Villeworth Security Services Ltd

WEEK 26

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PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

PDP Chieftain Killed in Church

Six gunmen, penultimate Sunday, stormed a Church in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, and killed Mr. Paul Inyang, former Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) South-South Zonal Secretary. The armed gunmen, it was gathered, arrived at the church and asked one of the elders to call out the politician for them to deliver a message to him. But the elder, sensing trouble tipped Inyang of the presence of the hoodlums and advised him to escape. The politician, rather than heed the advice, was said to have ran to his car to fetch his gun and while trying to confront the assassins, he was shot dead. The police swiftly responded and accosted the gang, arresting one of them after an exchange of gun fire. No life was lost in the gun duel.

Banks on 5-Day Strike, Protest Robbery in Okigwe

Bank workers in the nine banks operating in Okigwe, Imo state on Monday embarked on a five-day warning strike to protest what they described as incessant armed robbery attacks on the banks. A member of Okigwe City Bank Managers’ Forum confirmed that the warning strike was declared by the forum to protest the recurring armed robbery attacks on the banks. He recalled what he described as the worst incidence of bank robbery involving nine banks in the town on April 21 during which seven persons, including a staff of one of the banks were killed and a huge amount of money carted away without any meaningful intervention by security agencies.  All the banks were shut to customers.

Enugu Drivers Protest Police Killing of Colleague, Student

Bus drivers in Enugu state on Wednesday blocked major roads in protest against the alleged killing of a bus driver and a student by the Police at a checkpoint. The police allegedly opened fire following the driver’s attempt to evade their monetary demand. But Police spokesman, Ebere Amaraizu, claimed that the vehicle somersaulted due to over-speeding as the driver attempted to evade the policemen. Similarly, a mobile policeman in Onitsha on Wednesday killed a taxi driver over N20. Anambra State police spokesman, Emeka Chukwuemeka, who confirmed the incident, said the police officer had been arrested and would be tried departmentally before being charged to court for murder. There have been at least two incidents of police killing of drivers in the last two weeks in Anambra state.

Abia: Police, Youths Parley against Kidnapping

Ngwa youths under the aegis of Renaissance Youths of Ngwa Land (TRYON) in collaboration with the Nigeria Police held a two-day security summit to map out strategies to end kidnapping, armed robbery and related crimes in Abia state. The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Jonathan Johnson called for concerted efforts in crime control. He enjoined the youths to shun the “get-rich quick syndrome,” resist being recruited as electoral criminals by desperate politicians; and embrace good religious and moral values.

Communities Sue Shell over Oil Spill

Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and eight of its operations host communities in Southern Ijaw LGA of Bayelsa State are locked in battle over the refusal of the SPDC to honour the agreement reached on the payment of compensation to communities impacted by spillage in the area over four years ago. An agreement was reach between both parties, but Shell reneged, a situation which forced the people to resort to litigation where they asked the court to compel the SPDC to pay compensation to the tune of N7.2 billion. In a another incident, Mobil Producing Nigeria (MPN) has admitted another oil spill from its facility at Qua Iboe oil field, which brings to three the number of such incidents since January this year. Mobil said it has deployed a team to inspect the area. The said sections of the shoreline with oiling will be cleaned without much ado.

Rivers Police Arrest 15 for Forgery

The Rivers State Police Command, Wednesday, arrested 15 persons for forging SSCE result to enable them qualify for the on-going recruitment exercise in the Nigeria Police Force. It was gathered that the youths were arrested, following a tip-off at some business centres in Port Harcourt, where they had gone to falsify the statement of results. Confirming the arrest, Police image-maker in the state, Dr. Rita Inoma-Abbey said the Police were investigating the incident. Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police, Mr Ogbonna Onovo has said in Akwa Ibom State, that there is an alarming level of indiscipline and insubordination in the Nigerian Police Force, warning that such untoward attitude will no longer be tolerated.

Bayelsa Lawmakers Impeach Deputy Governor

The embattled Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Hon. Peremobowei Ebebi, was on Thursday impeached by 18 out of 24 members of the state House of Assembly. Ebebi’s impeachment follows the report of the panel set up to look into the allegations of gross misconduct leveled against him. He was found guilty of nine out of the 10-point allegation against him. Ebebi’s removal is the fourth impeachment in the 11 years of democracy in Bayelsa state. Governor Timipre Sylva is expected to forward a name to the state assembly for screening as a new deputy governor.

Soldiers Kill 2, Nab 2 Suspected Kidnappers in Enugu

Soldiers of the 82 division of the Nigerian Army, Enugu, deployed to assist the police in combating crime have shot dead two members of a kidnap gang and arrested two others. The gang had on Monday, abducted two people. The General Officer Commanding (GOC), Major General Mohammed Isah, disclosed that the suspects were apprehended at their hideouts in Uburu, Ohaozara LGA of Ebonyi State. He also noted that the victims were kept at the hideouts while their ransom was being negotiated. The GOC said that the kidnap suspects died following various degrees of injury they sustained during an exchange of gunfire with the soldiers.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

Air Force Men Seize Policemen for Assault

A team of Air Force officers took away some police men attached to a bank in Benin, Edo state beaten up some Air Force men for allegedly violating the security rules of the bank. Trouble started when two Air Force personnel arrived at the microfinance bank and entered into a commercial bank. On their return, they allegedly discovered that their car’s tyre was deflated and pushed away from its initial location. The policemen at to the microfinance bank reportedly pounced on the two officers and dragged them into the premises. An Air force Officer, who saw what happened, quickly alerted her colleagues and a team of Air Force men arrived at the scene and took four policemen and other civilian security officers at the bank to an unknown destination. Their fate remains unknown.

Edo Police Parade 8 Suspected Kidnappers

Eight suspected kidnappers have been paraded by the Edo State Police Command. According to the State Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel Kachi Udeoji, two AK49 rifles with 46 rounds of live ammunition were recovered from the suspects. He said the suspects confessed to have kidnapped Major General Ademokhai (rtd) who paid N10 million as ransom, and three others, who paid various amounts as ransom. But the Vice-chairman of Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Andrew Igiri, has accused the Police of parading two innocent Ijaw youths as kidnappers. Igiri called on the police to release the boys or charge them before a competent court for trial.

Company Discover More Oil in N-Delta

Total Exploration and Production Nigeria Ltd, and its partner, Conoil Producing Nigeria Ltd, have discovered new hydrocarbons in its Oil Mining Lease, OML 136, offshore western Niger Delta. The French company merely said the oil was “discovered in the central portion” of the block identified as the Agge-3B.T1 well, “located in a water depth of 140 metres and reached a total depth of 2,710 metres.” The oil was discovered in the same well, in which Conoil had earlier in May, announced huge gas deposit discovery. Conoil stated that it made “the discovery in Agge-3B. T1 well while appraising an undrilled compartment of the Agge field complex.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

Arogundade, Navy Lose Application over Assault Case

An Ikeja High Court on Monday struck out the application for stay of execution of judgment pending appeal brought by Rear Admiral Harry Arogundade, and the Nigerian Navy against Court’s judgment ordering them to pay the sum of N100 million to Miss Uzoma Okere and Mr. Abdulahi Abdulazeez for assault. Justice Opeyemi Oke noted that she had ordered that all processes be served at the last hearing and struck out the application. Justice Oke had earlier struck out Arogundade’s application to stay the judgment by ordering him and the Navy to pay the N100 million awarded to Okere and Abdulazeez into an interest-yielding account until the judgment-debtors’ appeal at the Court of Appeal is determined.

Traffic Officer Killed Trying to Enforce Compliance

A traffic officer of the Ogun Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps lost his life on Tuesday morning while trying to enforce order on the highway. It was learnt that the officer, Tunde Osunbiyi, was pushed down from a commercial truck, which had been flagged down for flouting a traffic regulation. The late Osunbiyi was said to have been pushed down from the truck by the occupants on the way to the zonal office of the traffic agency after the vehicle had been contravened. The driver was said to have escaped arrest as he fled the area after the unfortunate incident. The Police Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, who confirmed the incident, said a suspect has been arrested in connection with the death of Osunbiyi.

Two Killed as Smugglers Crash Vehicle into Custom’s Van

Two persons, an informant to the Nigeria Custom Service (NCS) and an alleged smuggler died on Tuesday in an accident that occurred at Ijora-Orile, Ogun State, as a result of a head on collision between an alleged smuggled car and a Custom Patrol Vehicle. The informant was said to be hanging on the patrol van when the accident occurred on the notorious smugglers’ route. The custom officials had used their patrol vehicle to block the road thinking that that would force them to stop. But instead the smugglers chose to ram their car into the patrol van. Apart from the dead, the seven custom men said to be in the patrol van and three of the smugglers sustained various degrees of injuries.

Police Beat Undergraduate to Coma

A female student of the Federal Polytechnic Ado-Ekiti, Abigail Ige, was on Monday beaten to coma by four police officers. Abigail had gone to buy fingerlings when she was accosted by a policeman, who asked to search her bag. According to eye-witness, she obliged but insisted that he searched it in the market, but the refused and seized her bag. According to Abigail, she later went to the police station to get her bag, the policeman asked her to enter the cell, which she refused. His colleagues then beat her up and dragged her into the cell, where the first policeman hit her head with a wood four times, before she later passed out. A trader in the market saw what happened and alerted the polytechnic authorities. A lawmaker in the state said that the lawmakers would summon the Commissioner of Police on the matter, while the state’s Police spokesman, Jimoh Mohammed, said that that the command was already investigating the matter.

Police Foil Robbery Attempt in Ekiti

The police in Ekiti State, on Tuesday foiled an attempted bank robbery. The robbers numbering eight were said to have shot indiscriminately into the air to scare people away, as they made a futile bid to enter the banking hall, but the quick intervention of the police command saw them running away. The Police Public Relations Officer of the state, Mohammed Jimoh, said that police has put check-points on all the entries to the state, and urged members of the public to go about their normal duties.

Woman Gets 180 Years Jail Term for Fraud

An Ikeja High Court, Lagos, Nigeria, has sentenced a middle-aged woman, Ritchko Taiwo Roselyna to 180 years imprisonment for obtaining N1.5 million under false pretence. Justice Joseph Oyewole found Taiwo Roselyna guilty of 17 counts out of the 31-count charge brought against her by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and sentenced her to 10 years imprisonment on each of the count. The jail term is to run concurrently from November 8, 2005 when she was arrested. The EFCC alleged that Ritchiko Taiwo Roselyn conspired with others to obtain a total sum of N1.5 million from people under the false pretence of procuring visa and other travelling documents for them.

Septuagenarian Abducted, Released in Ondo

A group of unidentified hoodlums, shooting sporadically, penultimate Saturday, in Owo, Ondo State, kidnapped a septuagenarian woman near the residence of a politician, Chief Olufemi Adekanbi, mistaking the woman for his mother. The hoodlums had demanded a ransom of N30 million for her release and warned that she would be killed unless the money is paid. The Police Commissioner, Bala Magaji Nassarawa, confirmed the incident and declared that his men were investigating. Adekanbi, who was immediately contacted by the abductors, said an agreement had been reached for the payment of a N5 million ransom. Adekanbi said the burden of paying the ransom was on him “if we want to see the helpless woman alive again.” She regained freedom after two day, with no ransom paid, according to the police.

AIG Urges Hospitals to Treat Robbery Suspects, Report to Police

Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Zone 11, Mr. Azubuko Udah, has said that hospitals and other health centres can treat any armed robbery suspect or victim of gunshot before obtaining police report, adding however  that  such case must be immediately reported to the police otherwise it becomes an offence. The AIG said this when he delivered a Paper at a forum on Emergency Response to Victims of Gun Violence in Lagos. Meanwhile, the Police have craved the indulgence of the public to assist in fighting crime saying while the Nigerian Police are highly commended for their exploit abroad; it is a symbol of hate at home.

Convict Dupes Banker N12m from Prison

A man serving a 15 years jail term has defrauded a banker of N12million from his cell at the Kirikiri Prison, Lagos. The prisoner, Ikechukwu Ogbu, had allegedly advertised himself as a bachelor searching for a wife. He lied to a lady who responded that he was only detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) for money laundering. He then told her that someone was sending $25 million to him, but he didn’t want it in his account as the EFCC would seize it. She then looked for an account for him through her brother-in-law, a banker. He then told the banker to arrange for his release by bribing key prison officials, the EFCC and the judge. Members of his syndicate, posing as the officials, began demanding for millions of naira, which he paid. But Ogbu was not released and no dollar payment was received, prompting the banker to report to the EFCC.

Man Kills Landlord over House Rent

A tenant has allegedly killed his landlord over house rent debt in Lagos on Tuesday. The landlord, Papa Chikwado, was said to have reported to the police, that one of his tenants, Kelechi, had refused to pay the house rent. A source disclosed that the police had allegedly invited Kelechi, but his refusal to show up made the police to seize his motorcycle. Angered by that, Kelechi was alleged to have threatened to die or kill the landlord if his motorcycle was not returned. Following that, Kelechi trailed the landlord with a cutlass and dealt machete blows on him. Neighbours rushed him to the hospital, but he died. Meanwhile, Kelechi is now on the run and the police have launched a manhunt for him.

GENERAL

Illegal Arms Market Discovered In Benue

The Benue State police command has discovered an illegal arms market and seized 16 AK 47 rifles. The state governor, Gabriel Suswam, who made the disclosure requested residents to furnish security agencies with more information to enable them to   effectively curb crime. Suswam explained that the police, on the trail of an arms dealer, discovered that Abinsi, a settlement on the bank of River Benue along Makurdi-Gboko road, host an illegal arms market, where people come from all over the country to purchase arms. He pointed out that security reports indicate that some of those who patronise the illegal arms market are politicians and vowed that he would ensure that anyone seeking for political position and uses violence is disqualified from the contest.

CJ Grants Pardon to 72 Prison Inmates

The chief judge of the Federal Capital Territory, Justice Lawal Hassan Gumni on Tuesday, freed a total of 72 prison inmates at Suleja, Niger state. Justice Gumni, who first of all released 17 non convicted inmates after hearing their offences and statements, said that the FCT judiciary was making efforts to reduce the number of inmates  unjustifiably held in custody without due trial.

Gun Attack FCDA Official

Armed men on Monday night shot and wounded a deputy director of Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Alhaji Al-lawan Kamfut, in front of his Abuja house. Kamfut was allegedly shot in the right arm and was rushed to the Federal Staff Hospital, Garki for treatment. He was said to have driven into the residence and was taking a telephone call inside the vehicle when the hoodlums parked their car beside him and asked him to bring the car keys. While the deputy director was hesitating, the gang reportedly shot him in the right arm and shattered the glass window just as they fired repeatedly into the air to scare away neighbours.

Robbers Butcher Man, 55

A gang of ten armed robbers invaded the house of a 55 years-old widower, Alhaji Sale Mohammed and killed him. The late Mohammed was the managing director of Nagarta Construction Company. The younger brother of the deceased, Hassan Sale, the robbers struck penultimate Saturday morning, demanding for money, which was given, but the robbers went ahead to axed and stabbed Mohammed, claiming that he was stubborn. They also took away handsets and other valuable items in the house. Hassan also confirmed that the police were informed and they immediately came to rescue the deceased, who had already been shot by the arm robbers. He died due to loss of blood. Mohammed, a father of seven was set to marry a few days before this unfortunate incident happened.

Ex-NDLEA Boss Sentenced to 16 Years in Jail

Former Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Alhaji Bello Lafiaji, was on Monday convicted and sentenced to 16 years imprisonment, while his personal assistant, Usman Amali, was sentenced to 7 years. Their sentences would run concurrently for four and three years respectively. Justice Olusola Williams of a Lagos court, pronounced Lafiaji and Amali guilty for gross abuse of office and conspiracy on charges preferred against them by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). The court held that Lafiaji conspired with Amali and illegally received 164,400 euros from one Ikenna Onochie, a suspect with the NDLEA, in order to release him and his vehicles from custody.

Accident Claims 21 Lives in Sokoto, Yobe

About 14 Nigeriens lost their lives while 21 others, including a Nigerian sustained various degrees of injuries in a ghastly motor accident along Kware – Illela road in Sokoto state. The deceased Nigeriens were on their way to Niger Republic when the incident occurred. The accident involved a collision between a truck and a Toyota starlet car at a sharp bend. In Yobe, seven occupants of a bus died along the Damaturu-Geidam road after the driver lost control while trying to avoid a camel that had blocked the road and crashed into the bush. The Secretary of the Sani Abacha Specialists Hospital, Damaturu, Mallam Habu Sani, said that the seven died of head injuries and profuse internal bleedings.

Boy Stabs Man to Death for Separating Fight

A middle-aged man was reportedly stabbed to death in Kaduna by an irate youth in their neighborhood, penultimate Friday. In reaction, angry youths in the area torched the house of the suspected killer while his family fled for their lives. Investigation revealed that the deceased, Emmanuel John, in his mid twenties, had a confrontation with the suspect, Felix Mugunshiri, leading to his death. According to Elizabeth John, sister to the deceased, the late Emmanuel saw some boys fighting and decided to separate them. But Felix ran to the house and returned with a knife and stabbed Emmanuel on his neck and thigh. His mother who escorted him was there and also joined him in beating Emmanuel, who bled to death.

Abducted Briton Rescued in Abuja

Two suspected kidnappers of a British citizen in Abuja were arrested and the hostage rescued by the Police. The Briton, Mr. Ian Weaver, was kidnapped on June 22 close to his residence by about armed men, who later demanded for a ransom of $3 million and later brought it down to N10 million. Inspector General of Police, IGP, Ogbonna Onovo, while handing the rescued Briton to the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, said the feat was achieved through the timely information from members of the public, who noticed some unusual movements around the area and reported to the police. The two suspects are currently assisting the police in arresting other members of the gang, who escaped police gun shots.

US Delegation to Train Ex-militants

A delegation from the Centre for Non-Violence and Peace Studies, USA has arrived Nigeria for the Federal Government‘s post amnesty programme scheduled to begin this Monday. The Special Adviser to President Jonathan on Niger Delta Affairs, Timi Alaibe, said the arrival of the team marked the beginning of the demobilization, rehabilitation and re-integration of the ex-militants. But the international community is worried over the slow pace of implementing the post-amnesty programme and fears renewed violence in the region.

Reps in Rowdy Session, Suspend 11 Members

Members of the House of Representatives engaged themselves in fisticuffs on Tuesday over the decision of the Speaker Dimeji Bankole to suspend 11 lawmakers that are members of the Progressives group, following a motion moved by a member. The group, led by Hon. Dino Melaye, had asked for a probe of the House leadership over alleged misappropriation of N9 billion capital votes appropriated to the house in 2008 and 2009. The leadership of the House said they were suspended "For failing to adhere to the provisions of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act; Code of Conduct for honourable members and rules of the House in stating their grievances and for taking their matter to the public domain with a view to maliciously bringing the image of the House into disrepute.” It was gathered that they will all remain suspended till the end of the current legislative session.

Jonathan Charges Lawmakers on Anti-terrorism Bill

President Goodluck Jonathan, has urged the Senate to urgently pass the anti-terrorism and anti-money laundering bill. This, according to him is to prevent the US Financial Action Task Force (FATF) from blacklisting Nigeria as a terror prone state. In an official presidential communication read by the Senate President, David Mark, Jonathan said that a blacklisting by the FATF will seriously hamper government's effort in combating terrorism and corruption while making efforts at boosting the nation's economic development.

Man, 47, Rapes Two Pupils

A 47-year-old butcher, Sani Aminu in Kaduna has been arrested for allegedly raping an 11-year-old girl and infecting her with HIV. Nemesis caught up with him when a teacher alerted the parents and the authority of the school the 11-year-old and another 10-year-old, to their frequent absence from school. The teacher then asked the girls and they confessed to have been absconding from school to the butcher’s abattoir to satisfy his sexual urge. The teacher and others then set a trap and watched from a hidden place how he gave the girls N50 and ushered them into the isolated place to rape them, but he was caught him and handed him over to the police. The suspect confessed to have only raped the two girls three times.

4 Killed in Benue Communal Clash

Four Fulani herdsmen have killed four persons in Anchiha Village in Gwer LGA of Benue State in a renewed war with their host community. The recent killings took place shortly after a stakeholders meeting organised by the Benue State Government to resolve the impasse between the herdsmen and the Tiv communities, where both parties had agreed to stop fighting each other. A source disclosed that eight Fulani men dressed in military uniform with sophisticated weapons had killed four indigenes. The source said he quickly ran for his life and reported the matter to the district head of Mbasombo, Chief Joseph Orkar kobi, who called in the Police. But the Fulani men ran into the bush.

NDA to Establish Training Centre in Yobe

The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) is to establish a permanent training centre in the desert terrains of Gashua and Yusufari council areas of Yobe State. The plan was disclosed on Thursday by the NDA Commandant, Maj.-Gen. Mahmud Yerima, who said that the training was initiated by the Military Academy last year when it was realised that most of its cadets find it difficult to cope with the increasing challenges of peace keeping in desert-prone war zones. Similarly, the Nigeria Army has established a counter-terrorist and counter-insurgency centre in Jaji, Kaduna State to train personnel on counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency skills, due to the upsurge in terrorist organizations worldwide, the problem of militancy in the Niger-Delta and the proliferation of fundamentalist religious groups.

Senate Confirms Jega as INEC Chair

The senate has confirmed Prof. Attahiru Jega as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), alongside six others as national commissioners. The screening of two nominees, Mrs. Amina Bala Zakari (Jigawa-North-West) and Dr. Abdulkadir S. Oniyangi (Kwara-North-Central), was discontinued as the senate had not received security report on them. President Jonathan had dropped two nominees who were found to be partisan.

INTERNATIONAL

AU Condemns Attack on Peace Keepers in Darfur

African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson, Jean Ping, has expressed anger over the attack that killed three peacekeepers of the UN-African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) on Monday. The deaths bring to 27 the number of UNAMID members killed in Darfur since January 2008. Meanwhile, two German aid workers were on Thursday, kidnapped from their compound in Sudan's Darfur region by unidentified gunmen. They work for the German group Technisches Hilfswerk (THW), which provides technical assistance to aid projects.  Meanwhile, there have been reports of further fighting in the north of Darfur between the army and rebels. Clashes in Darfur have intensified since Justice and Equality Movement rebels suspended its participation in peace talks last month.

Train Accidents in Congo, Spain Kill 88

More than 76 people have been killed in a Monday train crash in the south of Congo-Brazzaville, officials said. The train derailed as it went round a corner in a remote area between Bilinga and Tchitondi, throwing four carriages into a ravine. Officials say the death toll is likely to rise as rescue operations continue. Government spokesman, Bienvenu Okiemy, blamed excess speed for the accident. A train speeding through a seaside rail station plowed into a group of youths taking a shortcut across the tracks to get to a beach party, killing at least 12 and injuring 14, Spanish officials said Thursday. It was Spain's deadliest train accident since 2003, when 19 people died in a collision between passenger and freight trains in the southeastern town of Chinchilla.

Indonesia Police Arrest Wanted Terrorist

An elite anti-terrorism squad arrested Indonesia‘s most-wanted man and two other suspects Wednesday after raiding their hide-out on the country‘s main island of Java, police said. At least one person was killed and several weapons seized, including a bomb in a backpack. Among those taken alive was Abdullah Sunata, the country‘s top terrorist suspect, said an investigator. Sunata jumped to the top of the most-wanted list after allegedly setting up a network that was plotting a Mumbai-style attack in the world‘s most populous Muslim country and high-profile assassinations, including a plot to kill President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. At least 60 suspected members of the network have been arrested in recent months.

30 Die in Ghana’s Floods, Thousands Evacuated in Bosnia

The death toll from flooding in Ghana has risen to 30, Kofi Portuphy, coordinator of Ghana's disaster management organisation, confirmed. Most of the flooding, occur is in areas near the capital, Accra, and in central Ghana. The flooding was caused by heavy rains and has swept away vehicles and destroyed homes, displacing hundreds of people. Ghanaian officials said the floods were worst in recent memory. In Bosnia, authorities have evacuated thousands of people as rivers spilled over due to heavy rains, cutting off towns and villages. Officials say rain caused 30 landslides and sections of most roads in the north and the west of the country are flooded.

Holland Deploys Submarine to Fight Piracy

The Dutch navy will deploy submarine in September, combat the rising tide of piracy in the seas off the East African coast, the Dutch defense minister announced on Tuesday. Eimert van Middelkoop said the vessel will primarily be used to monitor communications between pirate vessels and their warlord masters on shore while remaining undetected. The ship will be part of NATO's Ocean Shield anti-piracy mission, aiming to keep the busy shipping channels there safe from attack. The International Maritime Bureau on Monday said that the number of attacks has dropped. It warned, however, that the pirates are stretching their range up to 1,000 nautical miles out to sea in response to more international patrols close to shore.

First Female PM Emerges in Australia

Australia’s ruling Labour Party, Thursday, ousted Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and elected the country first female leader, who was Rudd’s deputy, Julia Gillard. Gillard was elected leader in an uncontested vote hours after she challenged Rudd. The leadership change immediately eased hostilities between the government and big mining companies over a proposed tax on so-called super profits from burgeoning mineral and energy sales to China and India. Gillard said her government is willing to negotiate on the proposed tax.

Witness in Philippine Massacre Shot Dead

A witness to the massacre of 57 people in the southern Philippines last year has been shot dead, raising concerns whether others will want to testify against members of the power clan charged with the murders. Suwaib Upham was killed on June 14. Upham was a member of the civilian militia force implicated in the November 23 massacre and had agreed to testify against members of the Ampatuan clan, who are among the nearly 200 people who have been charged with the murders on the southern island of Mindanao. Philippine police have filed murder charges against two local politicians and a police officer over the separate killings of two reporters, penultimate week.

Wanted Jamaican Drug Lord Arrested

Jamaica's Information Minister, Daryl Vaz, has announced that the police have arrested suspected drug lord, Christopher "Dudus" Coke, on the outskirts of Kingston.  He was detained at a roadblock on Tuesday accompanied by Rev Al Miller, a preacher, who said Coke was going to the US embassy to hand himself in. The government wants to extradite him to face US drug and gun trafficking charges. Attempts to capture him in May led to clashes in which scores of people died. The 41-year-old is accused of being the leader of the notorious Shower Posse, which US authorities say operates an international drug and gun smuggling network. Coke insists he is a legitimate businessman and enjoys the support of many impoverished Kingston residents who see him as a benefactor.

Egypt Sentences Militant Leader to Death for Terror Attack

A top Egyptian militant leader was, Wednesday, sentenced to death for killing two police commanders and for organising bomb attacks against security officials and tourists in the 1990s. Abdel Hamid Musa Abu Aqrab, who headed the military wing of Al-Gama’a Al-Islamiya group, was charged with “pre-meditated murder” of two police commanders in 1992 and 1993. The group was also blamed for a failed 1995 assassination attempt on President Hosni Mubarak in Addis Ababa. A judge at the state security court referred Abu Aqrab's case for confirmation by Egypt’s top religious authority, the Grand Mufti, in a procedural step that almost always confirms the death penalty.

Heavy Rains, Mine Explosion Kill 221 in China

Heavy rain in southern China, penultimate week, killed at least 175 people and left 107 missing, as rivers overflowed and landslides cut off road and rail links, officials said on Monday. More than 1 million people have been evacuated, according to the Ministry of Civil Affairs. The rains on Tuesday burst a dike in southern China, sending 68,000 people fleeing their homes. Premier Wen Jiabao visited rescue workers and people evacuated from flooded homes in Guangxi, urging no effort be spared to tackle the disaster. An underground explosion in a coal mine in central China's Henan province also killed at least 46 miners on Monday. Officials are investigating what caused the blast, which occurred in the explosives storage area of the mine, located in Pingdingshan City.

4 NATO Troops Die in Helicopter Crash

A military helicopter crashed during a morning operation in southern Afghanistan on Monday, killing three Australian commandoes and an American service member, officials said. There were no indications of enemy involvement, NATO said in a statement. The helicopter crashed before dawn in southern Kandahar province, and the operation it had been part of was still ongoing, Houston said. Meanwhile, the number of UK service personnel killed in the Afghanistan conflict since 2001 has hit 300, after a wounded marine died in hospital.  The MoD said the man was hurt in a blast in the Sangin district of Helmand on 12 June.

Attackers Set Fire to El Salvador Bus

At least 11 passengers were killed and eight others injured, penultimate Sunday, when assailants set fire to a bus in El Salvador, police said. Witnesses said people on motorcycles intercepted the bus, doused it with gasoline and closed the doors with the passengers inside. Authorities tried to break windows to help people escape from the burning bus. Minutes later, a group of attackers opened fire on another bus blocks away, killing an 11-year-old girl and the bus conductor. Police said the incidents may be linked, and that the buses may have been targeted as a reprisal against drivers who had not paid a gang-imposed toll. Investigators have detained three people -one of whom had gasoline on his clothes, police said.

Exiled Rwandan Army Chief Shot in SA

Rwanda has said it was not behind the shooting of an exiled former military chief of staff in South Africa. Lt Gen Faustin Kayumba Nyamwasa, a critic of Rwanda's president, is recovering in hospital after being shot outside his Johannesburg home. His wife, Rosette Nyamwasa, said it was an assassination attempt as the lone gunman had made no demand for money or goods. But Rwanda's Foreign Minister, Louise Mushikiwabo, said that the government did not condone violence. Rosette added that President Kagame wanted her husband dead, and had vowed to kill him before the parliament. Police in South Africa have arrested six suspects in the shooting and have begun a probe into the shooting.

Death Toll in Indonesian Earthquake Climbs to 17

The death toll from a powerful string of earthquakes that shook Indonesia's Papua province last week has climbed to 17, a government official said Monday. "Most of the deaths occurred when a truck carrying 13 people plunged off a cliff because of the earthquake," said Priyadi Kardono, head of Indonesia's national disaster management agency. "There are 2,556 houses badly damaged. We have a team there and aid has already started to be flown in." At least six earthquakes struck the region during a several-hour period Wednesday afternoon. Four quakes rattled the region within an hour's time. The largest was a magnitude 7.0. The epicenters of the earthquakes were clustered within 90 kilometers (56 miles) of each other and some 180 kilometers (110 miles) north of Enarotali, Indonesia.

2 Taliban Commanders Arrested

Two Taliban commanders were detained after an operation conducted in Afghanistan's Helmand province, the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force said penultimate Sunday. ISAF and Afghan National Security Forces conducted the operation Saturday night in Saidaban, south of Nad'Ali, aimed at impacting "the insurgents' ability to coordinate attacks and movement of weapons and improvised explosive device materials around Nad'Ali. Two of the detained men were identified as Taliban commanders, and are believed to have planned and conducted numerous attacks in Nad'Ali. No civilian casualty was reported.

18 Killed as Speeding Truck Runs into Wedding Convoy

A speeding truck rammed into two tractors pulling trolleys loaded with guests returning from a wedding in southern India on Tuesday, killing 18 people, including the groom, police said. The bride and 19 other people were injured, according to Shahnawaz Qasim, a district police superintendent. Doctors in nearby hospitals described the condition of seven of the injured as critical. Road accidents claim thousands of lives every year in India, and most are blamed on reckless driving, poorly maintained vehicles and bad roads. Many passengers travel on makeshift, overcrowded means of transport such as carts attached to tractors.

Istanbul Bomb Attack on Soldiers' Bus Kills Four

A remote-controlled bomb hit a bus carrying Turkish soldiers and civilians, and killed four people, leaving 12 others injured near Istanbul. No-one has claimed responsibility, though suspicion is on the PKK Kurdish rebel group, which recently stepped up its attacks on Turkish military targets. A number of seriously injured survivors were taken to hospital and two were in critical condition. One person was killed in Athens, Greece in an explosion at the Ministry of Citizen Protection on Thursday, a ministry official said. The bomb was in a parcel delivered to the desk of the assistant to the secretary of the ministry, according to reports. There has been no claim of responsibility, police said.

11 Killed in Cameroon Plane Crash

There were no survivors with wreckage found Monday in remote African terrain of a missing aircraft carrying 11 people, an Australian mining company, Sundance Resources Ltd, said. Sundance said its top executives perished in the crash. Mining magnate Ken Talbot, a director of Sundance and one of Australia's richest men, was among the victims, the company said. The aircraft had taken off from Yaounde, Cameroon, penultimate Saturday bound for Yangadou in Congo-Brazzaville. Its wreckage was located in remote jungle on Monday.