Villeworth Security Services Ltd

week 24

• 
• 

PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

3 Suspected Armed Robbers Killed In Gun Battle with Police

Three suspected armed robbers were last weekend killed by the police in Rumukpakani area of Rivers State after a heavy exchange of gun fire, according to the police. Police spokesman, Ben Ugwuegbulam, said the robbers were killed by a patrol team while responding to a distress call. He said one of the armed robbers escaped with fatal bullet wounds and a locally made revolver with five cartridges were recovered.

5 Corps Members Kidnapped in Rivers State

Security operatives in Rivers State have intensified effort to secure the release of five corps members allegedly kidnapped on their way from a school in Omademe community in Ikwerre LGA, where they had gone to inspect a library project they donated to the school. The state Police Public Relations Officer, Ben Ugwuegbulam, confirmed the abduction, adding that the police was on top of the situation. It was further disclosed that the kidnappers have demanded a ransom of N100 million for their release.

Five Policemen Killed in Port Harcourt

Two police officers, an inspector and a corporal, were on Wednesday shot dead in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, while a third was wounded and is receiving treatment. The victims were on patrol and had stopped under the Eliozu Flyover when some gunmen opened fire on them. Another three were killed in similar circumstance in Aluu town and Choba. It was gathered that the command lost two of its personnel in Aluu and one in Choba. So far, no group has claimed responsibility for the attacks. However, the police spokesman, Mr. Benjamin Ugwuegbulam has urged members of the public not to be disillusioned by the incident, assuring that the police was on top of the situation.

SSS Parades Suspected Kidnappers in Abia

Five of the nine suspected kidnappers of a Catholic Reverend Sister Chikaodi Elendu and a Secondary School student in Arochukwu Council of Abia State on April 13, were on Thursday paraded by the State Security Service (SSS). The State SSS Director, Matthew Obodoechi, said that men of his command swung into action with a view to rescuing the victims and in the process apprehended the five and still trailing the rest.

Anambra Doctors Protest Kidnap of Colleague

Medical Doctors in Anambra State downed tools in protest over the kidnap of their colleague, Dr. Okwudili Udemezue. The doctors, numbering over 300 with some medical students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, staged a peaceful protest in Nnewi, Awka, visiting also the Government House, the Police Headquarters and Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), Awka. Udemezue was abducted penultimate Sunday night as he was driving home from work. The Chairman of the Nnewi branch of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Dr. Achukwu Nwabueze lamented that doctors had become targets of kidnappers. The Deputy Police Commissioner, DCP, Austin Evbakhavbokun commended the doctors for their mature conduct and assured them that the command is on the matter and would rescue their colleague soon.

3 Killed in Enugu Building Collapse

Three persons were killed as a four-storey building under construction collapsed last weekend in Enugu. The three persons were reportedly working in the building at the time of the incident. The construction workers were believed to have been buried in the debris as sympathizers, who rushed to the scene after the building collapsed said they heard some people shouting from the compound but could not sight them. It could not be immediately ascertained why the building collapsed.

MEND Threatens to Attack Oil Facilities

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), Monday, threatened to attack facilities of the Italian oil firm, Eni, accusing it of “theft” and of backing NATO-led air raids on Libya. MEND accused Eni of “theft” of oil in the Niger Delta and aiding a special Nigerian military unit deployed in Libya. In his reaction, military spokesman Timothy Antigha said, the JTF is yet to determine its authenticity of the email. ENI declined to comment.

Irate Youths Seize Oil Workers in Eket

Irate youths from Afriyo, Eket in Akwa Ibom state, on Thursday, hijacked a 32-seater coaster bus conveying oil workers to the Uquo Marginal Oil Fields operated by Frontier Oil Ltd. The youths after hijacking the bus, took it to the palace of the village head where the oil workers were released unharmed, without the bus. It was learnt that when a detachment of armed policemen were sent to retrieve the bus and arrest the youths, the chiefs in the area addressed the policemen and offered themselves for arrest in place of the youths. Chief Eshiet Abasiekong, Village Head of Afriyo community, said the incident was not a kidnap case.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

Pastor, Foreigner Arrested for Kidnapping

The police in Delta State have arrested a Pastor in Ughelli and a foreigner for abducting a three-year-old child. The pastor whose name was given as Emmanuel Abuvo and his Cameroonian cohort conspired and abducted the child from her school premises pretending to be her parents. The police from the area immediately swung into action with the local vigilance group following a tip-off that a pastor of the African Church and his cohort abducted the child and were hiding her in an uncompleted building in Ughelli. Luck ran out on the unsuspecting pastor who was arrested within the premises of the uncompleted building by the police while he made frantic effort to escape.

Militants Claims John Togo Died of Bullet Wounds

Fighters of the Niger Delta Liberation Front (NDLF) have confirmed that their leader, General John Togo is dead. They said Togo died on Saturday June 4 after all efforts to extract bullets lodged in his body during the raid on his camp by the Joint Military Task Force failed. The JTF insists that that stories of Togo’s death was being peddled to divert the attention of the security outfit and ensure that he escapes. A decomposing corpse suspected to be that of Togo was exhumed at his camp recently, but the JTF maintained that it would not call off the search for him until a DNA proved the corpse belonged to Togo.

Deputy Governor’s Father-In-Law Abducted

Unknown gunmen on Tuesday kidnapped the Edo State Deputy Governor’s father-in-law, Chief Felix Okungbowa, in Benin. The gunmen were said to have stormed his residence and abducted him. According to the police sources, the kidnappers were yet to state their reasons for the action nor had they demanded any ransom.

Police, SSS in Open Brawl in Delta Parliament

Police and State Security Service (SSS) personnel on Tuesday engaged in a brawl over the arrest of an SSS man by the police at the premises of the Delta State House of Assembly. Trouble started when three police men held the SSS man, and forcefully dragged him into a pick-up van, but six SSS men who were manning the gate prevented the police from forcing their colleague into the van. This developed into a fight began. The reason for the arrest of the SSS man was not immediately disclosed but a source close to the police said he was rude to the Commissioner of Police, Mamman Tsafe, who ordered his arrest.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

Police Uncover Bomb in Ogun Assembly

Police in Ogun state discovered explosives in the premises of the state assembly. The explosive was uncovered at the state House of Assembly during the inauguration of the seventh legislature attended by the state Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun and other dignitaries within and outside the state. The state Publicity Secretary of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Mr Sola Lawal, had earlier raised the alarm that there was a plot to bomb the state by the opposition ahead of inauguration, which prompted the police to comb the state House Assembly complex.

Ajimobi Bans NURTW

Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, on Monday, imposed a fresh ban on the activities of the state chapter of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), and directed the local governments in the state to take over the management of motor parks. He further ordered security agencies to arrest and bring to book all the perpetrators of the mayhem unleashed by the union members in recent times. The measures were taken at an emergency meeting of the state security council after another wave of violence unleashed by rival factions of the union. Meanwhile, the State Commissioner of Police, Baba Adisa Bolanta, has declared leaders of the factionalized union, Alhaji Lateef Akinsola and Alhaji Lamidi Mukaila, wanted. The two leaders were asked to report to the police on Tuesday but they did not show up.

Man jailed 16 Years for N20m theft

A Lagos High Court has sentenced a middle-aged man, Joel Omotosho, to 16 years imprisonment for stealing N20 million belonging to his employers. Justice Adebisi Kayode-Ogunmekan also dismissed an application filed by the prosecution for the forfeiture of a property the convict admitted building with the stolen money. According to the judge, it was wrong for the prosecution to file such an application after trial had been concluded. She averred that the forfeiture application filed after trial had ended and the convict had been granted allocutus by the court could not stand as the prosecution solely relied on the convict’s confessional statement. Also, she held that it would be double jeopardy for the convict to forfeit the property after pleading guilty to the charges of stealing and had taken a plea bargain.

Fayemi Urges Creation of State Police
…Inaugurates Security Device, Donates 25 Vans

Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State has reiterated the need for the establishment of the state police outfits. According to him, the establishment of the state police would go a long way in curbing crime in Nigeria. Fayemi made the call as he inaugurated a security alert system built by the state government to boost crime fighting. The system, which is to be operated from the police headquarters, is expected to be subscribed to by residents with their telephone lines. Owners of the registered telephone lines are expected to make calls to the system in case of any incident. The governor also donated 25 patrol vans to the police.Fayemi pledged that his administration would ensure that the lives and property of the people of the state were adequately protected.

Police Arraign 18 NURTW Members

The Oyo State Police Command have arraigned 18 members of the crisis ridden National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in the state over the spates of killing and violence in the state. The suspects are facing a three-count charge of armed robbery, illegal possession of arms and breach of peace over the recent attacks. Some members of the union as well as innocent passengers were killed in the mayhem last weekend. The prosecution of the NURTW members was on the heels of the police chief, Baba Adisa Bolanta’s declaration that the command had extended its search for the sponsors and perpetrators of the crime to other parts of the state.

21 Killed in Road Accident

At least 21 people were killed in an accident at Ilara Mokin in Ifedore LGA of Ondo State, while 10 others who were critically injured were rushed to the hospital. The accident involved a DAF Truck going towards Lagos and a Mazda commercial bus towards Benue State. The accident was said to have occurred when the truck driver was trying to avoid a deep pothole on the highway and lost control of the vehicle. The Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) Ondo State, Mr John Meheux, said the bus was overloaded as it showed that it was carrying 28 passengers instead of 15.

GENERAL

10 Killed as Boko Haram Attacks Church, Police Station

Bomb believed to have been planted by the Boko Haram at a Catholic Cathedral exploded and killed five persons. Another five including three of the members of the sect, were also killed in a bloody shoot out on Tuesday afternoon. It was gathered that the Boko Haram men had stormed the St Patrick Catholic Church to blow off the church, but luck ran against them as the bomb exploded killing about three of them. According to an eyewitness, the men threw the explosive into the church before another one exploded in their car. Some minutes later, the assailants launched an offensive against the Gwange and Dandal Divisional Police Stations, where they detonated more bombs. Police spokesman, Abdullahi Lawal, claimed there were only two bomb blasts, adding that only five people died in the incident.

Amnesty International Tasks Nigeria on Extra-Judicial Killings

Amnesty International has urged President Goodluck Jonathan to use his first 100 days in office to take measures against extra-judicial execution, enforced disappearance and torture and other ill-treatment. The group further urged Jonathan to publicly commit to developing and implementing an action-plan to stop human rights violations by the police, as well as implement the white paper on police reform. It also urged the amendment of the sections of Police Force Order 237, which allow police officers to use firearms even in circumstances where there is no imminent risk to life.

Gunmen Kill Pastor, Church Secretary in Maiduguri

A pastor and the assistant secretary of the church were, on Tuesday night, shot dead in their church by gunmen suspected to be members of Islamic sect, Boko Haram, in Maiduguri. The pastor, Rev. David Usman was shot within the premises of the Church of Christ in Nigeria (COCIN). One of the church members said the secretary had just finished a meeting and was preparing to go home when the gunmen struck. It was gathered that the assailants had set a booby trap for the pastor as they asked somebody to alert him on phone that the church assistant secretary was lying in his pool of blood having been shot. The call, a source maintained, prompted the pastor to proceed to the church premises. Regional Church Council Chairman (RCC), Rev. Bulus Azi, confirmed the incident.

Prison Warden Shot Dead in Bauchi

Nigerian authorities say assailants gunned down a prison warden in Bauchi state. Police spokesman, Mohammed Barau, said the gunmen shot Ibrahim Ali in front of his home on Wednesday. A friend, Abubakar Saliu, said the gunmen got a young boy to call Ali out of his house, a common practice in Nigeria's Muslim north where men are not allowed to enter unannounced into homes where women live. The attack comes after three blasts hit a popular drinking spot in Bauchi. A man claiming to speak for the Muslim sect, known as Boko Haram, said that the group was responsible for the blasts.

Nigeria’s Parliament Sworn-in

Nigerian lawmakers elected were formally sworn in to parliament on Monday. The 109 senators were the first to take the oath, followed by 360 members of the House of Representatives. Re-elected Senate President, David Mark, retained his position as Senate President. A deputy chief whip in the last parliament, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal a northerner, was elected speaker of the Federal House of Representative, beating his rival, Mulikat Adeola-Akande, from the southwest Nigeria. Mark promised that the National Assembly would be “truly transformational in all ramifications."

Two Killed in Renewed Plateau Attack

Two people were killed in a fresh attack by gunmen in Juwl village of Riyom LGA of Plateau State. The victims, a pregnant woman and a young motorcyclist were gunned down on Wednesday night. After ensuring they were dead, the assailants cut open the stomach of the woman and removed the foetus, while the throat of the young man was sliced open. Councilor representing Juwl Ward, Bature Sati, confirmed the incident and called for government’s intervention to prevent further attacks.

Two Killed as Police, Boko Haram Clash

No fewer than two persons were, last weekend, killed while three others were wounded in Borno State when suspected Boko Haram gunmen clashed with the Joint Military/Police Taskforce. This happened as some miscreants in Gwoza, set ablaze two churches belonging to the Church of Christ in Nigeria (COCIN), because two men were caught in one of the mosques, allegedly having sex against Islamic injunctions. According to police authorities in Gwoza, the other partner to the alleged homosexual act was a Christian and this triggered the miscreants to go on rampage, burning the churches. The Borno State Police Commissioner, Mohammed Abubakar, confirmed the killings, saying the security men did not sustain any casualty. He said the victims died from stray bullets during clash.

Two Nigerians arrested with Fake Dollars in South Africa

South African police have held two Nigerians in possession of five steel containers filled with counterfeit US$100 bills amounting to $80 million. According to reports, the police swooped on the two suspects in a luxury rented property in Atholl, north of Johannesburg on Monday, following a tip-off. South African police believe the suspects might be part of a larger counterfeit dollar syndicate since no printing equipment was found in the home. The police also confiscated seven luxury watches worth over $150,000, computer hard drives, 18 mobile phones and a Kia Cerato. The police said the bust was one of the biggest in recent times.

EFCC Charges Bankole with Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Tuesday, filed a 16-count charge of contract inflation, amounting to N894 million, in the Federal High Court, against the immediate past Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole. The charge, which was filed on behalf of the commission by Festus Keyamo, chronicled a series of allegations. Bankole was arrested penultimate Sunday at his Abuja residence, after an alleged two-time invitation extended to him by the authorities of the anti-graft body that was turned down. The EFCC has also arrested the immediate past deputy speaker, Usman Bayero Nafada over allegations of corruption while in office. The EFCC spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, confirmed Mr Nafada's arrest and said he would be charged to court alongside Bankole.

US Convicts Nigerian for Human Trafficking

A Nigerian, Bidemi Bello, 41, has been convicted in the USA by a federal jury on charges of two counts of forced labour, trafficking for forced labour, document servitude, alien harbouring, and making false statements in a U.S. citizenship application. Bello was convicted Friday on charges involving two people recruited from Nigeria in 2001 and the second in 2004. The women testified that she beat them with a large wooden spoon, shoes, electric cords and her hands. Two witnesses, a friend and a relative of Bello, also testified about the abuse they witnessed. Bello moved out of the United States during the investigation and was indicted on the charges in September 2010. She was arrested at Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston upon re-entering the United States.

Two Killed in Borno Blast

Two persons were killed, penultimate Friday in Borno state in a blast at a bus stop. Police spokesman, Lawal Abdullahi, said that the bomb was detonated about 8 pm and that the two men killed in the blast were aged 25 and 27. Boko Haram Islamist Sect is blamed for the attack and several others in the state.

538 Suspected Fraudsters Arrested in FCT

The FCT Police Command, on Wednesday, raided some black spots in Abuja and arrested 538 suspected fraudsters. Police spokesman, Jimoh Moshood, who disclosed this, said the raid followed a directive from the Commissioner of Police, Mr Haruna John, to rid the city of fraudsters. He said the raid would be sustained in order to rid the territory of fraudsters who use unpainted commercial vehicles to defraud unsuspecting commuters. The police had earlier disclosed that it arrested about 30 suspected fraudsters between January and May this year. He advised residents to be vigilant whenever they enter a vehicle and avoid taking rickety vehicles or unmarked vehicles as fraudsters use them to lure their victims.

Sambo, Security Chiefs, Meet over Boko Haram

Vice-President Namadi Sambo on Thursday met security chiefs and the governor of Borno State, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, over the activities of an Islamist militant group, Boko Haram, in Maiduguri and other parts of the North. Shettima, who briefed journalists after the meeting, said the security chiefs had fruitful discussions that would help to stem the activities of the sect.

NYSC Blacklists Violence Prone States

Crisis-prone states have been excluded by the National Youth Corps Service (NYSC) from the yearly posting of corps members for the mandatory national assignment. Mr. Gabriel Ibe, the Oyo State Coordinator of the NYSC, disclosed that the management of the corps would no longer post corps members to crisis-ridden areas.

FG Re-appoints Chidoka as FRSC Boss

The Federal Government has re-appointed Osita Chidoka as Corps Marshal and Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) for another four years. According to an approval letter from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the re-appointment is in line with Section 7 (1) of the Federal Road Safety Commission Establishment Act, 2007. A statement issued by FRSC yesterday explained that the Corps Marshal’s re-appointment would no doubt, “set the pace for the FRSC as lead agency in the nation’s road traffic administration and safety management.”

Fake Cameroonians Doctors Arrested for Selling Fake Drugs

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) said in Kaduna on Thursday that it had intensified its war against fake and unwholesome drugs and foods with the arrest of two Cameroonians posing as doctors and dispensing unregistered Chinese drugs to Nigerians. NAFDAC Deputy Director, Kaduna office, Ahemen Innocent, said that 40-year-old Kwekam Allen Blaise and Yahaya Jida, 30, were arrested following a tip-off by members of the public. Innocent said it was inconceivable that one of the suspects, Jida, who was once arrested for a similar offence in Jalingo, Taraba State, could still be found to be engaged in such illegal business.

INTERNATIONAL

Trial of Medics in Bahrain Postponed

The trial of 47 medical professionals, scheduled to begin last Monday, was postponed until June 13. The 24 doctors, and 23 nurses and paramedics are on trial for their role in the anti-government protests in the country. The justice ministry said the accused are charged with crimes that include incitement to overthrow the regime, deadly assault and refusal to help persons in need. But activists and human rights groups have alleged that the medical personnel are being prosecuted for treating protestors. The judge rescheduled the hearing to allow the defendants more time to consult with their lawyers, according to a court source. About 30 people have been killed since the beginning of the protests. Opposition and human rights groups say more than 1,000 have been detained.

Group Accuses Libyan Rebels of Arbitrary Arrests

Human Rights Watch has accused Libyan rebels of arbitrary arrests and detention of dozens of civilians suspected of loyalty to ruler Muammar Gaddafi. At least one person is thought to have died in custody, with his body showing signs of torture, according to the group. The rebel Transitional National Council is seeking international support including money in its battle to oust Gaddafi. A NATO-led mission that has focused airstrikes on Gaddafi's military capability bolsters the rebel efforts.

Suicide Attack Kills 18 in Pakistan

Police say a suicide attack on a bakery in northwest Pakistan, left 18 people dead and wounded 40 others, last week Sunday. Police official, Liaquat Ali Khan, says the attack occurred in a neighbourhood where army personnel live. An earlier attack during the day killed six people at a bus stop. The bombings were the latest in a wave of bloodshed to hit Pakistan since the May 2 raid that killed Osama bin Laden.

Sudan Rejects Call to Retreat from Abyei

Sudan’s Foreign Minister, Ali Ahmad Karti, has rejected a request by the United Nations (UN) Security Council to withdraw its troops from Abyei. Karti said that Abyei is a Sudanese territory and it cannot pull out its troops. According to him, the army’s entering the area to handle the security situation there was necessitated by the continued security breaches committed by the other party. Sudanese’ troops overran Abyei, a poor but fertile region on the frontier with southern Sudan on May 21 and razed much of the main town, prompting at least 60,000 people to flee the region, according to UN estimates.

Several Dead in China Mine Floods

Heavy rain drenched a swathe of what had been drought-gripped southern and eastern China, killing 24 people and forcing more than 100,000 to evacuate. Another 30 people were missing in Guizhou. The drought has damaged crops and exacerbated a power shortage by cutting power generation from dams, adding a slight bump to near three-year high consumer inflation. Meanwhile, 21 workers have been confirmed killed in two flooded coal mines. In Guiyang city, 13 people were confirmed dead at the Fuhong mine, following a flood on May 29. Experts have determined that the eight miners still inside had no chance of survival. The second incident, which took place at an illegal mine on May 31 on the border of Guizhou province and the Guangxi region, left eight workers trapped. Police have arrested four mine owners, it said.

120 Security Forces Killed in Syrian Unrest

More than 100 people were killed on Monday in the Syrian city of Jisr Al-Shugur in the third consecutive day of clashes between the government and opposition groups. Authorities say 120 security forces were killed, including 82 in Jisr Al-Shugur, while dozens of civilians were wounded. "The armed attacks targeted public and private buildings in various regions and lately there were similar attacks in Jisr Al-Shugur," Interior Minister Mohammed Ibrahim al-Chaar said. Hundreds of Syrians are crossing the northern border into Turkey in an attempt to escape growing violence in their own country. Many say they are fleeing the town of Jisr al-Shughour ahead of an expected military assault after dozens of soldiers were reportedly killed there. Turkey said it would not close its doors to those seeking refuge.

8 Soldiers Killed in Militant Attack on Security Checkpoint

More than 100 militants have stormed a security checkpoint in north-western Pakistan, killing at least eight soldiers, officials say. At least 12 insurgents were also killed in the gun battle. Tension has been increasing across the whole border region because of a growing sense that Pakistan is preparing to carry out at least a limited offensive in North Waziristan. Local officials said the heavily armed militants stormed the checkpoint shortly after midnight. Security forces responded and the firefight continued for at least three hours.

Drone Strikes Kill 44 Militants in Pakistan

Three suspected drone strikes on Monday killed 21 people in the northwest Pakistani tribal region. Officials say all 21 were militants, but witnesses said 7 of the dead were civilians. A suspected drone fired at two alleged militant hideouts in South Waziristan. It was the second such series of strikes since Friday in the same area, officials said. US drones struck targets near Wana on Friday, killing several militants, and Pakistan's interior minister on Sunday said he was "98 percent sure" that Kashmiri was among the dead. Another drone strike in Pakistan's tribal region on Wednesday killed 23 suspected militants. Two Pakistani intelligence officials said the suspected drone fired four missiles at a militant training center in the area of Roya Naray in North Waziristan.

Flood in Haiti Kills 25

The death toll from flooding and landslides after torrential rains hit Haiti climbed to 25 on Wednesday, according to the country's civil protection department. Dozens of camps were flooded, hundreds of families were affected and at least six people were reported missing after the rains, which began Monday evening and stretched into Tuesday morning. The Pan American Health Organization warned the situation in Port-au-Prince continues to deteriorate and aid agencies are scrambling to respond to a resurgence of cholera triggered by the heavy rain.

Police, Protesters Clash in Spain

Spanish police and anti-corruption protesters clashed in the Spanish city of Valencia on Thursday, injuring 12 people and leading to five arrests. Hundreds of demonstrators decrying political corruption, the economic crisis and soaring unemployment had gathered outside the regional parliament, which was to elect its president on Thursday. The re-elected president of the Valencia region, Francisco Camps, is under investigation for corruption in a scandal involving members of Spain's conservative opposition Popular Party. Police said they moved in on Thursday morning to break up the protest after objects were thrown at the officers. Those detained were held for "public disorder, assaults on police and injuries" resulting from "throwing full bottles and even scissors" at officers, a police spokeswoman said. Protests over the economic crisis began in Madrid May 15.

115m Children Suffer Labour Abuse Worldwide -ILO

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has warned that about 115 million out of 215 million child labourers are still caught in hazardous work. An ILO report cites studies from both industrialised and developing countries, indicating that every minute, a child labourer suffers a work-related accident, illness or psychological trauma. The ILO called for urgent action to reverse the trend. The report also says that although the overall number of children aged five to 17 in hazardous work declined between 2004 and 2008, the number aged 15-17 actually increased by 20 per cent during the same period. So far, 173 of the ILO’s 183 member states have committed themselves to tackling hazardous work by children.

Yemenis Rejoice as Saleh Leaves for Treatment

Protesters danced, sang and slaughtered cows in the central square of Yemen’s capital on Sunday to celebrate the departure of the country’s authoritarian leader for medical treatment in Saudi Arabia after he was wounded in a rocket attack on his compound. President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who was taken to a military hospital in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, underwent successful surgery on his chest to remove jagged pieces of wood that splintered from a mosque pulpit when his compound was hit by rockets on Friday, said medical officials and a Yemeni diplomat. Deputy information minister, Abdu al-Janadi, said the president would return to assume his duties after his treatment. Saleh reportedly suffered burns on 40 per cent of his body and a collapsed lung.

US Soldiers Killed in Rocket Attack

Five American troops serving as advisers to Iraqi security police in eastern Baghdad were on Thursday killed when rockets slammed into the compound where they lived. The U.S. force announced the deaths in a brief statement. Two Iraqi security officials later said the troops died when three rockets hit near the U.S. forces’ living quarters at a joint U.S.-Iraqi base in the Baladiyat neighborhood where U.S. forces were partnering with Ministry of Interior troops. American forces said the incident is under investigation. The deaths raised to 4,459 the number of American service members who have died in Iraq, according to AP’s count.

Clashes at Syrian Border Leaves Several Dead

Israeli troops fired on protesters trying to cross the fortified border between Syria and the occupied Golan Heights last weekend. Syrian authorities said more than 23 people were killed and hundreds wounded. The protests came on the anniversary of the 1967 Middle East War, when Israel captured the Golan Heights from Syria. The Israel Defense Forces did not immediately confirm any casualties. A spokesman for U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon condemned the violence and urged restraint. As the toll of demonstrators killed rose, Syrian police blocked dozens of pro-Palestinian protesters from approaching the Israeli frontier.

Afghanistan Wedding Party Attack Kills Nine

Nine people have been killed in an attack on a wedding party in Afghanistan by gunmen. No one has admitted carrying out the attack. A spokesman for the province said that the cousin of the groom was the chief administrator of the district. Among the dead were the groom, his father and one of his brothers, district administrator, Hamisha Gul, disclosed. He said about 20 men had gathered to celebrate the marriage, which was scheduled for Thursday, when the attack happened. Gul said the gunmen briefly held one of the men at the party, saying he was an "American spy". The attackers also set fire to a house and car in the neighbourhood.

Gaddafi Ready to Quit

Libyan leader, Muammar Gaddafi, has reportedly considered leaving power, as his associates have allegedly opened negotiations to ensure his safe exit. According to reports, US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, disclosed that people close to Gaddafi presented the “potential for a transition.” But she said she could not predict if they would be accepted. An estimated 10,000 to 15,000 people have been killed on both sides in four months of fighting in Libya, according to Cherif Bassiouni, who led a UN Human Rights Council mission to Tripoli and rebel-held areas in late April. Gaddafi’s government has denied accusations of committing crimes against humanity and war crimes. The chief prosecutor for the International Criminal Court said on Wednesday that he was investigating whether Gaddafi provided viagra to Libyan soldiers to promote rape.

29 Injured in Explosion in Kenya

An explosion in a highly populated area in Nairobi, Kenya injured at least 29 people. Prime Minister Raila Odinga said it was too early to say if the blast was terror related, but an investigation was underway to determine the cause of the blast. Director of Police Operations, Julius Ndegwa, said no one was killed in the explosion.