Villeworth Security Services Ltd

week 39

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PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

Man Beheads Nieces for N3m

A 28-year-old man, Mathias Christopher, in Calabar, penultimate Saturday, beheaded two of his sister’s children after feeding them with food prepared with cannabis to induce heavy sleep. Eyewitnesses said the 5-year-old brother to the slain girls, however, escaped unhurt as he did not eat of the meal. The boy was said to have taken to his heels and raised alarm after he peeped into the window and noticed his uncle chopping off the heads of the girls. The suspect, who is currently in police custody, claimed that a ritualist requested for the heads of children for a reward of N3 million. Matthias was arrested by the police as he attempted to go and deliver the heads.

Kidnappers Collect N30m, Kill Medical Doctor

Gunmen suspected to be hired assassins have killed Dr. Stanley Uche, proprietor of Victory Christian Hospital, Aba, Abia State, after allegedly collecting N30 million as ransom from his wife. Dr. Uche was said to be travelling home, penultimate Friday, when he was kidnapped along with his wife as they headed towards Imo State for a burial. The woman was later released and asked to source for N50 million as ransom for her husband's freedom. But the gunmen killed her husband and concealed the information from her until after they got N30 million from her. The abductors also ordered her to take away the body immediately.

ATCON Condemns Murder of Telecoms Contractors in Aba

The Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) has decried the recent murder of six telecommunications sub-contractors in Aba, Abia State. The six were said to have been murdered while carrying out maintenance at a Base Transmission Station in Aba. President of ATCON, Mr. Titi Omo-Ettu, called on the Federal Government to wade into the problem of incessant killings and kidnappings in the country. According to reports four gunmen attacked the engineers and the policemen at the base station. An official lamented the increasing state of insecurity under which telecom firms carry out operations in the region.

Reps, Others want Death Penalty for Kidnappers

Some members of the House of Representatives, Para-military agencies and rights’ groups have endorsed death penalty for kidnappers. They agreed that there is need for stiffer penalties than those recommended in the bill on kidnapping in its current form. The Bill stipulates life imprisonment for anyone who kidnaps and 10 years jail term without an option of fine for anyone who attempts to kidnap any person. A lawyer and first Vice Chairman of the National Arbitration Council, Mike Ozekhome (SAN) insisted on the death penalty for kidnappers who apply violence against their victim, and a minimum of life imprisonment for other offenders.

Violent Crimes Reduced in Anambra –CP

The Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Mr Philemon Leha, on Tuesday, dared criminals to come to the state and meet their waterloo, adding that violent crimes had been curbed in the state. Leha said that in spite of the police limitations in operational vehicles and communication equipment, the command had been able to reduce violent crimes, including kidnapping to the barest minimum. He also reviewed the police performance in the state and said it had been satisfactory, noting that the last bank robbery in the state, took place about six months ago and the hoodlums had all been arrested.

CLO Alleges Police, Soldiers’ Extortion in Bayelsa

The Bayelsa State chapter of the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) has alleged that some men of the Bayelsa State Police Command and soldiers of the Joint Task Force (JTF) have been engaging in large scale extortion from commercial transport operators in the state. But the JTF dismissed the allegation as untrue, saying its men were not at any time involved in the illegal act. The CLO observed that policemen and soldiers engage in extortion, especially between the Mbiama and Igbogene axis of the Mbiama-Yenagoa Road. The Vice Chairman of the CLO, Flint Williams-Odonmini; General Secretary, Alagoa Morris; and the Legal Adviser, Sotonye Egbeipou, while describing the act as alarming, urged authorities of the police and army to call their men to order.

Akwa Ibom Police to Deploy 7,000 Men for 2011 Polls

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has indicated its preparedness to train and deploy about 7,000 police officers in the state to guarantee violence-free and fair elections in 2011. The State Police Commissioner, Mr. Walter Rugbere, on Thursday, said the command has about 7,000 police officers and men, and it intends to engage every policeman in the state in the elections. According to Rugbere, the police in the state has entrusted upon itself the responsibility of protecting the ideals of democracy and will soon commence special training for its officers and men to meet the challenges of the forth-coming elections. Rugbere threatened to apply the full weight of the law on politicians or political groups that use thugs to perpetrate violence and disrupt the smooth and credible conduct of the elections.

Ex-Lawmaker Raises Alarm over Threat to Life

A former deputy speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Mr Kelue Molokwu, on Thursday raised the alarm, alleging that his life is being threatened by some unknown persons. Molokwu also alleged that the lives of his family members were also being threatened by the same unknown people. He alleged that people had been calling him with unfamiliar phone numbers, warning him to discontinue in his quest to contest for a seat in the House of Representatives. However, he claimed that he had not reported the matter to the police, pointing out that he wanted the world to know first before he or his family faced any harm.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

Aggrieved Ex-Militants Vow to Disrupt Elections

Aggrieved former leaders of Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) have threatened to disrupt the 2011 general elections in the Niger Delta, if the Federal Government does not yield to their plea that their leader, Chief Government Ekpemukpolo (alias Tompolo), be called to order. According to them, Tompolo was a greedy and selfish leader, who was not qualified to be given national recognition. In a statement signed by Josiah Oyakonghan (alias Oyimi); chairman, ex-Commanders of MEND Forum and 32 others, they claimed that the key agitators of MEND under the leadership of Tompolo had nothing to show for their effort.

Police Arrest 6 over Fresh Violence in Ekpan

Men of the Joint Task Force (JTF) and Police were deployed in Ekpan, Delta State, on Tuesday, following the outbreak of fresh violence between warring factions in the community. Reports said that the rival groups fired several gun shots, forcing traders flee for safety. Divisional Police Officer (DPO) for Ekpan Police Station, Mr Mohammed Mu'azu confirmed that he requested the JTF to join in quelling the skirmish  and that six persons have been arrested. Mu’azu warned perpetrators of the crisis to stop the act or be visited with the full weight of the law. The crisis which resumed on Tuesday was due to alleged misunderstanding between a community chief and officials of Ekpan Development Committee over money given by Chevron Nigeria Limited for the building of a women development centre.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

19-Year-Old Commits Suicide in Church

The lifeless body of a 19-year-old man, Aderemi Ademosu, was found dangling on a ceiling fan in a church at Basiri area of Ado-Ekiti, penultimate Saturday morning. The body was said to have been discovered by a group of women who had gone to clean the Church. The late Aderemi is suspected to have broken into the Church through one of the windows while other windows and doors remained shut. The deceased, sources said, came to Ado-Ekiti to collect money from his elder brothers but left his brother after a heated argument. The state Police spokesman, Mohammed Jimoh, said that the command had invited pathologists to conduct autopsy on his remains to ascertain that there was no foul play.

Petrol Tanker Goes Aflame in Lagos

A petrol tanker on Tuesday afternoon, in Lagos, went up in flames but no life was lost. Officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) said that the front tyre of the petrol tanker burst while in motion and caused the fire. It was learnt that the Federal Fire Service arrived within 15 minutes but the tanker had been consumed by the fire.

Robbery Suspect with Fake Gun Arrested by Police

Policemen attached to the Igando Police Station have arrested a suspected armed robber, Sunday Oke, while attempting to rob with a fake gun. Oke was arrested when he and his accomplices, who are currently at large, attempted to rob residents of Lasu-Isheri road, Igando on Tuesday. According to the Lagos State Police spokesman, Frank Mba, the police were able to foil the robbery attempt because of a distress call put to them by the residents. Meanwhile, the police have said that there was a street fight between suspected cultist groups in Mushin on Wednesday. One of the groups was said to have attacked the other over alleged assassination of two of its leaders.

12 Nigerians may Face Death Penalty in Benin Republic

Twelve suspects of Nigerian origin, who robbed some bureau de change operators at the Seme border, in Republic of Benin, might get the death penalty. The Controller General of Police in Benin, Celestine Guidimey, who revealed this, said that some Benin citizens were killed during the robbery operation. Guidimey was in Lagos State to receive the robbers from the Lagos State police command. Policemen in Lagos state apprehended the robbers in Nigeria after the operation in Benin Republic. The police commissioner in Lagos State, Marvel Akpoyibo, said that the arrest and handing over of the suspected robbers showed that the police are the same everywhere.

GENERAL

Ex-Soldier, Police Nabbed For Robbery

The Kaduna State Police Command has paraded six robbery suspects, including two ex-military personnel and a dismissed policeman. The Commissioner of Police (CP) Muhammadu Tambari Yabo, disclosed that the arrest happened after a man whose vehicle was stolen at gunpoint, earlier in the month, held onto one of the suspects until policemen on patrol arrived. They policemen quickly swung into action and arrested one of the suspects, who confessed to the crime, while another escaped. The CP added that a military identity card was found on the suspect and on further investigation, it was discovered that, the suspect was a dismissed soldier and that the same gang had link with abduction of two teenage girls in a hotel in Mando area.  Yabo said the suspects had confessed to their crimes and would soon be charged to court.

Army Urges Calm over Troops’ Movement

Ahead of the nation’s 50th independent anniversary celebrations in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the Nigeria Army has asked the public not to panic over the movement of military equipment and deployment of troops to Abuja to take part in rehearsals for the parade and displays for the October 1 events. According to the Director of Army Public Relations, Brig-General Chris Olukolade, the movements which will involve military equipment are in respect of activities for the celebration of the nation’s independence anniversary and constitute no threat whatsoever.

Jonathan Tasks ECOWAS on Security in Guinea Bissau

President Goodluck Jonathan has challenged the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on security reforms in Guinea Bissau. This he said is essential for the return of peace and stability to the country. Speaking at the opening of an Extra-Ordinary Summit of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, Jonathan declared that ECOWAS member-countries had a moral responsibility to help Guinea-Bissau resolve its long-running political crises and must demonstrate political will and courage in the search for solutions to the crises.

FG to Review Prison Security

The Federal Government is to review security in all prisons in the country. Minister of State for Interior, Mr. Humphrey Abbah, disclosed this on Monday at the end of his visit to the Bauchi Prison to assess damage done by members of the Boko Haram sect who recently attacked the prison. The minister said the Government was working hard to end the activities of militia groups in all parts of the country and urged all to complement government’s efforts with useful information that would lead to the arrest of criminals.

Over 2 Million Families Affected by Flood in Northern Nigeria

Five thousand towns and villages have been cut away by floods in Jigawa state, according to the state governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido. He said the flood destroyed over 90, 000 hectares of farm products in 12 LGAs of the state and has affected over two million families, rendering thousands homeless. He explained that the calamity which followed the released of water from Tiga Dam in Kano State caused a lot of havoc in Jigawa where it destroyed farm products and other livestock worth over N4.5 billion.

FG Renews Fight against Child Trafficking
…Mobilises Students, Corps Members for Campaign

The Federal Government, in a renewed fight against the menace of child trafficking, has commenced mobilisation of members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and students of both secondary and tertiary institutions across the country in the crusade to stem the tide. Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke, SAN, described human trafficking as a grave offence, and lamented the precarious and alarming situation of Nigerian youths, who were victims of human trafficking in European countries prostitution and forced labour.

Police Constable Arraigned for Robbery

A Police Constable, Jessah David, attached to the Police College, Maiduguri, has been arraigned before a Maiduguri High Court for allegedly robbing one Pastor Joseph Iheagwan and Deborah David of valuables, including cash and handsets. The 31-year-old policeman was also said to have disguised himself and robbed one Ahmadu Bello Bako and other persons around Wulari Primary School, Maiduguri.

Arms Cache Recovered in Robbery Suspects House

The police in Abuja have recovered a huge cache arms and ammunition from the residence of an armed robber. The Commissioner of Police, John Haruna, said 3 AK-47 assault rifles, cartridges and hundreds of firearm bullets were found in the residence of one Nonso Joshua in Karu. He said Joshua was killed in a shootout with the police recently while he and his gang were attempting to rob in Jabi. Two members of the gang were arrested and led the police to his residence in Karu. Also arrested, was one Linus Ore and his gang members for allegedly abducting a businesswoman and her security guard. The victims were hidden in their car boot before the kidnappers were arrested. A local pistol was recovered from them. Three suspected armed robbers were also arrested in Gwagwalada.

Kogi CP Warns Police against Conniving with Politicians

The Kogi State Police Command has cautioned its officers and men against conniving with politicians in the state during the 2011 general elections. The state Commissioner of Police Alhaji Abdullahi Magaji, gave the warning on Thursday after meeting with chairmen of political parties in the state. Magaji urged all the area commanders of police in the state to be fair and treat all the parties equally during the elections. In their responses, the party leaders pledged to maintain law and order during the elections.

FG Poised to Fight Insecurity in Nigeria

President Goodluck Jonathan has restated the commitment of the Federal Government to check insecurity in the country. The president’s pledge is contained in his message to the First Nigeria Internal Security Summit in Abuja. Jonathan said the government has been making efforts to tackle the problems of insecurity, which had a direct bearing on social-economy and political development of the nation. According to him, the government has put security measures in place to address insecurity, including the issuance of policies and legislation.

FCT Police Parade Female Kidnap, Robbery Suspects

The police have in Abuja paraded a female kidnap suspect arrested in connection with the alleged kidnap of one Jessica Ezeaku and her child. Haruna John, the Commissioner of Police in FCT said the suspect was arrested in a room where the victims were rescued by the police. He said the kidnappers had demanded N12 million as ransom for the release of the mother and child. John said the female suspect, who was guarding the victims, was arrested, adding that she had confessed to the offence. The commissioner said that the police also arrested three suspected armed robbers on September 15. According to him, items recovered from the suspects include a car, one locally made pistol, four live cartridges, four handsets and wallets containing three ATM cards, three ID cards and one driver’s license.

Police in Jos Arrest 2 Members of Boko Haram

The Plateau State Police Command, penultimate Sunday, arrested two people suspected to be members of Boko Haram sect at the Yakubu Gowon airport, Jos. It was gathered that some members of the sect had infiltrated the crowd that gathered at the airport to receive presidential aspirant, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. The police fished out the suspects, based on the traits exhibited by them while others within the crowd took to their heels. One of the suspects disclosed they belong to a guerrilla group in Abuja. The State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Mohammed Lerama, confirmed the arrest.

CP Warns Men against Illegal Election Duties

Plateau State Police Commissioner Mr. Ikechukwu Aduba, has warned that any policeman caught engaging in illegal duties during the 2011 elections would be severely punished. Aduba, who gave the warning while on a visit to Squadron 8 of the Mobile Police Force in Jos on Tuesday, said it extends to those who escort politicians illegally. He assured that their allowances would be paid before the elections to boost their morale.

SON Hands over Corrupt Staff to Police

Six employees of the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) have been handed over to the police by the organisation over allegations of forged SONCAP certificates, which are issued offshore to companies or organizations seeking to bring goods and merchandise into Nigeria.  A SON official said the detected scam has made government lose millions of naira as revenue as well as encouraged importation of substandard goods into the country. A police source said employees of other organisations, whose documents were duplicated by the syndicate, are also being interrogated.

UN Extends Assistance on Lead Poisoning in Zamfara

The United Nations is extending assistance to authorities in Zamfara State and other northern parts of Nigeria, where a large-scale outbreak of lead poisoning has affected hundreds of children this year. A five-member team of environmental emergency specialists arrived Abuja on Wednesday, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said. The team will spend several weeks taking samples of soil and drinking water and analyzing them, and will also come up with recommendations on how to clean up pollution from lead, mercury and copper. Investigations revealed that the cause of the lead poisoning was the attempts of many locals to extract gold from lead-contaminated soils in and around their houses and compounds.

Two Referees Die during Fitness Test

Two referees of the Nigeria Referees Association (NRA), on Wednesday slumped and died during the physical fitness exercise which took place at the Abuja National Stadium. It was gathered that the physical fitness exercise was not on the list of events for this year’s pre-season seminar as this year’s physical fitness test had taken place earlier in the year. But it was decided that some of the referees who missed the previous exercise should be given another chance to have the fitness test. Mr. Oyetola Adetunde of Oyo State referees council and Bankole Faloye of Ogun referees council both died during the exercise.

INTERNATIONAL

47 Killed in Indian Landslides, Monsoon Floods

Monsoon Rains and landslides swept parts of northern India last weekend, killing at least 47 people, officials said. Twenty-four people died as falling boulders crushed their homes, according to Prashant Kumar Tamta, a government spokesman. Another 23 people were either swept away by floodwaters or died when their homes collapsed in the landslides. The rains continued on Monday, threatening villages near Tehri Dam. In another disaster penultimate Friday, a boat carrying school children capsized in a flooded river, drowning 15 people. In August, flash floods killed at least 175 people in the mountainous Ladakh region of the Indian portion of Kashmir.

UK Troops End Mission in Helmand's Sangin

British forces in Afghanistan have handed over responsibility for security in Sangin to US forces, marking the end of their four-year mission in the area. The 1,000 Royal Marines and other personnel serving there are being redeployed to central Helmand province. The UK has suffered its heaviest losses in Sangin. Of the 337 UK deaths since 2001, a third happened in Sangin. Defence Secretary, Liam Fox, said Sangin was one of the most challenging areas of Afghanistan. UK forces have been in Sangin since 2006 and 106 UK personnel have been killed there.

Japan to Free Chinese Fishing Captain

Japan’s coast guard has disclosed that Japan will free a Chinese fishing captain, whose arrest sparked off a diplomatic storm between China and Japan. But Japanese officials gave no time frame for freeing the captain, who was arrested on September 8 off the disputed Diaoyu Islands, in the East China Sea, after his vessel crashed into two Japanese patrol boats. Meanwhile four Japanese nationals have been arrested in China and are being investigated for entering a military zone without authorization and videotaping military targets. The four Japanese nationals were sent to China for a Japanese government project to reclaim World War II chemical weapons left by Japan’s Army, their company said on Friday. A Chinese national also is missing and presumed arrested with his Japanese co-workers on Wednesday in northern Hebei Province.

US, Others Walk-Out on Ahmadinejad’s UN Speech

The US and other Western delegations walked out in protest during a speech by Iran's president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, at the UN, in which he said most people believed the US government was behind the 9/11 attacks. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was speaking at the UN General Assembly in New York. The US was joined in its walk-out by representatives from all the EU countries, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Costa Rica. The US described his remarks as "abhorrent and delusional". But Mr Ahmadinejad appeared undaunted by the protest, going on to attack Zionism and Israel.

Security Forces in Colombia Kill 22 FARC Rebels

Colombian security forces have killed at least 22 fighters of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebels in fighting near the Ecuadorean border.  Colombian President, Juan Manuel Santos, said he had given orders to the security forces to continue the battle. FARC rebels stepped up their violent campaign since Santos took office on 7 August.  Although a FARC leader said the group is prepared for negotiations, more than 40 security personnel have been killed so far this month in a series of rebel attacks and ambushes. It was also reported that the military leader of the FARC rebels, Victor Julio Suarez Rojas, also known as Jorge Briceno Suarez, was killed in the military raid.

Diplomat Found Dead in New York Apartment

A Nicaraguan diplomat based in New York was, Thursday, found dead in his apartment, with his throat slashed. The consul of Nicaragua in New York, Cesar Mercado, 34, was found by his driver, said Police Deputy Commissioner, Paul Browne. A knife was found at the scene, Browne said. Investigators were looking at the case as a murder, he said.  Mercado's driver may have been picking him up to take him to meet with the Nicaraguan delegation attending the United Nations General Assembly, police said. Mercado had lived in the United States for eight years and had been consul the entire time.

Iranian Rights Campaigner Sentenced To 6 Years Imprisonment

A prominent Iranian rights campaigner has been sentenced to six years in jail after he recorded an interview for the BBC's Persian language TV channel. Emad Baghi was convicted of engaging in propaganda against the Islamic system, a statement on his website said. The court charges referred to his BBC interview with Iran's leading reformist cleric, the late Grand Ayatollah Hoseyn Ali Montazeri. Emad Baghi was awarded the prestigious Martin Ennals award in 2009 for his work campaigning against the death penalty and for other rights activities in Iran.

Clashes Erupt in Jerusalem after Israeli Guard Kills Palestinian

Violent clashes have erupted in parts of East Jerusalem after a Palestinian man was shot and killed by an Israeli security guard in the Silwan area. Protesters threw stones at Israeli police, who fired back using tear gas. Hours later, Israeli police briefly entered the area around the al-Aqsa mosque to disperse protesters there. The status of Jerusalem is one of the most contentious issues between Israel and the Palestinians. The trouble started in Silwan in the early hours of the day, when a man named by Palestinian reports as Sami Sirhan, a 32-year-old father of five, was shot dead by an Israeli security guard. Israeli police said the guard had opened fire when stones were thrown at his car by local youths. Several people, including an Israeli policeman, were injured.

Kashmir Separatist Vows to Continue Protests

One of the main separatist leaders in Indian-administered Kashmir says protests against Indian rule will continue unless his demands are met. Syed Ali Shah Geelani said he wants the withdrawal of Indian security forces from the region and the repeal of emergency laws. He is one of three influential separatists who met members of an all-party delegation of Indians MPs. More than 100 people have been killed in violent protests since June. Security forces have frequently opened fire with live ammunition to disperse groups of stone-throwing protesters angry at India's rule over the disputed region. In the latest violence in the mainly-Muslim valley, five people were injured on Monday in clashes with the army outside of the town of Sopore.

Oil Drill Could Give Faster Solution for Trapped Miners

An oil drill that rescuers are using to reach the 33 trapped miners in Chile could provide a faster solution. The Plan C drill was able to reach depths of 1,000 meters in 24 hours, a representative of the company overseeing technical aspects of the operation said. But officials do not know how long it will take the drill, which is normally used in very different circumstances to drill for oil, to reach the 33 men trapped 700 meters underground. The rig, which is owned by Canadian Precision Drilling, began operations penultimate Sunday and by Monday, had drilled a pilot hole down 23 meters. The drills, dubbed Plan A and Plan B, each require two holes to be drilled and have been moving at a rate of 30 or 40 meters a day.

Nine Killed in Iran Terror Attack

Nine people were killed and 20 were wounded in what Iranian authorities call a terrorist attack in the northwestern city of Mahabad, according to reports on Wednesday. The governor-general of the western Azerbaijan province said the explosion took place at the scene of a military parade and almost all of the victims were women and children. Iran's Sacred Defense Week ceremonies started Wednesday with the parade of different units of Iran's armed forces in southern Tehran, the IRNA said. The ceremonies mark the anniversary of the beginning of the country's war with Iraq in 1980.

4 Soldiers Killed as in Yemen Battles al Qaeda

Four Yemeni soldiers were killed and three others wounded, Wednesday, in clashes between the country’s military and suspected al Qaeda militants in southern Yemen, the military said. Yemen has launched a wide-scale offensive against al Qaeda in the region. A government official said the offensive in Shabwa province was in response to a recent militant attack on a pipeline carrying liquefied natural gas. The Yemeni government has been fighting a growing al Qaeda element in Yemen called al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.

Deaths Climb to 33 as Typhoon Fanapi Hits China

The death toll from typhoon Fanapi has climbed to 33, while 42 people are missing in southern China, according to reports on Thursday. The typhoon has affected more than 1 million people and forced the evacuations of 78,400 more. Fanapi battered parts of Guangdong province on Tuesday. It was the 11th and strongest typhoon to hit China this year. In flooded towns such as Sanjia, water stood chest-high and residents fled for higher ground or to the upper stories of buildings. Before reaching China, Fanapi was blamed in the accidental deaths of at least three people penultimate Saturday in Taiwan. The typhoon also caused extensive flooding in Taiwan, destroyed buildings, and forced evacuations.

Woman Kills 4 in Germany

An apartment building fire and a hospital shooting killed four people in southwest Germany. The bodies of a man and a 5-year-old boy were found inside a burning building in the city of Loerrach, police said. As authorities responded to the fire, they saw a woman armed with weapons run from the building toward a hospital. On the way, the woman shot two passers-by, severely wounding them, and at the hospital, she killed a male nurse, before police fatally shot her. A police officer was also seriously injured in the attack at the hospital. The bodies in the apartment belonged to the woman's ex-husband and their son. Residents heard gunshots in the building shortly before it went up in flames, authorities said.

Dutch Police Arrest British Terror Suspect

A British man of Somali origin has been arrested at Amsterdam's Schiphol airport on suspicion of being a terrorist, Dutch prosecutors say. A police spokesman said the man was arrested as his flight was about to take off penultimate Sunday. Police were investigating whether he had links to a foreign militant organisation. No explosives were found in his luggage. British officials have confirmed the arrest. Earlier this month, two Yemeni men were arrested at Schiphol airport on suspicion of planning a terror attack. They had flown in from Chicago. They were held for several days then released without charge, after an investigation found no evidence to link them to a terrorist plot.

Mauritania Battles Militants on Mali Border

There have been clashes between Mauritanian troops and al-Qaeda militants in the Sahara desert in northern Mali, reports say. A dozen militants are said to have been killed in the fighting in Raz-el-Ma. Mauritania has also sent combat aircraft into the battle, security sources said. Five Mauritanian soldiers have also been killed in the clashes, reports say. The fighting is the latest in a series of clashes between Saharan countries and al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), which is the chief suspect in the kidnapping of seven foreigners in Niger recently.

Australia Warns Citizens against India Games

Australia warned its citizens on Monday that the forthcoming Commonwealth Games in India carry a "high risk of terrorism." Australia issued the travel advisory a day after two Taiwanese nationals were wounded in a shooting at a popular tourist site in India's Old Delhi. Police insist the penultimate Sunday's shooting was not targeted at the games. The games will be held from October 3 to October 14. Meanwhile India’s cities of Delhi and Mumbai are on red alert after the shooting. Gunmen on a motorcycle fired multiple rounds at a tour bus, according to reports.

9 Service Members Killed in Air Crash

Nine service men with the international coalition in Afghanistan died on Tuesday after their helicopter crashed in the south where troops are battling Taliban insurgents. Three others, including a U.S. civilian were injured, NATO said. Though helicopters more regularly crash because of mechanical issues in Afghanistan, some have been brought down by insurgent fire. However, NATO said in a statement, said that there were no reports of enemy fire in the area. The deaths raise to 37, the number of international soldiers killed so far this month in Afghanistan. Mohammad Jan Rasoolyar, a spokesman for the provincial governor in Zabul, said the helicopter went down in Daychopan district.