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Latest News: Training and recruitment is ongoing - Wednesday, 02 March 2011 22:54

week 35

PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

Former CBN Director Shot Dead

A former director at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Charles Nwosu, was on Sunday shot dead by persons believed to be assassins. The Imo police spokesperson, Vitalis Olugu, confirmed that Nwosu was killed along New Market Layout in Owerri, the Imo state Capital. According to reports, the suspected assassins drove a Black Toyota jeep. They attacked Nwosu, who was driving in his car with his wife around 10:30am. The murderers abducted Nwosu's wife who was later left in a bush in the outskirt of the town. Olugu said the state Commissioner of Police, Adisa Bolanta, has set up all machineries to ensure that the killers of the former CBN director are brought to book.

27 Kidnapped Oil Workers Rescued

Nigerian military forces stormed the hideout of a militant gang operating on the waters of oil-producing Cross River State and rescued 27 abducted oil workers, a navy spokesman said Sunday. "It was a joint military operation involving the navy and the army. Twenty-seven oil workers were rescued on Friday, while one is still missing," Lt. Commander Ajibola Olabisi said. He said 28 workers of Sinopec, an oil-servicing company, had been kidnapped on Thursday in Ikang near the state capital Calabar by an armed gang called the Lactop Marine Force. Olabisi said members of the gang had been terrorising residents of the area for a long time before the troops moved in to dislodge them. "The criminals fled as soon as our men stormed their hideout. Nobody was either killed or injured during the operation," he said, adding that the military were on the trail of the kidnappers.

Bayelsa Police Confirm Death of Suspected Assassins

The police in Bayelsa State, Thursday, confirmed the death of two persons arrested in connection with the July killings in Azikoro suburb of Yenagoa. The deceased, identified as Gbafare Gold and Ayi Benjamin, were reportedly killed during a gun duel, following an ambush on the police team at Igbogene in the outskirts of the capital city. The duo were said to have confessed to the killing of Orlando and British, said to be providing intelligence information to security agencies on the activities of cultists in the state. Parading 24 other suspects, the Commissioner of Police, Kingsley Omire, said that the suspects were taking the police to their armoury when they came under attack. He said the gunmen believed to be working for the suspects laid ambush to them at Igbogene, when they were leading the police officers to their armoury, which he said turned out to be a decoy.

Kidnappers Hold Son Hostage after Release of Father

Kidnappers in Akwa Ibom are holding the son of a victim hostage. The son, Inemesit Akpan, was held after he went to pay the sum of N1.5m to secure the release of his abducted father. Inemesit’s father, Sunday Akpan, a businessman in Ikot Ekpene, was kidnapped on August 3 by a gang of four armed men in army uniform, who trailed him from his shop and seized him at the frontage of his residence. The kidnappers allegedly demanded the sum of N30 million as ransom. But the family raised the sum of about N1.5 million which was given to Inemesit to give to the kidnappers at an agreed location. But the kidnappers, after collecting the money, detained the boy, saying that the amount was too small. Police spokesman, Etim Dickson, said the police are following the matter and are on top of the situation. He cautioned against payment of ransom to kidnappers.

Outrage over Rape, Robbery, Murder of in Anambra

Residents of Awka, Anambra state are outraged over the killing of a 23-year-old lady, Miss Francisca Okoli, by suspected armed robbers and rapist. Residents and clerics have joined calls for the police to apprehend the killers of the young lady in Awka Etiti, Idemili South LGA on July 29. Okoli was killed after she resisted attempts by a five-man armed robbery gang to rape her in the presence of her parents. Francisca’s father, Mr. George Okoli, narrated that the armed gang broke into his home around 4.30am on that fateful day, but his attempts to save his daughter failed when the robbers stabbed him with cutlasses locked him up in a room. According to him, the hoodlums were angered by her strong resistance, and they made good their threat to kill her by hitting her with pestle on the head, neck and waist.

Bakassi Militants Threaten War

Militants in Cross River state have threatened to drag the Federal Government into war in the Bakassi Peninsular. A former militant in the Bakassi Peninsula and a member of the Niger Delta Youth Movement (NDYM), Emmanuel Edet, gave the warning in Calabar when the Senator representing the area met with the Bakassi people recently. Edet said his group would go back to the creeks to defend the people of Bakassi who have been “unjustly” displaced as a result of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) judgment 10 years ago if the Federal Government refused to revisit the case. Bakassi people have called on the government to file a fresh case against the judgment of the ICJ. Representative of Bakassi Peoples’ General Assembly, Orok Eneyo, alleged that Cameroun had since violated Section (3) of the Green Tree Agreement and must be called to order by the United Nations Security Council.

Abducted Oil Workers Freed

Four foreigners working for Netherlands-based Sea Trucks Group, who were kidnapped by Sea pirates on August 4, 2012, have been released, the company and the navy said. The navy had previously said the gunmen abducted a Malaysian, an Iranian, a Thai and an Indonesian worker. The four expatriates that were kidnapped during the attack on MV JASCON 33 belonging to Sea Truck on August 4 off the shores of Bonny were released by the pirates on Thursday,” navy spokesman, Kabir Aliyu, disclosed. Sea Trucks spokeswoman, Corrie van Kessel, confirmed that their staff had been released and were “ok.” She did not say if the company paid a ransom to the kidnappers.

Youth Group Pledges Partnership on Security

Worried by the insecurity threatening the corporate existence of Nigeria, an international youth organisation, Great Nation Global Youth Foundation (GNGYF), has resolved to partner the Federal Government in tackling the situation. Under the partnership, the group will use its membership spread across Nigeria to engage in rural and urban policing to ensure security of lives and property. According to the President of the foundation, Dr. Charles Omini, the organisation is concerned about the way and manner in which youths are being used to cause insecurity and has therefore resolved to use its vast network of members to gather information and share them among the various security agencies with a view to reducing crime, according to the South-South Zonal Coordinator of the organisation, Ambassador Nene Duke.

Ministry Alerts on Landmines in South East

About 50,000 unexploded explosive remnants, said to have been abandoned during the Nigeria Civil War, are currently scattered across 12 states of the South-East, South-South and North-Central, Defence Ministry said on Thursday. Residents of the affected areas have, therefore, been warned to exercise care while carrying out their activities in view of the harmful effect of the objects should they explode. Speaking in Enugu after removing three unexploded bombs at a construction site in Udi Council of the state, Field Administrator of the Nigerian Mine Action Centre of the Federal Ministry of Defence, Dr. Emeka Uhegbu, said the unexploded bombs could kill innocent persons if detonated. Uhegbu said the three bombs, which looked like rocket launchers, were found at the construction site while the labourers were trying to dig the place preparatory for the foundation.

Lawmakers Task Oil Firms on Spills, Clean-up

The destruction of some Niger Delta communities by a recent oil spill in Akwa Ibom State at the weekend attracted the attention of two members of the Federal House of Representatives. The lawmakers decried the refusal of the firms linked to the spills to clean-up the affected communities. One of the lawmakers, Bassey Dan-Abia, urged the management of Mobil Producing Unlimited to take immediate steps to contain the spill from spreading to other areas. Also, the leader of Niger Delta Caucus in the Lower House of Representatives and Chairman of the House Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Warman Ogoriba, has asked the firms to intervene in the worsening conditions of the affected communities.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

Gunmen Kidnap Pastor in Ughelli

Gunmen, last weekend, kidnapped the pastor of All Saints Pentecostal Assembly, Reverend Israel Onutame, as he was leaving his residence for church at the Ekredjabor area of Ughelli, Delta State. The kidnappers, who were seen driving up and down his street that morning struck as soon as the pastor drove out of his compound in a family car with his daughter and son. The four kidnappers, who were armed with AK47 rifles, blocked the car in the quiet street and took the pastor away in their SUV, leaving the children behind. Kidnap cases are reported to be on the increase in Ughelli with five persons abducted in recent weeks.

Inmates Attempt Jail Break In Edo

The Edo State Commissioner of Police, Olayinka Balogun, has confirmed attempts by prisoners at the Federal Prison Oko to organize a prison break. Balogun said some prisoners attempted to escape from the prison by digging a large hole through a cell wall. According to him, the escapees were overpowered by prison guards. The police commissioner denied that explosives were used in the attack, but admitted that the fierce gun firing from guards at the prison must have been mistaken for bombs by people around the vicinity of the prison. Two inmates were arrested.

Security Agencies Differ on Killing of Governor’s Aide

The controversy over the May 4 killing of Olaitan Oyerinde, Principal Private Secretary to Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole, continued on Thursday with the police insisting that he was assassinated. But the State Security Service disagreed, saying that Oyerinde was killed by robbers. Despite the controversy, the two agencies said they were collaborating to harmonise the two case files. The SSS on August 1 paraded 6 suspects in connection with Oyerinde’s killing. Deputy Director, Public Relations of the SSS, Marilyn Ogar, said that Oyerinde was murdered by the 3 of the suspects, who robbed him, while the other 3 were buyers of stolen items. Force Deputy Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, said the initial investigation by the panel set up by the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, led to the arrest of one Muhammed Yelwa, following record of calls on Oyerinde’s BlackBerry allegedly stolen when gunmen invaded his Benin residence.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

Ocean Surge Wreaks Havoc in Lagos

Four people have been confirmed dead while 12 others were remained missing last Sunday after the Atlantic Ocean surge at the Kuramo beach. The ocean surge swept away residents of the beach resort in s Lagos on Saturday night, authorities of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), said. General Manager of LASEMA, Femi Osayintolu, said that divers and other rescuers had a hectic time trying to recover bodies of the 16 residents of the popular Kuramo Beach resort, noting those affected were mainly people occupying illegal shanties at the beach front. According to Osayintolu, residents of the beach resort were asleep at midnight when the disaster occurred at about 2 am local time. Saying the Kuramo Beach and other waterfront resorts in the area had been cordoned-off.

NIS Breaks Chinese Prostitution Ring

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has announced the arrest and detention of 13 teenage Chinese prostitutes following a raid of their base at Emina Crescent, off Toyin Street, Ikeja, Lagos.  The NIS spokesman, Joachim Olumba, said that the service received a report on the activities of some Chinese nationals, who connived with some Nigerians to traffic teenage girls into the country under the pretext of offering them jobs. The information also revealed that more than 40 teenage girls were brought into the country and camped in an apartment for Nigerian politicians, business executives and expatriates to hire for sex at the cost of between $1,000 and $2,500. The cartel was run by Chinese couple named Sun and Yin Li. Mr Olumba also noted that the kingpin of the sex ring managed to escape but that the NIS was on their trail. He also noted that after investigations, they will either deport the girls or hand them over to their embassy here in Nigeria for appropriate action.

Victims Identify Suspects in Killing of Retired General’s Daughter

Two women have reported to the Police, claiming that they were also drugged and raped by the suspects arrested over the death of Cynthia Osokogu, daughter of Maj.-Gen. Frank Osokogu (retd.). It was learnt that the suspects – Nwabuzo Okumo and Odera Ezekiel- allegedly drugged and beat up Cynthia before she died on July 22, 2012. One of the suspects also confessed that he had drugged, raped and robbed four girls before Cynthia. The Police spokesperson, Ngozi Braide, confirmed that the claims of the girls were being investigated. Cynthia was killed when she went to Lagos to buy goods for her shop. The suspects, whom she met on Facebook, drugged her drink before killing her. However, they claimed that their intention was only to dispossess her of valuables.

Lagos Island Gang Members Arrested

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested 16 men suspected to be members of two rival gangs known as “O Strong” and “Get ready” that are reported to be causing mayhem on the Island. The suspects were arrested penultimate Saturday during a raid authorised by the Area A Commander, Imohimi Edgal. According to community leaders on Lagos Island, the suspects had been terrorising the residents, traders and their customers with impunity for months, prompting a Joint Community Development Association to write a petition to the Area Commander. It alleged that the hoodlums usually hijacked every gathering in the community and robbed people. According to police authorities, an arrested suspect claimed that he belongs to O Strong gang and he led the policemen to their hideout, where nine others were arrested. Spokesperson for the state police command, Ngozi Braide, confirmed the arrests, and added that the police are committed to keeping the state secured.

Man, 20, Arraigned over Rape of 14-Year-Old

A 20-year-old man, Abiodun Ogunbunmi, has been remanded in prison, for allegedly defiling a 14- year-old girl. Ogunbumi, who was arraigned   before an Ikeja Magistrate’s Court, was charged   for raping the minor. The police prosecutor, Samson Ekikere, alleged that Ogunbunmi, on August 20, forcefully had sexual intercourse with the girl, thereby inflicting body injuries on her, which resulted to her been admitted in the hospital. The defendant pleaded not guilty, but was refused bail and remanded to prison. The Magistrate, Mrs. Taiwo Akanni, adjourned the matter to October 30 for further hearing.

Students Get 4 Year Jail Term for Theft

An Abeokuta Magistrate’s Court has sentenced two secondary school students, ages 20 and 23, to two years imprisonment for stealing a motorcycle valued at N 100,000. According to the prosecutor, Sunday Eigbejiale, the offence was committed on May 25. Eigbejiale said that the complainant, Wali Ogbonaya, parked his motorcycle in his compound at night and in the morning discovered that it had been stolen. But upon enquiry, Ogbonaya discovered that two vigilantes saw the accused persons with the motorcycle and interrogated them. Both confessed to stealing the motorcycle and were arrested.

NDLEA Arrests Man with N27m Hard Drug at Airport

A 26-year-old man has been arrested by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for being in possession of 8.5 kilogrammes of methamphetamine concealed inside metal pipes. The suspect, Afunanya Thaddeus Izunna, who sells phone accessories in Lagos, was found to be in possession of the narcotic drug during the screening of passengers on Ethiopian Airline flight to New Delhi, India at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, last weekend. The drug, worth N27 million, was discovered when anti-narcotic officers insisted on searching the metal pipes inside his luggage.

GENERAL

Dutch Politicians Question Activities of Shell in Nigeria

The Dutch Labour Party has asked questions in parliament about reports that oil giant Shell is bankrolling security troops in Nigeria. The London-based oil industry watchdog, Platform, had earlier claimed the Anglo-Dutch company had paid Nigerian government forces 65 million dollars between 2007 and 2009 to protect Shell facilities in the Niger Delta. Members of Parliament, Frans Timmermans and Sjoera Dikkers, both agreed that it was "irresponsible and unacceptable" for the company to pay soldiers and police who are known for routine rights abuses. Platform based its claim on leaked company documents.

Bomb Factories Uncovered in Kogi

The Kogi State Police Command said they have uncovered two bomb-manufacturing factories in Abu Limit Estate and Eyika Adagu in Okene and Okehi LGAs of the state. Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Katsina, said the factories were discovered following information provided by the arrested leader of the 21-man gang that carried out the church attack in the state. According to him, items recovered from the factories included seven AK 47 rifles, 1,000 live ammunition, 29 loaded magazines, six locally made pistols, gas cylinders, two rocket launchers and other bomb making components. He further disclosed that the police got the information that the suspects were at a training camp at Etar Hill, planning another attack, and mobilised officers to the hill to effect arrest. Meanwhile, additional eight suspects have been arrested in connection with the killings of 19 worshippers a Church in Okene, on August 6. Katsina, however, said that two of the suspects had died in custody.

Two Killed 2 in Adamawa Attack

Gunmen killed two persons and wounded another one in an attack in Adamawa State. State Commissioner of Police, Mark Idakwo, said that six gunmen descended on Mubi area on Sunday night and ordered everyone to lie down. The police chief urged the public to give any information that could help track the unidentified gunmen who perpetrated the act on Sallah day. "They collected money and handsets from the people before shooting sporadically as they retreated, hitting four people in the process," he added.

Herdsmen Raid Plateau Community

Suspected Fulani herdsmen on Thursday gunned down two residents of Sho village, Barkin Ladi LGA of Plateau State. The incident followed Wednesday’s destruction of some farmlands by some suspected herdsmen in the same area. It was learnt that the latest incident was a revenge on the killing of three Fulani herdsmen by suspected Berom youths. Spokesman for the police in the state, Mr. Emmanuel Abuh, who confirmed the incident, said no arrest had been made. Meanwhile, the minister of State for Defence, Mrs. Olushola Obada, has praised the Special Task Force for restoring calm to Jos. She implored the STF personnel to discharge their duties with “all sense of duty and follow the rules of engagement”. She also urged the officers to be friendly with the people and to partner with traditional rulers and civil society groups to ensure lasting peace.

NDLEA to Prosecute Man over Bribe Offer

The Bauchi State Command of National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Thursday, said it will prosecute a suspected drug dealer, Dogo Samuel, who offered the agency a bribe of N150,000 for the release of his aide, one Benjamin Swande, who was arrested recently with 13kgs of cannabis sativa. The state sector commander of the agency, Parah Bawa, said on August 17, the agency impounded 498kgs of cannabis sativa from a suspect in Azare town, Katagum LGA of the state. Bawa explained that the suspected drug smuggler was currently in custody, noting that the 498kg of cannabis was the largest singular seizure made by the agency within the period under review. He said the successful arrests followed a tip-off, adding that the three suspects would be arraigned shortly to serve as a deterrent to others.

Heavy Rain Destroys Houses In Bauchi

About 100 houses were demolished while over 500 families were rendered homeless on Wednesday following heavy rainfall in Kulawa town of Ganjuwa LGA of Bauchi State. The downpour, which is said to be the heaviest in 50 years, destroyed farms, domestic animals and other property. The Village Head of Kulawa, Alhaji  Gombo Aliyu, called on the government to urgently come to the aid of the victims and assist in rehabilitating their destroyed houses. The ward head also appealed to the state emergency management Agency [SEMA] to provide relief materials to the victims to alleviate their sufferings.

Kaduna CP Assures Of Adequate Security

The newly deployed Commissioner of Police to Kaduna State, Olufemi Adenaike, has resumed duty with the promise to uplift the security in the state. Adenaike, who takes over from Muhammed Abubakar Jinjiri, who is now promoted to the rank of Assistant Inspector-General (AIG), also expressed commitment to work together with all the security agencies in the state, and the media. The CP gave the assurance to uplift security in the state and said he was not going to tolerate any form of nonchalant attitude on the part of his men and officers. He called for smartness on the part of the police of all ranks and file, saying he expected officers to give their best in course of discharging their duties.

Gunmen Kill Two in Borno

A day after the Eid-el-Fitri celebration, gunmen in Maiduguri, Borno State resumed violence, killing two persons at separate mosques in Biu on Tuesday, while the Joint Military Task Force (JTF) intercepted a “bomb-laden” Toyota Camry at the Tudun Quarters of Maiduguri. The state Police Spokesman, Gideon Jibrin, confirmed that two persons, including an Islamic cleric were assassinated by the unknown gunmen suspected to be members of the Boko Haram sect. He said no arrests have been made, but the information being provided to the police could assist in trailing the culprits. The bomb-laden vehicle, which was allegedly snatched by suspected sect members, was to attack and bomb some targeted police and military formations, including public buildings in the state. The JTF spokesman, Lt.-Col Sagir Musa, said that information obtained from an arrested Boko Haram terrorist and moles in the Boko Haram camp, aided the interception of the vehicle.

Expatriate Project Manager Killed in Yobe

An Irish expatriate, Mr. Robert Gray, 45, working with PW Construction Company and handling the $25 million Wukari-Takum Road repairs in Taraba State was shot dead by gunmen suspected to be armed robbers on Thursday. According to the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Amos Olaoye, he was killed on the same road, the reconstruction of which he was supervising. A Police team on patrol from the Takum Division found the victim along with his driver lying in the pool of his own blood. The PPRO said the police Patrol team rushed the victims to a hospital in Takum but the Grey died while receiving treatment. The PPRO however said the driver was responding to treatment in an undisclosed hospital. Olaoye disclosed that the Command has deployed more men to the area with a view to tracking down the gunmen.

Gunmen Attack Yobe Prison

Gunmen in Damaturu, Yobe state, struck on Wednesday, attacking the Satellite Prison in the area with Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and petrol-bombs. Four policemen guarding the building and two residents were wounded. Eyewitnesses said there was a two-hour gun duel between the gunmen and men of the Joint Military Task Force (JTF). During the shoot-out on Wednesday, the Ajari ward was cordoned off to prevent civilians from being killed. The attack on the prison, according to the JTF, is the third of such invasion by suspected gunmen, freeing an undisclosed number of inmates. The state Police Commissioner, Patrick Egbuniwe, confirmed the attack, and added that the assailants were repelled by the police and the JTF. A few of our men and officers sustained injuries.”

CBN to Introduce N5000 Bill in 2013

A new legal tender, a N5000 bill, will be introduced in Nigeria early next year by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).   The bill, which will, among others, have the features of three female Nigerian nationalists: Margaret Expo, Funmilayo Kuti and Gambo Sawaba on it. According to the CBN Governor, Mallam Lamido Sanusi, President Goodluck Jonathan had, since last December, given his approval to the plan, which will also involve the redesigning of the existing currency notes and coins. Under the new structure, Lamido explained, the existing N500, N200, N100, N50 will be redesigned with new security features. The N20, N10, and N5 notes will also be converted to coins. Sanusi debunked the argument in certain quarters that the new initiative could spur inflation.

Air Force to Patrol Nigerian Borders

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) is to begin the patrol of the nation’s borders. This follows a directive of the Federal Government, which was disclosed on Tuesday by the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Mohammed Dikko Umar. He said the new mandate was part of the government’s efforts at ensuring effective policing and tackling of the worrisome insecurity in the country. Umar also said because of the prevailing security challenges, all NAF operational bases are now used for internal security duties with an average of 65 per cent serviceability status of current aircraft holding flying. The task of air border patrol is currently being handled by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) through its air patrol division.

NDLEA Seizes Indian hemp in Bauchi

The Bauchi State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Wednesday, seized 498 kilogrammes of cannabis sativa concealed in a truck in Azare Council of the state. The NDLEA’s state commander, Parrah Julius Bawa, said that the owner of the truck, who was its driver, was also arrested. According to him, this is the largest seizure by the command since he assumed duty and the largest singular seizure ever made in the history of the command. Bawa explained that the seizure was coming at a time when all hands were on deck towards curbing the fragile security situation in the country. He condemned people’s role in drugs intake as it served as a fuel for crime.

Gunmen Kill Two, Torch Sharia Court, School, Police Station

A lower Sharia court building, primary school and a police station in Goniri town have been set ablaze by gunmen who also killed two persons at their residences in Yobe state. These attacks, on Tuesday, came after a police station, a school and a church were razed at Damagum, days earlier. A resident of Goniri said that the gunmen attacked the police station and two other buildings with Improvised Explosive Devices and petro-bombs in an all-night assault. The Yobe State Police Command spokesman, Gbadegeshin Toyin, confirmed the incident.

INTERNATIONAL

48 Killed in Clashes in Kenya

About 48 Kenyans were, on Tuesday, hacked or burnt to death in ethnic clashes between two rival groups, the worst single attack since deadly post-election violence four years ago. According to regional deputy police chief Joseph Kitur, “34 were hacked to death and 14 others were burnt to death,” while several huts were torched after a gang of men launched the attack, the latest in a long history of bitter clashes. The casualties include 31 women, 11 children and six men. The clashes took place late Tuesday between the Pokomo and Orma peoples in the rural Tana River district.

ECOWAS Lauds Unity Govt in Mali

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has lauded the formation of a Government of National Unity (GNU) in Mali. Although the GNU announced late Tuesday is transitional in nature, the sub-regional group considers it to be “in line with the decisions of the authority taken at its 41st Ordinary Summit in Yamoussoukro on 29 June 2012, as well as the Decisions of the African Union and the United Nations.” ECOWAS also gave indications that the partial sanctions imposed on the country may be relaxed as one positive response to the latest development. The ECOWAS Commission pledged to continue to monitor developments in the West African country while expressing the hope that “the newly created government truly reflects the diversity of the Malian nation and carries the support of the Malian people.”

36 Die in Venezuela, Ethiopia

Over 36 persons have died in two separate incidents in Venezuela and Ethiopia. In Venezuela, the minister in charge of prison, Iris Varela, said that more than 20 prisoners and a visitor had been killed in an outbreak of violence between rival gangs in a prison near the Venezuelan capital on Monday. Varela pointed out that the gang violence which erupted last weekend at the Yare I prison near Caracas had been brought under control. In Ethiopia, troops killed 16 South Sudanese gunmen from a rebel group led by a traditional healer wanted for attacks in his home country. Omot Odeng Olol, president of the western Ethiopian region of Gambella, said that the gunmen were asked to surrender their guns, but they refused and started fighting with the troops.

Australia Increases Refugee Intake

Australia has announced a plan to boost its yearly refugee intake to 20,000 a year. This figure gives a 40% increase and is the biggest in 30 years as part of a people-smuggling deterrence plan. Prime Minister Julia Gillard said the boost, which was recommended by a recent expert inquiry into refugee policy, would include the immediate resettlement of 400 asylum-seekers from Indonesia as a gesture of goodwill. The boost, accompanied by Aus$10 million (US$10.5 million) funding injection to regional refugee programmes, particularly in Indonesia and Malaysia, is part of tough new policies aimed at stopping people-smuggling. Gillard said the immediate resettlement of 400 refugees from key transit country Indonesia “underscores our commitment to offering safe alternatives to dangerous boat journeys”.

Syria Pledges to Work with UN Envoy to Resolve Crisis

The Syrian government has indicated its readiness to work with new United Nations (UN) envoy, Lakhdar Brahimi and hopes he can pave the way for “national dialogue,” even as fighting raged in both the capital and second city Aleppo. Meanwhile, government forces recaptured three Christian neighbourhoods in the heart of Aleppo. But clashes between troops and rebel fighters raged in other areas. Syria’s deputy foreign minister, Faisal Muqdad, accused Turkey of providing the rebels with arms and rear bases. Muqdad said he hoped Brahimi would help kick-start a process of national dialogue. Turkey has repeatedly denied giving arms to the rebels but it has given sanctuary to the defecting soldiers who formed the original kernel of the Free Syrian Army as well as to tens of thousands of civilian refugees.

Remains of Zenawi, Late Ethiopian PM, Return Home

Thousands of wailing Ethiopians, Wednesday, turned out to greet the body of Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi as an official national mourning period began after his death in a Brussels hospital. Deputy Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, 47, who has also been foreign minister since 2010, will take over interim power, officials said. Zenawi died overnight Monday to Tuesday following a long illness. The 57-year-old had not been seen in public since the G20 summit in Mexico in June. His is survived by two daughters and a widow, Azeb Mesfin.

Greece, Spain Battle Wildfires

The Greek National Intelligence Service has been mobilised to assist in the investigation of the cause of dozens of wildfires raging across Greece. With about 300 fires breaking out last weekend, Greek Public Order Minister, Nikos Dendias, said in a statement. Also, a fire that was started in the Canary Islands of Spain by arsonists two weeks ago is still smouldering dangerously in forest undergrowth during a heat wave, according to Spanish officials. The blaze has already charred about 12 per cent of La Gomera Island’s total area, and burning embers threaten to increase that amount. Fire fighters were finding it difficult to reach the three-kilometre stretch of smoky high ground because of the danger of rock falls, fire chief Javier Seijas said.

New Parliament Sworn-in in Somalia

In a bid to end two decades of conflict, a new parliament in war-torn Somalia was sworn in on Monday on the tarmac of the capital’s airport in a ceremony protected by African Union (AU) troops. But the lawmakers have delayed the election of a new president. With multiple candidates vying in a fierce race to unseat incumbent President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, the lawmakers said the process for the election would begin in a “few days.” The swearing-in, the culmination of a United Nations (UN)-backed process in which lawmakers were chosen by a group of 135 traditional elders, brought an official end to Somalia’s transitional government after eight years of political infighting and rampant corruption.