Villeworth Security Services Ltd

week 39

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PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

Suspected Kidnapper Mobbed in Onitsha

The timely intervention of police on Tuesday saved a suspected kidnapper from being killed by a mob in Onitsha, Anambra state. The incident, which occurred along the New Market Road at noon, saw the mob clubbing the victim before the arrival of the police. Eyewitnesses said the suspect was with a 12-year-old girl when he was intercepted by the mob. His inability to explain what he was doing with the girl angered the mob. But the police said the suspect claimed that he was detailed by the girl’s aunt to take the girl back to Calabar, Cross River State, where she was said to have hailed from before the incident. According to Mr. Larry Osita, the Onitsha Area Commander, after a few questions, it was discovered that the suspect was actually doing the bidding of the aunt before he was accosted by the mob.

MOSOP Bars Oil Firms from Ogoniland

The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) has vowed to apply what it described as “justifiable stiffer resistance,” against attempts by the Federal Government through the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) or any oil company to resume oil production in Ogoniland. The MOSOP General Assembly took the stand yesterday after reviewing the report of a committee it set up on August 18 to review the Federal Government’s declaration that oil production on abandoned Shell’s 30 oil wells in Ogoniland would commence as planned notwithstanding a damning United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report that indicted Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) for causing serious environmental contamination and threat to human lives in Ogoniland that would take 30 years to clean up.

Anambra Police Arrest Suspected Arms Dealer

The Anambra State Police Command on Wednesday arrested a 57-year-old man for allegedly engaging in arms trafficking. The suspect was arrested by the police 24 hours after the command got a tip off. It was learnt that the arms importer was arrested over the same offence about three years ago in the state. The state Commissioner of Police, Muhtari Ibrahim, said the items recovered from him include, 100 bags of live cartridges, 15 pump action guns and 12 double barrel guns. In another incident, gunmen stormed the premises of the multinational mobile telecommunications network (MTN) Aba depot, Abia State and carted away recharge cards worth several millions of naira. The firm’s management it said there was no cause for alarm as the stolen cards had been deactivated.

Suspected Cultists in Police Custody

A chief priest of Okonko Cult, Chief Emenike Umogariko, who allegedly sacrificed a 200- level student of Political Science of the Abia State University (ABSU), Uturu at the altar of the cult in Umuopara village, Mkpa, Bende LGA, has been arrested by the police. The victim, Ekenna Sunday Ugochukwu, had the left side of his face, cutoff. Two other victims, who were allegedly attacked by the chief priest, escaped with serious machete cuts and are in Intensive Care Unit of Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia. The incident took place in Umuopara, a village that has common boundary with Amediaba, in Mkpa, the home town of Prof. Obioma, an uncle of the deceased.

Akwa Ibom Backs Call for State Police

Worried by the rising cases of insecurity in the country, the Secretary to the Akwa Ibom State Government, Umana O. Umana has backed the call for state police. According to him, the establishment of state police seems the only solution towards curbing criminal activities across the country. He stated this while speaking with journalists in Uyo, the state capital. Umana pleaded with the National Assembly to discuss the matter above political lines, stressing that it was only through state policing arrangement that a governor could be held responsible if the security situation in such state continued to deteriorate.

2 Killed in Enugu Auto Accident

Two persons died in an early morning accident on Thursday at the Onyeama area along the Enugu-Onitsha dual carriageway. The accident involved two Lorries and a commercial mini-bus. Three persons who were seriously injured were immediately rushed to the National Orthopeadic Hospital in Enugu by men of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC). Ejiofor Odo, a conductor of one of the Lorries, said that the accident occurred due to brake failure.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

Police Rescue Kidnap Victim in Delta

The police in Delta State have rescued a member of staff of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mr Godwin Ngbeken, who was kidnapped in Warri. Two suspects were arrested, while the sum of N1.627 million was recovered from their hideout in Warri. The suspects were Beke Muina and Ejeita Awaritefa. The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Charles Muka, on Monday, said Mr Ngbeken was rescued by anti-terrorism squad, which got the information and acted swiftly. The suspects, according to the police spokesman, had demanded the sum of N5 million as ransom. Items recovered from the kidnappers included one locally made pistol, nine cartridges and 11 Sim cards.

Sergeant, Others Arrested in Benin over Killing of Constable

Some policemen were arrested by the Edo State Police Command over the alleged involvement in the killing of a police constable. The deceased, Victor Eghaghe, 27, reportedly met his death on the 4th of September, after he was allegedly invited by a police sergeant. The circumstances surrounding the killing of the police constable was unclear, but family members alleged that he was shot by a police sergeant. Spokesman of the deceased family, Austin Eghaghe, who along with other family members protested the killing, said the late police Constable allegedly received invitation from the police sergeant for a social engagement on the fateful day. He however received a phone call from a police officer at about 2 pm, informing him that Victor had been shot dead by armed robbers at a check point.

Security Beef-up in Delta, Other States

Following threats by Islamic sect, Boko Haram to attack Lagos, Delta, Anambra and other cities in the southern part of the country, a nationwide security alert was put in place in Asaba, Lagos and Jos. In Asaba, Delta State, security was beefed up in strategic government buildings as well as buildings housing sensitive materials such the Independent National Electoral Commission. Also, the State Security Council met in Warri on Wednesday and harped on the need to ensure full proof protection for residents in the state without taking any chance. The sect, according to the Armed Forces, had also perfected plans to use Registration number plates of Federal Government, states or security services to gain access to government establishments for selected suicide attacks. This prompted the Defense headquarters to issue a signal to all military formations in the country not to take the threat lightly.

Ibori to Remain in Custody

A London court has disclosed that the trial of former governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori, will commence in February 2012. The court further ordered that Ibori remains in custody.  Ibori’s lawyers are preparing a defense which would say he has been acquitted in a Nigerian court for the same case. He is being accused of money laundering, after alleged embezzlement of state fund worth millions of dollars. He was arrested in Dubai and later extradited to London for trial.

Alleged Cult Members Nabbed in Edo

The Police in Benin City on Wednesday paraded two suspected secret cult members, who confessed to be members of the Black Axe confraternity. The duo allegedly beheaded one Obanor Larry, a 100 level student of the College of Education, Ekiadolor in July and his head hung on the school gate. His body was found in a nearby forest a few days after. The two suspects were said to have confessed to the crime.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

Robbers Snatch N4m in Osogbo

A gang of armed robbers has struck in Osogbo, carting away N4million in an attack near the gate of Osun State University (OSU), Oke Bale. It was gathered that the robbers swopped on two members of staff of a construction company, who went to withdraw N4milllion from a bank. A security man in the school confirmed that the money snatched belonged to a construction company executing a project on the campus and the money was meant to pay its workers and for other expenses. Osun State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Solomon Olusegun said police have arrested two members of staff, who went to collect the money from the bank.

Police Kill Robbery Gang Leader

Policemen, on Wednesday, killed three suspected armed robbers in a gun duel at Eden Estate, Lagos. Policemen at the area command said the suspects were members of a notorious gang, which had been terrorising residents of the area. One of the suspects was a notorious robbery gang leader as he had led many vicious armed robbery attacks on the Lagos Island, according to reports, and had recently escaped from a police cell at the Ogombo Police Division, Ajah. Nemesis, however, caught up with the suspect and the two other members of his gang when policemen stormed the scene of a robbery by the gang.

50 Armed Robbers Raid Osun Banks

Dare-devil armed robbers numbering about 50 staged an attack on four banks located at Oke-Odo Iwo, Osun State, carting away millions of naira. The robbers used explosives to blast the security doors of the banks. The attack on the four banks claimed the life of a police Inspector, Christopher Atama. It was gathered that the robbers who came in three buses and a mazda car, held Atama, while the other policemen on duty allegedly fled, leaving their weapons behind when they were overpowered by the robbers. The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Solomon Olusegun confirmed the death of the officer and loss of weapons.

Woman Confesses to Killing Husband

After days of denials, Mrs. Ngozi Ademoye, wife of the deceased Chairman of Charvex Communications Limited, Mr Kazeem Ademoye, on Tuesday  confessed that she killed her husband albeit mistakenly. The deceased was allegedly killed at his residence, penultimate Friday. Prior to the confession, she had claimed her husband slumped and died but when she was quizzed further, she changed her story. When the family saw two big cuts on the deceased’s head, she changed her story and said the man was involved in occultism and that he died during a session with the occult world. After the confession, the suspect was then transferred from the Isheri Police Division to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, Yaba.

Police Arrest 13 for Robbery, Kidnapping

Ondo State police command, on Tuesday, said it had arrested 13 people including a lady, in connection with robbery, burglary, kidnapping and threat of kidnapping across the state. The state Commissioner of Police, Sanni Magaji, said the people were picked up at different parts of the state after committing the offence. According to him, the police found one locally made pistol with round of live ammunition and one UTC axe on them. Magaji also said men of the command had arrested a group of robbers that specialised in snatching cars in Akure, before taking them to Delta and Rivers states to sell.

Festival Turns Bloody in Ondo

The yearly Ogun festival in Ondo State turned bloody last weekend as a boy was shot dead. This happened as adherents of Ogun 'the god of iron', in Yoruba culture, rolled out the drums in a colourful celebration. It was reliably gathered that the incident, which was said to have almost resulted in a violent confrontation between two rival devotee groups before the quick intervention of the police, occurred while the father of the deceased, said to be an African traditional religious worshipper, was leading his own group round the town amid dancing and singing. He was said to be carrying his son on his shoulders, when a gun was fired towards his direction, which hit the boy on the head. Security organisations in the town quickly mobilised their members to forestall any breakdown of law and order.

Burnt Baby Found in Ibadan

The Oyo State Police Command confirmed, last Sunday that a newborn baby was set ablaze by unknown persons in Ibadan. The Police Public Relations Officer, Femi Okanlawon, who confirmed the incident, said two hoteliers had already been arrested in connection with the crime. According to Okanlawon, information about the incident was received by the police on Saturday. He explained that the baby was burnt at Lemomu Street, Ekotedo Iyaolobe area of the city. There is suspicion that the baby might have been born by a commercial sex worker. Okanlawon said the command had launched an investigation into the incident and promised that those behind the cruel action would soon be unmasked and be made to face the law.

EFCC Docks Stockbroker over N43m Scam, Dud Cheque

An Ikeja High Court presided over by Justice Lateefa Okunnu, last week, arraigned former Managing Director of Integrated Services Limited, Mr. Adeniyi Elumaro, over stealing of the sum of N43 million and issuing a bounced cheque of N50 million.  Elumaro, a stockbroker, was arraigned on a three count charge bordering on stealing brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC). He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges. EFCC lawyer, Omeiza Adebola said following the petitions of Mr. George Odiki and Babajide Oluwasanmi from whom he was said to have collected the sum of N20 million and N23 million respectively, to the Securities Exchange Commissions (SEC), Elumaro allegedly issued a bounced cheque of N50 million in his bid to repay the complainants.

Soldiers Arrest Policeman, Others for Traffic Offence in Lagos

The Lagos State Special anti-crime Team, OP MESSA, on Monday announced that soldiers attached to the outfit arrested a police Constable, Nicholas Ode, and five other persons for driving against traffic along the Agege Motor Road. Ode, who is attached to the state police command headquarters, is a driver to the state Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of administration. The 9th Brigade Intelligence Officer, Captain A.A. Malagwi, explained that the men were initially arrested on suspicion of being suspected criminals, adding that checks revealed they were traffic offenders. He stated that they would soon be handed over to the Police for further investigation and prosecution.

Woman Crushes Two Children to Death

Mrs. Rabiat Oyenuga, the wife of a retired Assistant Commissioner of Police, has been accused of crushing two children to death. It was gathered that Rabiat, also hit the children’s mother, Ibiyemi, with her car in Ebute-Meta, Lagos, last weekend. Ibiyemi’s husband, Oluwaseyi, said eyewitnesses claimed that Oyenuga drove recklessly and rammed a tricycle before hitting his family. Oluwaseyi said although the incident was reported immediately at the Iponri Police Station, he feared the manner in which the case was being handled by the police could jeopardise investigations.

GENERAL

Boko Haram Denies Killing Fugu, Warns Media over Unauthorized Statements

A leader of Boko Haram, Abu Kaka, has denied that the group killed Babakura Alhaji Fugu, brother-in-law to the slain leader, Ustaz Mohammed Yusuf. Fugu received ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo who was on a peace mission to the Yusuf family in Maiduguri, Borno State capital, penultimate Thursday, and was killed by gunmen the following Saturday. Kaka warned the media to be cautious in acting on any release that was not endorsed by him or the sect’s spokesman, Abu Zaid. Kaka maintained that the Boko Haram was misrepresented by some media houses, warning journalists to jettison any release or statement from anybody claiming to represent the sect. An anonymous text message sent to reporters purportedly authored by the sect had claimed that the Boko Haram was responsible for the killing.

1,200 Troops Deployed to Plateau

One thousand, two hundred soldiers have been deployed to restive Plateau State as part of the efforts by the military to restore peace in the state as directed by President Jonathan. Also, men of the State Security Services (SSS), 2000 riot policemen and 100 personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps have been deployed to the state. President Jonathan had directed the Chief of Defense Staff, Air Chief Marshall Oluseyi Petinrin, to take charge of security in Plateau following cycle of deadly violence. Director of Defense Information Colonel Mohammed Yerima said that the CDS has beefed up the Special Task Force in the state to 1,200 men strength and appointed Major General Oluwaseun Olayinka Oshinowo as its Commander. He said the JTF has issued 7 days period of grace for everyone bearing arms illegally in the region to submit them or face arrest.

COAS Blames Bombing on Faulty Religious Teachings

The Army authority has attributed the recent spate of bombings, kidnapping and other vices within the country to failure by Nigerian youths to imbibe proper religious teachings. The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant-General Onyeabor Ihejirika explained this even as he admitted that Nigeria is experiencing a security challenge with religious undertone, but added that terrorism has no religion, nationality and race. He spoke at the opening of the annual training week for the Islamic Affairs Directorate of the Force, urging the Muslim clerics to carry out effective explanations (Tafsir) of the Bible and Quran in places of worships.

Nigeria Solicits UK Support on Security

Nigeria has solicited Britain’s support in addressing the security challenges facing it. The Minister of Defense, Dr. Bello Mohammed, made the request in Abuja on Tuesday when he received the British High Commissioner, Mr. Andrew Lloyd, who paid him a courtesy visit in his office. He said the support could be in the areas of intelligence sharing and supply of surveillance equipment necessary for curbing the menace of terrorism. The minister also appealed to the British government to assist Nigeria in resuscitating its defense industries to meet some of its military needs. In response, Lloyd pledged Britain’s commitment to support Nigeria in the fight against terrorism.

4 Killed in Niger Village

Tragedy struck in Niger State, on Monday, as no fewer than four persons lost their lives in a fracas between Fulani herdsmen and Hausa traders at Golbin Boka village in Rijau LGA of the state over the rising spate of robbery incidents in the area. Trouble began when one Aliyu, a trader, was allegedly attacked by some yet unknown persons, but managed to reach the village to recount his ordeal. As the news of the attack spread, the villagers trooped out en mass in search of the suspected men of the underworld to no avail. But they returned and met the village market in turmoil as Fulani herdsmen had allegedly launched an attack there, leading to the death of some people. The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Niger State police command, Mr Richard Oguche, confirmed the incident.

Jonathan Seeks Global Action against Terrorism

President Goodluck Jonathan, Wednesday, in New York called for global response to combat terrorism and armed conflicts. Addressing the 66th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, he drew the attention of other world leaders to the fact that the world of the 21st century was becoming ever more precarious, unpredictable and certainly more dangerous, perhaps, more than any other time in history. Jonathan regretted that despite the initial optimism, the peace dividend expected to accrue across the world, following the end of the cold war, was yet to materialise.

Plateau Women Protest Killings

Women groups in Plateau State, cutting across ethnic and religious divides, have called for an end to the crisis. The call came as a member representing Riyom/Barkin Ladi Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives; Simon Mwadkwon said the Presidential directive that the military should take full charge of the security in the state was an attempt by FG to end the crisis.

Experts Seek Help for 15 Million Children in Forced Labour

Experts have urged the Federal Government to hasten action on the reduction of more than 15 million children under age 14 who are engaged in child labour across the country. According to them, the child figure keeps increasing as 80 per cent of West African child labour cases are found in fishing, agriculture and herding jobs deprived. The regional trend in sub-Saharan Africa revealed an increase from 40 million to 58 million child labour from 2004 to 2008. Technical Adviser, International Labour Organisation, Mr. Krishnamoor jhy Kukkikatte, noted that a lot was required from the Nigerian government to work together with trade unions organisation, employers and parents to achieve common goals in the fight against child labour.

Military Alerts to Plans to Bomb Govt Offices

The military high command has warned all establishments under its purview to be wary of how they allow vehicles with Federal Government number plates into their premises. A circular from the Defense Headquarters disclosed that intelligence report had revealed that Boko Haram was planning to fix Federal Government number plates on their vehicles to facilitate penetration of government establishments by its fighters on bombing mission. It was gathered that the military authorities have consequently warned against hurried checking of cars with Federal Government number plates by security operatives.

Medical Council De-registers Doctor for Negligence

The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, on Wednesday, ordered that one of its members, Dr. Kingsley De-Souza, be de-registered from the profession over ethical malpractices which led to the death of one Mrs. Morufat Ibrahim in 2005. The council’s disciplinary tribunal also suspended two of its members for negligence which led to the death of another Mrs. Chiwendu Ukwuoma in 2003. De-Souza was said to have committed the malpractice at King Cross Hospital, Ogun State, where he used an excessive medication on his patient. The doctor was said to have turned down several invitations for possible defense before the council and the tribunal and so had no representation at the disciplinary forum.

Military Uncovers Arms Smuggling Tactics

The Army, Monday, intercepted a vehicle with four AK47 rifles and a sub-machine gun, 280 rounds of .72mm ammunitions hidden in the engine of a Volkswagen Passat wagon car marked BJ 574 NSR at a checkpoint near Abuja. They also arrested a kingpin based in Kano who stocks arms and ammunition and issues same out to his "boys", who use them for nefarious activities including armed robberies, killings and other anti social activities. Two youths who appeared to be brothers, Hassan and Hussein Abdul alleged to have posed as garbage collectors were also arrested for cutting cables near British embassy. Leader of the gang caught with the arms and ammunition, Abubakar Mohammed said he was issuing the weapons to his boys for use to recover their cows rustled from them in Jos and did not deny possession of the arms and ammunition recovered from them.

Sanusi Insists Fuel Deregulation

Central Bank Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, has insisted on deregulation of fuel prices, arguing that the country must not continue to feed refineries abroad to the detriment of the ones at home by paying subsidies on imported fuel. The Federal Government spends up to N1 trillion yearly on fuel subsidies and has been looking for ways to stop the payments without stoking public anger over the inevitable rise in fuel prices. Labour unions warned severally against the removal of the subsidies, at least until the domestic refineries are meeting domestic consumption needs.

SSS Arrests Kidnappers in Niger

The Department of State Security Service has arrested six suspected kidnappers of a Suleja based business woman, Mrs Chinwe Ofomah, on July 14. Ofomah was abducted in front of her residence on Suleiman Barau Road, Suleja, Niger State. The state Director of the SSS, Larry Obiagwu, said four suspects, Kingsley Akpan, Adejo Achama, Adams Awodi and Charles Okweri were the main culprits in the acts. He also gave the names of Ogbodo Tochikwu and Jude Ogbochukwu as persons with accessories to the crime, while declaring two other suspects wanted.

Boko Haram Unveils UN House Bomber

Videos have emerged purporting to show members of Boko Haram preparing for suicide attacks, including the image of a young man, Mohammed Abul Barra, said to be responsible for the August 26 bombing of United Nations headquarters in Abuja. It was also learnt that the killing of Babakura Fugu, the in-law of the slain Boko Haram leader, apparently for meeting with former President Olusegun Obasanjo, was carried out by the Mamman Nur faction of the sect. Nur was declared wanted by the State Security Service (SSS) for allegedly masterminding the bombing of UN House. The service has now placed a bounty of N25 million on his head. The two videos said to be from the group include speeches from the alleged UN bomber.

Gunmen Kill 3 Family Members in Kaduna

About 20 gunmen, last weekend, attacked Bitaro village near Kwoi, in Jaba LGA of Kaduna State, killing three members of a family and leaving about eight others injured. Those killed include the family head, Mr. Hassan Daniel, his younger brother and a 13-year-old girl. It was gathered that the gunmen attacked three houses before escaping through a bush near the village. A witness disclosed that he quickly called on the soldiers nearby to come to the aid of the family, but the soldiers needed clearance from their boss. According to him, if the soldiers had responded promptly, they would have apprehended them. The Police Public Relation Officer of Kaduna State Police Command, DSP Aminu Lawan confirmed the attack and the number of casualties.

Senators Dissatisfied with $1bn Clean-up Funds for N/Delta

Senators have expressed dissatisfaction with the $1 billion recommended by the United Nations, UN, for the clean-up of Niger Delta after years of oil spillage resulting from exploration activities of Shell Petroleum and other oil companies. The senators, in a motion before the Senate, considered the $1 billion as too meager for the total clean-up of the Niger Delta region. Senators Datti Baba-Ahmed, CPC, Kaduna North, and Esther Nenadi Usman, PDP, Kaduna, in the motion, condemned the omission of compensation for people of the region, who they said had lost much of their economic rights due to the oil spillages. They, therefore, sought an upward review of the fund to compensate for the huge hardships visited on the people of Niger Delta.

Man Dies Exhuming Corpse

An unidentified man was found dead last weekend, at a grave site in Kazaure, Jigawa State. The man was said to be attempting to exhume the corpse, which had been buried earlier on Sunday morning, in an effort to steal some valuables said to have been buried with it. While making the attempt, the loose earth collapsed, trapping the man. His body was found, hours later, dead, but onlookers said it appeared that he had struggled to free himself from the grave site, but could not.

FG Places N25m Bounty for Information on Bombing Mastermind

The State Security Service (SSS) has offered to pay N25m to anyone who could offer information that would lead to the arrest of a Boko Haram bombing expert, Mamman Nur. Nur, the SSS has said, is the mastermind of the bombing of United Nations building in Abuja on August 26. The suspect was alleged to have worked in concert with two others, Babagana Ismail Kwaljima (a.k.a Abu Sumaya) and Babagana Mali (a.k.a Bulama) in executing the terror attack. Kwaljim and Mali are currently in the SSS custody. Nur had been reportedly arrested in 2007 in connection with terrorist activities but was said to have been released on the orders of some high ranking government officials. The SSS bounty offer was contained in a statement by its Assistant Director, Public Relations, Marilyn Ogar.

Jonathan Charges Military on Human Security

President Goodluck Jonathan has urged members of the Armed Forces to pay particular attention to human security, especially given the intractable security challenges in the country. He also promised to punish those who are posing threats to national security and the unity of the country. He made the comments in his address at the graduating ceremony of the Combatant Cadets of the 58th Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy in Kaduna.  Jonathan noted that the development of any nation is hinged on security and peace.

NBA Raises Alarm over Rot in Judiciary

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has bemoaned the rot in the judiciary, raising the alarm that court judgments are now given on cash and carry basis. This development, according to the body of lawyers, is the root cause of the growing number of political assassinations, unresolved killings and terrorism in the country. The NBA’s concern came as the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Dahiru Musdapher, announced a total overhauling of the judiciary to improve efficiency and enhance public perception regarding its capacity to dispense justice without blemish.  Musdapher was confirmed as the CJN by the National Assembly on Wednesday. Justice Musdapher warned judges against the application of procedural rules and technicalities that do not lead to the attainment of substantial justice.

INTERNATIONAL

England Arrested 7 in Counter-Terror Raids

Police arrested six men in Birmingham, England in what they called a pre-planned, intelligence-led counter-terror operation. West Midlands Police then arrested a woman Monday morning on suspicion of failing to disclose information which might prevent an act of terror, they said. Assistant Chief Constable Marcus Beale said the arrests were necessary "in order to ensure public safety." He declined to go into details about what the men were suspected of, saying "the operation is in its early stages." Britain did not change its terror threat level in light of the arrests, leaving it at "substantial”.

35 Bodies Found in Mexican City

The bodies of 35 people with suspected links to organized crime were dumped under a highway bridge in eastern Mexico on Tuesday, in a major escalation of violence in the city of Veracruz. State prosecutor, Reynaldo Escobar, further alleged that the victims may have been involved in organized crime. Seven had been identified hours after their discovery, all with criminal records, he added. Some bodies were reportedly pulled from trucks and put on the pavement before the drivers fled. Violence between rival drug cartels has been heating up in the state. Some of the bodies were found with their hands tied showing signs of torture. The Zetas crime gang is suspected to be involved in the killing. 11 more bodies were discovered on Thursday, making a total of 46.

OPEC Predicts Drop in World Oil Demand

Citing weaker economic recovery in key industrialised nations and the US summer driving season, which have negative impacts on oil demand, the 12-member Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), has slashed its global oil demand forecasts for 2011 and next year. In its September oil market report, the group lowered its world oil demand forecast by 150,000 barrels per day for 2011 and by 40,000 barrels per day for 2012. OPEC further noted that after experiencing a gain in July, its Reference Basket dropped in August by $5.30 or 4.7percent, the second largest percentage drop since the 9.5percent decline in May 2010.

Gunmen Kill 31 in Burundi

A total of 22 persons were killed on the spot and nine died later from their injuries in an attack staged by unknown gunmen last weekend in a bar at Gatumba in Burundi. An administration official said that the attack also injured several others. The attack occurred when gunmen in military and police uniform blasted grenades and opened fire at a crowd of people who were taking drinks, head of Gatumba zone Emmanuel Masumbuko, disclosed. Also, clashes between rival groups in the Central African Republic (CAR) vying for control over diamond mines have left 30 dead and dozens wounded in a week, a military official said on Tuesday. The fighting in Bria, a town in the centre of the country, claimed nine lives on Sunday, bringing the toll for the past week to 30.

Iran Frees Jailed US Hikers

Two US men given eights year jail term by Iran for spying have been released, reports say. Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal arrived at the US at the weekend. The pair was arrested in 2009 after crossing into Iran from Iraq, where they said they were hiking, and were sentenced in September this year. The country's judiciary reportedly set each bail at five billion rials ($500,000). The pair are believed to have been part of a convoy of Iranian, Swiss and Omani cars which left the prison shortly afterwards. They are then believed to have been flown to Oman.

Italian police, Migrants Clash over Asylum Policy

Policemen, migrants and residents of the Lampedusa clashed on Wednesday prompting Italy to announce that those not qualified for asylum would be transferred and repatriated within 48 hours. The clashes came a day after migrants set their overcrowded holding centre on fire to protest Italy’s policy of forced repatriations. Some 26,000 Tunisians and 28,000 people of other nationalities from Libya have arrived in Lampedusa this year since the beginning of the Arab revolts. Residents on the island have complained they are being overwhelmed with migrants and are bearing the entire EU’s immigration burden alone.

Afghan Peace Council Head Killed in Kabul

The head of Afghanistan’s High Peace Council, former President Burhanuddin Rabbani, who had been tasked with trying to negotiate a political end to the war, was killed at his home on Wednesday, a senior police officer said. His residence is in Kabul’s heavily guarded diplomatic enclave, and the attack came just a week after a 20-hour siege at the edge of the area. Mohammed Zahir, head of the Criminal Investigation Department of the Kabul Police, confirmed the killing, but gave no further details.

Government Forces Shell Protesters in Sanaa

Yemen’s government forces have continued firing shells at protesters’ camp in the capital, Sanaa, with witnesses reporting that about six people had been killed. Government forces launched a bloody assault on the protesters on Sunday in a crackdown that has now claimed the lives of more than 50 people. Protesters have occupied parts of Sanaa for most of the year, calling for President Ali Abdullah Saleh to quit. Saleh, who has ruled the country for more than three decades, returned from Saudi Arabia at the weekend, after nearly four months of treatment. He promised democratic elections soon and called for dialogue in place of violence and the use of force.

Heavy Fighting Hits Sudan’s Border Region

The Secretary General Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM-N), Yasser Arman, Tuesday, reported heavy fighting in Sudan’s war-torn border region, claiming that forces loyal to the outlawed political party drove government forces out of a key garrison town. Arman also demanded that the government release more than 140 leaders of the northern branch of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM-N), the country’s main opposition party, which was banned earlier this month. But Army spokesman, Sawarmi Khaled Saad, denied there had been any serious fighting in Talodi, saying only that the army had retaliated after the SPLM tried to “disrupt the security” in the area. The army’s insistence on expelling or forcefully disarming SPLM elements is what appears to have triggered the fighting, which spilled into nearby Blue Nile state at the beginning of September.

Gaddafi’s Loyalists Launch Attack at Bani Walid

Fighters loyal to ousted Libyan leader, Col. Mummar Gaddafi, have launched fresh attacks around the town of Bani Walid, as the National Transitional Council (NTC), the country’s interim leadership, is discussing a new cabinet. Gaddafi’s loyalists fired mortars and used snipers to target NTC forces at the northern gate of the town. The news came as anti-Gaddafi forces were making slow progress at another loyalist stronghold in the coastal town of Sirte. Anti-Gaddafi forces had tried to take Bani Walid, 140 kilometre south-east of the capital Tripoli on Friday but were forced to retreat. But heavy clashes have continued since then.

Police Make Record Seizure of Cocaine in Hong Kong

Hong Kong police have neutralised a transnational drug trafficking syndicate following the arrest of six men and two women. The police also seized 567 kilogramme of suspected cocaine worth about 600 million HK dollars. The haul was the largest single seizure with arrests of its kind in Hong Kong. A police spokesman said that the officers were still searching the suspected storage centre and more drugs might be seized in the following couple of days. According to the spokesman, officers of the Narcotics Bureau, acting on intelligence, conducted thorough investigations and took action on Friday afternoon, intercepting four men and two women, aged between 24 and 40, at Fuk Hang Tsuen in Tuen Mun.

Earthquakes Kill 3 in Guatemala

Four earthquakes struck southern Guatemala within hours of each other on Monday, killing at least one person and rattling residents in the capital city, officials said. The largest of the quakes had a magnitude of 5.8 and was located about 53 kilometers (32 miles) southeast of Guatemala City, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The other quakes had reported magnitudes of 4.8 or lower, and hit within less than about 40 miles of the capital. At least three people died in the department of Santa Rosa, according to local firefighters. However, Alejandro Maldonado, head of Guatemala's National Coordinator for Disaster Reduction, said just one person died.