Villeworth Security Services Ltd

week 18

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PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

Gunmen Kill DPO in Enugu

Enugu State Police Command Sunday said it had commenced full scale investigations into the alleged killing of a Divisional Police Officer (DPO) by gunmen on Saturday. The deceased DPO, Okey Ofoedu, in charge Oji River Police Division, was said to have been killed by gunmen who trailed him and shot him severally. A statement by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Ebere Amarizu, said Ofoedu was returning from an engagement and was heading for his office when he was gunned down. It was further alleged that his assailants numbering about four and operating with a Passat car had trailed him to the point shooting at him on transit severally before he was hit by their bullet and every attempt made to revive him proved abortive as the doctor on duty at the hospital where he was initially rushed to later confirmed him dead.

Abducted Spanish Doctor Released

The Enugu State Police Command has confirmed the release of a Spanish medical doctor, Joe Machimbarrena, after three weeks in captivity. He was abandoned in a place called Thinkers Corner in the state by his abductors, according to the police. Police spokesman, Ebere Amaraizu said that Machimbarrena looked hale and hearty where he had been abandoned, penultimate Friday. According to the statement, the police have intensified their manhunt for the abductors. Machimbarrena was kidnapped from his home at Independence Layout, Enugu on April 4.

Ebonyi Monarch, Family Get Missing

The feud in Ezza/Ezillo communities in Ishielu LGA of Ebonyi State took a new dimension following the sudden disappearance of the traditional ruler of Aguotu Ogboji Ezzagu in the area, Igwe Benedict Nworu, along with his two wives, driver and seven-year-old daughter. The communal feud between both communities has been violent and deadly. The news about the missing monarch and his family increased anxiety and tension in the area which has witnessed several the killings in recent years. The Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) has raised the alarm over the development, asking the relevant security agencies including the police and State Security Service (SSS), among others to immediately commence full scale investigation aimed at unearthing the whereabouts of the royal father and members of his family.

EFCC Arraigns 4 over Illegal Refineries in Uyo

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Tuesday, arraigned four persons on a four-count charge of conspiracy, illegal dealing and refining of petroleum products, in a Federal High Court Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.  The suspects, who were denied bail by the trial judge, Justice E. S. Chukwu, were alleged to be illegal operators of refineries which have a capacity of 33,000 litres of Petroleum Products located at Ohaobu-Ndoki village in Akwa Ibom State. The suspects pleaded not guilty to the charges. The State Security Service (SSS) arrested the accused persons on March 2, at Ukanagu LGA of the State, along with three others, who are presently at large. A 33000 litres capacity Iveco turbo star truck loaded with automotive gas oil, 33000 litres capacity truck loaded with crude oil, two pumping machines, two barges, three speed boat engines and the Illegal refinery and installations were also discovered.

Anambra Police Kill 4 Suspected Kidnappers

Four alleged kidnap suspects were, on Tuesday, killed by officers and men of the Anambra State Police Command during a shootout at Ihiala, while others escaped. Three others were arrested, including the father of the alleged leader of the kidnap gang, while two others fled. Their victim, 34-year-old Stephen Orjiako, was rescued. The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Emeka Chukwuemeka, said a manhunt for the fleeing suspects had been mounted, while displaying the bodies of those killed. However, Orjiako described his rescue as miraculous, adding that he had spent nine days in the kidnappers’ den and was fed once a day. He said he was to wed on April 16, but was kidnapped on April 15, while coming back from his in-law’s place in Amanachi, Orsu LGA of Imo State.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

3 Killed in Delta Boat Mishap

Three persons died in a boat mishap in Ogriagbene Community in Bomadi LGA of Delta State, last weekend. The tragic incident took the community by surprise as it was the first of its kind in Ogriagbene. According to one of the survivors of the mishap, the commercial passengers’ speedboat with about eight passengers on board was sailing around 8pm in the River Ramos creek and immediately the boat passed Enekorogha community the accident occurred.  The ill-fated speedboat collided with another from the opposite direction, which did not have marine illuminators, leaving four persons dead, according to sources. According to the survivor, efforts to rescue the three persons that got drowned were fruitless since it was night.

Boko Haram: Security Surveillance Heightened in Niger Delta

Security operatives in the Niger Delta have been placed on the alert following reports that Boko Haram was planning an attack on the region. It was learnt that the police, the Joint Task Force and the State Security Service had begun special collaboration in their efforts to clamp down on members of the sect who were said to have infiltrated the region. The Niger Delta Liberation Force, a body of militants, had also raised the alarm on movement of firearms by suspected members of the Islamic group into some major towns in the region. The NDLF insisted that the development was part of the strategies adopted by the sect to begin attacks on major towns and villages and extend its terrorist campaign to the Niger Delta.

Policeman Kills Edo Youth Leader

A Youth leader in Ugbor community, Benin City, Edo State, identified as Sunny Black, was reportedly shot dead on Monday by an unidentified policeman. The incident was said to have happened during a scuffle between him and the police. It was gathered that trouble started when some youths beat-up a young man, was caught raping a young girl. But the boy was said to have to have escaped from the community and later began attacking households in the area. To prevent the situation from escalating, men of the Edo State Anti-Crime Unit were said to have been invited. The deceased was said to have challenged the policemen for beating up one of his boys who was said to have resisted arrest. Sensing a possible breakdown of law and possible seizure of their arms, another policeman was said to have fired a shot, which hit Black. He reportedly died on the way to the hospital. The state Police Commissioner, Olayinka Balogun, said he was yet to be briefed on the development.

US Court Clears Chevron in Nigeria Deaths

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday rejected a final appeal of a San Francisco jury's verdict that cleared Chevron Corporation of wrongdoing for the shootings of Nigerian villagers who occupied an offshore barge in 1998 to protest the company's hiring and environmental policies. The villagers had already lost appeals of their claims that Chevron was responsible for the deaths of two men and the wounding of two others by government security forces summoned by the oil company. They asked the Supreme Court to review the federal trial judge's refusal to let the jury consider an additional allegation that the security forces had tortured some of their captives. The federal court jury rejected the villagers' claims that Chevron was responsible for assault, inhumane treatment and wrongful death. U.S. District Judge Susan Illston refused to let jurors consider allegations of torture, ruling that the law applied only to suits against individuals. A federal appeals court upheld the verdict in 2010.

4 Killed in Oshiomhole’s Convoy Crash

Four persons -three journalists and a driver –were reportedly killed in a fatal motor accident involving the motorcade of the governor of the state, Adams Oshiomhole. The state government confirmed their deaths. The four were in the motorcade of Oshiomhole when the accident, involving the press crew bus and a tipper lorry, occurred on the Afuze-Auchi Road in Edo North Senatorial District of the state. The governor had gone to receive defectors from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, to his party the Action Congress of Nigeria, in Afuze. The convoy was on its way to Auchi from Afuze when a tipper truck emerged from the opposite direction and rammed into the advance vehicle of the governor’s motorcade before crashing into several other vehicles, leaving four people dead and others seriously injured.

Delta Community Vows to Halt Chevron’s Operations

The people of Orubu community in Warri South-West LGA of Delta State have threatened to halt Chevron Nigeria Limited’s operations over allegation of continued neglect of the community. The community, in a statement in Warri by Prince Clem Omotoye, Chairman and Pastor Godfrey Mene, Secretary, claimed that Chevron had not deemed it fit to grant indigenes of the community any scholarship award, contract or job placement. They said they had written several letters to Chevron and had drawn the attention of the state governor to their plight but nothing had been done. They maintained that although they did not believe in militancy, they “will not hesitate to halt Chevron’s operations both in Warri office and Offshore,” cautioning that their peaceful nature must not be taken for granted.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

Three Students Die in Auto Crash

Three final year students of the Federal Polytechnic Ado-Ekiti, penultimate Friday, lost their lives in an auto crash, while five others were injured. The students were returning from an excursion to Lagos when their vehicle when the accident occurred in Aramoko-Ekiti. The Public Relations Officer of the institution, Mr. Adeyemi Adejolu, confirmed the deaths. The State Traffic Officer, Mr. Olalekan Fatola, explained that two trailers and the student bus were all coming towards Aramoko from Erio-Ekiti. According to him, one of the trailers overtook the other on a hill, in the process the overtaken truck hit the other one and the impact pushed the sand-laden truck which hit the coastal bus from the back.

Engineer, 13-Year-Old Nabbed for Robbery

A 13-year-old boy and a mechanical engineer have been arrested for alleged armed robbery in Lagos. It was gathered that the boy identified simply as Sam and the young engineer, Okonkwo, 23, were arrested by policemen attached to Apapa Division. They were alleged to have been armed with a drilling machine shaped like a gun and one sharp knife when they robbed a mobile phones sales shop. The sales girl in the shop said that Okonkwo pointed the drilling machine at her, while Sam brandished the knife as they ordered her to surrender all the phones in the shop. The sales girl rather packed the displayed dummy phones into their bag. She said Sam packed the dummies and the drilling machine inside a bag and left. But Okonkwo had problem leaving the shop because Sam had left with the fake gun, so the girl held his collar and called for help. Unknown to the hoodlums somebody had alerted the Police. The hoodlum was struggling to free himself when the police arrived.

Sniffer Dogs Detect Drugs at Airport

Sniffer dogs belonging to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), have helped the agency to seize heroin worth about N160 million, according to reports from the agency. The NDLEA said that anti-narcotic agents had placed the consignment on surveillance after sniffer dogs signalled that it contained hard drugs. The operation led to the ultimate discovery of 16 kilogrammes of high grade heroin abandoned by a suspected drug syndicate at the National Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) Shed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos. The drug was brought as cargo on a KLM flight from the Republic of Iran with an estimated street value of about N160 million, but left unclaimed, according to the Airport Commander Hamza Umar.

Police Arrest Bomb Suspect in Lagos

The Lagos State Police Command arrested a young man identified as Olasukanmi Ismael, for allegedly attempting to plant a bomb at the Methodist Church situated at Ita-Elewa area of Ikorodu. The bomb was however, discovered to be fake. It was gathered that operatives of the Explosive Ordinance Disposal of the Anti-bomb Squad stormed the church and combed the area for other explosive device but no bomb was recovered. The state Police Public Relations Officer, Joseph Jaiyeoba, confirmed the incident, adding that the object was recovered by the police. He however urged members of the public to be security conscious as well as alert security agencies on any suspicious incident in their neighbourhood

Police Nab Robbers after Attack on Students

Two armed robbers, who unleashed terror on some students of the Osun State Polytechnic at their hostel in Iree, have been arrested by a combined team of vigilante and police. A statement by the Commissioner of Police, Mrs. Kalafite Adeyemi, on Monday, said one of the robbers identified simplify as Sunday, shot at the detectives that besieged the scene. Adeyemi explained that the robbers attacked the hostel, “Seeker Lodge,” and dispossessed the students of 11 mobile phones, three wristwatches, one laptop, rings, necklaces, clothes, shoes and money. The commissioner added that two masks, a locally made pistol, two cartridges, a knife, and a pair of gloves were recovered from the suspects.

Security Agents Arrest Suspected Kidnap Kingpin

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a wanted kidnap kingpin in Lagos, Emeka Nwangwu. Deputy Commissioner of Police ‘B’ Department (Operations), Tunde Shobulo, who confirmed the arrest, said Nwangwu is still being interrogated. Nwangwu is said to be responsible for the kidnap of the son of the former Deputy Chief of Staff to Lagos State government, Mr. Folarin Coker, in 2008. Twenty-two million naira was paid as ransom then. He was arrested alongside his Ghanaian wife, Patricia Abena, who was said to have aided and abetted the kingpin. Nwangwu was also said to be the brain behind the kidnap of the daughter of Afam Edozie, a director with MTN Nigeria in 2009. A ransom of 100,000 U.S. dollars was paid.

Lagos Declares War on Rapists

The Lagos State Government, last weekend, raised the alarm over the alarming rate of rape in the state. The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Lateef Ibirogba, said the full weight of the law would be applied against offenders. Incidents of child rape, gang rape and serial rape have been gaining currency in the news across the country. He called on parents to be more vigilant to prevent their children, particularly girls and children from falling victims of rapists.

Man Beheads Lover in Oyo State

The Oyo State Police Command has paraded two suspects who allegedly killed a 42-year old woman, Mrs. Sekinat Emiola. One of the suspects, Asimiyu Ayantayo the lover of the deceased allegedly beheaded her and cut off her two hands after making love with her. But the suspect claimed that the deceased died as a result of the killer charm (magun) that was placed on her by another man. His accomplice, Mr. Isiaka Akanbi, also denied involvement in the act, saying his friend only sent him to buy a sack for him but did not know the purpose for which he needed it. The parade of the suspects attracted many sympathisers at Eleyele area who thronged the State Police headquarters to catch the glimpse of the suspect and the gory picture of head and the hands that were severed by the suspects.

Ogun Police Repel Attack on Bank

Operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and the Quick Response Squad (QRS) in Ogun state, last weekend, repelled armed bandits who attacked a new generation bank in Abeokuta. It was learnt that the robbers attempted to break the security door and the Automated Teller Machine (ATM). The security personnel attached to the bank and some members of the public reportedly noticed the suspicious activities of the hoodlums and alerted the SARS and QRS.  The police units reportedly mobilised to the scene and dislodged the robbers.

Train Crushes Two

A commercial motorcyclist and his passenger were crushed by a train at the Akobo area of Ibadan, last weekend.  According to eyewitnesses, the engine driver of the train did not hoot to alert people that the train was approaching, and the iron bar erected to prevent vehicles, motorcycles and people from crossing whenever train was passing had not been functioning for almost two years. According to the people, the bike’s front wheel had climbed the rail line before they noticed the approaching train which crushed both of them. After the policemen at Akobo Police Division had been alerted, their corpses were taken away by people suspected to be relations of the victims.

Ex-Broadcaster in Court for Raping a Young Hawker

A 64-year-old retired broadcaster, Steven Sajewo, has appeared before an Ilorin Chief Magistrates’ court presided over by Mr. Lekan Adegbite for allegedly raping a yam hawker. He was alleged to have lured the 16-year-old girl to his residence and forcibly had carnal knowledge of her.  According to the charge sheet, neighbours got wind of the incident as the girl kept on screaming. The neighbours were said to have alerted the police who promptly arrested the accused. The Prosecutor, Mr. Moshood Adebayo, objected to the bail application of Sajewo. Sajewo was not represented by any counsel, but the father of the victim told the court that the family would want to withdraw the matter from the court.

GENERAL

8 Killed as Explosions Rock Newspaper Offices

The Abuja office of ‘ThisDay Newspaper’ was on Thursday rocked by a bomb explosion, officials said on Thursday. There also reports of bomb attacks on the Kaduna offices of ThisDay, The Sun and Moment Newspapers. A statement from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said the explosion in Abuja was caused by a bomb planted inside the newspaper's office. The statement said authorities did not believe it was a suicide bombing. Boko Haram has claimed responsibility for the attacks, and warned of more.  The bombings, which took place on Thursday, killed eight people.  Boko Haram, in a statement published in a news website, claimed that the press was not reporting the group accurately.  It said the group carried out the attacks to send a strong message to the media that it would no longer condone reports misrepresenting it, or blaming it for acts it knows nothing about. The suicide bomber in Kaduna offices of ThisDay, The Sun and Moment newspapers was arrested by the police and has been taken into custody.

Police Officers Killed in Yobe, Katsina

Suspected Boko Haram members shot and killed a police inspector, Ibrahim Mari, outside his home in Yobe state on Friday, a police official said. The attackers fled after the attack. In another attack on Thursday, a group of six suspected Islamists killed a 35-year-old electrician they suspected of giving information to security agents. Residents said the attackers shot him in the head after a brawl. "I overheard the gunmen from my house shouting at him, asking him why he gave information to security personnel on their activities," a resident said. Suspected armed robbers, at the weekend, shot dead three policemen in Mararrabar Maigora Village in Sabuwa LGA of Katsina State. The Public Relations Officer of the Katsina State Police Command, ASP Shehu Koko, confirmed the development, saying three police men were ambushed by the robbers while on patrol.

Policeman Kills Bike Rider

A commercial motorcyclist was on Monday night killed by a policeman in Minna, Niger state. The motorcyclist, Hamisu Saidu, was killed as he was rushing home to beat the 7pm deadline for commercial bike operators in some major cities of the state. According to an eyewitness, the policeman hit the bike man with a big stick on his head as he rode pass the policemen at the checkpoint, making Saidu to fall from his bike. It was gathered that immediately the policeman realised that the motorcycle rider had died, he tried to escape but residents held him, while other policemen immediately left the scene as irate youths in the area had started going violent. The Police Public Relations Officer, Richard Oguche, confirmed the killing and said that it was an unfortunate incident. According to him, the policeman has been arrested and is in detention, adding that the security agent had no business hitting the man with a plank, as it was not part of his tools for work.

Seven Confirmed Dead in BUK Attacks, Explosion

The Public Relations Officer of the Bayero University, Kano (BUK), Alhaji Mustpha Zahara, has said seven people died in the Sunday explosion at a theatre used by Christian students for worship. It was learnt that op to three bombs went off in the Old Campus site of the university in the vicinity of the campus Christian students hold their services on Sundays. It was further gathered that some of the assailants had positioned themselves outside the theatre and started to shoot at the worshipers as they tried to flee from the building. The attack is coming barely 48 hours after an explosion hit the Senate building of the Gombe State University and three days after bombers attacked Thisday offices in Abuja and Kaduna, claiming nine lives. While the school put the death toll at 7, other reports put it at 15. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack.

Explosions Kill 5 Suspected Boko Haram Members in Borno

Multiple bomb blasts rocked Biu town in Borno State, killing five persons, penultimate Saturday night at a hidden bomb factory during the mixture of chemicals by members of Boko Haram sect. A source said the sound of the explosions drew officials of the state security to the site of the incident and led to an exchange of gunfire between the military and the remnants of the sect who were lucky to be spared by the explosions. The Field Operations Officer of the JTF, Lt. Col Victor Ebhaleme, confirmed the incident. He said the blasts were not targeted at any of the public buildings or military posts in the area, but the suspected Boko Haram members detonated the bombs, after they could not resist the firing powers of soldiers on patrol in Biu to protect people’s lives and property. Two people were arrested trying to flee the factory, Ebhaleme said.

Air Force Raid Sacks Bomb Factory in Kogi

A Nigerian Air Force fighter jet, last weekend, bombed the hideout of suspected terrorists and their bomb factory located in a cave at a mountain in Okene, Kogi State. It was gathered that the Air Force, together with other security outfits, stormed the cave. The mountain was bombarded by the Air Force fighter, while items recovered included gas cylinder, 43 fabricated bomb canisters, double barrel gun and one 1.5 KVA electric generating set. Others were iron grinder, wires, ammonia, gun powder, time bomb devices, motorbike remote starters, batteries, iron cutters, clamp, welding material, gloves, super glue, tools, bottles, syringe and needles, among others. The source said no arrest was made during the operation which lasted several hours, while no casualty was recorded.

Police Redeploy 91 Senior Officers

Acting Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, has ordered the immediate transfer of 53 Deputy Commissioners of Police and 38 Assistant Commissioners of Police as part of moves to sharpen the operational efficiency of the force. The affected officers are from the various commands and formations in the country. The mass transfer affected 91 senior officers. Also, no fewer than 79 senior officers from the Lagos State Police Command were redeployed to other commands and formations across the country.

Five Nigerians Nabbed for Drug Trafficking in India

Five Nigerians have been arrested for alleged drug trafficking in India and Malaysia. A 35-year-old Nigerian, Uche Sylvester, was arrested in India and 100 grams of cocaine was recovered from him. Indian Narcotics Control Bureau had earlier arrested three Nigerians for allegedly trying to smuggle out heroin worth Rs 2.50 crore from the Asian country. They were arrested in New Delhi in separate incidents. A third was arrested after he was found in possession of 64g of cannabis. He was arrested on Friday at the Saligao junction during routine late-night patrol by the police. Since he was behaving suspiciously, the police team detained him for questioning and a search resulted in the discovery of 64g of cannabis from him.

Global Pirate Attacks Reduces

Vigorous action by navies including pre-emptive strikes helped cut global pirate attacks by almost a third in the first quarter of this year although Nigerian gangs escalated hijackings in West African waters, a maritime watchdog said. The International Maritime Bureau (IMB), which has been monitoring piracy worldwide since 1991, said global reported pirate attacks totaled 102 incidents in the first quarter, down from 142 in the same period last year. Somali pirates accounted for nearly half the attacks in the first quarter of this year. The IMB said the deployment of private armed security guards and greater use of pirate deterrents such as razor wire, heightened monitoring watches when entering danger areas by crews on board vessels had also helped curb Somali attacks.

Panic as Explosion Goes Off Near Kano Barracks

A bomb blast outside a military base on Wednesday in Kano state caused panic but no injuries. This is as police earlier in the day discovered a large cache of explosives. The homemade bomb was planted in an open sewer across from Bukavu military barracks, military spokesperson, Lieutenant Iweha Ikedichi said. The Joint Task Force (JTF), on Tuesday, invaded a suspected Boko Haram bomb factory, arrested a number of persons and carted away bomb-making materials at Haye, in Kano State. Iweha, said two women and a couple of children found in the house were rescued and taken away by the JTF. Earlier in the day, Kano state police chief Ibrahim Idris, disclosed that policemen discovered three 50-kg sacks of TNT and PENT explosives abandoned in the streets on the outskirts of the city. He said the explosives were valued at nine million naira ($56 250).

JTF Kills 3 Boko Haram Members
…Several Killed by Gunmen in Maiduguri, Jos

The JTF in Maiduguri, Borno State killed three suspected Boko Haram members in a stolen vehicle. A military source revealed that the victims were planning to launch attacks on Biu town in the stolen vehicle. Spokesman of JTF in the state, Lt-Col. Sagir Musa, confirmed this. In another development, one Stephen Pam, a staff member of Borno State House of Assembly was killed by suspected Boko Haram members at his residence. In another attack by the sect, two brothers were killed at Kofa Mela part of the town, which is opposite the Maiduguri New Prison. The sect was said to have also killed a welder at the notorious Abbaganaram part of the city. In a related development, unknown gunmen, on Monday night, killed and set three persons ablaze in Barkin Ladi LGA of Plateau State, a few days after a  councillor in the LGA was killed by unknown persons. Spokesman of the Special Task Force, Captain Markus Mdahyelya, confirmed the incident.

INTERNATIONAL

Sudan Strikes South Sudan Border Towns

Sudanese warplanes crossed a disputed border region on Monday to strike in South Sudan. The report of the bombing of the towns of Bentiu and Rubkona came days after South Sudan pulled its troops at the request of the United Nations from the disputed oil-rich region of Heglig. Two fighter jets fired four missiles at the neighboring towns, divided by a river, hitting an open-air market and killing at least one person, according to reports. South Sudan Information Minister, Banaba Marial Benjamin, said that three bombs had struck a market in Bentiu, killing two civilians, including a 12-year-old boy.

NATO Service Members Killed in Afghanistan Blast

Two service members with the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) were killed in a blast in eastern Afghanistan, penultimate Sunday. ISAF leaves it up to member nations to announce the nationalities of service members who are killed. With Monday's deaths, the number of service members who died in attacks this month in Afghanistan has risen to at least 25. The Taliban claimed responsibility for downing a Black Hawk helicopter in southern Afghanistan. The helicopter's four crew members, all of them American, are believed to be dead, a U.S. military official said.

North Korea Threatens South

North Korea said on Monday that it would initiate "special actions" aimed at destroying the South Korean president and his government. It did not specify what those actions would involve. An unusual broadcast on North Korean state television also announced the planned measures and showed images of people throwing rocks at a caricature of Lee Myung-bak, the South Korean president. One of the main motivations for the threats Monday appears to have been the announcement last week by the South Korean military that it had deployed a cruise missile capable of striking any site in North Korean territory. The South Korean Unification Ministry did not immediately respond to the statements from the north.

Clashes Erupt in Bangladesh over Missing Opposition Leader

Members of parliament from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party clashed with riot police during a nationwide strike in Dhaka, penultimate Sunday. Police fired rubber bullets and tear gas at hundreds of opposition activists in Bangladesh as a nationwide strike over the disappearance of a senior politician held sway. Violence erupted in the north-eastern city of Sylhet, home to opposition leader, Ilias Ali, who has been missing for nearly a week. Rights groups have blamed security agencies for the disappearance of dozens of opposition activists over the past two years, alleging the victims have been abducted on government orders. Ali, a regional head of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), is the highest profile opposition politician to have "disappeared" since Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina took power in January 2009.

Drone Kills AQAP Leader

FBI director, Robert Mueller visited Yemen on Tuesday, pledging to help quell an Islamist insurgency. This comes as security and government sources said a drone had killed a prominent al Qaeda leader linked to an attack on a French oil tanker. The Yemeni embassy in Washington said on Tuesday that Mohammed Saeed al-Umda, convicted in 2005 of involvement in the 2002 attack on the Limburg oil tanker, had been killed in an air strike on his convoy in the oil-producing province of Maarib on Sunday. It did not specify whether it was a U.S. strike. The United States has repeatedly used drones to target suspected al Qaeda militants, who have been emboldened by a year of political upheaval in the impoverished state. On Tuesday, the Defence Ministry put the total number of militants killed in the volatile southern Abyan province over the past two days in the latest bout of fighting at 52.

AU Meets over Political Crises, Conflicts in Africa

The African Union’s (AU) peace and security body has urged immediate end to the conflicts in hotspots in the continent as it met last week to discuss ongoing political crises in Mali and Guinea-Bissau and the escalating conflict between Sudan and South Sudan. This came as South Sudan’s leader, Salva Kiir, accused Sudan of declaring war on Wednesday as Khartoum’s fighter jets bombed border regions in defiance of international calls for restraint. Also, Chinese President, Hu Jintao, has called for restraint from the two Sudans. The AU has suspended Mali and Guinea-Bissau and called for the restoration of democracy.

South African Policemen on Trial for Murder

The trial of eight South African policemen accused of killing Andries Tatane, a protester, last year has formally opened. Footage of the attack on Tatane was shown on local television and sparked a national outcry, with the governing ANC comparing the attack to apartheid-era police. Tatane died after being beaten with batons and shot with rubber bullets in the central town of Ficksburg. Two officers have been charged with murder, the others with assault. Tatane, 33, had been taking part in a protest about poor services. Scores of angry people demonstrated outside the Ficksburg court when the officers first appeared in April 2011.

Ugandan Women Strip over Sexual Assault on Opposition Leader

A group of women, Tuesday, stripped to their bras in protest at the alleged sexual assault by Ugandan police of a high-profile female opposition politician, Ingrid Turinawe. Video footage showed an officer squeezing the breast of Turinawe of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) during her arrest ahead of a rally recently. Deputy police chief, Andrew Kaweesa, has apologised, saying the incident will be investigated. However, Uganda’s opposition said police regularly harass them during protests. Since President Yoweri Museveni’s controversial 2011 re-election, there has been a wave of opposition demonstrations – many of which have ended in violence and arrests. But Ugandans are outraged by the arrest, penultimate Friday, of Turinawe, who is the head of the Women’s League of the FDC led by Kizza Besigye.

Mozambique at Risk of Acute Famine

The authorities in the central Mozambican province of Sofala said that more than 30,000 people are at risk of facing an acute famine due to severe drought. The authorities are quoted by Radio Mozambique as saying that vast hectares of crops are dying due to the drought, and it may need food assistance to the victims. According to reports, the Buzi areas had no enough rains this year, as in other regions of Sofala. The region of Cheringoma is also to face the same situation this year, according to the authorities. Pockets of hunger are also reported in the neighbouring provinces of Tete and Zambezia, also caused by lack of rains.

US Orders New Sanctions against Syria, Iran, Supporters

United States (U.S.) President, Barack Obama, has ordered new sanctions on Syria and Iran and those who help them oppress their people with surveillance software and monitoring technology. Obama reportedly announced additions to the pile of U.S. sanctions already faced by the two governments as part of a wider effort to crack down on human rights abuses, atrocities and genocide. The measures will hit the two governments but also companies that help create systems that track or monitor their people for killing, torture or other abuses and prevent individuals involved from entering the United States. The move blocks the property and interests of people under U.S. jurisdiction who have participated in aiding the Syrian and Iranian governments and suspends their right of entry into the United States.

Norwegian General Heads Observer Mission to Halt Syria Killings

Norwegian Major General Robert Mood, on a peace mission in Syria, has urged all sides to stop the violence. Mood is to lead a UN observer force for a more than two-week-old ceasefire that has failed to stop bloodshed. Mood, a 54-year-old Norwegian who negotiated the conditions for the deployment of the advance team, was head of the UN Truce Supervision Organisation, which monitors Middle East truces, from 2009 until 2011. As he landed, at least eight more people were killed on Sunday, including four soldiers who died in a bomb blast in the northern province of Aleppo, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. A spokesman for the observer mission said the advance party had set up base in the major trouble spots at the centre of the bloodshed that the United Nations estimates has cost more than 9,000 lives since March 2011.