Villeworth Security Services Ltd

week 52

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PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

Army Recovers 3848 Rounds of Ammunition, Others from Osisikankwu

The arrested girlfriend of kidnap kingpin, Obioma Nwankwo, a.k.a Osisikankwu, simply identified as Ogochi has revealed to soldiers where her ex-lover hid his arms. Ogochi was arrested after Osisikankwu and two of his cohorts were killed by soldiers of the special task force in Abia state on December 12 in an exchange of fire. Ogochi, said to be three months pregnant, revealed to soldiers the exact locations in Ugwuati and other evil forests where Osisikankwu hid thousands of arms and ammunition. The Assistant Director, Public Relations of the 82 Div. of the Nigerian Army, Enugu, Lt. Col. Sagir Musa, said that the mop up of arms operation recorded huge success as the army recovered 48 empty magazine of AK 47; 3,848 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition; 538 rounds of 7.62 mm Nato; 41 expended cases of ammunition; some quantity of dynamite and 3 RPG prima.

13 Killed in Rivers Communal Violence

About 15 persons were killed in a suspected reprisal attack on Kegbara Dere community in Gokana LGA of Rivers State when armed men suspected to be members of neighbouring B-Dere community allegedly attacked the neighbouring community to revenge an attack by youths from Kegbara Dere in October after an argument over a European football match. While one person was shot dead, over 60 houses were destroyed in the crisis that also saw the displacement of over 500 persons from their homes. The latest crisis in the area started when some youths from B-Dere pursued members of K-Dere community from their farms and set their houses on Monday.

Gang Shoots 4 Dead in Rivers

At least four persons including two girls lost their lives on Monday at Ubima, Rivers State when gunmen suspected to be on revenge mission, opened fire on vehicles plying the major road in the community. Several persons sustained various degrees of injury. The affected vehicles and their passengers were said to have been caught in some potholes at a section of the road. It was gathered that as they meandered through the potholes that dot the road in the outskirts of the community some armed youths emerged from the nearby bush and shot indiscriminately at the vehicles from opposite directions.

11 Vandals Nabbed in Bayelsa

The Joint Task Force (JTF), Monday, arrested 11 suspected pipeline vandals including a native doctor along the creeks of the Delta with over 172,500 illegally refined petroleum products. The suspects were arrested in two wooden boats in Southern Ijaw and Nembe LGAs of Bayelsa state. The middle aged native doctor from Ondo state described himself as victim circumstance, submitting that he was not a member of the team as being alleged but was hawking herbal medicine when he boarded the boat on his itinerant journey through the creeks selling his product. He stated that as at the time the boat he boarded was intercepted by soldiers in Ikoromagbene area, eight people were on board but seven escaped by diving into the river, adding that he decided to stay put since he has nothing to hide.

Tanker Fire Destroys Houses in Anambra

Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi, on Monday shed tears when he saw the destruction caused by a fire that resulted from a fallen petroleum tanker at Uli.  The governor was at Uli to commiserate with victims of the fire incident and assess the level of damage. A tanker carrying fuel recently fell down on the road leading to the Anambra State University and caught fire, burning down houses and goods worth millions of naira along the path of the spilled fuel. No life was, however, lost in the incident.

7 Arraigned over Illegal Medicine Stores in Aba

Police have arraigned seven men at a chief magistrate’s court in the commercial city of Aba, Abia State, for allegedly selling and/or dispensing proprietary medicines. The men were accused of selling medicines despite the fact that they were neither chemist nor licensed to do. However, the men pleaded not guilty to all the charges. It will be recalled that about 26 medicine stores in Aba were reportedly sealed by the PCN during the said inspection visit. In his plea, the counsel for the accused, Mr Okpara Odionye, wanted the court to re-open the shops, adding that the PCN lacked the legal powers to seal off stores.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

JTF Nabs Togo’s Son, Sister

Continuing its raid on suspected base of renegade militants in the Niger Delta, the Joint Task Force (JTF), Penultimate Sunday, picked up a nine-year-old son and a sister, Pat Vasie, of wanted militant leader, John Togo. Togo’s lawyer, Casely Omon-Irabor, announced the detention of Togo’s son and sister, but JTF spokesman, Lt-Col Timothy Antigha, denied the report. It could not be confirmed if the action was a bait to force the wanted militant leader to surrender. Omo-Irabor asked the authorities of the JTF to release the duo with immediate effect. Togo had, last week, asked the JTF to guarantee his safety and restrict the activities of the troops in the creeks as conditions for him to surrender to the security agency.

Chevron Shuts Down Stations

Nigeria is losing about N700 million, as American oil giant, Chevron , has shut in 50,000 barrels of crude oil per day in Delta State, following the damage done to its facilities, penultimate Friday by the militants in Delta State. The ill-fated pipeline had been ruptured more than five times within two years, a development which led to epileptic operations by the oil major in the area. The General Manager, Government and Public Affairs of the company, Mr Femi Odumabo, confirmed the damage, but declined to confirm the number of the production platforms affected. The Niger Delta Liberation Force, led by John Togo, claimed that it attacked three pipelines operated by Chevron and Agip, stressing that the Friday bombing would serve as prelude to a massive bombing.

Delta Community Accuses JTF of War Crimes

Residents of Ayakoromo Community in Burutu LGA of Delta State have accused the military Joint Task Force (JTF) of war crimes and looting of N500 Million from the war-ravaged community during the recent operation of the military in the area. The community leaders led by the Chairman, Ayakoromo Rehabilitation Council, Anthony Bamuza, said they would press for compensation from the Federal Government at the appropriate time. Mr Bamuza, who was surrounded by hundreds of displaced persons from the community, said what was done to the people of Ayakoromo by the JTF amounted to war crimes

Football Club Boss Abducted

Unknown gunmen, Monday, abducted the Chairman of Bendel Insurance Football club, Mr. Igbinomwahia Ekhosuehi, at his residence in Benin City. The kidnappers of Ekhosuehi were said to have demanded for a ransom of N10m and N1m daily for the victim’s feeding and upkeep. This is coming just as a Benin magistrate court has sentenced one Osamuyi Osunbor to seven years imprisonment without option of fine for extortion and threat to kill. Edo State Director of the State Security Services (SSS), Mr. Francis Adeyemi Sonaike, said that over 50 kidnapped cases were pending in various courts in the state. The said Osamuyi Osunbor was arrested on the 2nd of November 2010 while attempting to collect a ransom of N100, 000 paid into his account by a victim he had threatened to kill.

Man, 25, Remanded in Prison Custody for Alleged Rape

An Asaba Chief Magistrate’s Court has ordered that a 25-year-old man, Mohammed Musa, be remanded in prison custody for allegedly raping a 26-year-old woman. The Police Prosecutor, Mr Imeh Iyang, alleged that the accused committed the offence in November. The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Helen Okonkwo-Ikeh, who did not take Musa’s plea, ordered that the accused person be remanded in prison custody. Okonkwo-Ikeh also ordered that duplicate copies of the accused person’s case file should be sent to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutor (DPP) for advice.

Robbery, Murder Suspects Remanded in Prison Custody

An Asaba Chief Magistrate’s Court has remanded four robbery and murder suspects in prison custody till December 31. The suspects whose pleas were not taken are facing a four-count charge of conspiracy, robbery, attempted murder and murder before the court. The police prosecutor, Mr Richman Ezebekhai told the court that the accused and others now at large committed the offence in June. He further told the court that the accused and others now at large, on the same day at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church area of Ibusa, murdered one Philip Igumbor. Chief Magistrate Helen Okonkwo-Ikeh did not take the pleas of the accused.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

OPC, Bandits in Gun Battle

Members of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) in Ekiti State, penultimate Friday, engaged some bandits suspected to be nomadic herdsmen in a gun duel along the Ijan-Iluomoba Road. It was gathered that the gang had operated for about two hours and robbed some victims before the OPC members were alerted by some drivers. One of the residents stated that the OPC leader mobilised his boys and went to the scene of the crime. He said that the bandits, on noticing that some people were after them, opened fire on the OPC boys but they eventually fled when they discovered that they could be overpowered by the OPC boys. Police Public Relations Officer, Mohammed Jimoh, said that the command was yet to be briefed about the matter.

Erring Officers, Political Thugs, Will be Prosecuted -CP

The Ondo State Police Commissioner, Mrs Chintua Amajor-Onu, has warned that any policeman accused of aiding politicians to perpetrate electoral offences during the 2011 elections would be prosecuted. Speaking at a meeting with leaders of political parties in the state, she said that the command was also prepared to arrest and prosecute political thugs and their sponsors, for any act injurious and inimical to the successful conduct of the poll.

Girl, 15, Kills Husband over N1000

A 15-year-old girl, Esther Moses, has told an Osogbo magistrate’s court how she stabbed her husband, David Moses, to death during an argument over N1000. The suspect said she did not realise that it would lead to his death. She said her husband took N1000 belonging to her, recalling that she had warned him to return her money before they began fighting. The mother of two was not represented by a lawyer during the proceedings. The court could not take her plea because magistrate courts have no jurisdiction over murder cases. The magistrate advised the suspect to get a lawyer to represent her during her trial at the Osogbo High Court. He ordered that Esther be remanded in Ilesa prison.

Dangerous Manholes on Roads Worry Motorists

Residents of estates on old Lagos-Abeokuta Road have raised the alarm over killer manholes that dot some sections of the road, saying they pose danger to road users and the residents. They added that road users, especially motorists, were forced to slow down as they approached the manholes, thereby exposing them to attack from hoodlums and armed robbers, who loitered around the area. They therefore appealed to the government to urgently rehabilitate the roads and block the manholes. Our correspondent, who visited the area, noticed that motorists found it difficult to ply the road and their slowing down when the approached the manholes also resulted in traffic snarl.

Ritual Killers Besiege LASU-Iba Road

Residents along the LASU-Iba road have demanded for a police post due to the resurgence of ritual killers in the area. In recent times, people have complained of being attacked by suspected ritualist who wanted parts of their bodies. A policeman still recuperating in the hospital shared his account of being attacked. His experience came after a similar one shared by a couple who also escaped. President General of Iba Neighbourhood Forum, Mr. Eric Adetutu, said that since the relevant authorities had refused to come to the community’s aid by beefing up security in the area, the community’s leaders would stage a series of peaceful protests until something was done about their plight.

Governor’s Aides Dislodge Robbers

Officials of the State Security Service attached to the Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, on Monday saved some travellers from rampaging armed robbers along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. A statement issued by the state government said the armed robbers engaged the security officials in a gun battle for about 30 minutes. A suspect arrested at the end of the duel was handed over to the Federal Highway patrol team, near Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

Police Arrest 3 for Kidnapping

The police in Lagos State have arrested three people including a houseboy, who kidnapped a five-year-old girl and demanded for N10 million as ransom. The houseboy, Damilare Akamo, had connived with two other people to kidnap his boss’s daughter, who was taken to Ifo in Ogun State. The parents of the kidnapped Sharon Omotayo   were negotiating to pay the demanded ransom, when the prime suspect, Akamo returned the child to Lagos. Akamo had reportedly on December 10, gone to the young girl’s school at Ikeja GRA, Lagos, to take the child home, only for him to take the young girl to Ifo in Ogun State. Akamo had   reportedly lied to the girl’s parents that some unknown men had kidnapped him and Sharon.

SAN, Aide Drown at Lagos Beach

A female Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mrs Sylvia Sinaba, and her Legal Assistant got drowned at the Lagos bar beach, Thursday, where they had gone for their chambers end of year party. It was gathered that it was the Legal Assistant, that first got stuck in the water and while struggling with the wave, Sinabu got in to rescue her (Sylvia) and in the process, both were swept away. Nigerian lawyers have expressed sadness at the deaths, describing it as a great loss to the legal profession.

Road Accident Claims 2 Lives in Lagos

Two persons were killed along the Mile 2-Badagry expressway, when a petroleum tanker crushed a commercial motorcycle operator and his passenger, after it lost control and ran over two commercial motorcycles. It was gathered that the passenger and rider of the second motorbike survived because they jumped off the bike when they saw danger coming. The driver of the tanker ran away as soon as his vehicle came to a stop. The accident caused a heavy traffic jam that stretched up to Mile 2, as many commercial motorcyclists thronged the scene in solidarity with their dead colleague.

GENERAL

30 Feared Killed in Jos Explosions

Eight bombs went off in two locations in Jos on Friday night as the bombers targeted Christmas Eve Christian worshippers. The first bomb was set to have gone off at about 7.30pm, with the rest going of minutes after. Witnesses say no fewer than 30 people were killed. Plateau State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Greg Yenlong, who confirmed the incident, attributed it to the handiwork of Al Qaeda in Jos. He said that the incidents have confirmed reports that Al Qaeda has been targeting to bomb Jos. He said that the rumour had been rife that some people were about to bomb certain parts of the metropolis.

Jonathan, Others Urge Prayers at Christmas

Political leaders in Nigeria including President Goodluck Jonathan, have all recognised the need to pray for a peaceful conduct of next year’s elections as they conveyed their best wishes for peace, joy and prosperity to Nigerians as the nation celebrates Christmas. The President, in a Christmas message, urged Nigerians to rededicate themselves to the enabling ideals and virtues of faith in God, love for others, selflessness, honesty, peaceful co-existence, tolerance and dedication to duty which Jesus Christ preached and which his life on earth exemplified.

3 Killed, 19 Arrested in Jos

Three persons were feared dead and two others wounded following a fresh attack in Gonghwong settlement of Turu village in Jos South LGA of Plateau State on Tuesday. The attack was suspected to have been carried out by Fulani men who were said to have made away with over 100 cows belonging to the natives, Berom. Three other victims of the attack had machete cuts all over their bodies and were presently receiving treatment at the Vom Christian Hospital. Spokesman of the Special Task Force (STF), Captain Charles Okocha, confirmed the attacked but said only one man was killed. He added that the soldiers arrested 19 suspects.

Govt Tackles Security Lapses at Polls

An overhaul of the national security structure and arrangement to check lapses at elections have been initiated by the Federal Government. The new framework makes security agencies in the states the nucleus of planning and conducting elections in the country. Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega and the National Security Adviser (NSA), Gen. Andrew Owoye Azazi, who spoke on the new deal, called for an effective collaboration between all arms of security agencies to make the 2011 elections hitch-free, fair and credible.

Court Acquits Al-Mustapha, Others of Attempted Murder

A Lagos High Court on Tuesday, freed Major Hamzat Al-Mustapha, former CSO to late head of state, General Sani Abacha, but still faces a murder charge alongside CSP Rabo Lawal, a former Head of the Aso Rock Anti-Riot Police, over the killing of the late Alhaja Kudirat Abiola. However, Lt. Col Jubrin Bala Yakubu (rtd), former Zamfara State military administrator and ex-Lagos Police boss, James Danbaba, were freed of the charge. All of them stood trial over alleged attempted murder of publisher of The Guardian Newspapers, Mr Alex Ibru in 1999. Justice Mufutau Olokooba held that the evidence on all the counts preferred against the accused persons were worthless.

Mass Promotion in Police

The Police Service Commission (PSC), Monday, announced the promotion of 35 deputy commissioners of police to the rank of commissioners. In the same vein, 46 assistant commissioners of police were also elevated to the rank of deputy commissioners of police, while 56 chief superintendents of police were promoted to assistant commissioners of police.  The Chairman of the PSC, Parry Osayande, while congratulating the successful officers, called on them to live up to the new responsibilities their elevation had placed on them.

10 Killed in Bauchi Road Accident

President Goodluck Jonathan has expressed shock and sadness over the death in a road accident involving 10 members of a cultural troupe, which came from Yobe State to perform during his visit to Bauchi on Thursday. The 10 people lost their lives in the accident, which occurred at Zongoro village, near Bauchi when the 18-seater bus conveying them to Bauchi collided with a car and somersaulted several times. The bus went up in flames in the process.

18-Year-Old Bags 3 Months Jail Term for Stealing

An Abuja Magistrate court has sentenced an 18-year-old, Thompson Faasama, to 3 months imprisonment for stealing and mischief by fire. Faasama, a cleaner, was caught with N517095 money belonging to his company and consequently arrested by the police. Police arraigned the accused person on December 13, over joint act, mischief by fire and theft. The prosecutor, Corporal Mohammed Ahmed told the Court that Thompson Faasama, a cleaner and one Obinna John, a security man both of Assorted Food Ltd Abuja conspired together to set the company’s generator on fire and stole N517,095 money belong to the company.

Police Arrest Suspected Killer of Drugstore Owner

One Hudu Abdulkareem, identified as the leader of a gang that stabbed a drugstore owner, Ikotu Alfa, to death in Minna, Niger State, has been arrested. Alfa was allegedly murdered by the youths who were said to be escaping after taking a cough syrup from the drugstore. The thugs had made their way into the shop of Alfa under the guise that they wanted to buy the syrup, but refused to pay. The spokesperson for the police in the state, Mr. Richard Oguche, had said that the suspect’s family was helping the police to track him down.

Harry Marshal’s Suspected Killers Discharged and Acquitted

Seven years after the former Deputy National Chairman of the All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP), Dr. Harry Marshal was murdered at his residence in Abuja; an Abuja High Court has discharged and acquitted four suspects charged for complicity in the murder. The trial Judge, Ishaq Bello, held that the police did not present any substantial evidence linking the four to the crime. Justice Bello held that “the confessional statements of the accused have failed acid test and not enough to convict the accused persons. Incidentally, the police who are the accusers are, at the same time, witness and prosecutors.”

Electricity Workers Give 21 Days Ultimatum over Welfare

Electricity workers in the country on Monday issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to resolve all outstanding welfare or face a nationwide industrial action. They cited government‘s insensitivity to their welfare and inability to implement collective agreement as major causes of the latest threat. In a letter signed by the President, National Union of Electricity Employees, Mr. Mansur Musa and the President, Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies, Mr. Bede Opara, the workers also accused the government of not implementing the recent 56 per cent salary increase approved for federal civil servants.

Nigeria Offers Gbagbo Asylum, Evacuates Diplomats

Amid the mounting tension in Ivory Coast over the disputed run-off presidential elections, Nigeria has offered embattled President, Laurent Gbagbo, asylum. Minister of state for foreign affairs, Aliyu Idi Hong, said the federal government made the proposition in order to forestall the imminent danger threatening the West Africa nation. Meanwhile, Nigeria has evacuated all its diplomats from Ivory Coast and will bring out its other citizens there after its embassy was attacked. Ivory Coast is locked in a dispute after incumbent Laurent Gbagbo claimed victory in the presidential election of November 28 which the outside world says was won by rival, Alassane Ouattara. Pro-Gbagbo security forces used live rounds last Thursday to put down street protests by Ouattara supporters.

Fire Razes Kaduna Market

An early morning fire on Monday razed the Shiek Abubakar Gumi Central Market in Kaduna. The fire destroyed property worth millions of Naira. An eye witness told newsmen that the fire affected the central part of the market, especially the vegetable oil and chicken sections. While some witnesses claimed that the fire was caused by a stove in one of the restaurants in the market, others claimed that it was ignited by an electric spark.

October Bomb Blasts: Court Denies Suspects Bail

A Federal High Court, Abuja on Tuesday dismissed the bail application filed by Charles Okah and three other suspects accused of terrorism and treasonable felony for the October 1 bomb blast in Abuja. They have all pleaded not guilty to the charges filed against them by the State Security Services (SSS). Justice Gabriel Kolawole dismissed the application for bail on the ground that they failed to provide reasonable proof that they would not abscond. The judge adjourned the case till Jan.11, 12 and 18, 2011 for trial, and ordered that the accused be remanded in SSS custody. He ordered that they be transferred to Kuje Prison.

Court Frees Man Arraigned for Murder

A Bauchi State High Court has discharged and acquitted a member of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Shehu Ahmad, charged with murder and had been detained for three years. Ahmad was arraigned before the court for allegedly leading the group of Sara Suka youths that killed one Musa Mai Gwanjo along Bakin Kura Street in Bauchi. The presiding judge, Justice Bala Umar, said strict proof is required beyond reasonable doubt to prove the accused guilty of the offence.

Alaibe Warns Protesting Ex-Militants against Violence

The Coordinator of the Amnesty Programme, Mr. Timi Alaibe, has decried Wednesday’s protest by some ex-militants over the delayed payment of their allowances at the amnesty office in Abuja. The militants disrupted activities at the office and attempted to pull down the gate leading to the main building. Alaibe advised the ex-militants to avoid being used by politicians and other persons bent on denting the reputation of President Goodluck Jonathan and the amnesty programme. Alaibe condemned the resort to violence and disruptions by the ex-militants, noting that the President had been doing everything possible to rehabilitate and re-integrate them into civil society.

School’s Principal Kidnapped in Jos

The in-law to the Lieutenant General Jeremiah Useni, national chairman of the Democratic People’s Party (DPP), known as Mr Stephen Miri, was abducted on Friday, in Jos, by some group of young men suspected to be kidnappers. Miri, a school’s principal was kidnapped in Jos South LGA while trying to board a vehicle to an unknown destination. It was learnt that kidnappers after few hours of his abduction contacted his brother and asked for a ransom of N2 million.

INTERNATIONAL

48 Killed in Christmas Island Wreck

Australian Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, says as many as 48 asylum seekers may have been killed when their boat sank off Christmas Island. So far 30 bodies have been recovered after the boat hit rocks and broke apart in stormy seas, penultimate Wednesday. Officials have been talking to the 42 survivors to try to determine how many more people may still be missing. Ms Gillard said around 90 people were now thought to have been on the boat, but some bodies might not be recovered. The passengers of the flimsy wooden boat are believed to have been Iranian, Iraqi and Kurdish asylum seekers making their way to Australia via Indonesia.

Guatemala Moves against Drug Gang

Guatemala has given the army special powers to reclaim control of the northern province of Alta Verapaz, which officials say has been overtaken by Mexican drug traffickers. The move allows troops to hold suspects and conduct searches without warrants. Security forces are looking for members of the Zetas drug gang, which has been expanding its operations from Mexico. All cars entering and leaving the provincial capital, Coban, were being inspected. The special powers will remain in place for at least 30 days, government spokesman Ronaldo Robles says.

Pipeline Explosion Kills 27 in Mexico

At least 27 people were killed and 52 injured after an oil pipeline exploded Sunday morning in central Mexico, the state-run news agency said. The cause of the explosion in San Martin Texmelucan, in Puebla State, was under investigation, but preliminary reports pointed to the illegal extraction of oil from the pipe, said Laura Gurza, coordinator for civil protection in Puebla. About 32 houses were lost in the blast, and 80 others were partially damaged, Martinez said.

Gaza-Israel Border Violence Escalates

Amid renewed violence near Gaza border, Israel is now ready to deploy tanks equipped with a miniature missile defence system near the volatile area now that Palestinians are using a tank-piercing missile. The move came a day after Israeli air force hit seven suspected militant sites in the Gaza Strip and Palestinian militants retaliated by sending a rocket crashing down near a kindergarten in southern Israel. Israeli officials alleged the Kornet missiles the militants possess came from Iran, but provided no proof. Israel’s military chief disclosed on Tuesday that militants fired a Kornet for the first time earlier this month, puncturing an Israeli tank. As a result, the defense officials said Israel has decided to move dozens of tanks equipped with the new Israeli-developed system, which detects incoming projectiles and shoots them down before they reach the armored vehicles.

11 Injured at Christmas Mass Bombing in Philippines

A bomb exploded during Christmas Day Mass at a chapel inside a police camp in the volatile southern Philippines, wounding a priest and 10 churchgoers. The device was hidden in a ventilation window near the ceiling of the chapel in Jolo town on Jolo Island, Sulu provincial police said. The island is a stronghold of al-Qaida-linked Abu Sayyaf militants, but it wasn't clear who was responsible for the bombing. Investigators recovered parts of a cell phone they believe detonated the device. All of the wounded were civilians.

ECOWAS Leaders Threaten Gbagbo with Force

West African leaders said they would use "legitimate force" to remove Laurent Gbagbo from power in Ivory Coast if he does not agree to step down peacefully, a call that comes amid rising fears of violence. At least 173 deaths have been confirmed in violence over the presidential vote, and the UN is warning the number could be greater since it has been unable to investigate all the allegations. Masked gunmen with rocket launchers have blocked access to what officials believe may be a mass grave site in Ivory Coast, the United Nations said. Gbagbo has refused to step down from the presidency despite international calls for his ouster. The international community recognizes Alassane Ouattara as the winner of the November disputed elections, though Gbagbo maintains control of the national military.

Female Bomber Kills 43 in Pakistan

A female suicide bomber detonated her explosives-laden vest killing at least 43 people at an aid distribution center in northwestern Pakistan on Saturday, while army helicopter gunships and artillery killed a similar number of Islamic militants in neighboring tribal regions near the Afghan border, officials said. The bombing appeared to be the first suicide attack staged by a woman in Pakistan. The bombing came a day after some 150 militants killed 11 soldiers in a coordinated assault in the adjoining tribal region of Mohmand. Male suicide bombers often don the burqa -an Islamic head-to-toe dress that also covers the woman's face- as a disguise.

North Korea to Allow Return of UN Inspectors after Talks

North Korea has agreed to a series of actions, including the return of U.N. inspectors, following discussions. The North agreed to allow International Atomic Energy Agency personnel to return to a nuclear facility in the country and agreed to negotiate the sale of 12,000 fresh fuel rods and ship them to an outside country, presumably to South Korea. The fuel rods would be enough to make about six to eight nuclear weapons. But South Korea said it was too early to make a general assessment of the North's decision without additional information. The North also agreed to consider a proposal from Bill Richardson, former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, for a military commission between the United States, North Korea and South Korea as well as a separate hotline for the Koreas' militaries.

Thailand Lifts State of Emergency in Bangkok

Thailand's government agreed on Tuesday to lift an eight-month state of emergency in Bangkok and other provinces, citing an improved political climate and a less confrontational approach by anti-government "red shirt" protesters, according to Supachai Jaisamut, a government spokesman. 91 people died during the protests in May and more than 1,800 were wounded. The lifting of the decree in the last four provinces including Bangkok was effective from Wednesday. The resurgence of the anti-government "red shirts," most of whom back ousted former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, is one of the biggest political risks to Thailand.

Man Kills Bride, Best Man, Self at Brazilian Wedding

A bridegroom in Brazil, last weekend, fatally shot his bride, his best man and then himself after announcing to horrified guests that he had a "surprise" for them. Witnesses reported that 29-year-old Rogerio Damascena, a sales manager, did not give any previous indication that anything was wrong at his wedding reception, police investigator, Joao Brito, said. Brito would not speculate on a possible motive. Twenty-five-year-old bride Renata Alexandre Costa Coelho and best man Marcelo Guimaraes were both killed in Saturday's murder-suicide. A brother of the bride was treated at a hospital and released.

12 Detained over Terror Plot

The police in Britain on Monday arrested 12 men after early morning raids on three cities aimed at thwarting a major new terrorism plot. Assistant Commissioner, John Yates, said the suspects were detained in London. Police confirmed that the men were detained by unarmed officers - indicating that any attack was unlikely to have been imminent. The arrests follow several weeks of surveillance and are not believed to be linked to the suicide bombing in Sweden on December 11, or to recent concerns aired by European and U.S officials over purported plots to carry out Mumbai-style commando attacks on European cities.

52 Die in Philippines, Bangladesh

About 52 people have been confirmed dead in separate tragedies in Philippines and Bangladesh. In Philippines, about 15 people died after a fire rapidly swept through a budget hotel and several crammed in bathrooms where they fled in panic. Fire investigator, Daniel Abana, said some firefighters were moved to tears after finding the badly burned bodies in the upper floors of the five-story hotel and offered prayers before retrieving the remains. In Bangladesh, 37 died after a boat packed with passengers capsized on a river in northeastern Bangladesh. The boat, carrying about 80 people, collided with a sand-laden cargo vessel in the darkness, penultimate Saturday night on the River Surma in Sunamganj district. Some survivors swam to shore or were rescued by local villagers.

UN Forces to Remain in Cote d’Ivoire

The United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, has said that UN peacekeepers will remain in Cote d’Ivoire in spite of an order asking them to leave. President Laurent Gbagbo had ordered the UN and French forces to leave the country, accusing them of “interfering seriously with the internal affairs of the country”. Post-presidential election crisis in the country escalated after Gbagbo rejected electoral commission results that declared Alassane Ouattara winner of the November 28 run-off election. The UN, which has 10,000 soldiers and policemen in the West African country, has recognised Ouattara as President-elect and has repeatedly called on Gbagbo to accept defeat. Ban warned that any attack on UN forces in Côte d’Ivoire or attempts to obstruct their work would be seen as an act of aggression.

Belarus Jails 600 for Election Protests

Defying fierce Western condemnation of its bloody crackdown, Belarus on Tuesday, jailed 600 demonstrators detained during a mass rally against the re-election of President Alexander Lukashenko. Lukashenko vowed on Monday to come down hard on all those responsible for taking part in the unauthorized demonstration. Lukashenko was re-elected to a fourth term Sunday with nearly 80 per cent of the ballot on Soviet-style turnout of more than 90 per cent. His nearest challenger received less than three percent of the vote in an election that the challengers vowed to contest even before the results became official. The clampdown came despite signals in the last months that Lukashenko was seeking to smooth his isolated former Soviet country’s frayed relations with both the European Union and Russia.

Conde Sworn-in as Guinea’s President

Guinea’s first freely elected president, Alpha Conde, has taken the oath of office. He was sworn in, Tuesday, at a ceremony in the capital, Conakry. Conde was elected president in a November 7 runoff vote. The presidential election was considered Guinea’s first democratic vote after more than 50 years of dictatorship and military control. The 72-year-old Conde spent decades as a leading opposition figure. He was given a death sentence under the regime of Dictator Ahmad Sekou Toure, and was jailed for two years during the rule of Toure’s successor, Lansana Conte.

Ex-Argentine Dictator Gets Life Sentence

Former Argentine dictator Jorge Rafael Videla was convicted and sentenced to life in prison by a federal court on Wednesday for human rights abuses during his rule. Videla was among the coup leaders who overthrew then-President Isabel Martinez de Peron in March 1976. He ruled as dictator until 1981. Another former dictator, Gen. Reynaldo Benito Bignone, was sentenced in April to 25 years in prison for kidnapping and torturing 56 people. He ruled Argentina from June 1982 until the nation's return to democracy in December 1983. Up to 30,000 students, labor leaders, intellectuals and leftists who ran afoul of the dictatorship because of their political views disappeared or were held in secret jails and torture centers during the nation's eight-year "dirty war."

Police Officials Arrested in Bhutto Assassination

Pakistan arrested two senior police officials Wednesday in connection with the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. A court refused bail for the two officials, Saud Aziz and Khurram Shehzad. Aziz was the police chief in the Rawalpindi district at the time of Bhutto's assassination while Shehzad was the head of her security team. The two have been accused of security breaches, covering up evidence by hosing down the crime scene and failing to conduct a post-mortem examination on Bhutto. Aziz and Shehzad said Bhutto's husband and the current president, Asif Ali Zardari, ordered them to not conduct the post-mortem.

Suicide Bomber Kills Policeman in Afghan

A police officer was killed and five others were wounded during a suicide attack in northern Kunduz province in Afghanistan. The suicide attacker detonated himself in the Chowk area of Kunduz city, said Mahbibullah Saidi, a spokesman for the provincial governor. Hamdullah Danishi, acting governor of the province, confirmed the suicide attack and said that the suicide attacker wanted to target a police checkpoint. Three children were among those injured.

Dozens of Immigrants Abducted from Train in Mexico

About 50 Central American immigrants were kidnapped by gunmen on December 16 from a train crossing through Mexico, a Salvadoran official disclosed on Wednesday. The government of Mexico has not confirmed or denied the incident. A priest who runs a shelter for immigrants first reported the story after a group of immigrants who escaped from their would-be captors arrived and said that the incident took place in the town of Chahuites.  Juan Jose Garcia, El Salvador's vice minister for Salvadorans abroad, said his government can confirm that the mass kidnapping happened as the survivors stated. He said about 12 men armed with assault rifles and machetes forced the migrants off the train and divided them into two groups of about 25 each. Then they were taken to an unknown location, he said.