Villeworth Security Services Ltd

week 5

• 
• 

PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

Police Kill Suspected Kidnappers in Imo

Men of the Imo State Police Command have killed three suspected kidnappers who attempted to abduct the elder brother of the Minister of Interior, Capt. Emmanuel Iheanacho, in Ulakwo, Owerri-North Local Council. One of the suspects, however, escaped with bullet wounds, the police said. The command’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Linus Nwaiwu, said that a Toyota Camry car was recovered from the suspects, along with 35 handsets, one AK 47 rifle, a locally-made pistol, three laptops and ammunition. The police also arrested three suspected armed robbers who were paraded at the command’s headquarters in Owerri. A kidnapped three-year-old kid was also freed by the police.

Police Nab 21 over Registration Malpractice

Police in Imo State, last weekend, arrested 21 persons suspected to have been imported into the state to participate in the voters’ registration. The suspects were reportedly arrested at Umunumo in Ehime Mbaino LGA of the State, following a tip-off alleging that the registration exercise was going on at the residence of a political leader in the area. It was also gathered that the suspects came to the area under the guise that they came to attend a Christian crusade.

Gunmen Kidnap Banker in Port Harcourt

Unidentified gunmen, penultimate Saturday, abducted a banker, Miss Florence Oche, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Oche was kidnapped along with an acquaintance, Mr. Obinna Nosike, along Ilom Street in Woji area of Port Harcourt. The gangsters were said to have taken them to an unknown destination. Nosike was able to escape while Oche’s whereabouts could not be ascertained. The spokesperson of the state command, Dr. Rita Inoma-Abbey, who confirmed the incident, said their vehicle, which was involved in an accident as the kidnappers took the banker away, was recovered from the spot on Igbo Eche Road in the Rivers State capital while efforts were on to locate the victim.

Soldiers Kill 4 Kidnappers, Rescue Hostage

Soldiers in Abia State on Tuesday killed four suspected kidnappers in Aba. It was also reported that one of those killed was the third in command to the late kidnap kingpin, Obioma Nwankwo a.k.a Osisikankwu. It was gathered that the hoodlums had allegedly kidnapped a lady and took her to their hideout in one of the communities in Osisioma Ngwa LGA. People around quickly contacted the Special Task Force, and the soldier went after the kidnappers. The hoodlums, on sighting the soldiers at their forest hideout, opened fire. The soldiers were said to have responded and in the ensuing cross fire, all the four kidnappers were shot dead while their victim was rescued. The Assistant Public Relations Officer of 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Enugu, Lt. Col. Sagir Musa, confirmed the incident.

1 Dead as Violence Erupts over Voters Registration in Bayelsa

One person was feared dead when violence broke out in Tungbo community, Sagbama LGA of Bayelsa State, when strange faces attempted to participate in the on-going voters’ registration exercise in the area. According to reports, the community’s youths, who had been on alert since the Odi incident, confronted the strange faces, who came in 3 coaster buses, and a verbal altercation ensued, which resulted in violence. It was during the violence that one person, identified as an Itsekiri youth from Delta State, was shot dead and the three buses vandalised before the Police fired tear gas to disperse the youths. The state Commissioner of Police, Aliyu Musa, confirmed the incident but insisted that nobody died and that the Police was not in any way involved in the violence.

NPDC to Commence Production in Ogoni

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Thursday, said that its producing arm, Nigeria Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), would soon commence production from the 30 oil fields belonging to Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) in Ogoniland. Group Managing Director (GMD) of NNPC, Mr. Austen Oniwon, confirmed the development. The SPDC was forced to abandon the prolific oil wells in 1995, following the crisis that greeted the murder of former President of the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP), Ken Saro-Wiwa. In 2008, the FG handed the wells over to the NNPC.

6 Arrested in Bayelsa over Diversion of DDC Machines

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has arrested six persons for diverting the Direct Data Capture (DDC) machines in Bayelsa State. The suspects including two corps members were arrested by the Police at two different locations in Yenagoa when INEC officials uncovered the diversion of the machines. The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mr. Edwin Nwantalari, said INEC acted on a tip off that some machines were taken to unauthorized places where people were registered. Nwantalari said four suspects were caught with two DDC machines at the premises of former Senator, David Brigidi. Nwantalari said those arrested had been handed over to the State Security Service (SSS) for interrogation.

Shell Modifies Oil Spill Data to 70%

Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) has been forced to modify the cause of oil spill in its areas of operations in the Niger Delta. Under a thorough grill by the Dutch Parliament yesterday, Shell admitted that about 70% of the spills over the past five years were caused by sabotage, contrary to its earlier claims that it was 98%, attributing only two per cent to the company. The parliamentary hearing was held as part of an examination into whether Shell is responsible for environmental damage caused by its operations in Nigeria, the world’s eighth largest oil exporter. Friends of the Earth and four Niger Delta residents filed a civil suit in The Hague last year against Shell for alleged negligence in cleaning oil spills.

Thugs Invade Anambra Court, Remove Case Files

About 15 suspected political thugs have stormed the Ihiala High Court II, in Anambra State, making away with valuable documents belonging to the court, during the hearing of a case involving Dr. Andy Uba and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The thugs made for the court filing rooms and removed over 20 case files and took documents and personal effects found on the judge’s table, including his quarterly returns that he was supposed to send to Abuja, the key to the filing room and case lists from 2009 till date. The Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Nnewi branch, Emmanuel E. Egbunonu, lamented that even though the presiding judge, Justice Amechina, sent out a distress call to the police, the thugs still defied police presence to carry out their nefarious act.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

Girl over Kidnap Attempt on Brother

A girl has been arrested in Asaba, Delta State, for attempting to kidnap her elder brother. She was arrested alongside the five members of the gang contracted to carry out the operation. According to the State Police spokesman, Charles Muka, all the arrested persons are being interrogated. They made the first attempt penultimate Thursday and took away the brother at gun point but he escaped. But as they made a second attempt on Monday, the gateman raised an alarm which attracted the neighbours, who assisted in arresting one of the kidnappers, which led to the arrest of others. The police recovered cut to size guns from their hideout. Muka also said that nine persons had been arrested in connection with the killing of the Obiaruku Divisional Police Officer, Mr. William Agbogoroma who was ambushed and killed, penultimate Sunday, while responding to a distress call.

7 Burnt to Death in Benin Bus Fire

Seven persons were, penultimate Sunday, burnt to death in Benin, Edo state when a luxury bus went up in flames on Asaba/Benin highway. The explosion occurred when a jerry can containing fuel kept beside the engine of the bus got overheated. Men of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) carried out the rescue operation and dumped the remains of the burnt victims at a hospital at Ubulu-Okiti including the injured ones.

Fire Kills 4 Siblings in Delta

Four siblings were, on Monday, burnt to death in Oghara, Delta State, in a fire incident allegedly caused by adulterated kerosene. Two other children from the family and their mother, sustained serious burns and are receiving treatment. It was learnt that the woman, a petty trader who also sells kerosene among other articles, was about to light her kerosene lantern when it suddenly exploded and an ensued fire engulfed her residence. Attempts made by her neighbours to rescue the victims failed and in the process, four of the six children were burnt to death. This incident follows reported scarcity kerosene in Edo and Delta States.

22 Arrested in Edo over Voters Registration

Men of the Edo State Police Command, last weekend, arrested 22 persons in Aiyegunle, in Akoko-Edo Local Council. They were allegedly hired from Saboginda-Ora in Owan West Local Council Area of the state to register as residents in the ongoing voters registration exercise. Residents at Aiyegunle raised the alarm when they saw strange faces queuing at the registration units. The Transition Committee Chairman of Akoko-Edo, Mr. Peter Ologun, disclosed that he quickly mobilised policemen to Aiyegunle where the 22 boys were arrested. He however disclosed that some of the buses used in conveying the boys to Aiyegunle escaped.

Corps Member Drowns in River Niger

One of the youth corps members engaged in the ongoing voters registration exercise in Delta State has drowned in the River Niger. The corps member was posted as one of the ad-hoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register voters at Oko, a riverine community near Asaba. The police have reportedly engaged the services of divers to fish out his corpse. The State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mr. Charles Muka, confirmed that “it is true that the corps member drowned in the River Niger and his clothes were found on the bank of the river.” The INEC’s Chief Public Affairs Officer, Mr. Livy Unuibe, said “the Commission is aware of the tragic incident.”

FG Begins Repairs in Ayakoromo after JTF Invasion

The FG has begun the repair of Ayakoromo community in Burutu LGA of Delta, which was destroyed during a raid by soldiers of the Joint Military Taskforce (JTF) in search of a militant leader, John Togo. Togo, who reneged on his earlier acceptance of the FG’s Amnesty to quit militancy, took refuge in Ayakoromo, his hometown, after the JTF destroyed his militant camp in the creek. The FG, through the ministry of defence, is currently building numerous houses, jetties and other structures, in place of those destroyed. The construction began after the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, visited the community and assured the people that the government would rebuild everything destroyed during the raid. Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan had, during the week assured that the Delta State government will address the needs of the community.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

Security Intercepts Drugs Worth over N2bn at Tin Can Port

Security agencies on Thursday, impounded 165 kilogrammes of substances suspected to be Cocaine at Tin Can Port, with a street value of about N2.55 billion. The drugs, which were concealed in 36 cartoons, arrived at the port from Bolivia on December 25, 2010, with a declaration that it came with building materials. The Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Chief Executive, Ahmadu Giade, said that the intelligence that led to the drug burst was supplied by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration. In another seizure, a passenger, Nwobodo Ikechukwu, 32, on Emirate flight from Bangladesh was been nabbed in connection with unlawful importation of 8400kg of heroin at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos. The drug is the largest seizure at the airport so far this year and has an estimated street value of N42 million.

Police Inaugurate Surveillance Outfit in Ekiti

In compliance with the directive of the Inspector General of Police, Hafiz Ringim, Ekiti State police command on Wednesday, inaugurated a surveillance outfit tagged X-squad with a mandate to ensure compliance with duties across the state. The Commissioner of Police Mr. Olayinka Balogun also justified the introduction of check-points on the nation’s highways, saying it was a pro-active way of checking the rising wave of armed robbery on the roads.  The commissioner said the operation X-Squad, which he said had commenced operation, would ensure that policemen perform their duties properly. He appealed to policemen not to abuse the system, in order to ensure that Nigerians feels secure while on the highways.

Woman on Mosque Minaret Kills Rescuer

A woman, Oluremi Bolaji, 32, suspected to be mentally deranged, held residents of Ijeshatedo spell bound when she mysteriously appeared on the minaret of the Ijesha Central Mosque in Lagos. A commercial tricyclist, simply identified as Ikechukwu, who offered to bring the lady down for N1000, was pushed down by Bolaji, who threatened to kill anyone who got close. He died from the fall as he hit his head on the concrete floor.  Able-bodied men comprising mainly of members of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), took over the rescue mission and brought her down. The mob attempted to lynch Bolaji but for the quick intervention of the police. She was whisked to Ijesha police station and later moved to a hospital where she is receiving treatment. Bolaji’s father confirmed that she was mentally ill.

GENERAL

20 Killed in Jos Attacks

At least 20 people were killed and several others injured in different attacks in Plateau State, during the week. It the first incidents, penultimate Sunday, about 50 men, armed with sophisticated weapons and dressed in military attires, attacked two villages in Jos South and Barkin Ladi LGAs at about 11pm, killing 8 people. Alleging attacks by the soldiers, women in Jos South LGA, on Monday, protested and burnt the tents of the Special Task Force (STF). In another round of attacks on Thursday armed men attacked three Berom villages in Barkin Ladi. But 29 suspects, including a riot policeman were arrested by the men of the STF. Two AK-47 rifles, two locally-made pistols and several quantities of live ammunitions were also recovered. The STF spokesman, Captain Charles Ekeocha, confirmed the incidents, adding that two people believed to be herdsmen were shot dead.

Soldier Shot Dead in Maiduguri

A gang of suspected Boko Haram, penultimate Sunday, shot dead a soldier attached to a Church in Maiduguri, Borno State, shortly after duty at about 6:00 p.m. The Brigade Commander of 21 Armoured Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Ibrahim Indaliman, stated that the gunmen trailed the soldier to his residence before gunning him down. He, however, attributed his death to “carelessness,” warning that every soldier must take cover before and after their duty in Maiduguri. He also confirmed that a commercial motorcycle operator defied one of the checkpoints, and the soldiers on duty chased and shot him dead. He warned that every motorist and resident must comply with the stop-and-check exercise of the security agency. Another soldier was killed on Monday by motorcycle riding gunmen, while two others were injured.

Igbo in Borno Mourn Slain Kinsmen, Lament Insecurity

Igbo community in Borno State, Monday, declared a three-day prayers and fasting over the killing of five of its members in Maiduguri. The killing of the five traders was alleged to be selective as the traders were allegedly pulled out from their shops and shot at close range. President-General of the state chapter of Igbo Welfare Association (IWA), Ambassador Naka O. Okereke, said that the lingering insecurity in the state was worrisome and called on the government to urgently find a solution to the attacks.

NEMA Resettles 5000 Victims of Jos Crises in Bauchi

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said that about 5000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from the crises in Jos have been absorbed into Bauchi State following the launch of a resettlement programme between the agency and the Bauchi State government. Director General of NEMA, Muhammad Sani-Sidi, said that majority of them are victims of the crises that erupted in Jos, Plateau State between January and March 2010. Sani-Sidi noted that some of the displaced persons had returned back to their homes while those being resettled have opted to remain permanently in Bauchi State. He commended the Bauchi State government for the absorption of the IDPs and assistance provided towards their permanent resettlement in the state.

Nigerian Killed as South Africa Police Raid Okah’s House

A Nigerian, Uzoma Joseph, died penultimate Sunday, when South African police raided a house belonging to Azukah Okah, wife of detained Nigerian militant, Henry Okah, claiming to be searching for drugs. Eyewitnesses alleged that the police unleashed one of their dogs on Uzoma. He was arrested and handcuffed and forced to take them to the location of the drugs in the house. The witnesses said that when Uzoma hesitated, a police officer placed plastic bags over his head, and soon after he died. Nigerians in the Turffontein neighbourhood say that it was routine for South African police officers to torture and kill Nigerians. A state pathologist, Dr Moeng, who examined Uzoma’s body, said that there were no injuries except the cuts on the wrists from the handcuffs, which showed that he must have struggled to breathe before he died.

Reps Extend Voters Registration

The ongoing voters’ registration exercise that was scheduled to end last Saturday; was extended by one week. The House of Representatives had, on Tuesday, granted the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) additional four weeks to enable the commission to capture more eligible voters in the ongoing voter registration. Under the extant law, INEC was expected to conclude the voter registration not later than January 31, to provide the legal allowance of 60 days before the first round of elections scheduled for April 2. The amendment was designed to give a swift legislative response to the technical and logistical challenges faced by the commission in the voter registration. INEC boss, Attahiru Jega, has also request for additional N6.6bn for the election. Groups have queried this request and have called for a probe of the activities of INEC.

Robbers Attack Corps Members

A gang of suspected armed robbers, penultimate Friday, attacked four corps members recruited by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the ongoing voter’s card registration exercise in Kwali Area Council of the FCT. A witness said the suspected robbers numbering five attacked the corps members with cutlasses and dispossessed them of their money and phones. The witness said after the corps members made a report of the attack at Ashara village, a group of youths were mobilized on bikes to trail the robbers, but the robbers fled into the bush on sighting the group. The INEC Officer in Kwali, Mrs. Zainab Gbefwi, confirmed the attack.

Anti-Terrorism Squad on Stop and Search in Abuja
…As Police Send More Officers For Training

The Police on Saturday in Abuja urged residents of the Federal Capital Territory not to panic over the stop-and-search operations by anti-terrorism squad. The Force Public Relations Officer, Mr. Outsole Amore, said that the stop-and-search operation, being conducted by the squad in the city, was part of measures to ensure safety of lives, particularly during the ongoing voter registration. Amore described the presence of the squad as a “high visibility policing” measure to check crime and ensure adequate security. Following the spate of bombings in the country, the Nigeria Police Force has sent 83 officers on anti-terrorism course in Israel. Meanwhile, about 1500 others, who have been trained by the Nigerian Army, are awaiting deployment.

Sharia Court Sentences Man to Jail, 100 Strokes of Cane for Fornication

A 28-year-old man, Sama’ila Garba, in Katsina, on Thursday, was sentenced to a one year jail term and 100 strokes of the cane for fornication. The police docked Garba before Sharia Court for the alleged offence. The arraignment of the accused followed a complaint by one Hussaina Isa alleging that Garba impregnated her, after luring her to have sex with him. The accused pleaded guilty to the charge, accepting that he had an affair with the girl. Delivering judgment, Khadi Mustapha Saulawa, said the court had found Garba guilty of committing fornication. He, however, ordered that the convict be given 20 strokes of the cane instantly, while the remaining 80 be administered while in prison.

Gunmen Kill Borno Gubernatorial Candidate

Motorcycle-riding gunmen shot and killed the gubernatorial candidate of the All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP), Modu Fannami Gubio, and six others in Borno state on Friday. Families hid inside their homes and shops shut their doors as police cordoned off large neighbourhoods searching for the killers. Gubio had left Friday prayers in Maiduguri and was walking to his father's home when the gunmen attacked, said Borno state police commissioner Ibrahim Abubakar. Two plainclothes police officers and four others also died in the attack, Abubakar said. No arrests had been made Friday afternoon, though paramilitary police patrolled the streets and shut down traffic. No one immediately claimed responsibility for the killing.

Soldiers on Red Alert in Maiduguri

The 21 Army Brigade, Maiduguri, Borno State, has placed its men on red alert, following the spate of killing of soldiers by unknown gunmen in Borno. The brigade’s spokesman, Lieutenant Abubakar Abdullahi, said that the army lost four of its officers in separate attacks in Maiduguri recently. He said “most of the victims were killed because of some lapses. “The officer who was shot on Sunday at Jajeri was killed because he left the company of his colleagues, contrary to the military discipline, while the officer shot on Tuesday was sick and the assailants took advantage. More than three soldiers were attacked by unknown gunmen last week in Biu. More than 50 other persons, mostly security personnel, have so far been killed by suspected Boko Haram members since July 2010.

Fresh Security Alert at Airports

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), on Thursday, ordered that security should be beefed up at the nation’s airports. Director General of NCAA, Harold Demuren, said the new measures should be taken to forestall any security threat at the airports. In a signed statement in Lagos yesterday, Demuren ordered the use of hand held metal detector for explosive at the airport entrances and gates; and the restriction of non-travelling public within the terminal building. He also said adequate advanced information concerning in-bound cargoes meant for the airports should be received prior to the arrival of the cargo. He directed that passengers should be informed that they may experience possible delay due to security checks.

Bauchi Speaker Impeached

Alleging lack of competence to lead the Bauchi State House of Assembly, 20 of the 31 lawmakers on Thursday impeached the Speaker, Abubakar Ahmed Faggo and replaced him with Haliru Dauda Jika as the new helmsman. But Faggo warned Jika to steer clear of the office, saying he remained the Speaker even though all his aides have been withdrawn. The impeachment was presided over by the Deputy Speaker; Sale Dumba after a motion for the removal of Faggo was moved.

Five Killed in Bauchi, Borno

A fight over a game of billiards in Tafawa Balewa community in Bauchi State, Thursday, turned violent, leaving four people dead with churches and mosques in ruins. The Bauchi State Police Commissioner, Muhammed Indabawa, disclosed that that violence started on Wednesday night, when a group of youths playing billiards got into an argument, which snowballed into the killing of four people. Paramilitary police patrolled the city’s streets yesterday after mosques, churches and homes were destroyed. The attack in the town came the same day police said members of a radical Muslim sect killed a police officer guarding a voters’ registration site in Borno State.  The police say that with the new tactics, the police could not guarantee the safety of the electoral materials in Maiduguri metropolis.

212 Ex-Militants Go to Ghana for Training

Another batch of 212 ex-militants from the Niger Delta has been sent to Ghana for vocational trainings under the Federal Government’s amnesty programme. The 212 ex-militants had also gone through non-violence transformational programme in Obubra, Cross River State. The first batch of 38 travelled to South Africa on December 8, 2010. The Special Adviser to the president on Niger Delta matters, Kingsley Kuku, said the ex-militants would undergo training in industrial welding and fabrication techniques. About 1,000 ex-militants are scheduled for the Ghana training, while 7,000 ex-militants would be trained in all.

Jonathan Appoints Anti-Terrorism Coordinator

President Goodluck Jonathan, on Wednesday, appointed the former Director-General of National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ambassador Zakari Ibrahim, as coordinator of government’s anti-terrorism efforts, in a bid to stem the rising tide of terrorist activities in the country. Similarly, he appointed the wife of Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Bianca Ojukwu, as the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Diaspora Affairs; while Honourable Kinsley Kuku was named the new Senior Special Assistant, Niger Delta Affairs; and Olugbenga Leke Oyewole, who was named Senior Special Assistant, Maritime Services. According to the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ima Niboro, all the appointments take immediate effect.

Power Generation Hits 3,800MW

Power generation in the country has risen to 3,800, even as the Ministry of Power has concluded plans to ignite the National Independent Power Plant, Olorunsogo, by the end of this quarter to peak power production at about 4,000 megawatts. According to the Minister of State for Power, Mr Nuhu Way; Alaoji, Sapele and Olorunsogo are generating 188 megawatts into the national grid, while the transmission station in Kwara State has started wheeling power to parts of the country. The minister’s revelation came on a day FEC suspended further award of contracts under the 2010 budget, even though the Council approved various contracts in different sectors of the country to the value of N27, 841, 863, 404.5.

PFN Warns Christians against Retaliation

The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has urged Christians in the northern part of the country not to retaliate any attack by sect groups, calling on them to be peaceful at all times. The national vice-president of PFN, Bishop Francis Wale Oke, said that the Christian body sympathised with Nigerians who suffered losses in Jos, Plateau State crisis, but added that revenge would not solve the crises. Lamenting that the frequency of the violence is disturbing, Oke said, called on the government find lasting solution to the killings. He directed the church in Jos to always react to any attack on them with love, endurance and spirit of reconciliation, stating that any attempt for them to retaliate might trigger war in the land.

10 Nigerians Arrested in UK over Immigration Offences

Ten more Nigerians have been arrested by the UK Border Agency over crimes that relate to sham marriages and immigration fraud. Those found guilty face imprisonment and deportation. A report revealed hinted that those arrested have been given jail terms of over 12 years. Their European accomplices were also jailed ranging from 16 months to three years. The Regional Director for the UK Border Agency in Africa, Simon Peachey, in the statement noted that while the UK welcomed genuine visitors from Nigeria, it would, however, come down hard on those who breach visa conditions.

INTERNATIONAL

35 Killed in Moscow Airport Explosion
…Russia Fires Officials over Bombing

An explosion by a suicide bomber on Monday at an airport in Russia killed 35 people and injured about 100 others. Russia on Wednesday fired senior officials over security lapses that allowed a suicide bomber to wreak carnage at its main airport. President Dmitry Medvedev, who announced he had fired a senior transport official and threatened more dismissals in the future. Medvedev gave officials two weeks to come up with proposals to prevent suicide attacks. Interior Minister, Rashid Nurgaliyev, also said that he had fired a ministry official responsible for the privately-owned Domodedovo airport where the bomber struck and his two deputies. The bombing is alleged to have been planned by militants from the mainly Muslim Northern Caucasus.

Philippine's Bus Explosion Kills Four

A bomb, Tuesday, ripped through a passenger bus in the Philippine capital, killing at least four people and wounding more than a dozen. Metro Manila police chief, Nicanor Bartolome said an improvised explosive device was placed under a passenger seat somewhere in the middle of the bus. Officials said fragments of what appear to be a mortar round and cell phone parts were recovered at the scene. The driver said he smelled gunpowder and the explosion was so loud his hearing was impaired for about 30 minutes

20 Killed in Colombian Mine Blast

An explosion at a small underground coal mine in northeast Colombia killed 20 workers on Wednesday officials said. The mining regulator Ingeominas said the latest blast, in Norte de Santander province, was probably caused by methane gas and preliminary figures showed 20 fatalities. Rescue workers continued searching for survivors. Yamile Rangel, mayor of Sardinata municipality, said 16 people were still trapped in the mine but Red Cross officials said there was probably little chance of them being alive. Colombia is the world's No. 5 coal exporter, with an industry dominated by major players with open-pit mines, but smaller mines in the central part of the Andean nation are usually dug underground where methane gas buildups can cause accidents.

Iran Hangs Two for Videos of Post-Election Violence

Iran executed two men Monday for their actions during post-election unrest in 2009, according to reports. The men were alleged to be terrorists and members of the Mujahedin-e Khalq Organization (MKO). Jafar Kazemi and Mohammad Ali Haj Aqaei were hanged on Monday "for distributing placards and photos of the terrorist group, making videos and images during the post-election unrest in Iran in 2009 and chanting slogans in favor of the MKO".

32 Killed as Bus Crashes into Oil Tanker

Thirty-two people were killed after a bus lost control, crashed into an oil tanker and burst into flames in southeastern Pakistan Sunday, police said. Most of the victims were passengers trapped inside the bus as it burned, fueled by leaking oil from the tanker, police official Muhammad Farooq said. The driver of the bus was speeding, Farooq said. The crash occurred in the district of Jamshoro in Sindh province, he said.

Yemeni Protesters want Activist Released

Hundreds of protesters marched through Sana'a, Yemen, penultimate Sunday, demanding the release of prominent Yemeni human rights activist Tawakkol Karman, who was arrested on Saturday. According to a participant, security forces at one point clashed with protesters and at least 20 of Karman's supporters were later detained. Karman, head of local rights group, Women Journalists Without Chains, had been participating in and helping to organize protests calling for regime change in Yemen. Yemen's Interior Ministry announced that Karman was arrested on Saturday on charges of organizing unlicensed rallies, illegal marches and incitement to commit acts of rioting and chaos -- acts that were "undermining the public social peace."

Drone Strike Kills 7 in Pakistan

A suspected US drone attack killed at least seven militants in Pakistan's North Waziristan tribal district, penultimate Sunday, officials said. Preliminary reports said all of them were local militants but we are trying to get more information. A second intelligence official said the drone fired two missiles. The unmanned aircraft launched the missiles in Datta Khel, west of North Waziristan's main town of Miranshah and a frequent target of the strikes, officials said.

17 Killed in Mexico Shootouts

Ten alleged drug cartel members have been killed in a clash with Mexican soldiers in the north-eastern state of Tamaulipas, the Mexican army has said. Soldiers on patrol, penultimate Friday, found a camp of armed men, who opened fire on them. In the shootout "10 presumed aggressors were killed," the Secretariat of National Defence said in a statement. At the camp the soldiers found a rocket launcher, some 20 grenades, two grenade launchers, 24 rifles and a handgun. In another incident, group of heavily armed men opened fire at a soccer match between two local teams in western Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, killing seven people and wounding two others. The gunmen, traveling in three vehicles, sprayed the soccer field with about 180 rounds from assault rifles just before the game got started, police said.

Panel Absolves Navy of Wrongdoing in Gaza Ship Raid

An Israeli inquiry has cleared the government and military of wrongdoing in the bloody seizure of a Turkish aid ship that tried to breach the Gaza blockade, saying activists were to blame for the violence. The Turkel Commission, whose report will form the core of Israel’s submission to a United Nations (UN) inquiry into the May 31, 2010 incident, endorsed the sea closure but urged Israeli to review how to focus sanctions on Gaza's Hamas rulers and spare its civilians. But Turkey’s Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has dismissed the findings, saying that the Israeli report had “no value or credibility.” Nine Turkish citizens were killed by Israeli commandos' gunfire in brawls aboard the converted cruise ship Mavi Marmara as it led a six-vessel flotilla toward Gaza on the Mediterranean high seas.

Gbagbo Starved of Funds, Seizes Central Bank Offices

Faced with cash shortages that have made him unable to pay pensions, Cote d’Ivoire President Laurent Gbagbo has seized the offices of the regional central bank.  “The agencies of the Central Bank of West African States on the Ivoirien territory, as well as the Ivoirien staff working in those agencies, have been seized on January 25 in order to ensure regular services,” Desire Dallo, Gbagbo’s finance minister. The move comes amid attempts by Allasane Ouattara to starve Gbagbo of funds and erode his support base within the country’s military. Ouattara is the internationally recognized winner of the November 28 election, but Gbagbo refuses to cede power, alleging electoral fraud in parts of the country’s north. The central bank on December 23 cut off Gbagbo’s access to Cote d’Ivoire account, saying it would only recognize signatories approved by Ouattara.

International Arrest Warrant Issued for Ousted Tunisian President

In a bid to placate protesters and defuse further tension, Tunisia has issued an international arrest warrant for ousted autocratic President, Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, who fled to Saudi Arabia recently amid violent protests. Charges against Ben Ali include taking money out of the country illegally, Justice Minister, Lazhar Karoui Chebbi, said. The country is also seeking the arrest of Ben Ali’s wife, Leila, as well as other family members. Ben Ali fled the North African country on January 14, after 23 years in power, following weeks of deadly protests driven by anger over joblessness, corruption and repression.

Egyptians Protest, Denounce Mubarak

Thousands of anti-government protesters, Wednesday, held rallies in Cairo, against President Hosni Mubarak, calling for an end to poverty. Interior Minister Habib el-Adly said “decisive measures” will be imposed in the face of chaos. Pro-democracy activists have vowed to step up Egypt’s largest anti-government protests in three decades, despite mass arrests and mammoth security. The rally came as Egyptian authorities said they arrested 19 Arabs suspected of having links to al-Qaeda en route to Iraq. Habib el-Adly, said the suspects are originally from Tunisia and Libya and were using Egypt as a transit point on their way to Iraq to join al-Qaeda groups there. He said security forces also confiscated weapons, ammunition and documents related to al-Qaeda. He did not say exactly when or where the arrests took place.

Bomb Blasts Kill 51 at Funeral in Baghdad

A car bomb ripped through a funeral tent in a mainly Shiite area of Baghdad on Thursday, the deadliest in a series of attacks that killed at least 51 people. The blasts were the latest in more than a week of bombings that have killed more than 200 people. The violence has mainly targeted the majority Shiite community and Iraqi security forces. The car that exploded had been parked with the vehicles of other mourners, several meters away from the tent, so it wouldn't raise suspicion, police said. Several other cars were set afire and the force of the blast damaged nearby houses.

16 Killed in Indonesian Train Collision, Ferry Fire

Two separate accidents in Indonesia killed at least 16 persons on Friday. In the first incident, two passenger trains collided, killing 3 persons, when an eastbound train stopped on a track outside a village in West Java province, and was hit head-on by another slow-moving train that was trying to switch lanes, according to Bambang Ervan, a spokesman for the Transportation Ministry. In the second incident, a ferry a ferry carrying more than 400 people caught fire in waters just off Java. Ervan said 13 people were killed in the blaze. Both accidents occurred 30 minutes apart on the main island of Java. It appears the fire broke out on the deck used by cars and trucks loaded with cargo, he said.