminal justice system, adding that majority of the inmates in prisons had been awaiting trial for up to 10 years. Also Olapade Agoro, the National Chairman of the National Action Council (NAC), said all hands must be on deck to ensure that the nation's criminal justice system was restructured, and maintained there is need to ensure that Nigerian prisons were not used for oppression and suppression.

Police Foil Reprisal Attack, Rescue Farmer in Jos

The Police in Plateau State, penultimate Sunday, saved a farmer from being killed by a mob that attacked him over the death of a motorcyclist, suspected to be Berom, who was found dead on the road at Bisichi Village. According to the police, while the dead man's motorcycle was neatly parked on the roadside, there was no sign of any violence on him. However, based on a false assumption that the dead man was killed by Hausa or Fulani attackers, the Berom mobilised themselves to attack two Hausa men on their farms. Another Hausa man, whose farm is some metres away, having seen what was happening, quickly alerted the police, who promptly went to rescue the man, who was promptly rushed him to the Plateau State Specialist Hospital in Jos.

Nigeria Joins in Global Anti-Graft Campaign

Four African countries including Nigeria are among 30 countries featuring in a new global access to information initiative launched to test how easy or not, it is to obtain information on their anti-corruption efforts. The Initiative by Access Info Europe and Transparency International (TI), attempts to verify whether governments comply with the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) and other anti-graft measures. The initiative requires the participating TI chapters to submit information on the government's compliance with the measures to curb the menace. The number of cases where power is abused for private gain uncovered by journalists, shows that access to public information is vital, said Gillian Dell, coordinator for the initiative at TI.

Nigeria Accorded Peacekeeping Centre of Excellence by UN

The Nigerian Army will on Thursday in the United States be presented with an Accreditation Certificate of the United Nations in recognition of its peacekeeping centre as a centre of excellence for training in Peace Support Operations. The accreditation which represents a formal endorsement of the quality of training in the Nigerian Army Peacekeeping Centre (NAPKC) in Jaji, Kaduna, will qualify the Centre to manage the world body’s training activities and efforts in the promotion of peacekeeping all over the world. Nigeria is the first country to be accorded such recognition.  The NAPKC is now empowered by the UN to train potential peacekeepers at the expense of the requesting countries.

Army Constitutes Court Martial for Jos Crisis

General Officer Commanding, 3rd Armoured Division, Jos, Plateau State, Major General Saleh Maina, has urged leaders and stakeholders in the state to sheathe their sword, saying without peace and security there will be no development. Maina said this shortly after the inauguration of the Court Martial constituted by him against offenders among members of the military Special Task Force (STF) in charge of the peace keeping operation in Jos.

NSA Summons S/East Govs, Service Chiefs over Kidnapping

Concerned about the spate of kidnappings across the country, particularly in the South-East, the Federal Government, on Tuesday, summoned all the governors of the South-East, the Defence minister, and service chiefs to Abuja to find ways on how to tackle the ugly development. The meeting, which was hosted by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Lieutenant General Aliyu Gusau (rtd), was held behind closed doors. The Federal Government mandated the governors to improve security of the lives and properties in those states, warning that they would be held responsible for any further breach of the peace in the area.

Woman Goes Into Hiding with Neighbour’s Baby

Miss Blessing Udesi, a resident of Karimo, a suburb of the Federal Capital Territory, has gone into hiding after she allegedly stole her neighbour’s five month-old baby. Udesi was alleged to have disappeared with the baby since March 11. The mother of the baby, Mrs. Cecilia Aripu, on Tuesday, said that her sister called her at work upon discovering that Blessing had disappeared with the baby. Police Public Relations Officer in the FCT Command, ASP Moshood Jimoh, confirmed the incident, and said the case had been transferred to the State CID.

INTERNATIONAL

UN Finds 100 Bodies of Slain Victims in Congo village

United Nations (UN) investigators have uncovered up to 100 people who were killed when the rebel Lord's Resistance Army attacked a village in north east Congo. UN humanitarian chief, John Holmes, said he learned of the killings, penultimate Saturday when he visited Niangara, the nearest town which he reached by helicopter, and met with local officials and victims who escaped. UN investigators said they have spoken with witnesses, but so far have been unable to reach the remote scene in the Haut-Uele district of Congo's Oriental province because of its difficult terrain.

Pakistani Taliban Promises More Attacks on US

The Pakistani Taliban promise future attacks on major U.S. cities and appear to claim responsibility for an attempted car bombing in New York in three separate videos that surfaced after the weekend scare, monitoring groups said Monday. U.S. authorities have played down the potential connection between the Pakistani militant network and the car bomb attempt in New York's Times Square, saying the group does not have the global infrastructure to carry out such a strike. However, the Pakistani Taliban is allied with militant networks such as al-Qaida, which could aid in expanding its reach. Meanwhile, a U.S. citizen has been arrested in the bombing probe. Faisal Shahzad, 30, was arrested at JFK airport in New York late Monday as he prepared to board a flight to Dubai.

Ahmadinejad Rejects Allegations of Nuclear Weapons in Iran

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is rejecting allegations his country is developing nuclear weapons, citing "not a single credible proof." Ahmadinejad is condemning the continued possession of nuclear weapons by the United States and others. He spoke Monday at the start of a month-long conference reviewing the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty. He says such atomic weapons are an encouragement to other countries to develop similar arsenals. He is calling for a timetable for elimination of nuclear arms worldwide. Meanwhile, the US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton has solicited the support of Nigeria in a bid to ensure that the treaty imposes sanctions on Iran.

Mumbai Gunman Sentenced to Death by Hanging

The only surviving gunman in the attack on Mumbai that killed more than 160 people in 2008 was on Tuesday, sentenced to death by hanging. Mohammed Ajmal Kasab, a Pakistani, was convicted of murder, conspiracy, and waging war on India. Kasab is the only man to have been sentenced in connection with the three-day siege in November 2008, during which 10 men attacked buildings and killed the 160 people in Mumbai.

Russian Marines Rescue Hijacked Oil Tanker

Russian marines have stormed a tanker hijacked by pirates in the Gulf of Aden, freeing its 23 man crew and cargo of oil reported to be worth up to $50 million, naval officials said on Thursday. The Russian Prosecutor's Office said one pirate was killed and some were wounded. Ten pirates were taken into custody. The Russian-operated tanker, which sails under the Liberian flag, was on its way to China when pirates hijacked it on Wednesday. The ship's owner credited quick action by the crew at the time of the hijacking for the success of the rescue operation.

Quake Rattles PERU

A 6.4-magnitude earthquake struck near the city of Tacna in the southern border of Peru on Thursday, the United States Geological Survey said. The earthquake, with a depth of 11 km (6.8 miles), struck 25 km (16 miles) west of Tacna, the agency said. There were no immediate reports of casualties or damages.

Somali Militants Vow to Stop Piracy, Release Hostages

Islamist militants who seized a pirate stronghold on the Somali coast will liberate any foreign hostages they find, a militia commander said Monday, but the pirates had already fled before the militants arrived. Dozens of fighters from the militant group Hizbul Islam group rolled into Haradhere, penultimate Sunday. The head of operations for Hizbul Islam, Sheik Mohamed Abdi Aros, said that his fighters have not come across any hostages but if that they did the militants would release them along with any hijacked ships. Pirates hold more than 300 hostages taken from ships attacked off East Africa the last several months. "Hizbul Islam came here to install Islamic Sharia law in this region and fight piracy, which we consider un-Islamic," Aros said.

Darfur Rebels Allege Attacks on Them, Suspend Peace Talks

The most powerful rebel group in Darfur, the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), on Monday said it was suspending peace talks with Sudan's government, accusing Khartoum of attacking villages and military positions in breach of a ceasefire. The announcement was largely symbolic as formal talks have been stalled for months. JEM accused Sudan's army of bombing its positions and nearby settlements in the Jabel Moun area of West Darfur, close to the border with Chad, over the past two weeks. Joint UN/African Union peacekeepers said they were not able to confirm the reports as they did not have troops in the area.

Gnassingbe Sworn as Togo’s President amidst Protests

Despite persistent low-level opposition protests against his victory in the March 6 election, Faure Gnassingbe, was on Monday sworn in for a second five-year term as Togo's president. Gnassingbe's poll win, with just over 60 per cent of the vote, sparked a series of protests by the opposition in the tiny West African country. The protests have been less violent than in 2005, when hundreds died challenging Gnassingbe's victory in an election held to find a successor to his father, Gnassingbe Eyadema, who died after running Togo with an iron fist for 38 years. A spokesman for the UFC, the leading opposition party, said it would continue to challenge Gnassingbe's win but gave no details.

10 Arrested in Ethiopia for Alleged Terrorist Act

Police in Ethiopia have arrested 10 suspected Islamic militants they believe were sent by Eritrea to carry out attacks to upset May 23 general elections. Their mission was to carry out terrorist acts to damage the peaceful electoral process, according to Information Minister, Bereket Simon. Ethiopia and Eritrea frequently accuse each other of being involved in attacks committed on their territories. The two countries clashed violently in 1998 and 2000 in a border war that killed 80,000 people. Ethiopia votes on May 23 and Prime Minister Meles Zenawi's ruling party has come under fire over its restriction of opposition and media freedoms as well as soaring inflation and unemployment figures.

NATO Strives to Avoid Civilian Casualties in Afghanistan

NATO commanders are weighing a new way to reduce civilian casualties in Afghanistan: recognizing soldiers for "courageous restraint" if they avoid using force that could endanger innocent lives. The concept comes as the coalition continues to struggle with the problem of civilian casualties, despite repeated warnings from the top NATO commander, Gen. Stanley McChrystal, that the war effort hinges on the ability to protect the population and win support away from the Taliban. Those who back the idea hope it will provide soldiers with another incentive to think twice before calling in an airstrike or firing at an approaching vehicle if civilians could be at risk.

Drug Violence Claims 24 in 24 Hours

Drug violence in the Mexican state of Chihuahua left 24 people dead in the span of 24 hours, last weekend. The killings were scattered over four locations throughout the state, with eight dead in Juarez, 10 killed in the capital of Chihuahua, five killed in Cuauhtemuc and one killed in Parral. All the slayings occurred in public places, said Carlos Gonzalez, a spokesman for the Chihuahua state attorney general. The killings took place between Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning and the victims were all male between ages 18 and 25, Gonzalez said. The spate of weekend killings followed another bloody week in the Ciudad Juarez area. On Wednesday, at least 15 people were killed in drug-related violence in Juarez, authorities said.

8 Killed in Kenyan Landslide

Heavy rains and inadequate equipment slowed rescue efforts, penultimate Saturday, after a landslide swallowed up homes in western Kenya, killing at least eight people, according to Titus Mung'ou, a spokesman for the Kenya Red Cross. More people are missing after the Friday landslide and the death toll is expected go up. Rescue crews used shovels and other garden tools in a desperate search for survivors. The spokesman said authorities were working to get better equipment into the area. The landslide struck villages in the Marakwet district after a heavy downpour that burst river banks and sent water gushing toward homes.

Somali Mosque Attack Leaves 45 Dead

Twin explosions at a mosque in Somalia's capital on Saturday killed at least 45 people and wounded many more, hospital officials and the African Union's peacekeeping force in the country said. The mosque is in the heart of Mogadishu's Bakara Market, a stronghold of Al-Shabaab, the militant group waging a war against the government to implement a stricter form of Islamic law. Fighting ensued in the city hours after the incident, when a pro-government militia group slugged it out with militants. An Al-Shabaab spokesman, Ali Dhere, initially blamed "foreign elements" for the attack, but an AU peacekeeping official said no group has claimed responsibility.

Heavy Rains in Tennessee Claim 19 Lives

Heavy rains in Tennessee caused some rivers remain at dangerous levels, flooded roads and homes and have so far caused at least 28 deaths. Parts of Tennessee had been so damaged by the floods that President Obama declared them major disaster areas, a designation that makes federal funding available to affected residents. Many waterways, like the Cumberland River, rose well past flood level. But on Wednesday, the rains eased a bit, providing mild relief for residents.

French Troops Kill 4 Afghan Civilians

French troops killed four Afghan civilians during a skirmish with Taliban fighters in early April, the French military acknowledged, penultimate Thursday. Christophe Prazuck, a French military spokesman, said the incident occurred on April 6, when French troops fired a rocket at a group of about seven Taliban fighters, believing that there was no civilian in the area. This is as hundreds of residents rioted in a village in eastern Afghanistan after a NATO raid left a relative of a parliament member dead. NATO forces entered the village of Nazibad late Wednesday, searching the community for several hours, including the home of Safia Sadiqi, a member of Afghanistan's parliament. Sadiqi's brother-in-law was killed by NATO forces after he approached them with a gun, a police spokesman said.

Somali Journalist Slain

Gunmen in Somalia have killed a prominent journalist who worked at the state-run radio station in the capital. Sheikh Nur Abkey was abducted on Tuesday and his body was later dumped in the street. It is unclear who killed him, but his colleagues believe he was targeted because he worked for Radio Mogadishu which is critical of Islamist militants.

South African Bus Crash Kills 24

Twenty four people have died and more than 10 others have been seriously injured in a bus crash in South Africa, when the driver lost control, and the bus overturned Western Cape Province. South Africa, which will host the World Cup in June, has a poor road safety record, with thousands killed yearly. Provincial traffic spokesperson, Xenophone Wentzel, said that the fatalities included children, adding that the privately owned bus had been suspended by the neighbouring Eastern Cape Province's traffic department because it was not roadworthy.