Villeworth Security Services Ltd

week 49

• 
• 

PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

DIG Explains Why Robbers, Others Kill Policemen at Check-Points

The Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) in charge of ‘F’ Department, Mohammed Yesufu, has identified the poor attitude of policemen at duty posts as one of the reasons armed robbers and hoodlums kill them at check-points. Yesufu, while addressing officers and men of Akwa Ibom State Police Command, said that “The lackadaisical attitude of some of our men on duty posts calls for a serious change of attitude if this daily killing of our men must stop. It is always very shameful to hear about the killing of our men across the country without any response from them”. The DIG, who is on a working visit to Akwa Ibom State, observed that the issue of inadequate working tools has been the recurring complaint anywhere he went.

Kerosene Explosion Kills 2 Children in Rivers State

Two children were killed as a result of kerosene explosion in Aba. Narrating the incident, Uchenna Iheukwu, father of the children said that his wife, Chinelo, tried to refill kerosene lamp to keep the flame alive when the explosion occurred. On hearing the explosion, he rushed back into the room and met her wife writhing in pains on the floor of the room. He raised an alarm that attracted people from the neighborhood who in the confusion that followed, came and rescued the seriously burnt wife.

Abductors Demand N20m Ransom for Rivers Lawmaker’s Mother

Abductors of the aged mother of the Deputy Leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Robinson Ewor, have demanded N20milion as ransom for her release. Four gunmen, penultimate Sunday, stormed her residence in Ahoada East LGA and snatched her away to an unknown destination. The lawmaker appealed to the abductors to consider the age and health of his mother, Janet Ewor, and release her.

Doctor Killed over Wife’s Pledge

A medical doctor in Cross River State, Dr. Chibueze Onunkwo, has been allegedly killed by his landlady’s daughter-in-law following a disagreement between his wife and the suspected assailant over a pledge made by his wife. However, the suspect has denied committing the crime, claiming that the late doctor and his wife were the ones that attacked her for allegedly assisting the wife to protect her marriage. The doctor’s wife reportedly pledged N5000 to the church where the suspected assailant worshipped and later redeemed the pledge. But the suspect was said to have continued to demand that she redeem the N25000 pledge. The doctor’s wife had insisted that she pledged N5, 000. The suspect was said to have attacked her. The doctor then confronted the suspect who was said to have hit him on the head with an object. He slumped and died.

Robbers Kill Policeman, Injure Two

A policeman was killed in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, penultimate Sunday night when armed robbers opened fire on policemen who were on a stop-and-search duty. The armed robbers, who were two in number, also inflicted gunshot injuries on two other policemen. The bandits opened fire on the policemen, who had wanted to search them. One of the policemen was said to have died at a hospital where he was rushed to for treatment. It was gathered that the policeman at the Azikiwe Police Station had fired back before the armed robbers sped off. Police spokesman, Ben Ugwuegbulam, confirmed the incident.

First Private Refinery Begins Operation

A private refinery owned by Niger Delta Petroleum Resources Ltd (NDPR), a subsidiary of Niger Delta Exploration and Production Plc has begun operation in Ahaoda East LGA of Rivers State. The firm has also been granted a License to Operate (LTO) by the Federal Government. The refinery, which was completed in December 2010, has been undergoing test-run; while the operating license was being awaited. The NDPR’s operating license, which was signed by the Minister of Petroleum, Diezani Alison-Madueke, was the first of its kind to be granted to an independent, publicly-owned Nigerian company. The Chief Executive Officer of the company, Layi Adetona, said the refinery now produces 120,000 litres of diesel per day, using crude oil from the Ogbele Flow station.

Vigilante Group Kills Trader in Onitsha Market

Ochanja Market, the second largest market in the commercial city of Onitsha was on Thursday closed down by an angry mob believed to have been hired by the family of a middle-aged man killed in error by security men guarding the market. Thugs numbering about 30 had barricaded the gates leading into the market and ordered every trader to go back home or be ready to receive whatever consequence that would follow. It was gathered that the closure of the market was sequel to the killing on Monday of the man by security men guiding the market after they arrived from a condolence visit which they attended outside Onitsha and started shooting sporadically into the air. It was gathered that a stray bullet hit and killed him.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

Ex-Governorship Candidate Shot Dead in Warri

Ex-governorship candidate of the Citizens Popular Party (CPP) in Delta State, Chief Ogbe Onokpite, was shot dead penultimate Saturday night by police in Warri. Notable lawyer, Festus Keyamo, condemned the killing, and said there would be no peace until the trigger-happy policemen who killed the politician were brought to justice. According to him, certain persons went to police patrol team from ‘A’ Division, Warri and identified the victim who was resting at a popular hotel on the outskirt of Warri, and first of all shot him on his leg, chest and waist. Keyamo vowed to pursue the case to a logical conclusion. He was said to have attempted to flee from the police who were led to the Hotel by a young man caught with two AK 47 riffles. Some reports said Onokpite, regarded as a power broker in Warri, was killed unarmed, while the police said he had engaged them in a gun duel.

Law Student Gets 19-Year Jail Term for Kidnapping

A final year Law student of the University of Benin, Chima Anthony Akpalaba, has been sentenced to 19 years imprisonment for kidnapping a seven-year-old girl. Justice T.C. Makwe of the Delta State High Court handed down the sentence in Asaba. The convict, who had been standing trial since 2009 on a five-count charge of kidnapping, hails from Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State. He committed the offence on February 9, 2009 at Infant Jesus Road, Asaba. His seven-year-old victim, Tare Isiaye, is the daughter of a former chief accountant at the Government House, Asaba during the administration of former governor James Ibori. Akpalaba, after kidnapping his victim, demanded N150 million before he was arrested by men of the State Security Service (SSS).

Protesters Killed in Delta State

The Nigerian military on Wednesday refuted reports that its officials shot and killed three protesters and injured over 100 others on Tuesday in Uzere community, Isoko South LGA of Delta State. Some military men had allegedly shot dead three of the protesting youths in the town, which further led to the burning of the palace of the King of the town, who was accused of conniving with an oil company and ripping off the community. The residents of the community had staged a protest at the flow station belonging to Shell, to meet with the officials of the company when they clashed with military men attached to the company. The Spokesman of the Joint Military Taskforce, Lt Col. Timothy Antigha, maintained that the protesters were fully armed, adding that they shot at the soldiers first. He admitted that two of the protesters were "demobilised," but not killed.

29 Die in Benin-Ore Road Crashes

At least 19 persons were killed in auto crash, on Thursday, along Benin-Ore road as a diesel tanker collided with a commercial vehicle. Only one of the passengers survived and was rushed to a hospital in Benin City. Some of the sympathisers at the scene of the accident blamed the sad development on breach of traffic regulations by motorists. The tanker driver was alleged to have abandoned his lane and crossed the pavement. Corpses of the victims were taken to a mortuary in Benin and the tanker driver arrested by the police for interrogation. About 10 persons had been killed in an earlier accident at Ovia River Bridge, along Benin-Ore-Shagamu dual carriage-way last weekend when two commercial buses traveling in the opposite direction lost control of their vehicles and ran into each other.

Suspected Kidnappers Arrested in Delta State

Three suspected kidnappers have been arrested by the anti-kidnapping unit of the Delta State Command of the State Security Service (SSS). The suspects were apprehended at Otor-Iyede in Isoko LGA. The suspects allegedly abducted their victim and demanded for an undisclosed amount of money as ransom which was paid. Unknown to the kidnappers, the operatives of SSS kept surveillance on them until their arrest.

Ex-Militants Give 7-Day Ultimatum

Security has been beefed in Bayelsa State and other parts of the Niger Delta region as some ex-militants have threatened to return to the creeks and cause instability in the region. The ex-militants in their thousands at a town hall meeting in Esena Ebe School hall Bomadi, Delta State issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to recognize and include them in the amnesty programme or face stiff action from the group. Julius Joseph, who spoke on behalf of the aggrieved ex-militants, pointed out that they would be forced to commence vandalism of oil pipelines and engage in illegal oil bunkering. Joseph said the group had given the Government up to December 3 to respond to its request.

Uduaghan Approves New Minimum Wage

Delta State Governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan, has approved the implementation of the new national minimum wage for civil servants in the state. A circular letter issued from the office of the Head of Service and signed by Mrs. A. P. Umukoro, indicated that the implementation of the new minimum wage would take effect from March 23, 2011. The circular stated that the new minimum wage would affect all civil servants from Grade Level 01 to Grade Level 17, with least paid worker getting N18, 900. Prior to this new minimum wage approval, the least paid worker’s take home pay was N17, 500.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

Police Nab 4 Suspected Kidnappers in Lagos

Policemen, last weekend, arrested four suspected kidnappers, in Lagos after they abducted a lady, Chi Obi demanding N7 million as ransom from her family. Chi was kidnapped Along ASPANDA Road, Igando, Lagos. Policemen attached to Federal Highway Team got a tip off and moved swiftly to the scene and effected the arrested of the hoodlums. Gunmen operating in a Pathfinder SUV shot one Man dead in Lagos last weekend. The deceased, Raimi Abiodun, was shot at a filing station in Ayobo. The cause of the killing was not immediately known, while the shooters made good their escape.

Monarch’s Daughter, Docked for Human Trafficking

Princess Folashade Olufunke Bankole, the daughter of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade 1, was arraigned by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons (NAPTIP) in the Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan. Princess Bankole alongside Mrs Folasade Adunni was arraigned on a two- count charge of human trafficking and child labour.  In count 2, Folashade Bankole was alleged to have employed Rukayat Isiaka from Republic of Benin as a domestic help outside her own home and from family environment and thereby committed an offence.  The two accused persons pleaded not guilty to the two- count charge. Bankole was alleged to have severally assaulted Rukayat by inflicting injuries on her.

Student Crushed to Death

A student of the Osun State College of Education, Ila-Orangun, was crushed to death by a passenger train at Old Garage, Osogbo last weekend. The student was in a commercial bus travelling to Ota-Efun when the incident occurred. Eyewitnesses disclosed that the driver of the minibus violated traffic rule at Old Garage and overtook other vehicles that were waiting for the train to pass, thinking that he would cross the railway before the arrival of the train. The train hit the back side of the bus which made the deceased who was sitting at the entrance of the mini-bus to fall on the rail track and train crushed her. Railway officers at the Railway Post Old Garage denied comment on the accident.

Aliens Arrested for Killing Retired Army General

The Lagos state Police command has arrested two suspects for the death of (rtd) Brig. Gen. Umar Uwagbe and for the attempted murder of his wife. The suspects identified as Samuel Sosu and Sosube Abiodun were said to have macheted the general to death. Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Samuel Jinadu said the deceased was macheted to death by the suspects, but his wife saw them and recognized them. They consequently attacked her and left her for dead.  Jinadu noted that the suspects were citizens of Benin Republic residing in Nigeria illegally. He added that the case would soon be transferred to court. The suspects who however gave different accounts of the story said that they had no hand in the murder.

Nursing Mother Killed By Stray Bullets in a Kidnap Operation

Men of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested three brothers alongside four others for alleged kidnapping. Police spokesman, Samuel Jinadu, said the kidnappers were arrested on their way back to Benin. He said, the kidnappers had kidnapped a woman who was a boss to one the kidnappers, Ojakpovo and demand a ransom of N12 million.  He added that they were apprehended at Ojota during a stop and search by the police. He said some of the items recovered from them include two locally made pistols, 24 live cartridges, one jack knife, charm, one Nissan extra jeep, one ford bus and one Mazda 626 salon.  Adding that investigation is still going and the suspect will be charge to court.

OPC Warns Boko Haram on Bombings

The Coordinator, Oodua People’s Congress, Mr. Gani Adams, has warned the fundamentalist Islamic sect, Boko Haram, never to attack any place, establishment or investment in the South-West. He warned that the OPC would defend Yoruba land and Yoruba interests if the sect makes good its threat to bomb party offices and buildings with political posters across the country. Adams said the OPC would regard the sect as a great enemy if it attacked Yoruba land.

NDLEA Arrests 2 Suspects over Illicit Drugs

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), on Monday said it arrested suspected members of a drug syndicate in connection with unlawful importation of 4.1kg of heroin from India. The drug was hidden inside cooking pots was discovered at the Arrival Hall of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos during routine search. The Head, Public Affairs of the NDLEA, Mitchell Ofoyeju, said one of the suspects, who brought the drug from India en-route Dubai, was apprehended by NDLEA officials when the drug was discovered, while another suspect that came to the airport to receive him was also apprehended.

4 Arraigned over Alleged Robbery and Kidnapping in Lagos

Four men have been arraigned by the police before an Ebute Metta Magistrate’s Court over a four-count charge of armed robbery and kidnapping. The accused persons were said to have abducted a tanker driver and his assistant after robbing them of their money. According to the prosecutor, Inspector Sam Omoyeni, the alleged offence was committed by the accused persons on the midnight of September 23, 2011 at the Apapa-Oshodi expressway using a military bayonet and other dangerous weapons. The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them.

GENERAL

Extra-Judicial Killings: 7,198 Killed in 4 Years

A non-governmental organization, the Centre for Victims of Extra-Judicial Killings and Torture (CVEKT) Africa, has raised the alarm over the rising cases of reckless use of arms by security agents resulting in extra-judicial deaths. CVEKT said the reckless use of arms has resulted in 7,198 extra-judicial deaths in four years across the country. Executive Director of CVEKT, Rev. Fr. Tony Amarube made this known in Asaba, Delta state while welcoming participants to the sixth CVEKT Annual National Lecture Series. Amarube lamented that the police always rely on Order 237 of the Nigeria Police Force “which permits officer to shoot any suspect and detainees trying to escape or avoid arrest as an excuse for committing extra-judicial killing with impunity.” Police often claimed that the victim was an armed robber killed in an exchange of gunfire or suspected killed while trying to escape from police custody.

Senate Criminalises Same-Sex Marriage

The Nigerian Senate on Tuesday passed the Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Bill. Henceforth, people found guilty of indulging in same sex marriage risk a jail term of 14 years with no option of fine. Also, persons who witness, aid or abet the solemnisation of a same sex union or support the registration, operation of gay clubs in the country risk a jail term of 10 years. This followed the adoption of the report of the Senator Umaru Dahiru-led Committee on Judiciary. In a veiled reference to a threat from of the UK government, Senate President, David Mark, said any country that would refuse the country any aid on account of the passage of the Bill should hold such aid, insisting that the practice of same sex marriage remains strange to the Nigerian cultural values and practices.

FG Worried over Inflow of Libyan Weapons

Federal Government has expressed concern over lack of Nigerian military presence near its border with Republic of Niger alleged to be the major route through which groups like Boko Haram smuggles Libyan weapons into the country. This was disclosed Tuesday by the Minister of Defence, Dr. Bello Haliru Mohammed, when he visited the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Air Chief Marshal Oluseyi Petinrin. Mohammed, who was accompanied by the Minister of State for Defence, Erelu Olusola Obada, revealed that Federal Government has approved the establishment of Defence attaché to Niger Republic. He confirmed that two trucks coming in from Libya were arrested after a gun battle in which six people were killed.

Jonathan Urges Creation of Jobs

President Goodluck Jonathan, on Monday, admonished public office holders to bring smiles to the faces of Nigerians or risk what possible youth revolt in the country. Jonathan gave the admonition in Lokoja, Kogi State, at the grand finale of the rally organised by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). The president challenged public office holders at all levels of government to ensure that policies that would multiply jobs for the youths were implemented. He also said the paramount among such things, “is to create jobs for the teeming youths,” failure of which he said, the youths could embark on revolution against governments at all levels.

House Rejects Fuel Subsidy Removal

The proposed removal of fuel subsidy hit a brick wall at the House of Representatives Thursday, as the lawmakers voted against the policy. The legislators held that the proposal on fuel subsidy removal as contained in the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and revised Fiscal Strategy Paper submitted by President Goodluck Jonathan was premature. The House has therefore advised the executive arm of government to explore other sources of financing items for the deficit expected in the 2012 Appropriation Bill instead of relying on savings from the proposed subsidy removal.

44 Nigerians Die in Saudi Arabia during Hajj -NAHCON

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), on Thursday, confirmed that 44 Nigerian pilgrims died in Saudi Arabia during the hajj. Alhaji Yusuf Ibrahim, the National Commissioner in charge of Policy, Personnel Management and Finance at NAHCON, confirmed the deaths in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). Though, he was silent on the causes of the deaths, the gender of the deceased as well as the states of the pilgrims,  he  said  the details would be unfolded after all the pilgrims had returned.

Navy Promotes Officers 126 Officers

The Nigerian Navy Board has approved the promotion of 126 senior officers to various ranks. Details of the promotions released by Director of Naval Information, Commodore Kabir Aliyu said that 11 Rear Admirals, 40 Commodores, 56 Captains and 19 Commanders benefited in the 2011 promotion exercise. Aliyu confirmed that the promotions were officially released on Monday, November 28. 2011.

Police Officers Dismissed for Alleged Links with Boko Haram

For their alleged role in aiding Boko Haram members and other bandits by supplying arms, two serving police officers in Adamawa State, Daniel Eliphas and Abubakar Hali, have been dismissed from the Force. The move came as the police command in Borno State assured on the safety of lives and property. The police officers who were accused of supplying arms to bandits would also be charged to court for allegedly stealing of arms belonging to the Adamawa State Police Command. The Adamawa State Commissioner of Police, Adenrele Shinaba, confirmed this.

Soldiers Kill Vigilante in Kaduna District

Soldiers drafted to beef up security in Zangon Kataf LGA of Kaduna state on Monday night shot dead a member of a vigilance group in Anfana village of the area. The District Head of Anfana, Mr. Kure Mallam disclosed the incident. However, Kaduna State Police Spokesman, DSP Aminu Lawan said he had not been briefed about the incident.

FG Deports 25 Illegal Chinese Immigrants

The Federal Government has deported 25 Chinese from the country as it emerged that 300,000 foreigners living in Nigeria were registered by the Nigerian Immigration Service Comptroller General of Nigeria Immigration Service, Mrs. Rose Uzoma, who said this during an oversight visit by the Senate Committee on Federal Character and Inter-Governmental Affairs, however, lamented that Nigeria had become less attractive for foreign investors. The comptroller-general, who also responded to the senators on the rising incidences of human trafficking in Nigeria, said the NIS was encumbered by inadequate staff and finance to tackle the menace. She said with only about 23,000 staff, the NIS could not properly man the nation’s land borders, but added that the international airports have been properly upgraded to combat any attempt at trafficking.

US Wants Boko Haram Designated as Terrorist Group

A United States House Sub-committee on Homeland Security has produced a report suggesting that Boko Haram be designated a terrorist organisation. The committee on counterterrorism and Intelligence warned against underestimating Boko Haram's intent and capability to attack the US homeland and urged the State Department to investigate whether the group should be designated a foreign terrorist organisation. It also recommended increasing intelligence gathering on Boko Haram, including reaching out to Nigerian immigrants in the US. Meanwhile, the State Security Service (SSS) Wednesday paraded Chiwendu Josiah as the mastermind of text messages to foreign embassies in Nigeria threatening them of possible attacks by Boko Haram during the last Eid-el-Kabir celebration.

Illegal Miners Killed in Zamfara

Five illegal miners have been reported dead at a site in Bagega Village in Anka Local Council of Zamfara State after a pit in which they were carrying out their nefarious activities caved in on them. Frequent unlawful mining has caused lead poisoning in the area, which has led to the death of many children, infertility in men, termination of pregnancy in women and psychological imbalance for adult. The Emir of Zamfara-Anka, Attahiru Ahmed, assured of renewed efforts by the community to check the mining menace. The Commissioner for Health, Zamfara State, Muhammad Janyau, decried the existence of about 12,000 local mining sites in the state with some yet-to-be-identified pits.

Group Organises Conference on Anti-Terrorism

In a move to check terrorism and militancy in the country, the Centre for Criminal Justice Reform and Citizen Awareness, the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) and Access Bank Plc, have convened a four-day national conference against terrorism. The Chief Criminologist/Security and Counter Terrorism Advisor of the centre, Dr. Paul Obianaso, disclosed that his organisation and other public spirited Nigerians have analyzed the trend of terrorism and violence in the country and are determined to assist government in checking the trend.

Boko Haram Kills Protocol Officer, Herbalist in Borno

Islamic sect, Boko Haram, last weekend, killed the protocol officer attached to Government House, Maiduguri, Borno State, Mallam Kala Boro, and an herbalist, Garba Abdullahi. The state Police Commissioner, Mr Simeon Midenda said that three suspected Boko Haram gunmen attacked the residence of the protocol officer, Mallam Kala Boro, and shot him dead, before they proceeded to the residence of the herbalist to shoot him dead as well. It was learnt that sporadic gunshots followed after men of the Joint Task Force (JTF) arrived at the scenes of the attacks and started a “house to house” search for the fleeing gunmen for over 30 minutes without any arrest.

Senate Pledges to Equip NDLEA

chairman, Senate Committee on Drugs, Narcotics Financial Crimes and Anti-Corruption, Senator Victor Lar, has said that his committee will assist the anti-drug agency in sustaining the war against drug barons in the country. Lar gave the assurances during a visit to the agency’s headquarters in Lagos. Senator Lar noted that   “there is a direct link between illicit drugs and crime and the NDLEA plays a crucial role in ensuring national security. We are here to examine how the Agency expended money appropriated to it.

INTERNATIONAL

Pakistan Angry Over NATO Raid on Border Troops

The West is striving to limit the fallout from a deadly NATO air raid on Pakistani border troops. Pakistan is simmering over the killings of the 24 soldiers, with fiery weekend protests denouncing the assault by NATO helicopters and fighter jets on two military posts on the Afghan border. NATO Secretary General, Anders Fogh Rasmussen also sought to soothe Islamabad's rage, but stopped short of issuing a full apology for the "tragic, unintended" killings and pledged to ensure such attacks don't reoccur. In retaliation for the raid, Islamabad has blocked NATO convoys from crossing into Afghanistan, ordered a review of its alliance with the US and mulled whether to boycott a key conference on Afghanistan next month.

Al-Shabab Militants Shut UN, Aid Agencies’ Offices

Al-Shabab fighters in Somalia have closed down several aid agencies working in famine-hit Somalia, including some from the United Nations (UN). Witnesses said the militants stormed aid offices some towns controlled by al-Shabab. The militant group has long restricted the work of international aid groups. Years of conflict mean Somalia is worst hit by the East African drought. The lack of rain is said to be the worst in 60 years. The al-Shabab accused the groups of exaggerating the scale of the problems in Somalia for political reasons and to raise money. The UN said the areas worst effected by famine are in the southern and central areas, which are under the control of the al-Qaeda linked group. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and Somali government have condemned the raiding and looting of offices of agencies representing the global body in the war-ravaged areas of Somalia.

Military Apologises over Killing of Egyptian Protesters

The ruling military leaders in Egypt have apologised for the deaths of about 38 protesters in clashes with police, amid continuing protests in Cairo and other cities. The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) in the country said it regretted “the deaths of martyrs from among Egypt’s loyal sons.” The military leaders also said elections would start as scheduled. Late on Wednesday, two members of the council appeared on state TV to offer “condolences to the entire Egyptian people”. They also appealed to Egyptians not to compare them with the former regime of Hosni Mubarak – something that is increasingly happening.

Sudan Expels Kenyan Envoy over Arrest Warrant against Al-Bashir

Sudan’s Foreign Ministry ordered the Kenyan ambassador in Khartoum to leave the country in 72 hours on Monday in response to a Kenyan court’s issuance of an arrest warrant against Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir. Judge Nicholas Ombija of Kenya’s Supreme Court ordered Monday the arrest of al-Bashir in response to a recommendation by the Kenyan chapter of the International Commission of Jurists. Ombija said that Kenya was obliged to arrest al-Bashir since it was a signatory of the ICC Rome Statute which stipulates that any signatory country should abide by arrest warrants issued by the ICC.

Gambari Seeks AU Support for Darfur

In order to consolidate on the successes recorded so far in the Darfur peace process and lead Sudan back to being a stable state, Joint Special Representative (JSR) and Head, African Union-United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, has called on the African Union (AU) to give its firm support to the peace process under his watch. Gambari warned that renewed violence would only undermine substantial progress made since the signing of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD) between the Government and the Justice and Liberation Movement (LJM) on July 14 this year.

Anti-violence Activist Shot Dead in Mexico

An activist who publicly accused police officers of kidnapping his teenage son was shot to death as he drove through his hometown in northern Mexico, a slaying that instantly fuelled a bitter nationwide debate over crime and corruption. Corrupt officials were being blamed Tuesday by citizen activists who worked with Nepomuceno Moreno in a national anti-crime movement that has been calling for an end to organized crime, police abuse and a military-led government assault on drug cartels. The prosecutor's office, however, said that Moreno had a criminal past and it was that, not activism, which appeared to have led to his death. Moreno, 56, became an anti-crime activist after his 18-year-old son and two young men disappeared in July last year.

Libya Admits Abuse of Prisoners

Libya’s new leaders have acknowledged that some prisoners held by revolutionary forces have been abused, but said the mistreatment was not systematic. Interior Minister, Fawzy Abdul-Ali, said the abuse occurred in the messy aftermath of the revolution when there was weak central authority, and pledged to crack down on it. Deputy Prime Minister, Mustafa Abushagur, said there have probably been cases but that things are improving. The assurances also come as a new Cabinet, which took office last week, strives to assure the world of its commitment to democracy.

Psychiatrists Declare Norwegian Killer, Breivik, Insane

Two psychiatrists, who assessed self-confessed Norwegian mass killer, Anders Behring Breivik, have concluded that he is suffering from paranoid schizophrenia. The report claimed that the psychiatrists believe he was in a psychotic state during the twin attacks on July 22 that led to the deaths of 77 people and injured 151. Breivik admits carrying out the attacks but has pleaded not guilty to charges. He has previously said the attacks were atrocious but “necessary”. The psychiatrists concluded that he lived in his “own delusional universe where all his thoughts and acts are guided by his delusions”. However, the 243-page report will be reviewed by a panel from the Norwegian Board of Forensic Medicine.

UN Commends Somalia, CAR over Clampdown on Child-Soldiers

United Nations (UN) Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, Mrs. Radhika Coomaraswamy, has applauded commitments by Somalia’s transitional government and the Central African Republic (CAR) to end the use of child soldiers. The envoy warned that in spite of the advancements, the situation in both countries remained volatile.

Blast Kills 3 in the Philippines

A blast at a hotel in the southern Philippines on Sunday killed three people and wounded 27, an official said. The explosion took place at the Atilano Pension House in Zamboanga City, said Sheila Covarrubias, a spokeswoman for the mayor's office. The cause of the blast was not immediately clear. A bomb squad was sent to the area, though its work was initially hampered by a fire that followed the explosion, the spokeswoman said. The mayor is meeting with investigators.

Suicide Bomber Kills 19 at Military Base in Iraq

A suicide bomber in a minibus struck a military base in the Iraqi town of Taji on Monday, killing at least 19 people in the latest attack by insurgents trying to undermine the government. The attacker detonated a minibus packed with explosives at the entrance to the base, which houses a jail holding al Qaeda, Mehdi Army militia and other prisoners, officials and security sources said. The blast killed 19 people, including 11 jail guards, and wounded 24 others. Two other people were missing, security sources said. Attackers, had, penultimate Saturday, struck two areas around the Iraqi capital, killing at least 13 people and wounding more than 20 others. Three days earlier, three bombs exploded in a busy market, killing 21 and wounding 80.

Karzai Orders Release of Rape Victim from Prison

Afghan President Hamid Karzai has ordered the release of an Afghan woman, simply identified as Gulnaz, who was imprisoned for adultery after a relative raped her. Gulnaz had been sentenced to prison for 12 years after she reported that her cousin's husband had raped her two years ago. Her plight gained international attention when the European Union blocked the broadcast of a documentary made about her ordeal, saying that it would further jeopardize her safety. Justice Minister, Habibullah Ghaleb, presented a report proposing pardon for the woman. Karzai then ordered authorities to make a decree announcing Gulnaz's release. The woman is raising her daughter in jail and had previously agreed to marry her attacker in order to be released and legitimize her daughter, but she wants to marry an educated man, according to U.S. attorney Kimberly Motley.

Syrians Protest Arab Sanctions

Tens of thousands of Syrians protested on Monday in state-backed rallies against unprecedented economic sanctions imposed by the Arab League over President Bashar al-Assad's military crackdown on popular unrest now in its ninth month. The 22-member Arab League approved economic sanctions against Syria on Sunday; the toughest imposed against a member state, isolating Assad's government over violent repression which the United Nations says has killed 3,500 people. Turkey has raised the option of military intervention in Syria while Russia rejected even an arms embargo as Damascus tries to stifle anti-government protests. Turkey’s Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said Ankara was ready for “any scenario”, suggesting military force remained an option, albeit apparently a remote one, if Assad did not heed calls to halt the violence.

Colombian Soldier Returns Home after 12 Years in Captivity

Colombian army Sergeant, Luis Alberto Erazo, successfully returned to Bogota Sunday after 12 years in the captivity of FARC rebels. He had managed to escape during a battle as four other hostages were executed. Erazo, 40, who had been held by the Marxist rebels since December 9, 1999, arrived in the capital by helicopter and was taken in an ambulance to a hospital for treatment. He was reunited with his girlfriend, his 16-year-old daughter and other family members. Erazo escaped from a rebel encampment in southern Colombia on Saturday where army forces were hunting for possible hostages. During the clash, FARC rebels executed four hostages but Erazo was later found alive. President Juan Manual Santos visited Erazo on Sunday, saying it was "really moving to see this national hero" but also hailing the "heroism" of the four hostages killed "in cold blood."

Father Charged for Son’s Death in Washing Machine

Police in France have charged a 33-year-old father with murder after he allegedly killed his three-year-old son by stuffing him into a washing machine and turning it on. The boy's mother was charged with failing to prevent a crime and failing to assist a person in danger. Both were held without bail. Neighbours alleged that the boy, Bastien, died after his father put him naked in the washing machine to punish him for getting into trouble at nursery school. Neighbours also disclosed that the boy had been repeatedly abused, including by being locked up for hours in a cupboard as punishment.

German Man Arraigned for Fathering Daughter's Sons

A German man is on trial over allegations he assaulted his daughter for more than three decades and fathered three sons by her. The man, Adolf B, admitted to the court that he had frequent sex with his daughter, now 46, but said it was consensual. But prosecutors say the 69-year-old beat his daughter and threatened her with a knife to force her to have sex with him, starting when she was 12 or 13. She had three sons by him, all disabled, and two died as infants. He's charged with 497 counts of rape and additional charges of incest and faces 15 years in prison if convicted.

Gunmen Spray Woman and Family with Acid for Rejecting Marriage Proposal

Gunmen attacked and sprayed an Afghan family with acid in their home after the father rejected a man's bid to marry his teenage daughter, authorities said Thursday. The gunmen broke into their home and attacked the 18-year-old daughter, her two sisters and their parents, according to authorities in Kunduz province. The teenager is in intensive condition and her father is still hospitalized, said Abdul Shokoor Rahimi, a doctor at the provincial hospital. The attack came on the heels of her family's refusal to marry off the teen to another local gunman. A search is under way for the attackers, who fled the area afterward.

5 Killed in Shelling in Yemeni Province as Saleh Steps Down

Shelling in the southern Yemeni province of Taiz killed five people and wounded 24 Thursday, medics said. Residents blamed the attack on forces loyal to President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who stepped down in November after weeks of protests against his 33-year rule. Everyone, who was killed or injured, was a civilian and did not bear arms, said resident, Shareef al-Sabri. The defense ministry did not comment when contacted. Taiz residents have been among those who have been calling for Saleh's ouster. And many believed the attacks on the province are meant to crack down on the opposition. On Saturday, Vice President Abdo Rabbo Mansour Hadi issued a presidential decree for presidential elections to be held on February 21. Saleh became the fourth leader to leave office as a result of the Arab Spring.