Villeworth Security Services Ltd

week 7

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PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

Policeman Loses Wife, 3 Children to Fire

A policeman, Mr. Maxwell Udoh, penultimate Saturday, lost 3 children and his wife to a fire outbreak in Port Harcourt. The incident was said to be as a result of an adulterated petroleum product. An eyewitness disclosed that Udoh’s shout for help attracted neighbours, who immediately rushed the family to the hospital. While 2 of the children died instantly, the last one and the wife died later in the hospital. The Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer, Dr. Rita Inoma-Abbey, Confirmed the incident. She, however, noted that the fire was successfully put out on Saturday night to avoid further destruction.

12 Killed in Stampede at Rally

President Goodluck Jonathan on Sunday cancelled planned campaign rallies in two northern states after a stampede killed 12 people at an election rally in Port Harcourt on Saturday. Jonathan cancelled rallies in the northern states of Borno and Yobe, which had been scheduled for Monday, "to honour the victims". The stampede happened shortly after Jonathan addressed a surging crowd of party supporters in the stadium. A witness said a police officer shot into the air as crowd members surged out of the stadium. But the gunshots, apparently aimed at controlling the crowd, created panic, leading to the stampede. The president said he had ordered an investigation into the cause of the frenzied rush "that led to the unfortunate loss of some lives."

Police Parade 27 Criminal Suspects in Anambra
…Rescue 2 Kidnap Victims

Twenty-seven armed robbery and kidnap suspects including a 20-year-old girl were on Monday paraded by the Anambra State Police Command. The suspects who were arrested during various operations and raids by the command included one of the members of a vicious armed robbery/kidnap gang operating in the South-east mostly in Imo and Anambra State. The command also rescued two kidnap victims, one Ifeanyi Kamaolu, an Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) aspirant for House of Representatives for the April 2011 election in Anambra State and Mrs. Maureen Okoye who was kidnapped at Ihitenansa in Imo State.

Emago-Kugbo Community Laments Oil Spill

The rural settlement of Emago-Kugbo, in Abua-Odual LGA of Rivers State has been hit by oil spills leading to the destruction of community farmland and creek. The cause of the spills, said to have occurred along a delivery pipeline belonging to the Nigerian Agip Oil Company, first noticed in December 2010, could not be immediately ascertained. But sources said a second spill was recorded January 22, 2011. Though a source at Agip said the ruptured spots had since been clamped but the community dismissed the claim saying traces of the crude on the environment could still be seen. The Acting Paramount ruler of the community, Chief J.O Walters-Imodo, lamented that their means of livelihood have been destroyed as a result of the incessant spills recorded over time.

Anambra Police in Onslaught on MASSOB

The Anambra State Police Command, Tuesday, clamped down on members of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, (MASSOB) and arrested over 200 members of the Movement over an alleged failure to pay the sum of N4000 taskforce fee, according to the MASSOB National Director of Information, Comrade Uchenna Madu. He added that the Police was trying to provoke the Movement to violence. Police spokesman in the state, Mr. Emeka Chukwuemeka said he had not been briefed formally on the arrests.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

Eight Die in Kerosene Explosions

About eight persons have so far died following the burn sustained from kerosene explosions in Delta and Edo States in the past two weeks. First were the six children of a police officer in Ethiope West LGA of Delta State who died after fire gutted their home. Another woman was said to have also died in the early hours of Tuesday, February 2, as a result of kerosene explosion, while a 12 year-old girl died in a similar circumstance. The management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has advised Nigerians to buy their House Hold kerosene, from the NNPC retail outlets and other officially approved selling points to avoid being victims of kerosene explosion caused by adulteration by unscrupulous elements.

Anthony Enahoro Goes Home

The remains of foremost nationalist, Chief Anthony Enahoro, were penultimate Friday, interred in his family home in Uromi, Edo State. Dignitaries who had come from virtually all over the country to pay their last respect took turns to eulogise him. Enahoro died on December 15, 2010 at the age of 87. President Goodluck Jonathan, represented by Minister of Labour and Productivity, Emeka Wogu, described Enahoro as Nigeria’s greatest and dogged hero "who struggled selflessly towards the emancipation of the nation from the clutches of colonial rule, military and civilian oppression." The president promised that the FG would give him the needed recognition at the appropriate time.

Road Accident Claims 3

The sad tale of a family – comprising the mother, three children and a cousin – declared missing recently after departing Lagos for Asaba got even more tragic as it emerged late Friday that three of its members died after their car plunged into a river. The accident, which occurred in Edo State, also took the life of the driver. The three children miraculously survived and have since re-united with their father, Ugochukwu Onyeocha, who reported the incident to the police.

94 Accept Amnesty in Delta

Reprieve came the way of people from Ughelli South LGA of Delta State recently when no fewer than 94 militants, under the aegis of Owhawha Freedom Fighters surrendered their arms and ammunition for the Federal Government Amnesty. While expressing their joy over the development, the natives of the area said they could now go to bed with their eyes closed. They said they had lived in perpetual fear and misery because of the activities of the armed group in the area. “General” Ogbodu Okorhi (aka Cracker), who is the leader of the group led 94 militants to surrender 14 locally made guns, two pistols, four grenades and 300 cartridges, said they decided to surrender to bring peace to the Niger Delta.

5 Die in Delta Boat Mishap

About five persons are dead in a boat accident involving a speedboat and a ferry on the Ojobo creek waterway in Delta state, penultimate Friday night. It was learnt that the speedboat carrying 13 members of Ojobo community in Burutu LGA of Delta state heading for Enekorogha community when their speedboat had a head-on collision with a ferry. Narrating the incident, the ferry owner, Aperebo Otobo, said he was heading towards Ekeremor in Bayelsa state, and as he was getting to the Esampou bend, he heard a sound of an approaching boat without marine illuminator and the speedboat could not sight his torchlight, so they collided. The ferryman said they had to swim to the shore, adding that it was at the shore they discovered that five people were missing and because it was night there was nothing they could do to rescue them.

NOSDRA Drags PPMC to Court over Oil Spill in Delta

The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) has dragged the Pipelines and Product Marketing Company Limited (PPMC) to the Federal High Court, Asaba, Delta state, for the latter’s refusal to carry out clean-up exercise and declining to pay a One million naira sanction for defaulting. An oil vessel belonging to the PPMC, had in June 2009 capsized along the PPMC jetty at Ijala and discharged its content (LPFO) into the Warri River. The NOSDRA claims that, after investigating the incident, directed PPMC to immediately clean-up the spillage, but the PPMC paid refused to comply, forcing NOSDRA to slam a million naira sanction on PPMC which was also not remitted. Justice Ibrahim Buba adjourned to March 15 for further hearing.

Community gives Agip 15-day Ultimatum to Quit

The Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC), on Thursday, got a 15-day ultimatum to quit Irri community in Isoko South LGA of Delta State. The natives explained that Agip was the main cause of the protracted crisis in the area. They accused NAOC of maintaining a ‘divide and rule’ posture since it commenced operation in the area. Secretary of the Community Development Committee (CDC), Reuben Izeghe, alongside the Palace Secretary and the Palace Chief, Odio Otobo Odhomor, warned that they will no longer tolerate Agip in their community, if the FG refuses to intervene within 15 days. They also sought the whereabouts of their traditional ruler, Ovieseriba Ejenuwe II, the Chairman of the CDC, and 3 others, who were all seized by security agents in a questionable manner.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

SSS Intercepts $10m Cash at Airport

The State Security Service (SSS), penultimate Friday, intercepted huge cash -$10 million and I million Euros- parked in four bags at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos by two men who came in from Kano, headed for Dubai. The SSS men who intercepted them were said to have quickly alerted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over the matter. It is suspected that the Sources said EFCC has established two possible leads. One, that it may have been a case of money laundering or two, a possible case of terrorism financing.

Police Arrest Two over Murder of Pastor’s Wife

Two suspects have been arrested by the police in connection with the raping and murder of the wife of the Pastor of the Zion Baptist Church in Igede-Ekiti, Mrs Taiwo Oluwole. The men were arrested on Sunday by the police based on the outcome of the investigation conducted by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID). The police spokesman, Mohammed Jimoh, said when investigation was concluded, the suspects would be arraigned in court.

Five Killed, Police Station Razed in Ekiti over Varsity Relocation

Five people were feared killed in Ikole-Ekiti, Ekiti State, on Thursday when a police patrol team allegedly opened fire on youths protesting the relocation of the new federal university from their community to Oye-Ekiti. Some of the protesters and other residents were injured by gunshots allegedly fired by the patrol team. Angered by the police action, the protesters regrouped and burnt a police station, vehicles and motorcycles. Meanwhile, the governor has insisted that the state government will not allow the relocation of the university to Oye-Ekiti. The governor’s Special Adviser on Media, Mr. Mojeed Jamiu, said that the “the government of Ekiti State believes that the decision to locate the university in Ikole-Ekiti is the best and most acceptable to all stakeholders.”

11 Bankers Arraigned For Alleged Theft

Eleven former employees of Bank PHB Plc were on Monday arraigned before a Chief Magistrate’s Court in Ebute Meta, Lagos, for allegedly stealing customers’ deposits, totalling N75m. The accused are standing trial on an eight-count charge of conspiracy, altering, stealing, fraud, impersonation, unlawful possession and forgery. But the accused pleaded not guilty to the charges. The prosecutor, Mr. Ishaku Babaji, claimed that the accused unlawfully obtained N75m from various accounts of the bank’s customers between November 12, 2010 and January 31, 2011. The chief magistrate admitted each of the accused to a bail in the sum of N500000, with two sureties in like sum, and adjourned further hearing till March 7.

Police Announces Readiness for Polls as Governor Donates Vehicles

Inspector General of Police, Hafiz Ringim Monday declared that the Police Force was battle ready for the April polls, vowing to crush any elements that wished to disrupt the polls. Ringim, who spoke to newsmen in Ibadan shortly after taking delivery of six Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC) donated by the Oyo state government, warned criminals not to dare the resolve of the force in ensuring a peaceful democratic process during the general poll. Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala said that the APCs were donated to the police for the battle against crime and the men of the underworld.

GENERAL

Army Vows to Tackle Security Lapses

The Nigerian Army has vowed to rise up to the occasion by nipping the growing trend of insecurity in the bud. The military also expressed readiness in collaboration with other security agencies to avert security lapses during the April general elections.  Chief of Army Staff, (COAS), Lt Gen O.A. Ihejirika, gave this commitment, penultimate Sunday during the Nigerian Army Social Activities in Lagos. The COAS also warned military personnel to desist from being used as political tools by selfish politicians. The Director, State Security Services (SSS), Federal Capital Territory (FCT), John Okojie, has also assured that the SSS has accomplished all that is needed to ensure hitch-free elections.

Police in Comprehensive Search in Maiduguri

The Police in Borno state, penultimate Sunday set up road blocks in Maiduguri in its bid to check the attacks by suspected Boko Haram members. Passengers are requested to disembark from vehicle for thorough search. The Police Public Relations Officer, Malam Lawal Abdullahi, said that the search was aimed at confiscating weapons from the Islamist sect. But the sect’s leader, Abu Suleiman, has said that the group will stop killing if soldiers are withdrawn from the streets and their mosque is returned to them because they have a serious religious attachment to the mosque in Maiduguri. Meanwhile, the Police said that it had commenced investigation into penultimate Saturday‘s attack by suspected Boko Haram members on a voter registration centre in Maiduguri, in which two Direct Data Capture machines were seized at gunpoint.

FG Releases N15bn to Police for April Polls

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Mr Hafiz Ringim, last weekend, disclosed that over N15 billion had been released to the Police to purchase equipment and other necessary logistics to ensure a successful general elections in April. The sum, he said, also included retraining of policemen, pointing out that officers and men of the Force would have no excuse if they failed to deliver the expected result. Ringim also promised that the police would not take side during the forth coming general elections.

27 Ex-militants Nabbed in Ghana for Attempted Murder

Twenty-seven ex-militants who were arrested in Takoradi for attempted murder and causing damage have been released after the government of Nigeria intervened. DCOP Hamidu Mahama, Western Regional Police Commander, said the decision was taken after his outfit held a meeting with a Nigerian Minister of Transport and some officials of the Nigeria High Commission, including the coordinator the people attacked. The 27 persons were arrested when they allegedly locked up the coordinator in a room and attempted to drown him for failing to pay them their allowances. The Nigerians were posted to Ghana by the Nigerian government to learn skills at the National Vocational Training Institute (NVTI) in Takoradi. The coordinator of the Amnesty Programme, Kingsley Kuku, warned that the FG would punish any of them involved in criminal activities.

FG Halts Renewal of Oil Leases over PIB

Efforts by International Oil Companies (IOCs) operating in Nigeria to convince the Federal Government to renew their leases before the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) may have been thwarted. President Goodluck Jonathan, it was learnt, has stopped further licence renewals until the bill is passed into law. The companies were said to have intensified negotiations with the Petroleum Ministry when they sensed that the last December date for the PIB passage was not going to be feasible and had hoped to get favourable response from the president.

85 Nigerians Deported From Europe

About 85 Nigerians deported from eight European countries, arrived the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos on Tuesday. Many of the deportees were reportedly deported because they were staying illegally in those countries while some were deported because they were drug addicts as well as perpetrators of financial scam.

Iran Owns Arms Shipment

Iran has finally broken its silence and admitted that the 13 containers of arms and ammunition intercepted by Nigerian Security agencies in October last year, indeed emanated from it and that the shipment was actually meant for The Gambia as part of a confidential agreement signed three years ago. Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Nigeria, Molla Abdulla, added that the seizure was the third of such shipments to The Gambia. Abdulla added that Nigerian authorities were already aware of the shipment from the time it berthed in Lagos in July 2010 and had already seized it. Abdulla said the shipping company probably decided to list them as building materials because of the sanctions against Iran since it was doing business with a French shipping company.

NNPC Pumps More Kerosene to Market

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, (NNPC) has injected additional 50 million litres of kerosene into the market to check the rising scarcity. This comes as the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), said it has commenced monitoring of petroleum products retail outlets nation-wide to check the circulation of adulterated kerosene. In a statement by the DPR’s Deputy Director, Public Affairs, Mrs. Belema Osibodu, also said investigations into reported cases of kerosene explosion across the country have commenced with a view to ascertaining the authenticity of the reports.

Fulani Herdsmen Invade Benue Community, Kill 10

At least 10 persons have been reported killed when armed Fulani herdsmen invaded Tyotegh in Gwer-West LGA of Benue State to carry out reprisal attacks after their cattle was allegedly killed by the villagers. The Security Adviser to the Benue State Governor, Col. Basil Kwembe, appealed to the victims to remain calm, just as the state Commissioner of Police (CP), Ibrahim Mohammed, said a detachment of mobile policemen had been deployed in the area. In another incident, a mobile policeman, on Wednesday, killed one Aondowase Anngu, after Anngu accosted the policeman for trespassing on his home. He left the scene only to return wearing his uniform and armed with a pistol, which he allegedly used in killing Anngu. The CP said he was yet to get the details of the police killing.

Couple Beheaded in Plateau Village

An elderly couple were beheaded and their two grandchildren beaten to death in an attack Shekan village, in Plateau state on Saturday, in what police said they believed was a ritual killing. Meanwhile, there have been clashes between police and opposition protesters in Lafia, Nasarawa state. The unrest follows the stoning of President Goodluck Jonathan's convoy in Lafia while he was campaigning for April's election. This prompted the arrest of an opposition candidate for Nasarawa governor, which angered some residents.

Gunmen Kill Prison Officer in Kogi

The police in Kogi state said that suspected armed robbers on Tuesday shot dead a senior official of the Nigeria Prison Service (NPS) in the state, after trailing him from the bank where he had gone to withdraw money. State police spokesperson, Ajayi Okasanmi, said investigation into the incident had begun although no arrest had been made. An eyewitness said late prison inspector was trailed from the bank and engaged in a scuffle during which one of the suspects brought out a pistol and shot him at close range. According to the eyewitness, the suspect thereafter jumped on a waiting motorcycle and began shooting sporadically into the air. He was said to have been driven away by the motorcyclist, suspected to be an accomplice.

Bauchi Govt Donates to Family of Slain Soldier

The Bauchi State government has donated N500, 000 and food items to the widow of a soldier, who was killed last year during the Jail-break in the state. Lance Corporal Danjuma Abubakar of the 33 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Bauchi, was killed during the jail break organized by suspected members of Boko Haram in September. The commander of the brigade, Brigadier General Raji, on behalf of the Nigerian Army, expressed appreciation to the Bauchi State government for the gesture.

STF Urges Communities on Peace Pact

The Special Task Force (STF) in Plateau State has called on other communities in the state to emulate the peace pact signed by the Hausa/Fulani and Irigwe communities, to end the recurrent crises in the area. The STF commander, Brigadier Umaru Hassan, made the call when the two communities signed a peace pact on Wednesday. The communities, who said that they were tired of crises, said with the signing of the accord, there would be no more bloodshed in the area.

Nigerian Airports Unprepared for Fire ­-NAFSA

The Nigerian Aviation Fire and Safety Association (NAFSA) has alerted that tackling fire outbreaks at the airports might be hampered by inadequate fire-fighting equipment. The president of the association, Mr. Lewis Ojeifo, stated that although fire trucks had started to arrive, the airports were still at a great risk in the event of any untoward incident. He said that the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), for instance, is undersupplied with fire tenders, saying the airport has only two fire fighting equipment. He maintained that as a Category 9 airport, at least six fire tenders were needed.

FG Declares Tuesday Holiday for Eid-el Malud

The Federal Government has declared Tuesday, February 15, 2011 as public holiday to commemorate the Eid -el Maulud (birthday of the Holy Prophet Mohammed). A statement from the Ministry of Interior, said the Minister of Interior, Captain Emmanuel Ihenacho, advised all Muslim faithful to pray for the peace and stability of the country.

Court Grants Bail to 65 Boko Haram Suspects

A Maiduguri High Court on Wednesday granted bail to 65 suspected Boko Haram suspects arrested over the recent killings in Borno. The prosecutor, Mr Abdullahi Izge, urged the court to adjourn the case to enable him to produce additional charges against the suspects. The counsel to the accused persons, Baba Waziri, opposed the prayer, saying the case could only be adjourned if the suspects were granted bail. Gana considered the argument of the defence and granted bail to each of the suspects on the presentation of a surety, who had landed property and is resident in Maiduguri. He adjourned the case to March 14 for further hearing.

Plateau Police Parade Robbery Suspects

The Plateau State Police Command, on Tuesday, paraded four armed robbery suspects in Jos. Parading the suspects, the Deputy Commissioner Umar Gwadabe, said the suspects were arrested between January 13 and 25 during different operations. Two locally made pistols and one live cartridge were recovered from one of the suspects. . Two other suspects, who conspired with the robbers, are still at large.

8 Perish in Sokoto Auto Crash

Eight persons, including a baby were burnt to death in a road accident at Dabagi village along the Sokoto–Gusau road. The accident, which involved a tipper and a Wagon, occurred on Monday night. The deceased, who were all occupants of the wagon, were said to have been burnt beyond recognition. Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Sokoto, Aliyu Bawa Datsama, confirmed the incident, saying 10 persons were involved in the accident. Datsama said the deceased were given a mass burial at the scene of the incident.

Cameroon Sends Officials to Bakassi to Free Abducted Officials

Cameroon's president has sent the Minister of Defense to the Bakassi peninsula to work toward the release of 13 government officials kidnapped by pirates. Government spokesman, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, said late Wednesday that two more people were kidnapped. Officials believe the hostages are being held in Nigeria. Pirates kidnapped the officials, penultimate Sunday, and killed two paramilitary policemen Monday. No one has claimed responsibility but officials believe it was the work of the Bakassi Freedom Fighters, a militant faction disputing Cameroon's ownership of the oil-rich tongue of land.

Ex-INEC Boss Dies at 79

Dr Abel Guobadia, a former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) passed on Friday morning at the age of 79. Family sources said the former electoral umpire died of complications of prostate cancer. Guobadia headed the INEC from 2000 to 2005 when he retired voluntarily.

INTERNATIONAL

Hosni Mubarak Resigns, Egypt Celebrates

After 18 days of mass protest in Egypt, Vice President Omar Suleiman announced that President Hosni Mubarak was standing down and handing power to the military. Mubarak’s resignation sent widespread celebrations in Egypt as protesters fell to their knees and prayed, wept and chanted. Hundreds of thousands of people packed into Tahrir Square, the centre of the demonstrations, waving flags, holding up hastily written signs declaring victory, and embracing soldiers. There were similar celebrations from Alexandria to Suez. Protest organizers said the success of the street turnouts meant that any future administration would be held to account. For now, Egypt will be governed by a military council led by the defence minister, Field Marshal Mohammed Hussein Tantawi, who is not a known reformer.

Thai, Cambodia Troops in Border Clash

Thai and Cambodian troops, Monday, continued their clash over a disputed border area surrounding a mountaintop temple. Both sides blame the other for sparking clashes that have killed at least two Thais and three Cambodians since the clash began penultimate Friday. Cambodian troops were seen in and around the Temple, even as the country accuses Thailand of seriously damaging it. Cambodian Prime Minister, Hun Sen, said on Wednesday that the damage constituted a war crime. Thailand accuses Cambodia of stationing soldiers at the temple and firing across the border at Thai soldiers. UN chief Ban Ki-moon called for "maximum restraint" in the border dispute.

20 Killed in Sudan Shootout

At least 20 people died in a shootout between Sudanese soldiers in a southern town, the military said, warning there was a risk of more clashes as the country divided its forces before the south becomes independent. Fighting broke out in Malakal, penultimate Thursday, when part of a military unit refused to redeploy with its weapons to the north. A total of 98.83% of voters from the oil-producing south voted to split from the north in a referendum in January. Northern and southern leaders still have to finalise how they will share out military hardware and security forces -as well as oil revenues and debts- before the south's departure, expected on July 9. Sudan's President Omar Hassan al-Bashir earlier said he accepted the result of the vote.

Police Kill Two Tunisian Protesters

Tunisian police have shot dead at least two people during a protest in the north-western town of Kef. Officers opened fire after a crowd attacked and burned a police station, demanding the resignation of the police chief they accused of abuse of power. The deaths came as a nationwide night-time curfew, imposed during the unrest which ousted President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali, was shortened by two hours. Witnesses say that the situation deteriorated after the police chief, Khaled Ghazouani, slapped a woman in the crowd. Protesters reportedly threw stones and petrol bombs at the building.

Fires Destroy Homes, Workshops in Australia, Brazil

About 60 homes have been destroyed by bushfires that have swept through neighbourhoods of the western Australian city of Perth, penultimate Sunday. Home-owners tried to keep the blaze at bay with hoses, but eventually authorities told them to abandon their properties. By late on Sunday fire fighters were battling two blazes on the outskirts of Perth. Similarly, Brazil's famed Rio Carnival due for March was dealt a devastating blow as an inferno destroyed workshops containing floats and costumes for the event. Jorge Castanheira, President of the League of Samba Schools which puts on the yearly event lamented the loss. Fire fighters managed to bring the situation under control, saving some of the costumes in nearby warehouse.

North and South Korea Begin, Halt Military talks

North and South Korea opened working-level military talks Tuesday at the truce village of Panmunjom, South Korea's Defense Ministry said. The talks are meant to help pave the way for higher-level military discussions. The talks signal a change in tone after tensions between the two sides escalated sharply last year. The South has previously said that it will demand that Pyongyang take responsibility for last year's military provocations and promise not to carry out any more attacks. Higher-level military talks will be held only if the North promises to refrain from further provocations. But the talks broke down soon after it began, officials in Seoul say. Officials at the talks reportedly failed to reach a consensus on an agenda for higher-level talks.

NATO Detains 2 Taliban Suspects in Afghanistan

The NATO mission in Afghanistan said Tuesday that its troops and local forces detained two suspected Taliban leaders, as a pair of homemade bombs killed a coalition service member and wounded two civilians. One of the Taliban leaders arrested is alleged to have coordinated attacks on Afghan and coalition forces. The other is believed to have served as a district Taliban chief for the past three months. In another development, armed militants in southwest Pakistan torched two oil tankers carrying fuel for U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan. Azam Shahwani, a senior government official, said four gunmen riding on motorcycles opened fire on a convoy of five oil tankers heading toward Afghanistan. No one was injured, but two of the oil tankers were destroyed.

Suicide Bomber Kills 27 in Attacks on Military Training Centre

A teenage suicide bomber killed at least 27 army recruits and wounded 42 others on Thursday when he blew himself up at a military training center in northwest Pakistan. The Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility for the blast, saying it was a "message for those who wish to join (the) pro-American military." "We will continue targeting Pakistan military until it stops supporting the U.S.," said Azam Tariq, the spokesman for the group. The suicide bomber, who was about 14-years-old, was wearing a school uniform and detonated his explosives after walking onto the grounds where army recruits were receiving their morning training, according to police chief Abdullah Khan.

Indonesian Mob Attacks Churches, Police

Hundreds of Islamic hard-liners stormed a courthouse and set two churches on fire on Tuesday in central Indonesia to protest what they considered a lenient sentence for a Christian convicted of blaspheming Islam. Antonius Richmond Bawengan, 58, was found guilty of distributing books and leaflets that "spread hatred about Islam" and sentenced to five years for blasphemy. Islamic hard-liners wanted the death sentence. Witnesses said at least nine people were rushed to the hospital with injuries and police led away some protesters for questioning. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono ordered the police and military to go "all-out" against extremists behind the unrest. The wave of hate crimes climaxed, penultimate Sunday, when enraged Muslims brutally murdered three followers of a heterodox Islamic sect in front of police. The police are investigating the attacks.

Online Campaign Rescues Abducted Children in China

An online campaign to gather photos of Chinese kids begging on the streets is pressuring authorities to crack down on gangs that kidnap children for exploitation and reuniting them with families. Many of the children begging in China are snatched from their families and forced to beg by gangs. They are sometimes maimed to elicit greater sympathy. Several families have been reunited with their abducted offspring since the social researcher Yu Jianrong launched a campaign in January, urging people to post photos of beggar children on the micro-blogs. The effort is winning support for efforts to protect the children, though some visitors to the microblogs have expressed worries over privacy issues and possible retaliation against kids by their abductors.

South Sudan Army in Clashes with Rebels

At least 16 people died in clashes between a renegade militia and South Sudan’s army, the military said on Thursday. The fighting with forces loyal to George Athor in South Sudan’s Jonglei state on Wednesday and Thursday broke a shaky ceasefire with the southern government and followed an army mutiny in neighbouring Upper Nile state that killed at least 60. “George Athor’s forces attacked an SPLA (the Southern Sudan People’s Liberation Army) base in Jonglei state. Four SPLA soldiers were killed and 12 of Athor’s men,” said SPLA spokesman, Philip Aguer.

Jury Finds TV Executive Guilty of Wife’s Murder

A New York jury on Monday found Muzzammil "Mo" Hassan guilty of second-degree murder for beheading his wife, Aasiya Hassan, in February 2009. Hassan, founder of a Muslim TV network, reported the death of his wife. Hassan has the right to appeal after he is sentenced, Jeremy Schwartz, his lawyer said. According to prosecutors, Aasiya Hassan had filed for divorce less than a week before she died. On the day she died, Aasiya Hassan agreed to take some of her husband's clothes to his office after he had moved out of their home. Schwartz had said that Aasiya had threatened to embarrass his client and take away his children, and 'Mo' Hassan feared for his life. "Mo Hassan killed his wife, but he is not guilty of murder in the second degree."

Chechen Warlord Claims Moscow Airport Bombing

One of Russia's most wanted men, Chechen warlord Doku Umarov, has said he ordered the January bomb on a Moscow airport that left 36 people dead and 180 injured. In a video posted online, Mr Umarov said the attack was a response to "Russian crimes in the Caucasus". Similar suicide attacks would continue, he added. Umarov is leader of the "Caucasus Emirate", an Islamist militant group spanning the North Caucasus, and is one of the few prominent Chechen rebels still active. In another video of Umarov, he threatened a year of "blood and tears" but made no explicit reference to the airport bombing.

Ex-Army Boss 'Commits Suicide' in Philippine

A former Philippine military chief who is recently accused of corruption has died in an apparent suicide. General Angelo Reyes (rtd) is thought to have killed himself with a single gunshot to the chest. In recent weeks, a Congressional inquiry has been hearing allegations of how Gen Reyes embezzled more than $1m (£620,000) from state funds. Witnesses had seen Reyes arrive in a cemetery in Manila. They said he went to his mother's grave, after which, he sent his children back to the car, before a single shot rang out. Reyes was an influential figure; as well as being head of the armed forces under President Estrada.

Relatives of Slain Activist Kidnapped

Three relatives of a human rights activist murdered in northern Mexico about a year ago were kidnapped in a suburb of Ciudad Juarez, according to Amnesty International. Two brothers and a sister-in-law of Josefina Reyes were reported abducted in Juarez Valley on Monday, with Amnesty International warning that their lives and those of their relatives are at risk. Gunmen intercepted the trio's van, forced them to leave the vehicle and took them to an unknown location. Two others escaped unharmed. Josefina Reyes, who protested alleged abuses by the military in its clampdown on organised crime, was killed on January 2010. Her brother Raul was killed in August. Neither crime has been solved. Two female human rights activists have been killed in the past two months alone.

7 Killed in Northern Iraq Bombings

A suicide bomber struck a Kurdish security headquarters Iraqi city of Kirkuk in a rapid-fire attack on Wednesday, killing seven. Within minutes, two more bombs hit nearby. Police Brig. Gen. Sarhat Qadir said two policemen were among the dead, while five police and eight officials with the Kurdish intelligence forces known as the Asayish were wounded. Dr. Khalid Ahmed of Kirkuk emergency hospital confirmed the casualty count of seven killed and about 80 injured. Kirkuk's police chief, Maj. Gen. Jamal Tahir, said the bomber slammed his truck into a blast wall surrounding the Asayish headquarters. No group has claimed responsibility, but Tahir said the militant group, Ansar al-Sunna, recently threatened to target Kurdish security forces and political parties in Kirkuk.

Pirates Seize 2 Oil Tankers in 2 Days

Sea Pirates hijacked two oil tankers in separate incidents on Tuesday and Wednesday. In the first incident, the pirates seized a large Italian oil tanker with a crew of 23 members east of the Yemeni island of Socotra, EU naval forces said. Commander Pio Schiano, from the Fratelli D'Amato shipping company in Naples which owns the tanker, said that he had been in communication with the tanker. Less than 24 hours later, another group of pirates, captured a Greek-flagged supertanker, carrying oil with 25 crew on board off the coast of Oman, Greece's Merchant Marine Ministry said. The ministry said authorities had lost contact with the ship since the attack. Meanwhile, Somali pirates on Wednesday released a South Korean ship seized four months ago while fishing for crabs.

Taiwan General Held for Alleged Spying for China

A Taiwanese general has been detained on suspicion of spying for China. Major-Gen Lo Hsien-che was recruited by China in 2004 while he was stationed in Thailand, according to the defence ministry said. It was reported that he had leaked details of Taiwan-US programmes, but officials expressed doubt that he had access to such information. His arrest follows an investigation launched last year. Officials said Gen Lo was posted to Thailand between 2002 and 2005, and was promoted to major general after his return to Taiwan. At the time of his arrest, he was head of the military command's communications and information office.