Weekly Security Report Weekly Report week week
PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS
PDP Chieftain, Two Others Murdered in Rivers
A PDP chieftain and immediate past chairman of Gokana LGA of Rivers State, Mr. Joseph Paago has been murdered. Paago was kidnapped on Tuesday evening along Tai Gokana Road by unidentified gunmen and his body was discovered inside his car along Afam Road in Obigbo LGA. The Police Public Relations Officer in Rivers State, Mr Akin Fakorede, confirmed the incident. In a related incident, two persons were, on Wednesday morning, killed when gunmen attacked the Peak Milk Depot, in the Diobu area of Port Harcourt. Eye witnesses said that the robbers numbering four and armed with AK 47 rifles stormed the warehouse and made away with undisclosed amount of money. Fakorede, the suspects have been arrested and would be charged to court after investigations.
Couple Nabbed for Attempting to Sell Baby
A couple, who attempted to sell a three-year old boy for N800, 000 at Bogobiri area of Calabar, Cross River State, has been arrested by soldiers. According to the Public Relations Officer of the 13th Brigade Command of the Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Olaniyi Osoba, the Command acted on a tip off last weekend, when some persons alerted the army regarding the plan of the couple. He said two military personnel, in plain clothes were then sent to Bogobiri to pose as buyers of the boy being put up for sale by the couple. After they agreed to sell the child for N800, 000; other soldiers, who were planted nearby swung into action and apprehended the couple. Osoba assured that the couple will be handed over to the state Police Command for further investigation and prosecution.
Police Arrest 3 in Foiled Kidnap Attempt
The police in Rivers State have foiled an attempt to kidnap the daughter of one Mrs. Joan Nwanoro in Port Harcourt and arrested 3 suspects. Mrs. Nwanoro reported to the police that she had been receiving threat messages, demanding N100, 000 to stop her daughter from being kidnapped. Police investigations led to the arrest of the suspects. Police deputy spokesman, Moses Nkombe, said the suspects had confessed to the crime. Meanwhile, the state command has appointed Mr. Akin Fakorede as the substantive Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO). He was the officer in charge of the Anti-Robbery section in the State Criminal Investigation Department, Port Harcourt. He takes over from Mrs. Rita Inoma-Abbey, who has been transferred to the Force Headquarters, Abuja.
SSS Nabs 18 Kidnappers in Akwa Ibom
The manhunt for the perpetrators of kidnappings and violent crimes in Akwa Ibom State, Thursday, yielded results as detectives from the State Security Service (SSS) and the anti-kidnapping squad arrested 18 suspects, five of whom have confessed their involvement in recent kidnappings in the state. The SSS director, Mr. Minti, vowed to work with the government and other security agencies to rid the state of criminals. Meanwhile, Governor Godswill Akpabio declared that the establishment of state police is the only way to effectively combat insecurity in Nigeria. He, therefore, called on the National Assembly to come up with enabling laws that would empower the various states to have their own police.
Militants Give Ultimatum to Alaibe over Welfare
Ten militants of South wing MEND, formerly coordinated by militant leader, Young Shall Grow, on Wednesday issued a 7-day ultimatum to the National Coordinator of the Amnesty programme, Chief Timi Alaibe, to ensure improvement in their welfare. The aggrieved militants said that their threat was based on their abandonment by Alaibe and their leader, Young Shall Grow. In a statement by Commander Egbes and nine others, they noted that they were supposed to benefit from a housing project promised them but lamented that their boss and Alaibe had abandoned them. They warned that such action if not urgently addressed could scupper the efforts of the FG to restore peace in the region.
Another Bayelsa Militant Gives Condition for Amnesty
A militant leader in Foropa, Southern Ijaw LGA of Bayelsa State, General Ketty Sese also known as General Nomukeme, has indicated willingness to surrender. The unrepentant militant, who has been under intense pressure to renounce militancy, said he will embrace the Amnesty Deal if his conditions were met by the government, adding that all he wanted was peace in Foropa community and payment for the sacrifices he has made so far. Sese’s stance came as a former Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) leader, Pastor Reuben Wilson, accused Sese of masterminding some criminal activities, including kidnapping. Wilson alleged that Sese could trigger fresh crisis in the coastal communities and urged the government to take urgent action against him.
Mobil Finds Large Gas Deposit in A’Ibom
Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited (MPN) has announced a rich gas condensate discovery in its operated Oil Mining License (OML) 104 located offshore Akwa Ibom State. Executive Director, MPN, Mrs. Gloria Essien-Danner, on Monday, said the discovery was part of the programme to increase oil and gas reserves and production capacity and to supply power and natural gas to the growing Nigerian domestic market.
JTF Searches for Attackers of Agip Pipeline
Men of the Joint Military Task Force (JTF) have launched a man-hunt for the gunmen who attacked the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) facility in Southern Ijaw Council of Bayelsa State. Two prominent ex-militant leaders from the state have been fingered as the culprits and soldiers have been deployed to the area to intensify patrol and track down the perpetrators. Timothy Antigha, the Spokesman of the JTF, confirmed the development, adding that the JTF commander has implored the communities and residents to be observant of their environment and report all suspicious movements to the security agencies. The JTF also raised the alarm of a possible militant strike again in the state, following intelligence report. This follows threats of bomb attack by unknown groups.
Gunmen Kidnap Rep Aspirant in Anambra
Gunmen on Wednesday night stormed Ekeagu market in Idemili North LGA of Anambra State and kidnapped one Mr. Nnadozie Aroh, a bank manager, who is also aspiring for the House of Representatives. According to the victim’s elder brother, Mr. Okey Muo Aroh, the kidnappers have established contact with the family and have named their ransom. However, the Anambra state Police Public Relation Officer, Emeka Chukwuemeka, said he had not received any information on the incident, but promised to work to bring the situation under control. Similarly, the kidnappers of Mrs. Maria Nwinya, the 68-year-old mother-in-law to one of the gubernatorial aspirants in Ebonyi State, Senator Julius Ucha, have demanded a ransom of one N100 million to secure her release.
Doctors Protest Colleagues’ Abductions
Medical doctors in Rivers state, Thursday, protested the rampant kidnapping of their colleagues, urging the state government to find lasting solution to the fearful trend or they will be forced to down their tools. According to them, many of their colleagues have been abducted and ransom demanded by unknown persons in the past couple of months, the recent being a female doctor who has been in captivity for more than eight days.
BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS
Water Tank Crushes 6 School Children to Death
Six pupils of the College of Education Agbor Model Primary School were crushed to death following the collapse of an overhead water tank in their school. Over 20 other pupils of the school sustained serious injuries and were admitted at the Emergency Unit of the Central Hospital, Agbor. It was learnt that the children were in their classes when the tank gave way and fell on them. The 100,000 litres-capacity iron-made tank was erected in between the dilapidated classroom blocks several years ago. The state Commissioner for Higher Education, Dr. Hope Iyahyah, who rushed in to the school, said government would take up the medical bills of the pupils and that government would commence investigation into the immediate and remote causes of the incident to prevent future occurrence.
Soldiers Invade Warri Community
Soldiers from the military Joint Task Force (JTF), Tuesday, invaded Ifiekporo community in Warri South LGA of Delta State and overran the community. The soldiers were allegedly brought into the community by a man, who the community claimed they did not recognise as their Executive Chairman. Hundreds of youths, including women, carried placards protesting the presence of the soldiers since Monday, noting that they had been subjected to harassment and intimidation since their arrival. Journalists, who were in the community, were subjected to frog jumping. The crisis in Ifiekporo was as a result of an alleged imposition of a community executive on them by the Chief Denson Ogedegbe-led Olu's Panel, which they accused of conniving with another individual to wreak havoc on the community.
FG Deploys Troops to Patani, Kaiama
Heavy military presence was on Tuesday observed at Patani in Delta State and Kaiama in Bayelsa State axis of the East-West Road following alleged plans by some groups to blow up the Patani Bridge and Kaiama Bridge. Meanwhile Senate President, David Mark, has charged indigenes of the Niger Delta to drop their arms struggle and opt for dialogue as a panacea to the crisis in the zone. Mark charged the people to wholly embrace the amnesty programme of the FG and allow peace to thrive, saying that any resort to violence will ruin the lofty programmes initiated to address the years of neglect in the oil bearing region.
Explosion Rocks Delta State Government House
Government activities were brought to a halt on Tuesday in Asaba, the Delta State capital, when a twin explosion rocked the Government House VIP Lodge. The explosions, which occurred inside a one-storey building less than a kilometre away from the Governor’s Office, created panic as people scampered for safety. Bomb disposal experts and other security operatives were seen combing the nooks and crannies of the premises as the explosion site was cordoned off. There was however no sign that the explosions were caused by bombs. There were no injuries and no casualties recorded. The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), confirmed the incident.
Heavy Flooding Hits Asaba
Several houses and roads in Asaba were flooded, on Tuesday following a heavy downpour that lasted for about 3 hours. The flood also affected the Government House and Okpanam Roads where the House of Assembly, Police headquarters, Legislators Quarters Federal and State Secretariats are located. Vehicular movement was disrupted on many roads while residents were seen wading through their flooded homes and streets.
LAGOS AND ENVIRONS
Police Make Arrest over Mystery Death of 4-Year-Old
Eight residents of the building where a four year-old-boy, Akin Akinola, was found hanging in his mother‘s room on Wednesday have been arrested by the police and the house sealed off. A police source explained that a forensic analysis would be carried out to help unravel the mystery of the death. Ondo state Police spokesman, Aremu Adeniran, said that playmates of the deceased were also being questioned as they were playing with Akin before the incident happened. Akin‘s mother, Nike, reportedly went to the market, leaving the victim and another child at home when the incident happened. It was learnt that some strangers visited Nike‘s room and left before neighbours discovered Akin‘s corpse and raised the alarm. Most residents believed that he must have been killed and tied to the ceiling to give the impression that the he committed suicide. Nike said that she suspected one of her neighbours, who had threatened to deal with her, following a disagreement.
Four Suspected Ritualists Mobbed to Death
No fewer than four suspected ritualists were killed in parts of Abeokuta, Ogun State, last weekend, by angry mobs. It was gathered that the suspected ritualists operated at Ibara, Isabo, Ago-Ika and Oloomore areas. Eyewitnesses said a middle-aged man, was nabbed while trying to kidnap a school boy in the iteIn area. Some residents, who were said to have suspected the movement of the man, reportedly accosted him to ascertain his mission. When he could not give a satisfactory explanation, he was beaten black and blue and was eventually set ablaze. In the previous week, at least four suspects received the jungle justice. But the police have warned people against inflicting jungle justice on suspects, saying such action was capable of compromising investigation of alleged crime.
Journalist Alleges Torture over Publication
Another journalist in Nigeria has alleged being brutalised by some security operatives over a story he did about illegal importation of arms. Innocent Chukwu, the editor of Tentacle, a Lagos-based bi-weekly news magazine, alleged that he was, on Wednesday October 20, attacked and brutalized by men suspected to be from the Customs and Excise and some hoodlums suspected to be smugglers at Seme Border. According to Chukwu, the attack was connected with the cover story published in the October 31 edition of Tentacles, entitled: Illegal Arms Importation Rises at Ports, Border Posts: Customs Admits Porous Borders. His ordeal started on Tuesday, October 19, 2010, when the Public Relations Officer of Seme Customs, Mr. Olottah, invited him to their office for “an urgent discussion.”
Ondo Auto Crash Kills 19
Nineteen lives were lost in a multiple auto accident in Ondo State that occurred penultimate Saturday night at Igbado town. Ten survivors are battling for their lives at the Ondo Specialist Hospital. It was learnt that the accident occurred, when a bus that left Lagos for Ondo town ran into a truck loaded with planks, after overtaking a long trailer. The driver, who lost control of the Hiace bus, swerved to the opposite side of the road where he collided with another bus coming from Kwara State. An eyewitness added that policemen from the Enu-Owa Motor Traffic Division (MTD), some residents of the community and members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), assisted in rescue operations.
Two Remanded in Prison for Armed Robbery, Murder
An Ebute Meta Magistrate’s Court on Monday in Lagos ordered two men to be remanded in prison for armed robbery and murder. The Magistrate, Mr. O. O. Olatunji, who gave the order, said the men should be kept behind bars pending advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions. The Prosecutor, Mr. Isaac Aminu, alleged that the offences were committed in September when the suspects robbed a company and murdered the security guard on duty. A 42-year-old man, Idowu Ajani, was also arraigned before an Osogbo Magistrate’s court for allegedly stealing three cartons of beer worth N12, 000 at gunpoint. Ajani pleaded not guilty to the three-count charge of conspiracy, stealing and unlawful possession of gun. The court granted him bail in the sum of N200, 000 and two sureties in like sum.
18 Suspected Militants Arrested in Lagos
Eighteen suspected militants have been arrested by the Nigerian Navy near the Atlas Cove Jetty at Apapa. The suspects were paraded by the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Navy Command, E. O Ogbor. He said the suspects were in a speed boat, tied their trade mark red headbands and were chanting war songs. But some of the suspects revealed that they were members of a cult group called Norsemen Club, also known as the Supreme Vikings and were ‘sailing’ as is the custom of the cult to familiarize themselves with the water. According Ogbor, the suspects have been handed over to the police for prosecution. But police spokesperson, Frank Mba, said he was yet to be briefed on the incident.
Robbers Escape with N6m Loot
A six-man armed robbery gang on Tuesday in Lagos attacked and robbed some traders at Mile 2 on the Lagos-Badagry Expressway. A victim said that one of the traders was shot by the robbers. It was learnt that some residents of the area, who were attracted to the scene by the shooting, quickly alerted the police. The robbers reportedly abandoned their motorcycles and escaped with a N6m loot through a canal in the area as soon as they sighted the police. Spokesman of the Lagos State Police Command, Mr. Frank Mba, who confirmed the incident, expressed hope that the suspects would soon be arrested.
Drug Barons Attack NDLEA Officers, Policemen in Ondo
Policemen and operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) were on Thursday ambushed by about 100 armed hoodlums suspected to have been hired by Indian hemp barons in Eyinogbe area of Owo town of Ondo state in order to foil attempt by officers to open their warehouse. The State Commandant of the NDLEA, Walter Nicholas, said that two of the NDLEA officers and the three policemen suffered gunshot wounds. Nicholas said the warehouse contained the largest concentration of Indian hemp he had ever seen in a single location. The NDLEA boss however said his men went back to the place few hours after and recovered about 23 tonnes of Indian hemp valued at about N23m.
18 Jailed for Poor Sanitation
A Grade ‘A’ Customary Court in Somolu, Lagos State, on Wednesday sentenced 18 tenants to two months’ imprisonment for poor sanitation. The Court President, Mrs. Modupe Bajulaiye, held that the tenants were keeping a dirty environment. Bajulaiye, however, gave the option of fine ranging from N1, 500 to N10, 500. The Bariga Local Council Development Area had accused them of promoting a dirty environment and failure to repair their dilapidated roofs, cracked walls and defective septic tanks.
GENERAL
Azazi Takes over Investigation over of Seized Arms
The National Security Adviser (NSA), Gen. Andrew Azazi (rtd.), has taken over the investigation into the recent discovery of 13 containers at the Apapa Wharf in Lagos. He has also barred security agents from speaking to journalists on the issue. The NSA told the security chiefs that he had decided to take over the co-ordination of security on the matter in order to avoid giving “discordant tunes and information to the public on the matter.” Meanwhile, it was gathered that the Federal Government is investigating the claim by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) that the ship that brought the consignment arrived in the country on July 10, 2010 and departed on July 15, after the containers had been unloaded, without alerting other agencies.
NEMA Warns 7 States of Impending Flood
The National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA) has warned of impending flood in Taraba State, which may occur as a result of release of over 132 million cubic metric tonnes of water from the Lake Nyos breakage. The agency said the flood may also affect Benue, Kogi, Adamawa, Akwa-Ibom, Cross River and Anambra States. The Director General of NEMA gave the warning at a sensitization programme organised for representatives of five council areas of Taraba State. The NEMA boss said that the warning is to save lives and property, adding that over 200 communities may be affected by the flood. NEMA also disclosed that at least 500, 000 persons have been displaced by flooding in Nigeria this year.
FG to Enhance Security Surveillance in Niger Delta
To enhance security surveillance and arrest cases of illegal bunkering in the Niger Delta, the Federal Government has concluded plans to acquire submarines and more helicopters, Vice President Namadi Sambo disclosed on Monday. Sambo said that government was poised to improve security situation at the nation’s ports, noting that sustainable peace in the Niger Delta region can only be achieved if there was enough surveillance by the security agencies, adding that there would be more guards to guide the coasts at the end of the training programme. To achieve this, the FG, on Monday, instituted a technical committee to work on modalities for the training of ex-militants as coast guards in order to complement security agencies in protecting the nations’ coastal areas.
FG Intensifies Police Reform, Confirms Ringim as IGP
The Federal Government is unrelenting in its effort to reform the Nigeria Police and make its officers and men more relevant in the modern world. As part of the police reform project, the Centre for Management Development (CMD) has begun the training of police officers of the ranks of Deputy Commissioner, Assistant Superintendent of Police, among others, in the art of effective project monitoring and evaluation. The training is part of a series of trainings planned for officers and men of the police. Meanwhile, the National Police Council on Thursday, confirmed Hafis Ringim, as substantive Inspector-General of Police (IGP). Ringim was two months back appointed as the Acting Inspector General of police after his predecessor, Ogbonna Onovo, was removed from office.
IGP Orders Reformation of Mobile Police Units, Others
The Inspector General of Police, Hafiz Ringim, has directed the immediate reformation of crime squads and mobile police units across the country. Ringim on Wednesday said it had become imperative that the force remained focused, proactive, collaborative, decisive and accountable in its vision and style of leadership if it must make any headway. He regretted that the Police Mobile Force (PMF) had been subjected to performing unprofessional and degrading duties which necessitated the need to start building an institutional capacity anchored on collective commitment of all officers and men.
Auto Crash Claims 33 Lives in Yobe
Multiple auto accidents have claimed the lives of 33 persons including two drivers when two buses had a head-on collision and burst into flames in Yobe State on Tuesday. The two buses involved in the road accident were said to be travelling in opposite directions conveying passengers to Maiduguri and Abuja when they had the collision at about 2pm at Jigawa-Potiskum Bridge. Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) Unit Commander in Potiskum, Boyi Ali Maigari, confirmed the accident. He said the road where the accident happened “has no potholes that could have suggested that one of the drivers may be trying to avoid the bad side of the road,” and the accident was in broad day light. He attributed the accident to over speeding and reckless driving.
Nigeria Tightens Cargo Security
Nigeria has tightened security for US-bound cargo, including checks for explosives, after the recent discovery of two bomb parcels from Yemen addressed to the United States. Nigeria will also intensify security for shipments to Nigeria from countries labelled security risks, according to a new directive issued by Nigerian Civil Aviation Authorities. US counter-terrorism chief, John Brennan, has linked last year's Christmas Day bid to bring down a Detroit-bound airliner by a Nigerian to the parcel bombs. Evidence suggested the same person built the intercepted parcel bombs and the device worn by bomber Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab in his failed attack, Brennan said.
NLC to Commence Strike November 10 over Minimum Wage
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has said there is no going back on its impending industrial action scheduled for between November 10 and 12, 2010 unless there is a "concrete response" from the Federal Government. Chairman of the NLC Strike Committee and NLC Deputy President, Comrade Promise Adewusi, said nothing short of the speedy passage of the National Minimum Wage Bill through an accelerated process by the National Assembly would stop the strike. The Congress had issued a 14-day ultimatum to the FG and noted that the strike is a last resort after exploring and exhausting other channels to urge the government to implement. But President Goodluck Jonathan pleaded with them not to embark on the strike as the government was working to address their demand.
20 Die in Zamfara Road Accident
At least 20 people have been confirmed dead, while 33 others sustained serious injuries in two auto accidents in Zamfara State on Sunday. The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Assistant Corps Commander, Kaura-Namoda Unit, Mr Sani Abdussamad, disclosed on Monday that the first accident occurred at Sabongari when a vehicle carrying more than 100 bags of potatoes with 42 people on top of the goods, was from Sokoto State. Abdussamad said the driver was allegedly speeding when the truck had a burst tyre, skidded off the road, somersaulted and killed seven passengers instantly, while two other victims died later in the hospital. Abdussamad said the other accident occurred when a Peugeot 505 car had a collision with a Toyota Carina, killing 11 people in both cars.
NUPENG Suspends Planned Strike
The National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) said in Lagos on Monday, that it had suspended its planned strike by two weeks. NUPENG said the suspension of the strike was to give all the parties involved time to resolve the dispute. The Lagos zonal chairman of NUPENG, Alhaji Tokunbo Korodo, said that the suspension followed the intervention of the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Mr Emeka Wogu. NUPENG had on October 27 directed its members in Lagos to embark on an indefinite strike from November 1, following the sack of elected officials in LFA Ltd. by Chevron. Wogu has given the management of Chevron Nigeria Limited and Logistic Facility Affairs (LFA), two weeks to re-instate sacked union executives at LFA or face appropriate sanctions.
Group Drags Bank to Court over Fraud Allegations
Angered by the seeming act of ingratitude by the management of First Bank Plc for describing a student, Mr Ojo Durojaye, who returned N9.3bn credited to his account in error, as a “fraudster”; the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) and other professional bodies, under the umbrella of ‘Integrity Forum’ have commenced legal actions against the bank. The convener of the Integrity Forum and the Chairperson of NAWOJ, Alhaja Fatima Abdulkareem, hinted that the bank would be sued for damages caused Durojaye to the tune of N250 million. The Forum also called on the Central Bank Governor, Sanusi Lamido, to beam a searchlight on the crisis, as they wondered why the bank failed to report the incident to the relevant financial authorities, as of the point of posting, as stipulated by law.
Ram Dealer Killed in Niger State
Unknown persons, on Thursday, killed a ram dealer, Malam Balarabi Ismaila, in Bida, Niger State, making away with his day’s earnings, his colleagues said. The colleagues disclosed that the remains of Ismaila were found in a bush near the ram market in the town. The 45-year-old Ismaila was said to have been in possession of an amount of money when the assailants killed him and collected his money when he went to the bush ease himself. The Area Commander, Bida Police Command, Olatunji Ayodele, confirmed the incident.
Nigeria Deports 700 Illegal Immigrants
Hundreds of illegal immigrants have been deported from the northern part Nigeria back to neighbouring countries as part of a security crackdown on a radical Islamic sect, a senior immigration official said on Thursday. Suspected members of the Boko Haram sect have been blamed for torching police stations and killing police officers and local officials in the some of northern states. Around 700 migrants from Niger, Cameroon and Chad have been expelled amid fears the sect may be drawing members from outside Nigeria. Those deported had been found to lack the necessary paperwork to stay in Nigeria.
INTERNATIONAL
Plane Crash Kills 89 in Cuba, Pakistan
A Cuban state airliner, AeroCarribean, Thursday, crashed in a mountainous area after declaring an emergency and losing contact with air traffic controllers, killing everyone onboard. The plane was en route from the Santiago de Cuba to the capital when it reported an emergency and went down near the village of Guasimal in Santi Spiritus province. The cause of the crash is being investigated. In Pakistan, a private plane crashed near the airport in Karachi on Friday, killing all 21 people onboard. The Beech aircraft belonged to the JS Air Company, and had just taken off from the city of Karachi. The pilot told the control tower minutes before the crash that there appeared to be some fault with the engine, and was ordered to return to the airport, but as he was turning the plane, it went down in an open field.
Indonesian Volcano: Death Toll Hits 100
Blistering gas from Indonesia's most volatile volcano spewed farther than expected Friday, incinerating houses at the edge of the danger zone, raising thedeath toll above 100. Soldiers joined overnight rescue operations from the crater of Mount Merapi, pulling at least 58 corpses. Dozens of injured people -with clothes, blankets and even mattresses fused to their skin by the 750 degree Celsius gas clouds. Authorities extended Mount Merapi's danger zone by 5km to 20km from the crater after the new eruption, said Subandrio, a state volcanologist. The eruption just before midnight was six times as powerful as Merapi's initial blast on October 26. Mount Merapi, which means "Fire Mountain," has erupted many times in the last century, killing hundreds of persons.
37 Killed as Gunmen Hold Baghdad Church Hostage
...Al-Qaida in Iraq threatens attacks on Christians
At least 37 people were killed as security forces stormed a church in Baghdad to free dozens of hostages being held by gunmen. Five attackers were among the dead. The gunmen had reportedly demanded the release of jailed al-Qaeda militants. There was a long stand-off as security forces surrounded the building with helicopters hovering overhead. Al-Qaida's front group in Iraq has threatened more attacks on Christians, claiming that Egypt's Coptic Church is holding women captive for converting to Islam. The Islamic State of Iraq, which has claimed responsibility for the church hostage incident, said its deadline for Egypt's Copts to release the women had expired and its fighters would attack Christians anywhere.
Yemen Tightens Security at Airports after Bomb Plot
Yemen's National Civil Aviation Security Committee said Monday it has implemented "tight security" at all of its airports in the aftermath of a plot to send bombs from Yemen to the United States. Authorities in the United Arab Emirates and Britain, penultimate Friday, found two packages with explosives from Yemen bound for the US. U.S. investigators believe al Qaeda bomb maker, al-Asiri, 28, is linked to the packages. The explosive found in the packages, PETN, is the same as the material found in the December 2009 foiled underwear bomb attack on a US bound plane. Meanwhile, Yemen has granted conditional release to a woman, Hanan al-Samawi, 22, who was arrested on suspicion of mailing the devices as her mobile number was reportedly left with one of the two US cargo firms that sent the packages.
Suicide Bombing in Turkey Injures 32
At least 32 people, including police officers, were wounded, in a suicide bombing in Istanbul, Turkey, penultimate Sunday, police said. The male bomber died at the scene, Istanbul Governor, Huseyin Azni Mutlu, said. A second device was found on the bomber's body that either failed to detonate or was not used, he added. The bomber was trying to get into a police car when he set off the explosion. Security cameras caught the event, and officials were looking over the video for more information. He would not name the bomber or discuss a motive, and said it was too early to provide information on possible ties to organizations while the investigation was under way.
80 Bodies Found after Clash at Afghan Military Base
The bodies of about 80 people were found on the battlefield a day after attackers clashed with NATO and Afghan forces in southeastern Afghanistan, officials said Sunday. Foreign fighters from Arab countries and Chechnya were among the insurgents that attacked a military base, in Barmal district. All the people killed were insurgents, according to Farid Mukhlis, the governor's spokesman. Authorities said no NATO or Afghan troops or civilians were killed in the clashes, which began at midnight Friday and continued into Saturday morning. NATO's International Security Assistance Force said it had confirmed 38 dead.
Brazil Elects First Female President
Brazil, penultimate Sunday, elected its first female president, Dilma Rousseff, 62. Rouseff, who has vowed to step up the fight against poverty, will take over the runs of government from January 1, 2011. Rousseff, who based her campaign on extending the legacy of outgoing President, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, convincingly won her first election on Sunday as Brazilians put aside doubts over her character and voted for continued economic success. She also set out twin goals for her rule – eradicating poverty while maintaining Brazil’s hard-won economic stability.
Kufuor Lauds Peaceful Polls in Cote d’Ivoire
Former Ghanaian President, John Kufuor has lauded Cote d’Ivoire’s Independent Electoral Commission for conducting what he described as a peaceful vote, penultimate Sunday. Kufuor, who is the co-chairman of the United States (U.S.)-based Carter Centre poll observer mission to Cote d’Ivoire, said the stability of the country would have a positive impact on the entire West African sub-region. Cote d’Ivoire held a long-delayed presidential election on Sunday designed to reunite the country split in half by the 2002 civil war. The election featured 14 candidates, including incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo, who has held office since the last presidential vote in 2000.
Parliament Approves New Prime Minister in Somalia
Somalia’s parliament, Monday, approved a Somali-American, Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, as the country’s new Prime Minister. Mohamed, who has taught at a community college in western New York, is now expected to name a Cabinet in the coming weeks. The Somali government currently controls only a small part of the capital, Mogadishu. It has accomplished little since its inception in 2004 and the country hasn’t had a fully functioning government in nearly two decades. Mohamed was nominated on October 14 by President Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed but the vote on the nomination was delayed several times.
Iran Give Nod to Execute Woman
Authorities in Iran have given the go-ahead to execute a woman who initially was sentenced to death by stoning for adultery. But the method that will be used to execute Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani is unclear, said Mina Ahadi, spokeswoman for the International Committee Against Stoning. The government later said she was also convicted of murdering her husband, but her lawyer and family dispute that. Ashtiani, 43, concedes that she was convicted of adultery, but that was acquitted of murder, as the man who killed her husband was identified and imprisoned. Ashtiani's son and her attorney are still in jail after being arrested in October. He son, Sajjad Ghaderzadeh, said court officials stole documents on the murder of his father in order to "promote his mother as a murderer."
Explosives Sent to German, Italian, French Leaders
A number of packages containing bombs, addressed to the leaders of Germany and Italy, were discovered on Tuesday. A package containing explosives was found at the office of German Chancellor, Angela Merkel. The package had been shipped via cargo plane from Greece, said Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere. Greece has seen a wave of attempted bombings in the past day. In addition, two other parcels containing explosives were discovered in the cargo section of the Athens airport on Tuesday, police spokesman, Thanassis Kokkalakis said. They were addressed to the European Union law enforcement agency (Europol), based in The Hague, Netherlands, and the European Court of Justice, Kokkalakis said. Both parcels were detonated, he said. In Bologna, Italy, police said they found a package containing an explosive device addressed to Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.
Violence, Intimidation Displaces Thousands in Guinea
Violence and voter intimidation in Guinea's eastern region has forced the displacement of thousands of ethnic Peul who support presidential candidate Cellou Dalein Diallo, according to an official for the Red Cross in Guinea and local officials of Diallo's party. Guinea's long-awaited, second round presidential runoff between Diallo and Alpha Conde is scheduled for Sunday. But more than a week of violence and intimidation that has forced thousands of people to leave their homes in eastern Guinea has soured what would be the nation's most credible democratic presidential vote in its 52-year history. Ananie Kashironge, head of media relations for the International Committee of the Red Cross in Conakry, the nation's capital, said that 2,800 people were displaced on October 22 and 23 alone.
Explosions Rock Russian, Swiss Embassies in Greece
A bomb exploded at the Swiss and Russian embassies in Athens on Tuesday and suspicious packages were detonated by police outside Parliament, the Bulgarian embassy and a courier company, officials said. No injuries or damage were reported. Police suspect that far-left domestic groups are responsible for the attacks that began on Monday when four mail bombs failed to reach their targets -French President, Nicolas Sarkozy, and the embassies of Mexico, the Netherlands and Belgium. The bombs were found on Monday after one exploded at a delivery service in central Athens, wounding a worker. Authorities have said the bombs were not powerful, and no link was made with the recently discovered Yemen-based mail bomb plot. Two Greek men were arrested on suspicion of plotting the attacks.
Blasts Kills 63 in Baghdad
At least 63 people were killed and 285 others were wounded in a series of explosions across Baghdad on Tuesday, police said. The blasts included 14 car bombs, two roadside bombs and mortar attacks in at least 17 neighborhoods, most of them in Shiite neighborhoods, police said. Other blasts struck mixed Sunni-Shiite neighborhoods. A U.S. military spokesman, Lt. Col. Eric Bloom, said the strikes are typical of al Qaeda in Iraq attacks.
Tomas Kills 12, Threatens Jamaica and Haiti
The death toll attributed to Hurricane Tomas, which swept through the West Indies island of St. Lucia last weekend, rose on Tuesday to 12, while Prime Minister Stephenson King issued a declaration of disaster. Tomas hit St. Lucia as a Category 1 hurricane, penultimate Sunday, and caused major damage. Meanwhile, Jamaica's government issued a hurricane watch for the island on Tuesday afternoon as Tomas continued its trek through the region. Tomas emerged into the Caribbean Sea and weakened into a tropical storm. However, it was expected to re-intensify and take a sharp right turn, forecasters said on Tuesday. Haiti and the Dominican Republic were urged to monitor its progress, which could pose a "significant threat" to those areas later in the week.