Villeworth Security Services Ltd

week 39

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PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

Human Traffickers Arrested In Calabar Motor Park

Two women suspected to be human traffickers have been arrested by a vigilante group at a motor park in Calabar, Cross River state. The suspects were reportedly chasing two underage girls in an attempt to re-capture them after the girls had escaped from their custody. The girls were held by the motor park officials, who also apprehended the women after the girls had narrated how they were picked from their homes and brought to Calabar with the promise of jobs as sales girls. But they rather accommodated in a house where they were used as sex workers. Confirming the report, the Calabar South LGA chairman, Hon. Ekeng Henshaw, commended the management and officials of the Etim Edem motor park over their vigilance. He however, called on the police authorities to do a thorough investigation and bring the culprits to book.

NSCDC Arrests Illegal Refinery Operators

Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have arrested three persons for allegedly operating an illegal refinery in Aba, Abia state. Luck ran out on the illegal refinery operators when the Intelligence Unit of NSCDC   discovered a secret petroleum products depot at Milverton Avenue, suspected to be used for illegal refinery. The illegal depot was located in a residential and business area without anybody raising an alarm despite the danger it posed on them.  The Area   Commander of NSCDC, Oluseye Akerele said that the discovery and the subsequent arrest of the dealers were in line with the federal government’s directive that all such oil thieves be smoked out.

3 Dead as Flood Sacks Ebonyi Villages

About 30 villages in Izzi LGA of Ebonyi State were, on Thursday, sacked by severe flood, which claimed three lives. Executive Secretary, Ebonyi State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Elder Igboke Umunna, who confirmed the deaths, said that the remains of one of the victims had been recovered. Property worth millions of naira were also destroyed as thousands of people displaced by the unfortunate incident had been forced to take shelter in other communities. The council Chairman, Mr Dustan Nwogbaga, said the flood took the rural dwellers unawares.

Flood Displaces 12,000 in Cross River

The Director-General, Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mr Vincent Aquah, has disclosed that  water from Lagdo Dam in Cameroon has displaced more than 12, 000 people in the state. Aquah, who revealed this, said 49 communities in seven LGAs were affected by the flood. In a related development, the Nasarawa State House of Assembly called on those living by the river side to evacuate their houses in order to avoid flood disaster.

Police Discover Arms Cache in Anambra

The Anambra State Police Command, on Tuesday, said it recovered another arms stockpile at Uli in Ihiala LGA of the state and arrested the suspected kingpin, following information allegedly volunteered by the suspect’s parents. The suspect was said to belong to the notorious gang led by one Olisa Ifedike, whose houses were demolished in Oraifite recently, following the discovery of large cache of arms and ammunition in his compound. Items recovered by the police at Uli, included 27 AK-47 rifles, with numbers 56-2401697, 56-2520707; one type 06 rifle; one rocket grenade; three rocket propellers; 770 rounds of 7.62mm life ammunition and nine chains, allegedly used on kidnapped victims.

Two Policemen Killed in Port Harcourt

Suspected armed robbers, on Wednesday, killed two mobile policemen in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State. The hoodlums numbering about four were said to have opened fire on the policemen, who were not aware that they (robbers) were within a close range. It was learnt that the policemen died instantly before they could be rushed to hospital. While the deafening sound of the gunshots made passersby to scamper to safety, policemen from the Mile One Police Station responded. However, the hoodlums had escaped. Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Ben Ugwuegbulam, who confirmed the incident, said the policemen were on patrol when they were shot by the hoodlums.

MASSOB Warns against Harassment

The Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), on Wednesday, said it would no longer accept the harassment of its members by soldiers. The Onitsha Region 4 Director of Information, Chima Agu, alleged that soldiers from the 302 Artillery Regiment of the Nigeria Army, Onitsha, whisked away MASSOB’s Regional Administrator, Chief Arinze Igbani, from his  hospital bed, in spite of his condition. The group vowed to sue the Army if soldiers would not stop harassing its members. MASSOB alleged that soldiers invaded a hospital where Igbani was receiving treatment for a leg injury, beat him up and whisked him away to their base. The Commanding Officer of the 302 Artillery Regiment, Col. T.A. Gagariga, said the group was one of the organisations whose activities were banned by the Anambra State Government.

Husband, Wife, Kids, Die in Auto Accident

An auto crash on the Benin-Onitsha Expressway at Ubulu-Okiti killed five people who were said to be members of the same family on Wednesday. The accident occurred when one of the tyres of the vehicle in which they were travelling suddenly pulled from the vehicle. Among the deceased were the husband, his expectant wife, two of their children and a maid. An eyewitness said the vehicle veered off the road and somersaulted several times resulting in the death of five of the occupants. Only two passengers, who included an octogenarian, survived the ghastly accident, while the other was the daughter of the deceased couple.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

Security Guard Remanded over Rape of House-Wife

A 35-year-old security guard, Niyi Ayoola, has been remanded in prison custody by an Osogbo Magistrate’s Court for allegedly raping a woman. It was alleged that Ayoola forcibly had carnal knowledge of the woman in Iloro market, Ile-Ife, Osun State on August 29, 2012 when he stopped her at about 8.30pm, demanding to know her identity. Despite telling Ayoola that she trades in the market, the guard allegedly refused to let her go. But Ayoola pleaded not guilty to the one-count charge against him. The Magistrate, Adewunmi Makanjuola, ordered that Ayoola be remanded in Ilesa prison custody.

JTF Destroys Illegal Refineries

No fewer than 50 local refineries have been destroyed by men of Joint Task Force (JTF) in several raids carried out in Edo, Delta and Ondo States. In further developments, 11 suspects were arrested in connection with sea piracy, armed robbery and kidnapping. The Brigade Public Relations Officer, Captain Rosalyn Managbe, said the operations were geared towards enhancing a secured environment in the interest of national security. Items recovered from them include 100 Cotonou boats, 12 Tankers, 1,300 surface Geepee tanks and 350,000 drums of alleged illegally refined products, two FN riffles, one G3 riffle, one sub-machine gun, three AK 47 riffles and one pump action, amongst others.

Host Communities Threaten Flow Stations over 13% Derivation Fund

Oil-producing areas of Egbema, Gbaramatu and Ogulagha in Delta State have threatened to shut down oil flow stations unless they were directly paid their alleged share of 27 per cent of the 13 per cent derivation fund which accrues to the state. The communities, in a statement signed by 28 chiefs and members from each of the communities in the three kingdoms, said urgent intervention was required to avoid crisis that may lead to the closure of the flow stations in their kingdoms.

Abductors of Demand N20m for Deputy Governor’s Spokesman

Kidnappers of Kelly Odaro, the Chief Press Secretary to the Edo State deputy Governor, have demanded N20m for his release. Odaro was abducted close to his house on Ikpoba Hill, Benin city by yet-to-be identified gunmen. The kidnappers are said to have contacted his family, demanding N20m for his release. According to his wife, Patience, the kidnappers ordered him to call her and demanded N20m for his release. Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Anthony Airhuoyo, said the police have since swung into action.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

Police Kill Two Robbers in Lagos

Two armed robbers, allegedly terrorizing Apapa area and its environs in Lagos state, have been killed by the police. One locally made double barrel cut to size gun, two cartridges and one motorcycle were recovered from the hoodlums. The police tightened security in Lagos State after a recent attack by armed robbers claimed the lives of three policemen and a commercial bus driver. The robbers had earlier dispossessed some people of cash and valuables at the Apapa area, and had attempted to rob bank customers when they ran into the police team. The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ngozi Braide, confirmed the incident.

Police Arrest Suspects in Robbers Raid on Lagos

Four suspected armed robbers believed to be part of the gang that recently laid siege on Lagos state, killing seven persons, including three policemen, have been arrested. Two policemen were also reported to have been part of the robbery operation. They were arrested following a tip-off to the police. Confirming the arrests, the state’s Police spokesperson, Ngozi Braide, said the suspects were arrested based on a tip-off received by the Officer-in-Charge of the State Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Abba Kyari.

30 Killed in Ogun Auto Crash

About 30 persons were feared dead and several others injured in an auto crash at Mobalufun junction, in Odogbolu LGA of Ogun State on Tuesday. It was learnt that a truck rammed into a passenger bus. Officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps, the Police and the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency were at the scene of the crash for rescue effort.

CJ Frees 233 Prisons Inmates

The Chief Justice of Lagos State, Justice Ayotunde Philips, on Tuesday, freed 233 awaiting trial inmates in Kirikiri prisons, during a visit to the facilities. The visit was part of the one week-long events marking the commencement of the 2012/2013 legal year in the state. 130 awaiting trial inmates were released from Maximum Prison, while 103 were released from the Medium Prison. The inmates were said to have been remanded in custody for periods ranging from four to 13 years. Philips said the move was in line with her statutory duty and commitment towards decongestion of prisons.

Kidnap Kingpin on Bail Re-Arrested

A suspect, Ubaka Livinus, who was granted bail by a Lagos magistrate’s court for allegedly kidnapping an employee of Dangote Group and demanding ransom, has been re-arrested for a similar offence. Ubaka, who was granted bail in June, was re-arrested on September 4 for allegedly kidnapping a cousin to billionaire businessman, Alhaji Aliko Dangote. Two other suspects were arrested alongside Ubaka, son of a dismissed police inspector, Afone Livinus. The group is also alleged to have kidnapped the son of an Indian expatriate in 2011. The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Umar Manko, confirmed the arrests. Ubaka’s father, Afone, was also accused of aiding and abetting his son.

Thugs Invade Ebute Meta, Kill One, Injure 5 Others

At least one person was killed while five others sustained varying degrees of injuries after thugs numbering about 12 invaded Oto Town and Apapa Road as well as six other streets in Ebute Meta, Lagos. The development comes less than three weeks after four persons were injured and 28 vehicles were vandalised in the area by thugs. It was learnt that in the renewed attack on Wednesday, the thugs, wielding knives and cutlasses, killed one Hakeem Omisore, and robbed residents in the area. It was gathered that the violence was a continuation of a long running feud between thugs from Oto and Apapa. Meanwhile, residents of both areas have been trading blame over the incident. The CDA Chairman of Abule Nla, Alhaji Adewunmi Yekini, said in the past, the thugs only engaged in supremacy battles but they had now resorted to robbery.

MAPOLY Suspends Students, Bans Union over Violence

At least 14 students of the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY), Abeokuta, Ogun State were, on Thursday, suspended from the institution for their alleged role in a violent demonstration at the Ojere campus of the institution on Tuesday. The school authorities also proscribed the Students’ Union Government (SUG). The violence erupted during the students’ union election. A section of the students, who accused the school authorities of attempting to impose their favoured candidate as the SUG president, protested for several hours. The institution’s spokesman, Sulaimon Adebiyi, said the students were given indefinite suspension.

Man Sentenced to Death for Killing Lecturer

A Lagos High Court, on Thursday, sentenced a middle-aged man, Kehinde Olude, to death by hanging for the murder of an Okone based lecturer, RA Adisa, in November 2000. Olude was said to have killed the lecturer along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and robbed him of his car, which he was helping to drive to Okene. The judge, Justice Joseph Oyewole, said there was sufficient evidence to warrant the court’s “inevitable conclusion” that Olude actually murdered Adisa. The judge relied on the testimonies of the five prosecution witnesses, including Olude’s father, Simeon Olude. The condemned man, after killing the deceased, went home with the car, claiming its ownership. However, his father, knowing the financial status of his son, ordered that the car be taken off his premises.

NDLEA Nabs Suspected Traffickers at MMIA

Two suspected drug traffickers have been caught at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos for concealing 2.560kg of cocaine in their travel luggage by National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). The suspects, with 1.335kg and 1.225kg of narcotics, were arrested while attempting to board a Turkish Airline flight to Turkey. NDLEA MMIA Commander, Hamza Umar said that officers had to forcefully break the luggage to recover the drugs. Both suspects were arrested on same flight and they adopted same mode of concealment, Hamza stated. NDLEA chairman, Ahmadu Giade, urged the public to be part of the anti-drug campaign.

GENERAL

Police Tighten Security around Embassies

The Police in Abuja have further beefed up security around the embassies of the United States and Canada in Abuja. This is sequel to a directive issued by the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, following attacks on US embassies across the Arab world. Besides security men at the US Embassy and the hotels, armed policemen on foot patrol were also seen around the area while traffic was light. It was learnt that moves by some elements to organise a protest against the movie in Abuja was quietly thwarted by security agencies.

Gunmen Kill Three in Kaduna

Gunmen, penultimate Saturday, killed three persons and injured others near a Mosque in Malali area of Kaduna State. The incident occurred when two men, posing as customers, entered the super market owned by one of the victims. The second victim was a friend of the shop owner. Confirming the incident, Kaduna State Police Commissioner, Mr Olufemi Adenaike, said only one person was killed by the gunmen as reported.

Suicide Bomber Hits Bauchi Church, Kills 2, Injures 45

A suicide car bomber attacked a Catholic church conducting Mass in Bauchi state on Sunday, killing about five people and wounding another 45, officials said. The blast occurred at a parking lot alongside the St. John's Catholic Church. Bauchi deputy police commissioner said that the bomber had been stopped at the church's gate, where he detonated the explosives. Meanwhile, the Joint Task Force (JTF) in northeast Borno State said, on Sunday, that it has killed four and arrested three suspected terrorists during an operation in Maiduguri. Lt.-Col. Sagir Musa, spokesperson for the JTF, said that they also intercepted large quantities of arms from the suspects during the operation.  The arms recovered included a rocket propelled grenade tube, three rocket propelled grenade chargers, 34 tear gas canisters, two AK 47 rifles and three tear gas grenades, he said.

Gunmen Kill NSCDC Official, 3 Others

Unknown gunmen killed an officer of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC), his wife, child and his brother at the Hotoro area of Kano state, last weekend. It was disclosed that the gunmen had arrived the residence of the officer, Ismaila Yerima, secured entrance to the building and opened fire on those found at home. Ismaila Yerima’s colleagues believe that the late Yerima must have been mistaken for a State Security Service (SSS) operative. Kano state Police Commissioner, Ibrahim Idris, said that adequate security measures had been put in place to track down the fleeing assailant.

Gunmen Kill Attorney-General, Ex-Prisons Boss

Gunmen, on Tuesday, killed the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of Borno State, Zanna Gana. This comes a day after gunmen killed a former Comptroller General of Prisons, Alhaji Ibrahim Jarma, and two of his security guards in Bauchi State. Bauchi state Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Yuguda Abdullahi, described the incident as unfortunate. An eyewitness said Jarma was shot in his arm and leg when he got out from the mosque after night prayer. He died at the hospital from injuries sustained.

Thousands Protest against Anti-Islamic Movie in Nigeria
…As Gunmen Kill 2 in Adamawa

Thousands of Muslims marched in Zaria, Kaduna State and burnt the US and Israeli flags on Thursday, in a protest against an anti-Islam movie produced in the US. The protesters, under the auspices of the pro-Iranian Shiite group, Islamic Movement of Nigeria, carried banners and placards denouncing the US and Israel, calling for the prosecution of the film producers. Armed policemen escorted the protesters to ward off potential violence in the town. Meanwhile, unknown gunmen raided Ban-dawa village in Adamawa State, killing two persons and maiming several others.  According to the village head, Francis Mbula, the attackers invaded the area, while many families fled.

JTF Kills Boko Haram Leaders in Maiduguri

The Joint Task Force (JTF), on Thursday, said it had killed two suspected commanders of Boko Haram in Maiduguri, Borno State. JTF Spokesman, Lt.-Col. Sagir Musa, said that the suspects were top commanders of the group in-charge of Yobe and Adamawa States. Two suspects were killed along Maiduguri-Kano road as they tried to escape on Wednesday. He added that the duo was trailed by a combined team of security operatives for many hours before they attempted to escape. Musa said weapons and a Honda salon car were recovered from them maintaining that the JTF had also arrested eight suspected members of the group in an earlier operation.

Robbers on Rampage in Zamfara, Kill 2, Injure 50

Over 50 armed robbers, stormed Bindin village in Maru LGA of Zamfara State, killed two persons on Monday morning. An eyewitness disclosed that the hoodlums began the raid around 1.30am, moving from house to house, attacking the villagers with offensive weapons. It was gathered that in the process, the hoodlums killed two villagers, who were trying to escape, while about 50 others were wounded.

2 Killed in Makurdi Varsity Clash

A clash between rival cult groups at the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, has led to the killing of two students. It was learnt that the groups clashed on Monday evening at a private hostel close leading to the death of the students. The university authorities denied the death of any student was killed, but confirmed that a student, who sustained machete injury, was receiving treatment. But eyewitnesses maintained that two students were killed, several others injured and some female students raped during the incident. This development led to a protest rally by the students, who barricaded the entrance to the university. Consequently, the Management of the institution has directed that the students should proceed on break till further notice.

6 Die of Diphtheria in Bauchi

At least six children have been killed in an outbreak of diphtheria virus at Duzum village in Katagum LGA of Bauchi State. This was revealed last weekend by the caretaker committee chairman of the LGA, Alhaji Abubakar Dahuwa Abdulkadir.  He admonished communities in the LGA to embrace routine immunisation with a view to protecting and guaranteeing the health of their children. The Director of Primary Health Care, Alhaji Sama’ila Yusuf, stated that people’s refusal to participate in routine immunisation was responsible for the outbreak of the virus in the area.

7 Killed, 100 Missing in Taraba Floods

At least, seven persons have been confirmed dead while over 100 were declared missing following flood disaster in nine LGAs of Taraba State. Cattles, farmlands and crops, economic trees, as well as residential buildings were submerged in the floods. Meanwhile, more houses were submerged in Lokoja town of Kogi state as the River Niger overflowed its banks due water released from Kanji, Shiroro and other dams. The Kogi state Commissioner for Environment, Abdulraham Wuya, disclosed that most of the people affected were those who built houses on waterways, saying that they had been advised to leave the area after being warned about the impending flooding.

JTF Discovers Bombs in Boko Haram Hideout, as 10 Killed in Shootout

Men of the Joint Task Force (JTF) in Kano state, on Monday, killed a Boko Haram kingpin, suspected to be its spokesman, Abu Qaqa, and arrested two others. The JTF also uncovered a large cache of locally made bombs prepped for launching attacks on various targets in Kano. JTF spokesman, Lieutenant Ikedichi Iweha, confirmed the raid on Tuesday, and said that 36 prepared improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were part of the recovery made during the capture of two members of the terrorist sect. In Maiduguri, the JTF and suspected Boko Haram members engaged in an exchange of gunfire that left at least 10 persons dead. In further attacks, gunmen shot and injured a stalwart of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Alhaji Mustapha Sheriff Mashidimami, at this residence in Maiduguri, after demanding money.

Jang Alleges Plot to Attack Plateau

Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State has alleged a fresh plot to launch attacks on the state. Jang said his government had received security report that some Fulani mercenaries are planning to launch a major attack on the state and charged the people to brace up and defend their communities against any attack. The governor urged the people to be vigilant. He has also alleged conspiracy against the state at the federal level by some people in authority using the crisis in the state to fan ember of hatred against the indigenes by denying them employment and other benefits.

PENCOM Chairman Dies at 73

Chairman of the National Pensions Commission (PENCOM), Chief Oluwole Adeosun has died at the age of 73. Adeosun died, penultimate Friday, at an undisclosed hospital in India. He would have turned 74 on November 25, 2012. According to family sources, Adeosun was in India for a routine medical checkup before his demise.

INTERNATIONAL

Somalia’s President Urges End to Terrorism, Piracy

Somalia’s new president, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, took office, last weekend, calling for an end to terrorism and piracy in the nation mired in conflict for more than two decades. The inauguration, the first of its kind since the country slid into civil war after warlords toppled dictator, Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991, follows a regionally-brokered, UN-backed effort to end fighting in which tens of thousands of people were killed and many more fled. Mohamud’s inauguration ends a succession of United Nations-backed transitional governments since 2004. He takes over from Sheikh Sharif Ahmed, who took over as head of a transitional government in 2009.

Air Strike Kills Women Afghanistan

Local officials have alleged that eight women have been killed in a NATO air strike in Afghanistan's eastern province of Laghman. The remote region in which the strike took place is out of the reach of central government. NATO has conceded that between five and eight civilians died as it targeted insurgents, and offered condolences. Four US soldiers with the NATO forces were killed in an attack by suspected Afghan police. The attack in southern Zabul province brought to 51 the number of NATO troops killed in "insider attacks" this year, and came a day after two UK soldiers were killed at a checkpoint in Helmand by a man in police uniform.

Police Find 17 Mutilated Bodies in Mexico

The dismembered bodies of 17 men were found, penultimate Sunday, on a farm in central Mexico. The bodies were dumped near a highway in the town of Tizapan el Alto by the border between Jalisco and Michoacan, said Jalisco state prosecutor, Tomas Coronado Olmos. The bodies were discovered as Mexicans celebrated their independence. Coronado Olmos said the bodies were naked, mutilated and stacked with chains around their necks. They had been killed elsewhere and dumped on the property.

Troops, Kurdish PKK Clash in Turkey

Turkey's Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, says 500 Kurdish rebels have been "rendered ineffective" by Turkish forces in the space of a month. The government often uses the term "rendered ineffective" to mean killed. The Turkish government said 123 militants were killed near the south-eastern border with Iraq. The surge in deaths follows a recent escalation in attacks by the militant Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) on Turkish targets. Dozens of Turkish troops and civilians, including children, have been killed in recent bombings blamed on the group. Eight police officers died, penultimate Sunday, as their bus was blown up by a roadside bomb in Bingol. The PKK launched an armed campaign for an ethnic Kurdish homeland in south-east Turkey in 1984. Since then more than 40,000 people have been killed in the conflict.

Suicide Attack Kills 12 in Kabul

About 12 people were killed in a suicide bomb attack on a minibus carrying foreigners near the Afghan capital, Kabul. Afghan insurgent group, Hezb-e-Islami, has claimed responsibility for the blast, which it says was in response to a recent anti-Islam video. The vehicle was reportedly transporting international staff working at the airport. An eyewitness said the suicide attacker, believed to be an 18-year-old girl, was in another vehicle and appeared to target the minibus. Zubair Sediqqi, a spokesperson for Hezb-e-Islami, has said that a female suicide bomber carried out the attack.

130 Persons Escape from Mexican Prison

More than 130 inmates escaped through a tunnel from a Mexican prison on the border with the United States in one of the worst jailbreaks the country. Homero Ramos, attorney general of the state of Coahuila, said 132 inmates of the prison had got out through the tunnel in an old carpentry workshop. Corrupt prison officials may have helped the inmates escape, said Jorge Luis Moran, chief of public security in Coahuila. Many of Mexico's prisons are overcrowded and struggle to counter the influence of criminal gangs that can use their financial muscle to corrupt those in charge.

One Killed as Pakistan Protesters March on US Consulate

Hundreds of Pakistanis protesting an anti-Islam video broke through a barricade near the U.S. Consulate in the city of Karachi, sparking clashes with police in which one demonstrator was killed and over a dozen others injured. The film, which denigrates Islam's Prophet Muhammad, has sparked violent protests throughout the Muslim world, including one in Libya in which the U.S. ambassador to the country was killed. All Americans who work at the consulate, which is located in the heart of Karachi, were safe, Rian Harris, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, said. Al Qaeda's affiliate in North Africa urged Muslims to kill representatives of the U.S. government in the region in relation for the film. At least 17 people have been killed since Tuesday in the violence across Muslim nations.

Syrian Rebels, Assad Forces Battle Near Turkish Border

Syrian rebels battled government forces near a Turkish border crossing on Tuesday. The revolt, which began as peaceful street protests cracked down on by President Bashar al-Assad Assad's military, has escalated into a civil war in which over 27,000 people have died. In another bid to stem the bloodshed, Iran's foreign minister proposed a new regional monitoring mission. Two previous missions have collapsed. It appeared to be the first attempt by insurgents to assert their grip over a border zone in al-Raqqa province, most of which has remained solidly pro-Assad.

Explosion at Mexican Gas Plant Kills 26

An explosion and fire at a gas plant in the northern Mexican state of Tamaulipas has killed 26 people. Mexico's state oil company, Pemex, said the fire broke out on Tuesday at its gas facility outside the city of Reynosa. The cause of the blaze has not been established, but the company says the fire has now been extinguished. A similar accident occurred a week earlier at a nearby plant owned by Pemex, injuring four workers. Another Pemex gas plant in Tamaulipas state was hit by a fire on August 13, but the company said no one was injured. Illegal tapping at pipelines in northern Mexico, usually carried out by criminal gangs, is suspected to be the cause of many accidents at the facilities.

Fighters, Residents Flee Fighting in Key Al-Shabaab’s Bastion

Thousands of residents and fighters of Al-Shabaab have fled the strategic port city of Kismayo as government troops backed by Kenyan contingent of the African Union peacekeeping forces advanced. Kismayo, south of Mogadishu, is one of the last key bastions of the militant group, which is affiliated to Al-Qaeda. Al-Shabaab has been on the receiving end since losing large swathes of territory in Mogadishu and in parts of the south and centre for the past one year and half. However, the group denied reports of their abandoning the city, saying that it was propaganda and that they would fight what they called “the invading forces” to the end.

Police Discover Mass Graves in Kenya

Mass graves have been discovered after recent tribal clashes in Tana Delta town of Kenya claimed several lives. The mass graves were discovered by police in a village belonging to the Pokomo community. Kenya Deputy Police Spokesman, Charles Owino, Tuesday, confirmed the discovery of the mass graves. Owino added that police were seeking court order to exhume the bodies in Ozi Village and carry out further investigation. About 118 deaths were recorded, including those of nine policemen, on August 22 when the crisis started at the village of Riketa in Tana River County. The attack led to revenge attacks on September 7, 10, and 11. On September 10, 38 members of the Ormo community were killed and no fewer than 167 houses burned in Kilelengwani area.

Libya Sacks Benghazi Security Chiefs

Libya’s interior minister has announced the sack of Benghazi security chiefs after last week’s deadly attack on the United States (U.S.) consulate in the eastern city. Deputy interior minister for the eastern region, Wanis al-Sharef, and the head of national security for Benghazi, Hussein Bou Hmida, were both replaced. Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans were killed as the Benghazi consulate came under fire from rocket-propelled grenades during a protest against an anti-Islam film made in America. General Bou Hmida would be replaced by Colonel Salaheddin Doghman who would also temporarily fill in for Sharef until his successor is found, according to the texts signed by Interior Minister Fawzi Abdelali. Libya announced the arrest of 50 suspects over the killing of the Americans, and has blamed the attack on foreign extremists.

Colombian Drug Baron Captured

Security officials say they captured one of the most wanted Colombian drug baron, Daniel Barrera, 50, in a public telephone booth in Venezuela. Barrera, who is accused of being one of the most powerful drug kingpins, was arrested on Tuesday. Police also said that Barrera went through great lengths to disguise his appearance. He had plastic surgery and burnt his fingertips with acid to avoid being identified. Venezuelan Interior Minister Tarek El Aissami said police had been monitoring 69 public telephones Barrera was using to communicate. Colombian Police Director, Jose Leon Riano, described the operation, which was carried out with the help of British, US, Colombian, and Venezuelan officials as "great triumph of international co-operation".

Pakistani Military Kills 29 Taliban Fighters

The Pakistani military said it killed 29 Taliban fighters on Wednesday in the final stage of an operation aimed at forcing hundreds of insurgents back across the border into Afghanistan. Soldiers used artillery, helicopter gunships and fighter jets against the insurgents, accused of beheading 17 Pakistani soldiers in June. Around 400 militants had crossed from Afghanistan into Pakistan on August 23 and attacked villages, said a senior security official based in Khar, the main town of Bajaur. The army launched operations that killed around 120 militants, another security official said from the border town of Peshawar. Twenty-five soldiers also died in the fighting.

Amnesty Intl Tasks Police on Rights Education

Amnesty International has canvassed the introduction of human rights education into police curriculum at Police Training Schools across the world as a step to eliminate violence against the people and curb other human rights’ breaches. Amnesty International’s spokesman on Police and Human Rights in Germany, Alexander Bosch, said an institutional re-orientation of the police by means of human rights education at Police Institutes was crucial at eradicating the menace of violence against persons by the police all over the world. Bosch however raised concerns over ethnic profiling by the police, which he said had introduced a fresh dimension to racism in Germany.

Scores Killed, Injured as Blast Rocks Syria’s Raqa Province

Over 100 civilians were reportedly killed or wounded in an explosion at a petrol station in the village of Ain Issa, in Raqa province of Syria. Activists in the area say the blast was caused by aerial bombardment. A military helicopter crashed near the Syrian capital, Damascus. The helicopter was earlier said to have crashed close to Douma, a suburb east of the city. Iraq has denied an intelligence report that said Iranian aircraft had flown weapons and military personnel over Iraqi airspace to Syria to help President Bashar al-Assad battle an 18-month-old uprising. The allegation said arms transfers were organized by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The report also said Iran was dispatching trucks overland via Iraq westwards to Syria.

Several Displaces as Worst Flooding Hits Niger

The global aid group, Oxfam, has raised an alarm that half a million people have been displaced in Niger Republic as the country reels from the worst flooding in 80 years. Also, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs estimates that more than 80 people were killed in the floods. Niger has been pummeled by droughts in 2005, 2010 and the first part of 2012, causing an acute hunger crisis. Country Director for Oxfam, Samuel Braimah, said the rains were needed, but the excessive rainwater has now destroyed 17,000 acres (7,000 hectares) of crops, making it even more difficult for families strained by drought to rebound.