Villeworth Security Services Ltd

week 44

PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

JTF Destroys Bunkering Items in Calabar

The Joint Task Force (JTF), last weekend, burnt over 100, 000 litres of illegally refined diesel, destroyed three boats used for the illegal business and arrested six suspects in the bunkering business. The JTF, led by the Commanding Officer, Nigeria Navy Ship Victory, Calabar, Navy Commodore Kingdom Itoko, raided the hideout where the bunkering business was thriving at Bay Side and Jebs Street in Calabar and burnt several GP tanks containing diesel allegedly kept by the bunkerers.

Police Rescue Abducted Children

The Cross River State Commissioner of Police, Osita Ezechukwu, has ruled out the payment of any ransom in the rescue of two children kidnapped in Calabar recently. The duo, Emmanuel aged 10 and Agbo aged four were abducted by masked gunmen at Esuk Otu Street, off Murtala Muhammed Highway in Calabar, penultimate Tuesday, while being driven to school by their mother. The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and other security agencies swung into action and rescued the children where they were abandoned. Meanwhile, the manhunt for the perpetrators of the crime has intensified.

Teacher Flogs Pupil to Death in Awka

A 12-year-old student of a secondary school in Awka, Anambra State, Chidimma Ukachukwu, has died after she was allegedly flogged by her teacher for failing to do her homework. A source explained that the girl fainted after being flogged severally by a female teacher and was subsequently rushed to the hospital, where she died. The Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Uju Okeke, has reportedly ordered the closure of the school as a result of the incident. The girl’s father, Mr. Simeon Ukachukwu, confirmed the incident, saying it was a sad development.

Bike Rider Sells Woman to Ritualist for N10,000

A commercial motorcyclist, simply identified as Ifeanyi, has been arrested for allegedly handing over a 51-year-old nurse, Helen Ilonge, to ritual killers after collecting N10, 000. Ilonge, the coordinator of Primary Health Care in Bekwarra LGA of Cross River State, was coming from a programme and boarded the bike when he took her to the ritualist. It was gathered that Ilonge was beheaded while her other vital reproductive parts such as breast and vagina were removed for ritual purposes. Nemesis caught up with Ifeanyi, when after two days later, he called Ilonge’s daughter, Idagwu, to say her mother had been kidnapped. He demanded a ransom of N50, 000 to be remitted in form of recharge cards. Policemen tracked his telephone line and had him arrested. Ifeanyi led the police to one of the ritual killers, who confessed that the nurse had already been killed.

Six Dead in Failed Jailbreak

About six prisoners were feared dead in a failed attempt to escape from the Ahoada Federal Prisons in Rivers State. Police Public Relations Officer, Ben Ugwuegbulam, confirmed the attempted jailbreak. It was gathered that the inmates of Ahoada Prisons, on Saturday, attempted to break out from custody but their efforts failed as the police and other security agencies mobilise to keep them in, leading to gunshots that killed at least six prisoners and injured several others. However, four prisoners were reported to have escaped, but the police however said no prisoner escaped but properties and some vital documents were burnt by the prisoners. Meanwhile, the Federal Government has beefed up security in all prisons in Nigeria following the attempted jail break incident at the Ahoada Prisons.

Man, Children Die after Cassava Meal

Tragedy struck in Mbu Apochi community in Isi-uzo LGA of Enugu State when five members of a family of seven allegedly died after taking a mixture of cassava and corn flour on Tuesday. It was revealed that Mr. Charles Nnadi and his six children had lost consciousness after consuming the said food and were rushed to the hospital, where five of them died. Some sympathisers described the incident as tragic and have expressed shock over the unfortunate incident. The State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ebere Amarizu, confirmed the incident.

Police Rescue Abducted Persons, Kill Captors

Police in Anambra State have rescued two abduction victims and killed three suspected kidnappers after a one hour gun battle with kidnappers. Police said on Tuesday that one Rev. Fr. C. Okoye and another victim, Jonathan Elendu, were rescued from the suspects. The statement said six other suspected kidnappers were arrested by the command at different locations in the state. It also said the killed suspects were members of the dreaded gang of the Oraifite kingpin, Olisa Ifedika, popularly known as “Ofeakwu”. They were said to be responsible for most kidnappings in the state and its environs.

Two Killed in Failed Bank Robbery

The Police in Rivers State on Tuesday killed two members of an armed robbery gang during a shoot-out in Port Harcourt. The hoodlums had attempted to rob a commercial bank located at Ada George in the state capital, before they were killed. State Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr. Thomas Etomi, who spoke with newsmen while displaying the corpses of the bandits, said the shoot-out between his men and the armed robbers took place about noon. Etomi said two other members of the gang escaped with gunshot injuries. The police, he added, recovered a black Toyota Corolla car, with number plate Rivers BGM 896 AG that was used by the hoodlums. Also recovered, Etomi said, were two AK-47 rifles and two fully-loaded magazines.

Two Dead, Others Hospitalized after Meal of Poisoned Pork

Two persons reportedly died while several others have been hospitalized after eating a dead pig during a funeral ceremony at Ede Oballa community in Nsukka LGA of Enugu state. The police said in Enugu that they have commenced investigations into the incident which occurred on October 18, 2012. The state police spokesman, Ebere Amaraizu, who confirmed the incident, said that investigations are already on to unravel the actual cause of the deaths and illness. The LGA authorities have banned the sale of pork in the LGA until investigations are concluded.

Kidnapped Commissioner Regains Freedom

Rivers State Commissioner for Power, Augustine Wokocha, who was kidnapped about a recently, has regained his freedom. However, one of the two officials of the Federal College of Education (Technical), Omoku abducted along with him, Dr Richard Ihua Maduenyi, died in the kidnappers den. Wokocha was kidnapped on October 13th along with Maduenyi and Dr R.F. Quadri. It was also learnt that Wokocha was shot by his captors. Although not much has been heard about Quadri since his abduction, Maduenyi was said to have died while still with abductors. However, it was reported that Maduenyi died as a result of illness and was not killed.

JTF Impounds N11bn Worth of Diesel in Bonny

The Joint Task Force (JTF) operating in the Niger Delta said on Monday that it arrested two suspected vessels, with one carrying 60, 000 metric tonnes of diesel worth N11 billion off the coast of Bonny Island in Rivers. Brig.-GenTukur Buratai, Commander of the 2 Brigade and Sector Two of the JTF, said the Lagos registered vessels, Lady Theresa and Pecos Peters, had been arrested on October 17 and 18 in Bonny area, respectively. The crew member, who pleaded anonymity, said that the value for diesel fuel and diesel oil was not stable as it could vary based on density and temperature. Buratai said that all the 16 crew members in the two vessels were Nigerians.

Canada Promises To Assist Clean-up Ogoni

The government of Canada has said that it was ready to assist in the clean-up of Ogoniland in Rivers State following the report of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), on the pollution in the area. The Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Chris Cooter, stated this after the inauguration of the first ever Canadian Day in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital. Cooter said Canada understands the Ogoni struggle for a safer environment and infrastructural development in the area, adding that some Canadian companies will soon come to Nigeria to discuss how they will assist in the clean-up of polluted sites in Ogoniland and promised that Canada will continue to stand by the Ogoni people in their quest for a safer environment.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

Delta Police Kill Ex-Convict, 2 Others

An ex-convict and two other robbery suspects alleged to have been terrorising Ozoro community and its environs in Isoko North LGA of Delta State, were, penultimate Sunday, killed by men of the anti robbery squad of the Nigeria police during a gun duel. Police spokesman, Charles Muka, confirmed that the suspects met their waterloo during attack on a popular hostel near the state owned polytechnic following a tip-off. Muka however disclosed that Ozoro community and its environs have remained black spots for criminal activities adding that security network has been put in place to ensure the area(s) are crime free. Last Monday, reports said a four man robbery gang had raided the female hostel of the polytechnic and after allegedly raping some of the female students, carted away their belongings including several GSM handsets.

Police Arrest, Kill 18 Kidnap, Robbery Suspects in Delta

Police detectives in Asaba, Delta State, have arrested six kidnap suspects and killed two robbery suspects who have been operating in Ibusa, near Asaba. Police spokesman, Charles Muka, who confirmed the arrest of the kidnap suspects, disclosed that they had attempted to kidnap a retired school principal in Aniocha North LGA when nemesis caught up with them. He said that the two robbery suspects were killed by Anti-robbery Squad on Monday evening while on routine patrol in the area. According to him, the suspects, members of a four-man gang, opened fire on sighting the police but they died after the police returned fire. Muka explained that the kidnap suspects had come from Port Harcourt and had laid ambush for their victim, but unfortunately for them residents who suspected their movements alerted the police. Six locally made guns and the sum of N100, 000 cash were recovered from them.

Delta Flood Victims Enrol In Skills Acquisition

No fewer than 69 flood victims at Illah community in Delta state have enrolled for various programmes at the skills acquisition centre established in the camp. The Coordinator of the centre, Mrs Maria Esenwah, said the trainees comprised men and women. Esenwah, who is the Head of Community Development Department in Oshimili North LGA, said the trainees were being trained mainly in snacks making. Some of the trainees, especially the men, who spoke with newsmen, commended the council officials for empowering them with such skills.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

Robbers Kill 5 Policemen, 2 Others in Ogun State

Five policemen lost their lives to armed robbers at Oke-Itoku and Ibafo areas of Ogun state, while two civilians were also killed. The policemen had received a distress call around 2am about a robbery attempt at Oke-Itoku, but unfortunately the robbers, numbering 15, opened fired on them. Three out of the five policemen died on the spot, while two are still battling for survival at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abeokuta. State Police spokesman, Muyiwa Adejobi, said a suspect had been arrested in connection with the incident, adding that investigation had begun to unravel the circumstances surrounding it. Adejobi also confirmed the killing of the other two policemen at Ibafo area by suspected armed robbers.

Airport Official Arrested with $1.4m at Airport

A security official of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Akinyele Adetule, has been arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos when he attempted to launder $1.4 million (N218m). The arrest of Adetule comes barely a month after the EFCC arrested a 24-year-old man, Mr. Abubakar Sheriff, at the same airport with $7 million (N1.1 billion). The Head of Operations, EFCC, Mr. Iliyasu Kwarbai, said the suspect was able to pass through Nigeria Customs Service and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) security checks because he was wearing his identity card and therefore did not draw any suspicion. Adetula said he had worked for FAAN for over five years and was promised N10, 000 if he could get past security with the money.

Bike Riders Protest against Lagos Traffic Laws

At least, 10 Bus Rapid Transport, BRT, vehicles were yesterday vandalized by protesting commercial motorcycle operators, popularly called Okada riders, at Onipanu, along Ikorodu Road. They were protesting the enforcement of the Lagos Road Traffic Law. Following the violent protest, the Lagos State House of Assembly expressed concern over increasing lawlessness of commercial operators in the state and threatened to out rightly ban their activities if they refused to conform. The violent protest which caused pandemonium and left many commuters stranded at various bus stops on the busy road and adjoining ones may not be unconnected to the aggressive enforcement of the Traffic Law in accordance with the order of the state Commissioner of Police.  An unidentified commercial motorcycle operator, popularly called Okada rider was allegedly killed on Tuesday at the Agege, area when policemen accosted the victim while he attempted to evade arrest.

Robbers Invade Lagos Market, Kill 1

One person was, on Tuesday evening, shot dead as robbers invaded Alade Market in Ikeja, Lagos. Many people were also injured in the stampede that ensued, as people around the scene of the robbery incident scampered for safety. The robbery attack occurred around 6pm on Tuesday, when traders and workers around the market were closing for the day. The victim, identified as Tijani, one of the bureaux de change operators at the market, was shot by the robbers when he attempted to escape. The robbers reportedly continued the shoot-out until the road and some parts of the market had been completely deserted.

Gunmen Kidnap, Release Septuagenarian Mother of Lawmaker

Gunmen, numbering about six, on Monday abducted the 72-year-old mother of a member of the House of Representatives, Abiodun Balogun, from her home. The gunmen reportedly stormed the Ita-Out, Ijebu Waterside LGA residence of Alhaja Obedatu Abudu Balogun at about 9.30pm and took her away. Confirming the abduction of his mother to our correspondent on Tuesday, Balogun described the incident as “too painful” for him to bear. The woman was released at the weekend. The lawmaker expressed appreciation to leaders of his party, religious organisations, the people of the state and the media for their prayers and support during his mother’s travail.

DPR Shuts 20 Stations in Lagos

The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) said it has shut down 20 petrol stations in Lagos State for selling petrol above recommended price of N97 per litre. The development had resulted in long queues in many petrol stations selling the product at the normal price. Lagos Controller of DPR, Mr Gbenga Koku, confirmed the shutdown, say that the petrol stations will remain shut for not less than one week until they pay the necessary penalty for non-compliance.

GENERAL

Residents Flee Potiskum as Violence Surges

Following series of attacks that have left at least 31 dead and many buildings and properties razed by Boko Haram in Potiskum, Yobe state, several residents are believed to be fleeing their homes. Potiskum had been under security lockdown with troops patrolling the streets and residents keeping in-doors for fear of new attacks. Security was relaxed, penultimate Sunday, and hundreds of residents took advantage to flee the restive city. The town has been hard hit by near daily attacks by Boko Haram Islamists in recent weeks, prompting heavy deployment of troops and armoured vehicles to forestall fresh violence.

Robbers Kill 1, Injure 4 in Sokoto Filling Station Attack

Sokoto State Police Command has confirmed that suspected armed robbers killed one person, and injured four others during an attack on a filling station and a business centre within Sokoto metropolis. State Commissioner of Police, Lawal Gambo, said that his men got to the scene of the attack and found a magazine of ammunition believed to belong to the armed robbers. The command, however, offered N100, 000 rewards to anyone who that would volunteer information that could lead to the arrest of the bandits.

Northern Governors Forum Admonish Terrorists

The Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) has made an appeal to terrorist groups in the country to give peace a chance, saying reverting to attacks and other acts of violence after weeks of reprieve will not advance the cause of peace. Chairman of the forum and governor of Niger State, Dr Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, said the senseless killing of innocent citizens in the last two weeks in various parts of the country negated all efforts to restore peace to the country. It noted that the overall implication of the rising wave of murders of Nigerians is that the security situation in the country is worsening and that people are increasingly willing to resort to violence to settle their differences.

Police Recover Bomb at Gombe Varsity

The police in Gombe State, on Monday, confirmed that an Improved Explosive Device (IED) was planted at the state university, penultimate Sunday, but it did not explode. The state Police Public Relations Officer, Fwaje Atajiri, disclosed that policemen discovered a parcel believed to be IED. Atajiri said although there was no arrest in the university, the police were studying the situation to enable them to arrest the culprits. The university’s senate building was bombed in April this year.

Nigerian Navy seizes Russian Ship with Arms

The Nigerian Navy has arrested a 15-man crew onboard a Russian ship, Merchant Vessel Myre Sea Diver, Avatiu, in the country’s territorial waters and recovered over 8,500 ammunition. The navy also recovered 14 AK47 rifles and 20 Benelli MRI rifles from the ship. The merchant vessel, which is currently anchored at the Nigerian Navy Beecroft harbour, Apapa, left Cook Island in the South Pacific and arrived at the nation’s water last weekend. The destination of the ship could, however, not be ascertained as the navy said investigation was still on.

88 Killed in Bauchi Fire Incidents

The Bauchi State Fire Service has confirmed that from January to September this year, about 88 people were killed as a result of fire outbreaks in various places the state. Giving the statistics in his office, the Acting Director, State Fire Service, Babayo Umar Misau, said that during the period under review, more than N67million worth of property were also lost. Misau, who identified the major cause of the fire outbreak in the period under review as ‘electric faults’ said his men were able to save about 100 lives trapped in the fire incidents. The acting director advised members of the public to always switch off their home electrical appliances in the night before going to sleep.

Ten Killed, 100 Injured in Kaduna Church Bombing

Over 10 persons were killed and over 100 injured when a suicide bomber hit the St Rita Catholic Church, Kaduna on Sunday. The Archbishop of Catholic Diocese of Kaduna Matthew Man’oso Ndagoso has warned against reprisals, urging Christians not to play into the hands of those bent on plunging Nigeria into a crisis. The incident occurred at about 9am when the officiating priest, Rev. Fr. Michael Bonni, who was one of those injured in the attack, was about to administer the Holy Communion. A lone suicide bomber allegedly rammed the vehicle into the fence of the church and the impact triggered the explosion that killed him instantly. Also, many Muslims, who had gone to do business in Christian-dominated areas such as Sabon Tasha, Narayi, Television, Gonin-Gora and other places, fled for fear of reprisals, immediately the news of the suicide bombing spread.

Plane Crash: Injured Governor Flown to Germany for Treatment

Taraba State Governor Danbaba Suntai, who sustained serious injuries when his plane crashed, last Thursday at a Yola suburb, was, at the weekend, flown to Germany for medical treatment. Suntai was moved from the Federal Medical Centre, Yola, where he had been treated after the crash, on Friday afternoon to the National Hospital, Abuja. Suntai, a pharmacist by profession and also a qualified pilot, who personally flew the Cessna 208, 5N-BMJ jet that crashed in Yola, was severely wounded in the crash.

Boko Haram Suspect Arrested in Politician’s House

Senator Ahmad Zanna, representing Borno Central, has said a Boko Haram commander, Shuaibu Bama, was arrested in the house of former governor Ali Modu Sheriff and not in his (Senator Zanna) house as claimed by the Joint Task Force (JTF). Zanna said attempt by the JTF to link him with the Boko Haram commander by claiming that he was arrested in his house was a plan to frame him up. The senator told journalists in Abuja, that he believed the JTF was trying to rope him in because of his recent interview in which he called for its withdrawal from the state on account of failure to adhere to the rules of engagement.

Gunmen Kill Two Policemen in Plateau

Gunmen, penultimate Sunday night, shot and killed two policemen at their duty post at Heipang in Barkin Ladi LGA of Plateau State. Two other policemen were injured in the attack. The policemen were on duty in the village when the yet to be identified gunmen opened fire on them, according to eyewitnesses. Spokesman of the Special Task Force (STF) maintaining security in the state, Captain Salisu Mustapha confirmed the incident but said only one policeman was killed while another escaped. He said investigations had commenced into the incident and urged residents to keep calm.

Reps Seal-Up Kogi Assembly

Following the leadership crisis that engulfed Kogi State House of Assembly, the House of Representatives has sealed off the state Assembly complex preventing any of the factions from sitting or performing any legislative duties. Chairman of the six-man ad- hoc committee of the House of Representatives set up to look into the crisis, Mohammed Mourktar Ahmed, disclosed this. Ahmed, who said that the committee would not recognise any of the factions, stressed that no faction would be allowed to sit or perform any legislative function until the crisis was resolved. Ahmed argued that if the committee members were unable to ensure quick resolution of the crisis, the House of Representatives would take over the legislative duties of the House in line with the country’s constitution that empowered them to do so.

Northern Christians Worry over Fulani Clashes

Christian elders in the North have decried incessant clashes between Fulani herdsmen and farmers in some parts of the country and warned that it had the capacity to threaten the nation’s unity. The Northern States Christian Elders’ Forum (NOSCEF) specifically mentioned the clashes in Benue and Nasarawa states and urged authorities to be cautious of its consequences. Chairman of the forum, Evangelist Matthew Owojaiye, called on the Federal Government to probe what contributed to the negative attitudes of the nomadic herdsmen in the country.

Gabon Evicts 215 Nigerians in Coastal Areas

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) evacuated 215 stranded Nigerians from the Republic of Gabon to Nigeria. The evacuation was necessitated when the Gabonese authorities issued an eviction notice to Nigerian fishermen living in Nende, Mouka and Kenza Islands to move away even though the majority of them had lived there for many decades. The distressed returnees, who are mostly from Bayelsa State and a few from Ondo, Akwa Ibom, Imo and Abia states were flown to Port Harcourt International Airport before their onward journey to their respective home states. The fishermen had signified their willingness to be returned with their families after the eviction notice.

FG to Establish 6 Trauma Centres in Nigeria

As part of measures to tackle emergencies in the country, the Federal Ministry of Health has concluded arrangement to establish six first-class trauma centres in the six geo-political zones in the country before the end of the year. The Minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu, who disclosed this on Monday, said that stated that pre-service training would provide the feeder to the pool of human resource necessary to mount health emergency response to enable participation in Integrated Emergency Management, involving the six components of Anticipation, Assessment of Risk, Prevention, Preparation, Response and Recovery. Onyebuchi frowned on a situation where the various stakeholders in emergency management do not work together as a team, adding that such had produced poor outcome, in which unnecessary deaths of victims were recorded as a result individualistic approach to emergency management.

Man Slaughters Two People, Stabs Four Others  in Kaduna

A middle-aged man went wild during the eid-el kabir celebrations, stabbing two people to death in Kaduna state, and injured several others. Residents, on seeing the strange incident, took to their heels, just as the yet-to-be-identified man descended on others and inflicted deep cuts on their necks and bodies. Kaduna State Police Command confirmed arrest of the man, saying it has commenced investigation of the matter. Eyewitness said the unidentified man apparently went berserk “and started cutting people at sight in the neck in Kano/Hadeja streets in Abubakar Gumi Central Market area of Kaduna metropolis”.

Govt Imposes Curfew on Potiskum as Death Toll Rises

Yobe State Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Gaidam, Monday imposed a curfew on Potiskum, following series of bombings and shootings carried out by the Boko Haram sect. He said movement would be restricted from 4 p.m. to 7 a.m. in the commercial city where attacks have been going on since Thursday last week. Hospital records showed that over 30 people had been killed as of Monday. Gunmen, had on Sunday night, killed a state government official and his two children. Witnesses said gunmen also burned down three schools and threw a bomb at a military convoy. A military spokesman said two soldiers were wounded in the attacks. Also, the Joint Task Force (JTF) in Borno State, Monday, uncovered a plan by the sect to employ the services of foreign mercenaries during the Eid-el-Kabir festival to cause mayhem.

INTERNATIONAL

13 Killed in Damascus Car Bomb

About 13 people died and several others injured after a car bomb last weekend exploded near a police station in Damascus, Syria. The explosion took place as President Bashar al-Assad was meeting international envoy, Lakhdar Brahimi, who has called for a temporary truce in Syria’s civil war. Damascus residents said Assad’s forces shelled several districts on the edge of the Syrian capital overnight. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which monitors violence across the country, said 140 people were killed in Syria over the weekend. Meanwhile, thousands of people gathered in central Beirut for the funeral of an assassinated senior intelligence officer. Brigadier General Wissam al-Hassan was killed by a powerful car bomb in Beirut’s Ashrafiyeh district, penultimate Friday. He had helped uncover a bomb plot that led to the arrest and indictment in August of a pro-Damascus former Lebanese minister.

More Fighting in Gaddafi’s Stronghold, Bani Walid

Libyan militiamen aligned to the Defence Ministry have shelled late strong leader Muammar Gaddafi’s stronghold of Bani Walid, extending a feud between two towns that demonstrates the country’s deep divisions. While, reports say Gaddafi’s son, Khamis, has died of injuries sustained during the clashes with government forces. Government’s spokesman, Omar Hamidan, confirmed the death of Khamis in the town of Bani Walid. Bani Walid, a former Gaddafi stronghold, witnessed days of clashes after being seized by factions demanding the handover of a number of people accused of kidnapping and torturing Omran Shaban, who reportedly captured Gaddafi. However, government forces have taken over the town.

Australia Jails Human Smuggler 14 Years

An Iranian-born man was jailed for 14 years on Monday for organising at least four people-smuggling boats from Indonesia to Australia, including an ill-fated vessel which crashed, killing 50 people. Ali Khorram Heydarkhani, 41, was ordered to serve nine-and-a-half years without parole after pleading guilty to four counts of people-smuggling in the Perth District Court. The journeys, made between June 2010 and January 2011, included a doomed vessel that disintegrated in a violent storm off Australia’s Christmas Island, a remote Indian Ocean territory, in December 2010 killing 50 asylum seekers. Judge Stephen Scott sentenced Heydarkhani to a maximum of 14 years for his role, which involved liaising with potential passengers and arranging purchase of the unseaworthy vessels, some of which were rotting and had no lifejackets.

Jordan Arrests 11 Militants in Al-Qaeda

The authorities in Jordan say they have arrested 11 militants alleged to have planned attacks on Western diplomats and shopping centres in the capital. Officials said the plot had been in preparation since June, using smuggled weapons brought in from Syria. The targets included "shopping centres, residential areas, diplomats and foreign nationals". And the plotters had "had planned to bring TNT explosives and mortar shells from Syria". Jordan announced that it intended to set up a new camp at Marajeeb al-Fahood, east of the capital, Amman, for those fleeing the violence in neighbouring Syria.

Drone Strike Kills Three in Yemen

Three men thought to be al Qaeda militants were killed in a drone attack on a car in Yemen. The men's car was driving through the south-eastern province of Maareb, a mostly desert region where militants have taken refuge after being driven from southern strongholds. Yemen's Gulf neighbours and the US are concerned that al Qaeda and other Islamist fighters operating in Yemen could pose a threat to Saudi Arabia and to nearby shipping channels.

Syrian Rebels Pessimistic on Ceasefire Plan

Syrian rebels cast doubt on Monday on prospects for a temporary truce aimed at stemming bloodshed in the 19-month-old conflict, saying it was not clear how an informal ceasefire this week could be implemented. International mediator Lakhdar Brahimi, who held talks in Damascus on Sunday with President Bashar al-Assad, has proposed Assad's forces and the rebels hold fire during the three-day Islamic holiday of Eid al-Adha. His call has won the backing of international powers on both sides of the crisis. But neither Syria's army nor the rebels have shown signs of easing off as Eid nears. More than 200 people were killed on Sunday in fighting and bombardments including 60 soldiers, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

Violence in Lebanon as Political Turbulence Heightens

Amid heightening political turbulence, Lebanese army have promised decisive action to quell unrest linked to the Syria conflict in Beirut and elsewhere after the assassination of a senior intelligence officer last week. Meanwhile, an influx of Syrians fleeing President Bashar al-Assad’s military onslaught, is stoking tension in an area of Turkey known for religious tolerance and setting Turks who share the Syrian leader’s creed against their own government. The Syrian refugees, like the insurgents, are overwhelmingly Sunni Muslims, most of whom support the 19-month-old uprising, making for a combustible mix that echoes the increasingly sectarian nature of Syria’s civil war.

Russian Ship Goes Missing

A Russian cargo ship with some 11 crew on board went missing on Sunday in the rough waters of the Sea of Okhotsk, with a storm complicating the rescue operation, Russian authorities said. According to reports, the Amurskoye ship was carrying ore from a mine in Okhotsk when emergency services received a distress signal emitted by its radio buoy at around 12.15 a.m. EDT, the RIA agency said. Stormy weather, rains and snow in the area of the Shantar islands in the northern part of the Okhotsk Sea are complicating search efforts.

Drone Hits Suspected al Qaeda Target in Yemen

At least four men suspected of being al Qaeda members were killed in a drone strike on Islamist militants in northern Yemen on Sunday. It was a rare attack on al Qaeda-linked targets in northern Yemen. An official said that a drone attacked two houses in the Abu Jabara area in Saada Province, killing four people. Some reports suggested that Hadi al-Tais, a local al Qaeda commander, had been targeted in the attack, but there was no confirmation that he was among the dead. The Yemeni Defence Ministry's website confirmed that three suspected militants, including two Saudi nationals, had been killed in an air strike, but did not elaborate.

Guinea Bissau Arrests Suspected Counter-Coup Leader

Officials have reported the arrest of Captain Pansao Ntchama, the suspected leader of a failed October 21 counter-coup attempt in Guinea-Bissau. Ntchama, a bodyguard to the then head of the army under ousted Prime Minister Carlos Gomes Junior, and four other suspects were detained at a farm on an island near the West African country’s capital, Bissau. A spokesman for Guinea-Bissau’s caretaker government said Ntchama had used a vehicle belonging to a former member of Gomes Junior’s government to carry out the October 21 attack on an air force base in which seven people were killed. Tensions between Guinea-Bissau and its former colonial ruler, Portugal, have soared since a military coup in April derailed a presidential election that Portuguese-backed Gomes Junior was widely favoured to win. Guinea-Bissau has accused Portuguese authorities of seeking to return Gomes Junior, who is in exile in Portugal, to power and said Lisbon was behind the failed counter-coup bid.

Attacks Leave At Least 16 Dead  in Iraq

At least 16 people have been killed in a series of attacks around Iraq, with several others injured. A bomb near a playground in the Bawiya neighbourhood of the capital Baghdad killed several people. Another bomb exploded near Baghdad on a bus carrying Shia pilgrims, some of whom are reported to be Iranian. Authorities had put security measures in place to try to prevent attacks over the four-day holiday of Eid al-Adha. In the northern city of Mosul, gunmen burst into the homes of families belonging to the Shabak minority, leaving several dead. The Shabak are a minority group in northern Iraq who have previously been the target of sectarian violence. Several people were also injured when a bomb exploded in a Shia neighbourhood in the town of Tuz Khurmatu, north of Baghdad.