Villeworth Security Services Ltd

week 49

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PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

Gunmen Kidnap Ex-Attorney-General

Former Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University and a two-time Attorney General of the old Anambra State, Prof. Ilochi Okafor (SAN) was, last Sunday, abducted by unknown gunmen, who stormed his residence in Enugu. The State Police spokesman, Ebere Amaraizu, said that the incident occurred at about 8am when Okafor was about leaving for church. The PPRO said the police was already talking with some members of Okafor’s family concerning the incident, and said that the police would soon uncover the reasons behind the kidnap and those responsible.

Police Take Over Troubled Bayelsa Community

Heavily armed mobile policemen have been deployed in the troubled riverine town of Agbere, in Sagbama LGA of Bayelsa State, where violence erupted on Tuesday over a chieftaincy tussle. Sources claimed that 11 persons lost their lives in the clash. Meanwhile, the state Police Commissioner, Mr. Kins Omire, has described as “brazen illegality and violent” the Tuesday attack and burning down of houses by youths over chieftaincy tussle in the community. He said six persons had been arrested over their alleged involvement in the killing and in the arson. Authorities of the Bayelsa Police Command have commenced a mop up of vehicles, especially those allegedly abandoned by suspected armed bandits along the major streets of the state capital, saying the action was to check the use of such vehicles for bombing and other criminal activities.

Air Force, Bayelsa Partner to Control Crime

The Nigeria Air Force has expressed readiness to partner with Bayelsa State government in combating crime, promising to strengthen what it described as civil-military relationship in the oil-rich state. The promise came as Governor Seriake Dickson commended the efforts of the security outfit at ensuring peace in the state. The new Air Officer Commanding, Air Vice Marshal Olufemi Idowu, said the partnership became imperative in order to foster good working relationship between his men and the civil populace and as well ensure adequate security of life and property. Also, he disclosed that the command had approved the conduct of tactical operations in the state as earlier requested by the governor, explaining that the exercise would not only enhance the professional competence of the command’s personnel but help it draw up planning guide to prepare for emergency situations like flood.

Reader Kills Newspaper Vendor in Calabar

A newspaper vendor in Calabar, Cross River State, Innocent Monday-Francis, was, last week, murdered after an argument that followed his refusal to allow one of his neighbours, identified as Eno, to read the papers. The deceased’s younger brother, Gabriel, said his brother had stopped at a drinking spot when assailant requested to read one of the deceased’s newspapers, which the deceased refused, leading to a brawl. After people’s intervention, the vendor went home, but Eno, went to the house and hit him on his neck twice with shovel, leading to his death. The assailant’s elder brother promptly called the police but by the time they got back to the scene of the incident, the assailant had disappeared. Police spokesman, John Umoh, confirmed the incident and said the suspect remains at large.

Nursing Mother Stabs Husband to Death

Ebonyi State police command, weekend, arrested a 24-year-old nursing mother and wife, Edith Okoji, for allegedly stabbing her husband to death. Police Public Relations Officer, Sylvester Igbo, said the deceased, Mr. Oyenel Okoji, was an Assistant Superintendent of Immigration. According to him, investigation indicated that the accused carried out the act after a quarrel with the deceased when he accused her of infidelity. The police spokesman revealed that the accused had admitted committing the crime but blamed it on the devil.

Nnewi Traders Protest against Kidnappers

Traders at the popular Nkwo Nnewi market noted for the sale of motorcycle and parts closed shop on Thursday to protest the menace of kidnapping in the area. The closure of the market was the final activity marking three days of fasting by the over 15, 000 traders during which they sought God’s intervention over incessant kidnappings in the city. Chairman of New Auto Spare Parts Association (NASPA), Christopher Oboh, said the recent kidnap of their chairman, Mr. Dozie Akudolu, who had been in captivity for over one month, was giving them serious concern, adding that there were other victims yet to be released by the kidnappers. He explained that the issue was having negative effect on their businesses, adding that their customers from far and near had become afraid to come to do business in Nnewi.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

Bandits Attack 4 Banks in Auchi

Dare-devil armed bandits took over Auchi town in Edo State, Monday, robbing banks, after using bombs and dynamites to blow up the banks. It was gathered that the robbers invaded the town with sophisticated weapons and blocked all exit points before launching the attacks. At least four banks were said to have been attacked by the robbers as security operatives were overwhelmed. Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Mr Anthony Arhuoyo, did not pick his call. At least 10 people, including 3 soldiers and 7 civilians, were killed in the attack. According to an eyewitness account, the robbers, numbering over 50, who came in four vehicles, were said to have also used dynamites to destroy the Police Area Command and the Auchi Divisional Police headquarters. The police area commander, Auchi, David Jimwan, said though police buildings were destroyed, the robbers did not succeed in breaking into the police armoury.

Delta Solicits Military Support to Curb Violent Crime

Governor of Delta State, Emmanuel Uduaghan, has called on the Nigerian Army to support his administration in the fight against kidnapping and oil theft in the state. Uduaghan said there are emerging challenges in the area of maintaining the peace in the state, and called on the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, and the leadership of the Nigerian Army, to rise to the challenge. Uduaghan stated that the Commander of the 4 Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Benin, Brig Gen. Obi Omahi, and the Commander of the Nigerian Army Battalion in Effurun, Colonel I. Otu, had been so helpful in responding to urgent security issues in the state, but that more needed to be done.

Gunmen Kill Policeman, Four-Year Old in Benin

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers Wednesday evening in Benin City killed a policeman and a four-year old girl in the process of abducting a prominent estate surveyor, Dan Odiete. Witnesses said the gunmen drove in two sport utility vans and abducted Odiete whose office is on Akpakpava Road where they ran into a traffic snarl. The policeman killed was one of Odiete’s orderlies. The kidnappers were said to have shot sporadically to scare away people. Many other persons were hit by stray bullets. The girl was said to be inside her mother’s car when she was hit on the head by a stray bullet. A policeman was among those injured and they were rushed to the Central Hospital in Benin City.

Gunmen Kidnap Two Foreign Workers in Nigeria

Gunmen have kidnapped two foreign workers from a construction site in Delta state, police said Tuesday. They were taken from a construction site in the creeks of Delta State on Monday, state police spokesman, Charles Muka, disclosed, adding that investigations had been launched into the incident. While Muka did not mention the nationalities of the victims, sources said they were Lebanese and were seized by gunmen in a speedboat.

Court Jails Man 7 Years for Defiling 12-Yr-Old Daughter

A Benin Chief Magistrate’s Court has sentenced a 47-year-old father, Godwin Allu, to seven years imprisonment with hard labour for having unlawful carnal knowledge of his 12-year-old daughter. Allu was accused of sleeping with his daughter on November 20. The little girl had testified that her father had unlawful carnal knowledge of her three times at different occasions. The victim, who had blood stains on her uniform, informed her headmistress of her school. The headmistress later reported the case at the Airport Police Station, also in Benin, leading to his arrest. When he was arraigned before the court, the accused admitted committing the crime and pleaded for leniency.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

Man Rapes 5-Year-Old Girl in Osun

A middle-aged man has been apprehended by the police for allegedly defiling a five-year-old girl in Osogbo, Osun State. The suspect, a neighbor, allegedly raped the girl around 6:30am, when her mother left her sleeping to go and fetch water. According to the mother of the girl, when before she could return to the house, the suspect had sneaked into her room and was having carnal knowledge of the minor. She promptly raised the alarm, which attracted other neighbours, who intervened and assisted in apprehending the suspect, who was taken to the police. The little girl was taken to the Police clinic for medical attention. Police spokesperson, Folasade Odoro, said that investigation was already on, while she urged parents to always ensure security of their children.

6 Remanded in Prison for Murder of NNPC Staff

Six men, including a 60 year old, were on Thursday, arraigned in court and remanded in prison custody, for alleged murder of three staff of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, who had gone to repair a damaged pipeline. The defendants, who are facing a seven-count charge bordering on murder and vandalism of oil pipeline, were arraigned before Justice Mohammed Idris. Police prosecutor, Friday Ibadin, told the court that the six accused persons and others now at large, conspired amongst themselves to tamper with an NNPC oil pipeline. He also alleged that the defendants murdered three engineers, while they were carrying out repairs on the vandalised pipelines at Arepo, near Ikorodu.

Gunmen Kill Chinese Man, Injure Two Women in Lagos

Gunmen, on Wednesday, shot dead a Chinese businessman in Lagos. Unidentified gunmen attacked the Chinese man’s car at about 9:30pm at the Ogudu area. The attack also left two Chinese women who were in the vehicle during the attack, injured. Further details were not immediately available.

Man Pours Acid on Girlfriend

A middle-aged man, David Suleiman, has been arrested by the police in Lagos for allegedly pouring acid on his girlfriend, Chika Egbo and a yet to be identified bike rider. Suleiman was said to have attacked his girlfriend with acid for refusing him access to their child. Trouble began when Egbo became pregnant for Suleiman, and he abandoned her claiming that he travelled out of the country, only to return few months after she gave birth, requesting to see the baby, which she refused. This infuriated him and he got acid to pour on her, after he tricked her to a hidden spot in Ikotun. Suleiman also emptied the can of acid on a bike man, who witnessed the incident, but the bike man held him strongly until help came. Other bike riders that drove by came to his rescue and took Suleiman to the police, while the victims were rushed to a hospital.

Police Arrest Notorious Criminal, as Thugs Clash in Lagos

The Lagos State Police Command has apprehended Ibrahim Balogun, a 25-year-old man accused of perpetrating a series of murders in Somolu, Bariga and Fadeyi in the state. Balogun also known as Small Jpron, was declared wanted in June following a gang-related violence between Shaggy Boys and Downtown Boys which left at least five people dead in Ilaje, Bariga. Balogun and four gang members, heavily armed, went to rob, when the police swopped on them. The state police command, Ngozi Braide, confirmed the incident. In another incident, several people were injured in the Ajah area of Lagos after hoodlums clashed on Monday. It was learnt that the clash was as a result of a long-standing feud between rival gangs in Ilaje and Ajah as a result of the collecting of money from tricycle operators.

Ogun Police Arrest 28 Robbery Suspects in One Month

Police in Ogun State on Tuesday said they had arrested no fewer than 28 suspects and recovered eight vehicles in the past one month. The command also said it returned a sum of N6.9m stolen by armed robbers from Automated Teller Machine in a new generation bank in Sagamu to the bank’s management. Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ikemefuna Okoye, said the suspects were involved in various crimes such as armed robbery, burglary, obtaining money by false pretense, murder and belonging to a cult group. Okoye also said arms and ammunition such as six locally-made pistols, two cut –to size double barrelled guns, two BlackBerry phones, one Berretta pistol, 21 live cartridges and 40 live ammunition were recovered from the suspects.

Alleged Kidnappers of Speaker’s Wife remanded

An Osogbo Magistrate court has ordered six alleged kidnappers to be remanded in prison custody for allegedly kidnapping Mrs. Muibat Salaam, the wife of the Speaker, Osun State House of Assembly. The six suspects allegedly kidnapped Mrs. Salaam in October at Ejigbo. The suspects were later arrested in Ogun State through the combined efforts of men of the Ogun State Police Command and the vigilante group in the town. Counsels to the accused persons, urged the court to grant the accused persons bail, but the presiding Magistrate Habibat Basiru refused and adjourned the case till December 28, 2012.

Task Force Arrests Two with $2m at Airport

A fresh attempt to smuggle foreign currencies out of the country failed last weekend when two men were nabbed over attempts to smuggle $2 million and 20,300 (N852, 600) Saudi Arabia riyals were arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos. The culprits were apprehended by the Airport Committee Special Task Force before they could board their flights. One of the suspects, Hassan Rmaiti, is a staff of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). Rmaiti, leveraging on his status as a staff member of FAAN, was recruited to help facilitate the movement through the screening post for Talal Hammoud, the other suspect.

Octogenarian Arrested over Rape of 12-Year-Old

An 85-year-old man, Samuel Oladipupo, has been arrested by the Ekiti State Police Command for allegedly raping a 12-year-old girl at his residence last weekend. But Oladipupo denied the allegation, stressing that he never had sexual intercourse with the girl, but contradicted himself by saying she seduced him. He however confessed to have attempted to have sex with the victim with her full consent. Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Victor Babayemi Olu, said that the victim was taken to the Ekiti State Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti, where a series of tests was conducted, while the suspect would be charged to court as soon as the test results are out. The police spokesman said preliminary investigations conducted by the police confirmed that the old man is a serial rapist.

GENERAL

Gunmen Kill Man, Wife and Child in Kano

A family of three, a man, his wife and a child were reportedly shot dead in Kano, penultimate Sunday, as unknown gunmen riding on a motorbike shot and killed them at close range. This brings to five in the number of such incident in one month within the Naibawa vicinity. According to an eyewitness account, the victims, were in a car and were reversing out of their compound when two gunmen riding on motorbike stormed the area shot and killed them, before feeling. Police spokesman, Magaji Majiya, confirmed the incident. Similarly, gunmen attacked a divisional police station in Isa LGA of Sokoto State and carted away arms and ammunition. The gunmen, numbering about ten, swamped the police station and opened fire sporadically before storming the armoury where they carted away with numerous arms and ammunition with ease.

Police Arrest 22 over Bichi Riot
…As Bandits Kill Policeman, 2 Others

The Kano State Police Command says it has arrested 22 suspects in connection with the religious crisis that erupted in Bichi town, penultimate Thursday. Police spokesman, Magaji Majia, confirmed that two persons lost their lives in the mayhem while two others sustained serious injuries. Bichi erupted into religious crisis following an alleged mispronunciation of a popular phrase by a non-native, which the youths the community declared as blasphemous. Meanwhile, a gang of armed robbers struck at a popular cattle market in Kano State, killing a police officer and two civilians. The state Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, who confirmed the incident, disclosed that the robbers were repelled by the police.

Boko Haram Accused of Crimes against Humanity

The Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has accused Boko Haram of engaging in crimes against humanity. The ICC said its investigations had shown that the sect was involved in murder and persecution. The report also said the alleged crimes committed by Niger Delta militants and the activities of security agencies during the militancy era in the oil-rich region did not amount to war crimes. While the report said Boko Haram had committed crimes against humanity, it however said that allegations that security agencies like the Joint Task Force (JTF) committed crimes against humanity were unsubstantiated.

Two Killed as Gunmen Attack on SARS HQ

Unidentified gunmen stormed the Headquarters of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in Abuja on Monday morning, killing two policemen and freeing 30 detainees. However, 25 of the detainees who escaped are said to have been re-arrested. Two of the attackers were also arrested. During the attack, a riot police officer and a police inspector were killed during the exchange of gunfire, while one of the gunmen was alleged to have been killed. Suspected members of Boko Haram are also held at the SARS detention centre, which was attacked. But the Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, said no suspect held for terror-related charges escaped from the detention facilities.

AGF Inaugurates Rights Commission Governing Board

The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr. Muhammed Bello Adoke (SAN), on Monday, inaugurated the Governing Council of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) under the chairmanship of Professor Chidi Odinkalu. Adoke urged the board members to restrain from the temptation of seeking participation in the day to day running of the commission, as he said the council was responsible for just the general direction and policy thrust of the commission on part time basis. He added that the role of the commission was critical to the FG. He enjoined the board to deliver its mandate in a smooth and unimpeded manner. Odinkalu promised that the commission would justify the confidence reposed in them by the Government.

NUPENG Pickets Shell over Anti-labour Practices

Business activities at Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) offices across the country were reportedly crippled on Monday by members of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) who were protesting alleged anti-labour practices by the company. The aggrieved members barricaded the Corporate Head Office of Shell in Lagos with tankers, disrupting movement. NUPENG’s Acting General Secretary, Isaac Aberare lamented that the issue of casual and contract staff without conditions of service has been a major cause of worry to NUPENG. He further revealed that the management of Shell has introduced a new business model known as divestment stressing that the new policy is having serious implications for industrial relations in the oil and gas industry. He vowed that the industrial action will continue until management accedes to the demands of the union.

10 Killed by Gunmen in Jos
…CDS Asked to Investigate Soldiers

At least 10 persons were killed on Monday night by unknown gunmen in military uniform at Heipang, near Jos, Plateau State. A resident, who survived the attack, disclosed that the gunmen, in a Hilux van just stopped and the occupants opened fire on them. “The gunmen appeared like soldiers because they were in army camouflage, we even know some of them and they came in army vehicle.” Chairman of Barkin Ladi LGA, Emmanuel Loman, confirmed the killing. The Chief of Defense Staff, Admiral Ola Ibrahim, has been charged to investigate the alleged involvement of soldiers in the killings. Chairman of the local government, Mr. Emmanuel Loman, said the survivors of the attack had identified a corporal as one of the attackers. The corporal, who was identified as Salisu Gidado and a riot policeman serving with the Special Task Force (STF), were allegedly dressed in the attackers’ attires.

Gunmen Kill District Head, Others in Borno

Violence continued in Borno State as gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram members on Monday raided the Magumeri LGA residence of an All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP) chieftain, Alhaji Tar Kusurambe Magumeri and killed him. A witness disclosed that the gunmen fled on their motorcycle towards Maiduguri road, before soldiers and policemen rushed to the scene. In a similar incident, gunmen killed a businessman, Alhaji Dala Bama and the District Head of Gudumbali. An eyewitness at the Gudumbali palace said that the gunmen who killed the district head came on two motorcycles and shot him on the head and chest, before fleeing towards the Damasak road at 8.25pm. The spokesman of Borno State Police Command, Gideon Jibrin, confirmed the incidents, but added that no arrests had been made.

Insecurity: 800 Corps Members Redeployed from Kano

The Kano State Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Alhaji Bashir Yakassai, has announced that 800 out of the 2,129 posted to the state for this year’s National Youth Service programme have been redeployed to other states, as most of them opted out due to security concerns. Most of the corps members said though they would love to stay and serve in Kano State but due to the insecurity in the state, they have no option than to seek redeployment. Kano has witnessed a spate of bombings and gun attacks in recent months, allegedly perpetrated by Boko Haram

Police to Spend N2bn in Fight against Terrorism in 2013

The Nigeria Police Force has earmarked N2 billion out of its 2013 budget of N319 billion for logistics, intelligence gathering and purchase of anti-terror equipment. Mr. Caleb Olubolade, the Minister of Police Affairs, said this in his presentation at the 2013 budget defence session before the House of Representatives Committee on Police Affairs in Abuja. He said the budget would focus on completion of on-going projects and complementing the funding of the operations of the police to facilitate a more efficient service delivery. Olubolade said the budget would also target training in areas of emerging security challenges, particularly terrorism, necessitating the need to develop the capability of the force to respond appropriately.

Boko Haram Kills Five Policemen, One Soldier

Suspected Boko Haram members, on Wednesday, attacked Rann, the headquarters of Kala Balge LGA of Borno State killing five policemen and detonating several Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). The sect members also succeeded in attacking the residence of the Caretaker Committee Chairman of the council, a Primary School and Government Lodge. It was also gathered that they destroyed the masts belonging to major telecommunications firms, and also carted away three AK 47 rifles from the police station. Meanwhile, the JTF moved heavy artillery within Maiduguri to engage the members of the Boko Haram sect in deadly battle in one of their strongholds, Bulabulin. The spokesman of the JTF, Lt. Col. Sagir Musa, said three suspected Boko Haram members were shot dead in the confrontation with 31members arrested. He said items recovered include an AK47 rifle, a G3 rifle and some quantity of assorted magazines and ammunition.

Suspected Fulani Herdsmen Kill 3 in Plateau

Three more people were killed by unknown gunmen in troubled Barkin-Ladi and Riyom LGAs of Plateau State, on Wednesday. Two of the latest victims were ambushed at Sho village, while going to their farm on a motorbike. Another farmer, identified as Monday Davou, was killed at Rantwol-Sopp in Riyom council, on his way to the farm. Chairman of Barkin-Ladi council, Emmanuel Loman, who confirmed the killings, said the assailants, suspected to be Fulani herdsmen, launched the attack on Sho village.

INEC Prosecutes 200 Electoral Offenders - Jega

Prof. Attahiru Jega, INEC Chairman, said on Wednesday in Abuja that the commission had successfully prosecuted 200 of the 870,000 electoral offenders. He, who said at the INEC/civil society dialogue on plans and progress toward the 2015 elections, that the prosecution was over offences arising from the 2011 voter registration and general elections. Jega said the prosecution had been a challenge because of paucity of funds and manpower. He said the police was in charge of prosecuting offenders until it was handed over to INEC, adding that the task was beyond the capacity of INEC and should not be left with the commission.

Anti-Terror Squad Combs Abuja

A combined team of security operatives, on Wednesday, conducted a search of hot spots and suspected hideouts of criminals in Abuja to smoke out suspects who escaped from the SARS detention camp following Monday’s invasion by gunmen and to arrest the attackers. The search party took off from some of the communities located around the SARS detention camp. The operatives were said to have stormed the communities, shooting sporadically to announce their presence. The officers were said to have also arrested some miscreants who engaged in petty crimes. Members of the House of Representatives Wednesday expressed fears regarding the security of lives and property in the National Assembly. The Lawmakers said that the successful operation by gunmen who invaded the headquarters SARS, defense college and the Auchi attack indicate that the security agencies lacked the capacity to stem the tide of insecurity in the country.

Army Evicts Civilians from Barracks

The Nigerian army has commenced the mass eviction of civilians from barracks across the country, Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, said on Thursday. The eviction of non-soldiers from barracks is coming on the heels of two attacks by suspected terrorists on military and police facilities in the north and Abuja. Ihejirika said at the closing of the Chief of Army Staff Annual Conference in Asaba, Delta State, that he had already issued a directive to commanders in charge of military formations to take immediate action in ridding the military formations of illegal occupants. The COAS also warned that the leadership of the Army would ensure that reported lapses were treated decisively.

Suspected Boko Haram Members Kill 10 in Borno

Suspected Boko Haram members, in an overnight attack, killed 10 Christians with guns and machetes and burning down their houses in Borno state, witnesses said on Sunday. A police spokesman said they were aware of the incident but were still trying to confirm casualties. In another incident, suspected terrorists burned down three churches on Saturday in Gamboru, also in Borno state. These incidents took place as Security forces, on Sunday, claimed that they had killed a senior Boko Haram commander, Mohammed Ibrahim, one of several who had a bounty placed on his head last week.

Jaji Commandants Sacked

The Defence Headquarters in Abuja has announced the sacking AVM Abdullahi Kure, the commandant of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC) Jaji, Kaduna State and Corps Commander, Major-General Mohammed Isa was also sacked. Their sack follows the recent bombing of the St. Andrews Military Protestant Church at the Army base leading to the death of 15 persons. The Defence spokesperson, Col. Mohammed Yerima said that Air Vice Marshal EE Osim is to replace Air Vice Marshal Kure as Commandant Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC) while Maj Gen KC Osuji will act as Corps Commander, Infantry, Jaji. Some soldiers and civilians have been arrested in connection with the suicide bomb blasts. It was gathered that the suicide bombers drove past the command’s gate in a car and a bus, after tricking the soldiers at the gate, claiming they were conveying equipment to the church in preparation for the upcoming bazaar and thanksgiving service.

INTERNATIONAL

Syria: Rebels Capture Air Base

Syrian rebels captured a helicopter base outside of Damascus, penultimate Sunday, as the rebels advance in the capital. Rebels have also been able to fire mortar rounds into Damascus recently, according to reports. The director of the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Rami Abdul-Rahman, said rebels seized control of the Marj al-Sultan base on the outskirts of Damascus on Sunday morning. He said at least 15 rebels and eight soldiers were killed in the fighting that started a day earlier. The rebels later withdrew from the base. Rebels appear to be trying to take over air bases and destroy aircraft in order to prevent the regime from using them in attacks against opposition forces around the country. The rebels have no protection against the attack helicopters and fighter jets that have been blasting their positions.

Hamas Leader Defiant as Israel Eases Gaza Curbs

Israel eased restrictions on Gaza fishermen and farmers on Saturday, Palestinian officials said, advancing a three-day-old truce brokered by Egypt after a week of fierce fighting in which 166 Palestinians and six Israelis were killed. Nonetheless, senior Hamas leader Mahmoud al-Zahar showed how fragile the ceasefire remained, with defiant remarks to reporters of how the Islamists would go on smuggling in weapons "by all possible means", including via Israel's arch-foe Iran. A statement from the office of Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh said Egypt had notified them that "Israel has allowed Palestinian fishermen to fish in Gaza's waters at a distance of 6 miles, up from 3 miles".

AU Urge Congo Rebels to Abandon War

African leaders called on eastern rebels in Democratic Republic of Congo on Saturday to abandon their aim of toppling the government and leave the city of Goma, which they recently captured. The appeal came from heads of state of the central African Great Lakes region, as they fear that the offensive by the M23 rebels could drag the volatile region back into another bloody conflict. A statement signed by the regional leaders meeting in Uganda urged the M23 to abandon its threat to overthrow the elected government in Kinshasa and to stop all war activities and withdraw from Goma. It proposed deploying a joint force at Goma airport. The leaders told M23 to withdraw from current positions to not less than 20 km from Goma town within two days.

Factory Fire Kills 112 in Bangladesh

At least 112 people were killed in a fire that raced through a multi-story garment factory outside of Bangladesh's capital last weekend, an official said Sunday. Fire department Operations Director, Maj. Mohammad Mahbub, said the death toll could rise as the search for victims was continuing. The cause of the blaze was not immediately clear, and authorities have ordered an investigation. Many workers who had taken shelter on the roof of the factory were rescued, but fire fighters were unable to save those who were trapped inside, Mahbub said. Bangladesh has some 4,000 garment factories, many without proper safety measures. The country annually earns about $20 billion from exports of garment products, mainly to the United States and Europe.

14 Die in German Workshop Fire

Fourteen people were killed and eight injured when a fire broke out at a workshop for disabled people in Germany's Black Forest region on Monday. Scores had to be rescued from the building, according to Markus Straub, a spokesman for local fire fighters. The cause of the fire was not immediately known. The centre usually has around 120 people at any one time, said Mirko Steffl, a police spokesman. The centre employs people with mental or physical disabilities in a variety of jobs, including metalwork, woodwork and electrical installation, and it is run by the Catholic Church's Caritas organization.

Bomb Blasts Kill 34 in Damascus
…Cluster Bomb Attack Kills 10 Children

At least 34 people have been killed and many injured by two car bomb explosions in a south-eastern district of Syria's capital, Damascus. The district is predominantly Druze and Christian, two communities which have so far not joined the uprising. Activists say a government jet dropped a cluster bomb on a playground, leaving 10 children dead. The children were killed when a MiG fighter bombed a playground in the village of Deir al-Asafir, east of Damascus, opposition activists said. Intensive fighting continued around the capital as rebel fighters captured at least part of an airbase on Sunday. In recent months there have been mounting allegations that the Syrian government has resorted to using cluster bombs as the conflict intensifies, although those claims have been denied.

Protesters, Security Forces in Clash in Egypt over Presidential Decree

Fresh clashes erupted in Egypt as anger over President Mohamed Morsi’s new powers and support for him continue to divide the country. The latest clashes broke out between protesters and security forces on the outskirts of Tahrir Square in Cairo. Morsi, penultimate Thursday, announced that courts could not overturn any decree or law he has issued since taking office in June and, beyond that, in the six months until a new constitution is finalised. The president also fired Egypt’s prosecutor general, who has been criticised for the insufficient prosecutions of those suspected in demonstrators’ deaths in 2011. The moves sparked widespread protests. Meanwhile, more than 500 people have been injured in protests since Friday, when Egyptians awoke to news Morsi had issued a decree temporarily widening his powers and shielding his decisions from judicial review. However, Morsi and the judiciary have hinted at compromise to avert a full-scale political crisis.

Insurgent Attacks Kill 21 in Iraq

Insurgents launched attacks against security forces and civilians in central and northern Iraq on Tuesday, killing at least 21 people and wounding dozens, officials said. Shiite mosques in Baghdad were main targets, along with a city claimed by squabbling ethnic groups in a disputed northern region. Car bombs exploded near three mosques shortly after nightfall in the capital, killing 12. Police and hospital officials said the first exploded near a Shiite mosque following evening prayers in Hurriya neighbourhood, killing six worshippers and wounding 20 others. Minutes later, another car bomb went off near Gaereat mosque, killing three people.

54 Killed in Syrian Car Blasts

A synchronised car bombings Wednesday killed more than 50 civilians and left a trail of destruction in a town near Syria’s capital, as rebels took down a second military aircraft. Explosives-packed cars blew up at daybreak in a pro-regime neighbourhood of the mainly Christian and Druze town of Jaramana. Pools of blood and severed body parts littered the streets, reports say. The death toll mounted as the day wore on, with the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights giving tallies of 20, then 29, 38 and later 54. All of the dead were civilians. More than 120 people were wounded, and many residents rushed with them to hospital.

Tomb Raiders Steal over 100 Corpses in Benin Republic

Tomb raiders have dug up more than 100 graves at a cemetery in Benin Republic in the last week. Authorities suspect this new trend is a black-market trade in human organs and skulls for voodoo rituals. Authorities in Dangbo, a village close to the capital Porto-Novo, began an investigation after a mason working at the cemetery said he spotted several masked men digging up the graves, from which organs and skulls were removed. Body parts of humans and rare animals are prized by some people in central Africa for their supposed supernatural powers, and are used in occult ceremonies. Traffickers often obtain human remains from grave robbers, but a recent spate of killings has also been linked to the gruesome trade.