Villeworth Security Services Ltd

week 21

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PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

JTF Indicts Communities over Oil Theft

The Joint Task Force (JTF) in the Niger Delta has decried what it described as community shielding of crude oil thieves in the region. Media Coordinator of the JTF, Lt. Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, who disclosed this, also lamented what he called the ineptitude of oil company surveillance contractors in the region. According to the JTF, the active involvement or shielding of participants in the illicit trade by communities encouraged the criminality in the region. The JTF spokesman noted that oil thieves had converted communities in the region to depots where they stored illegally refined crude oil in drums.

Kidnappers Kill Victim after Payment of Ransom

A man, Cajetan Nweke, who was kidnapped, alongside his brother, Maite Onyibo has been found strangled to death by his abductors. The deceased and his brother were abducted at night while they were stepping out from a bar at Nkwo Olo Market settlement in Enugu. It was gathered that few days after the two brothers were whisked away by unknown gunmen, the lifeless body of Cajetan was found where the abductors directed the family having paid N1million as ransom instead of the N2 million earlier demanded by their abductors for the release of the young men. While Cajetan was found lifeless, his brother was beaten to pulp almost half dead and receiving treatment at the intensive care unit of an undisclosed hospital.

Five Abducted Sailors Released

Five foreigners, who were kidnapped in April when heavily armed pirates stormed their cargo ship off the coast of Bayelsa state, have been released, according to the vessel’s German operator, Sunship Schiffahrtskontor KG, said. The operator confirms that all of its five crew members were released on 11 May 2013. Days after the attack, reportedly carried out by 14 well-armed gunmen who forced their way into the ship’s safe room, a Nigerian security source identified those abducted as Russian, Sri Lankan and a Myanmar national. The company said the sailors were in good health. The German shipping firm refused to comment on the circumstances surrounding the release.

8 Illegal Refineries Destroyed in Rivers State

The Nigerian Navy said on Monday that it had discovered and destroyed eight illegal crude oil refineries and arrested two suspected oil thieves in Rivers State. In a statement signed by Lt. Abdulsalam Sani, spokesman for the Navy Ship Pathfinder, the navy said that eight illegal refineries, a large metal barge and one Cotonou boat were destroyed in Ogu/Bolo LGA. The statement said two suspects arrested were currently being interrogated to unravel their sponsors. It said members of the public should report anyone involved in oil theft and pipeline vandalism to security agencies in the state.

Pirates Attack, Rob Passengers in Bayelsa Creeks

Armed pirates attacked passenger boats along the Nembe Creek in the Bayelsa state, dispossessing them of their cash and other belongings. The attack, last weekend, occurred along the Sabatoru-Igweta-Iwoama-Nembe route between 4pm and 5pm. No fewer than 10 passenger boats were raided by the hoodlums who carted away some of the engines leaving their victims stranded. The Nembe-Brass waterways, it was learnt, had become vulnerable to pirate attacks, which had worsened the plight of commuters to the coastal enclave.

Shell Declares Force Majeure on Gas Supply to NLNG

Nigeria’s export of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) has suffered a major setback as Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) has declared a force majeure on gas supplies to the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited in its Bonny Island plant in Rivers State. This followed a reported leakage of gas along Shell’s Eastern Gas Gathering System (EGGS-1) Pipeline Right of Way on Wednesday. The leakage forced Shell to shutdown gas production at its Gbaran Ubie Gas Plant in Bayelsa State, which supplies gas to NLNG through the affected pipeline. Shell also reduced supply from its Soku gas plant in Rivers State, which accounts for 40 per cent of gas supply to the NLNG.

Tree Kills 31, Injures 16 In Imo

Thirty one persons were killed, and 16 injured when a tree at the Ukwu Uko evening market at Umuejinwaoke Umudagu village, Mbieri, Mbaitolu LGA of Imo state, fell on them after a rainstorm on Thursday night. The traditional ruler of the community, Eze Godwin Duru, lamented that such a tragic incident had never occurred in the community.

Body of 78-Year-Old Woman Found in Son’s Cupboard

The Imo State Police Command has recovered the remains of a 78-year-old woman, Mrs. Lucy Osigweh, who was declared missing in 2003. The state’s Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Katsina, on Monday, disclosed that the woman’s lifeless body was found in a large cupboard inside a shrine located in her son’s private room. According to him, “the embalmed body, which was kept in that condition for about 10 years, was believed to have been placed in the warehouse by her son, Chief Chimezie Osigweh, a 64-year-old retired school principal.” The Imo police boss said there was every reason to believe that the late woman’s son is a member of a sect, adding that preliminary assessment of the scene of crime revealed that the late woman must have been murdered by her son for ritual purpose.

Trigger Happy Cop to Face Dismissal

A policeman is to be dismissed from service for shooting to death one Ndubuisi Onyibe Nwanga around the Abakpa Market in Abakaliki, Ebonyi state. The Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 6, Mr. Johnson Jonathan, who disclosed this, said the Nigeria Police would no longer condone acts of incivility, indiscipline and brutality on the civilian populace by its officers. The late Nwanga, 22, a shop attendant, was allegedly shot dead by the trigger-happy policeman while on his way home after another policeman was allegedly beaten up by some aggrieved traders, as he tried to control traffic along the market environment. Jonathan further called on the public to always volunteer useful information that could assist the police in discharging their responsibilities effectively.

Robbers Kill Pregnant Woman in PH

A Pregnant woman, Florence Onu, 28, was shot dead, penultimate Sunday night, by armed men who attacked her along Ada George Road, Port Harcourt. Sister to the victim, Ebere Amadi, who witnessed the incident, said Florence had a scuffle with the robbers over her handbag containing N50,000 offerings collected during her church’s evening service that day, leading to her death. Alex Chidah, a youth leader in the area while reacting to the incident said that Ada-George Road has become volatile lately, as he called on the police to take action.

Police Nab 6 Pregnant Teenagers Intending to Sell Babies

The Enugu State Police Command, on Tuesday, arrested six pregnant young girls in a home where they were allegedly being prepared to deliver their babies for sale. Police spokesman, Ebere Amaraizu, said that the girls, aged between 16 years and 17 years, had negotiated with people who would buy their babies after delivery. Amaraizu confirmed the arrest of three other persons in connection with the incident, saying that investigations are in top gear on the incident. The police spokesman said the girls were smuggled out of their guardians’ homes. In another incident, four persons have been arrested for allegedly stealing a 12-day-old baby boy from his mother. He was stolen after delivery in an unnamed maternity home in Enugu. Amaraizu said the arrest of a couple led to the arrest of two others allegedly involved in the incident. He said the police had recovered the stolen child, who is in good health.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

IG Orders Rescue of Abducted Wife, Daughter of Supreme Court Judge

The Inspector General of Police (IG), Mohammed Abubakar, has ordered the police to deploy resources and men to rescue the wife and daughter of Supreme Court Justice Bode Rhodes-Vivour, who were kidnapped last weekend in Edo State. The woman, her daughter, along with their driver were kidnapped, penultimate Saturday in Benin City, and the abductors were yet to make contact with the family. Commissioner of Police in Edo State, Mr. Foluso Adebanjo, said the command had deployed no fewer than 1,000 police officers, consisting of anti-kidnapping, mobile units and Special Anti-Robbery Squad in suspected kidnappers’ hideouts in the state in an effort to rescue the victims.

12-Year-Old Raped in Benin

A 12-year-old girl was found on the streets of Benin City after being raped by an unknown man. The girl said she was raped inside a primary school by a man, who also hit her severally. She said she lived in a church and was looking for a place to lay her head when the incident occurred. The Aged grandmother of the victim called for the arrest of the alleged rapist. She said the victim left home when they returned from church on Sunday, and that she had searched for the victim and concluded that she might have gone to see her mother in the village.

Pastor Remanded over Abduction, Rape of 13-Year-Old

A Pastor, Fidelis Ejoke, 23, has been remanded for abducting and indecently assaulting his General Overseer’s 13-year-old daughter. The accused pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge of unlawful and indecent assault and abduction. Police Prosecutor, Mr. Samuel Ogaht, told the court that the minor was the daughter of the Pastor Ejoke’s General Overseer. The 13-year-old told the court how the accused started assaulting her in November 2012. She also explained how the said pastor asked her to go to her mother’s safe to bring money, adding that she gave the money to him without counting it and later the pastor confirmed it was N145,000. The court, however, said the accused should be remanded in prison while the case was adjourned to June 23, 2013.

Police Kill 2, Arrest 3 Suspected Kidnappers in Delta State

Police in Delta State have killed two supposed hostage takers and arrested eight suspected kidnappers, including three females in separate gun battles at Ozoro and Onicha-Olona areas of the state. In retaliation, some youths attempted to raze the Ozoro Police Station, because of the killing of one of the suspected kidnappers, but police repelled the offensive and have tightened security in the town. Police also recovered AK 47 and other dangerous weapons from kidnap gangs and rescued a secondary school principal and another victim. Delta State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ikechukwu Aduba, who confirmed the arrest of the suspects and the botched attempt to raze Ozoro Police Station, vowed that he would not tolerate any attack on his men or any police station. Meanwhile, the whereabouts of kidnapped wife of one Professor Mokobia, who was kidnapped from her residence on April 9, remains on unknown.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

Security Operatives Arrest 162 Suspected Cultists in Lagos

About 162 persons were arrested, last weekend at Lagos Island during a joint raid by security agencies, aimed at curbing activities of cultists and hoodlums in the area. The coordinated raids were carried out by policemen, SSS, the Military and members of Neighbourhood Watch. The security operatives stormed hideouts of suspected cultists between 9pm and 11pm. Among those arrested were two females. The raid is part of measures to check the excesses of cult groups in the area.

Police Rescue Abducted Lebanese Woman

The police in Lagos State have rescued a 61-year-old Lebanese business woman, Essa Dannawi, who was, on May 2, kidnapped by a gang of gunmen at her Ebutte Meta residence. Suspects, including a 23-year-old nephew of the kidnapped woman, were arrested by the police, while manhunt had begun for the leader of the gang. The state Commissioner of Police, Umar Manko, said no ransom was paid before the Lebanese was released. He said preliminary investigations by the police pointed accusing fingers at insiders, leading to the arrest of her nephew, confessed to the crime and led detectives to the hideout of the gang at Oyingbo, where more members were arrested and detained.

Gunmen Kidnap Ex-Commissioner’s Mother

Six gunmen have abducted the octogenarian mother of the immediate past Commissioner for Education in Ondo State, Mrs Remi Olatubora. The abductors reportedly stormed Madam Olatubora’s residence at 1am penultimate Sunday and whisked her away. It was learnt that the abductors fled with their victim through the high sea with a speed boat. Other inhabitants of the house were not molested. Police spokesman, Wole Ogodo, confirmed the abduction of the old woman. Ogodo said that the Police authorities in the state have deployed detectives to the area to ensure the release of the former commissioner’s mother. He said police in the state would fight the criminals to a standstill, urging the people of the state to be vigilant and to promptly give any information to the police. The Kidnappers are said to have demanded N50m ransom before they could set the aged woman free.

18-Year-Old Stabs Father to Death

An 18-Year-Old boy, Olanrewaju Kayode-Aremu, has been arrested for the stabbing death of his father, Victor Kayode-Aremu. Police authorities said the suspect stabbed his 46-year-old father to death while the man was attempting to enter his room. The suspect stabbed his father in 10 different places, causing him to bleed to death. It took the intervention of neighbours to overpower the 18-year-old and wrest the knife from him. The suspect, who was not remorseful, said he killed his father because he was convinced that his father did not love him.

Man Docked over N25m Fraud

A 51-year-old businessman, Frank Ezuma, was Monday, arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrate’ Court for allegedly stealing N25 million belonging to Industrial Metal Processing Company Nigeria Ltd. The police prosecutor, Inspector Benson Emuerhi, told the court that the Ezuma obtained goods worth N25 million from Industrial Metal Processing Nigeria Ltd with the pretext to pay back and twice issued two dud cheques for N10 million and one for N5 million. When the charges preferred against him were read, the defendant pleaded not guilty. Magistrate B.O. Osunsanmi, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N5milion with two sureties in like sum and adjourned to June, 10,2013, for trial.

Bandits Raid Bank, Kill Three, Raze Police Station

Suspected armed robbers on Tuesday shot dead three persons in banks raid in Omu-Aran, Irepodun LGA of Kwara State. The armed robbers, numbering about 20, reportedly raided three banks in the town, killing three persons and escaped with an unspecified amount of money. An eyewitness disclosed that the armed robbers first attacked the police station and the barrack, demobilising the police Armoured Personnel Carrier and cars. The armed robbers thereafter invaded three banks all located on Aperan Way in the town, using grenades and dynamite to break their doors and vaults. The Divisional Police Officer in Omu-Aran, Mr. Razak Adebayo, confirmed the incident and the death.

2 Chinese, Malian Nabbed over Illegal Export of Elephant Tusks

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has nabbed two Chinese and a Malian while attempting to smuggle over 21 kilogrammes of processed ivory and elephant tusks out of the country through the , Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos. The tusks were concealed as hand bangles, hair attachment, building materials, beads and decorative samples through the cargo wing of the Lagos International Airport. The items, which were packaged as courier in 176 separate packages, were to be flown to Monrovia, South Africa and China, before they were discovered and intercepted during a joint examination by customs officers at the cargo sheds of the airport. All items and the suspects would be handed over to National Environmental Standards and Regulatory Enforcement Agency (NESREA) for prosecution.

GENERAL

State of Emergency Declared in Borno, Yobe, Adamawa

President Goodluck Jonathan, on Tuesday, declared state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States due to the upsurge in terrorist activities.  While directing the military to deploy more personnel and resources in the affected states, he maintained that governors of the affected state would retain their posts and continue with their normal duties. He said in spite of the robust steps government has taken to unravel the root causes of the crisis, it would appear that there was a systematic effort by the insurgents and terrorists to destabilize the Nigerian state as security challenges have escalated in Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Gombe, Bauchi, Kano, Plateau and most recently, Bayelsa, Taraba, Benue and Nasarawa States.  Meanwhile, chairman, Senate Committee on Information, Media and Public Affairs, Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe, has said the Senate is in support of the declaration of state of emergency in those states.

46 Police, 10 SSS Officers Confirmed Killed in Nasarawa

Security agencies Tuesday confirmed 46 police officers and men as well as 10 operatives of the State Security Services (SSS) killed in the May 7 attack in Nasarawa State by members of the Ombatse cult. The official casualty figure was disclosed Tuesday by the Joint Security Information Forum on the security situation in the country. However, to assist the federal government in apprehending the masterminds and killers of the security agents, an umbrella body of the Eggon people of Nasarawa State and the Former Lafia Division Elders’ Consultative Forum (FLDECF), have called on their kinsmen to cooperate with security agencies to fish out those behind the killing in Alakyo. The national president of the Eggon Cultural and Development Association, Mr Chris Mamman, said that about 214 people, including the militia, lost their lives in the recent clash.

Police Appeal for Information on Nasarawa Killings

The police have established a dedicated hotline for members of the public to provide useful information that would assist in the investigation and apprehension of the culprits involved in the recent slaying of over 30 policemen in Nasarawa State. The Police High Command has established a dedicated telephone line for members of the public who may wish to provide vital information to the police. The police promised that all information will be treated with utmost confidentiality. The information, according to a release signed by the force spokesperson, Frank Mba, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), can be provided via phone number 07066228200 (calls or SMS) or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Mba also appealed to Nigerians to support the police as they strive to tackle this and other security challenges facing the nation.

Gunmen Kill 11 in Southern Kaduna

Unknown gunmen, on Tuesday, killed 11 in Zangang village of Atakar chiefdom, Kaura LGA of Kaduna State. Eyewitness said more people were missing after the attack on Monday, while the injured were taken to the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH). The eyewitness said the gunmen also burnt houses in the villages, including the house of the district head. Meanwhile, over 10,000 people were said to have been displaced as a result of the attack on the people of Agatu LGA of Benue State by Fulani herdsmen, penultimate Sunday. The state Commissioner for Works and Transport, Mr John Ngbede, said on Tuesday, that over 20 villages were sacked during the invasion. He alleged that the marauders were camped at Loko, in Nasarawa State and crossed the river to the council area for the attack.

Boko Haram Abducts Women, Children

Boko Haram announced on Monday that it had kidnapped some women, young girls and children in retaliation for the arrest of members’ wives and relatives. Leader of the sect, Sheikh Abubakar Shekau, said that the sect was holding the hostages until relatives of members in custody were released. He said that anyone taken by the group could begin a new life as a “servant,” without going into detail. Reacting to the development, Director of the Defence Information, Brig-General Chris Olukolade, urged the group to leave innocent civilians out of its conflict with the government. However, there have been no cases of abduction of women and children announced by the security agencies.

Arms Smuggling: Nigerian, Iranian, Jailed 17 Years

A Federal High Court in Lagos, on Monday, sentenced an Iranian, Azim Aghajani, and his Nigerian accomplice, Ali Jega, to 17 years imprisonment each for illegal importation of firearms into the country in 2010. Justice Okechukwu Okeke found the two guilty of four, out of the five counts preferred against them by the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation. Aghajani and Jega were alleged to have illegally imported 13-by-20 feet container load of firearms and explosives into Nigeria from Iran on July 17, 2010 by falsely declaring on the Bill of Lading that the consignment contained construction materials. The judge sentenced the two to five years for each of three counts and to two years for the fourth count, ruling that the sentences would run concurrently from February 1, 2011, when they were arraigned. He also ordered that all the items seized from the accused be forfeited to the Federal Government.

110 Houses Destroyed as Windstorm Hit in Five Villages in Sokoto

A windstorm struck five villages in Yabo LGA of Sokoto State, and over destroyed 100 houses. Presently the residents are still counting their losses, especially in the villages that were completely razed by the raging storm. One of the victims of the wind storm, Wakili Dantudu, 48, said that the wind storm began at about 5pm on Friday, destroying three rooms in his house. He called on the local and state government to their aid as quickly as possible. Chairman of Yabo Local Government Council, Abubakar Shamaki confirmed that a total of 110 houses were destroyed by the wind storm.

Gunmen Kill Borno CAN’s Secretary
…as Jonathan Declares State of Emergency

President Goodluck Jonathan has declared a state of emergency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States as a result of the sectarian terrorism caused by the Islamist sect, Boko Haram. However, political office holders are to remain in position, while the military action is sustained to fish out the terrorists. But as the state of emergency is declared, suspected members of Boko Haram killed the Secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Borno State, Reverend Faye Pama Musa. It was gathered that Musa, the head pastor of a Pentecostal church in Maiduguri, was trailed to his residence by two gunmen, who shot him at close range at about 7.30pm. CAN confirmed the assassination of Musa.

Boko Haram: Opposition Parties Reject Emergency Rule

The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP) and Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) have asked President Goodluck Jonathan to shelve any plan to impose a state of emergency on some of the northern states hit by the Boko Haram crisis. The statement was made just as Senate President David Mark warned at the weekend that every citizen’s life in the country is now exposed to danger. The three opposition parties, which have expressed their intention to merge as one political platform said any such moves could only be aimed at giving an undue advantage to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) instead of helping to end the crisis.

Maiduguri Under Attack Again

Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, came under attack as several bomb blasts and sporadic gunshots were heard in parts of the town on Monday evening. Operatives of the Joint Task Force (JTF) raided hideouts of suspected insurgents in the Bulabulin Ward of Maiduguri, leading to a fierce gun battle and multiple explosions that left the residents of the town shaken. The loud noise that greeted the explosions crippled socio-economic activities in many parts of the town as major roads were deserted, with shops and other commercial centres shut down. It was learnt that dozens of heavily armed soldiers, supported by five armoured tanks, moved to the area but were attacked by the insurgents, leading to a gun duel. Residents said the gunmen detonated several improvised explosive devices (IEDs) to target the moving patrol vehicles of the security personnel.

Nigerian, Pakistan Partner to Fight Terrorism

Pakistan Air Force (PAF) and the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) have agreed to partner in the area of fighting militancy and terrorism. Pakistan Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Tahir Butt, disclosed this during an official visit to the Tactical Air Command, NAF in Makurdi, Benue State. Butt said that Nigeria and Pakistan have a similar situation confronting them with the increasing spate of militancy and terrorism plaguing the two countries. He, however, noted that Pakistan has been able to put the challenge under control. In his response, Air Officer Commanding, Tactical Air Command, AVM Chimechefulam Onyemaobi, agreed that Nigeria has a lot to gain through the relationship with Pakistan.

Gunmen Raid Southern Kaduna

Gunmen, suspected to be Fulani herdsmen, penultimate Sunday, raided Atakar village in Kaura LGA in the southern area of Kaduna State. It was gathered that several residents of the village were shot by the masked gunmen, who rode on motorbikes to the village, shooting sporadically at all directions. The village was attacked in April when over 19 residents were killed and several houses razed by gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen.

20 Killed as Gunmen Attack Benue Communities

No fewer than 20 people lost their lives and properties destroyed in Okpancheni and Ekwo area of Agatu LGA of Benue state when gunmen numbering about 19 invaded the area, penultimate Sunday. The masked gunmen invaded the villages, killing and burning houses until they were halted by a group of indigenes from another village who challenged them. In the ensuing clash, 17 of the men of the underworld were said to have lost their lives before the police arrived.

Security Forces Raid Boko Haram Camps in Borno

With Tuesday’s declaration of state of emergency in Adamawa, Yobe and Borno States and the subsequent deployment of more troops to the states, the military has moved to the next stage of dislodging Boko Haram terrorists. About 2,000 troops deployed in Borno have begun an offensive to retake territory seized by the Islamist insurgents by raiding camps in a game reserve in the state. Troops raided the terrorists’ camps in the Sambisa Game Reserve, located in northern Borno, early on Wednesday to flush out members of the terrorist group. In a bid to boost the military operation, a contingent of police-anti-terrorism personnel has been moved to Borno and Yobe States to beef up military personnel deployed to uproot the members of the dreaded sect from the two states. In Adamawa State, the military has imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew on the state.

Nigeria, Cameroun to Cooperate on Border Security

Few days after he declared a state of emergency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States, President Goodluck Jonathan and his Camerounian counterpart, Mr. Paul Biya, on Thursday, met in Abuja, where they resolved to strengthen cooperation and collaboration on trans-border security. A timeline of the activities of the Islamist insurgents indicate that they have been active in the border towns in the axis of Adamawa and Borno States, which share borders with Cameroun, where a French family was taken hostage while a suicide attack rocked a military checkpoint in Marte town, near the Nigerian border with Cameroun.

Gunmen Attack Police Barracks in Borno

Borno State came under attack again by Boko Haram gunmen, as police barracks in the outskirts of the township were attacked with Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs, and petrol bombs. It was gathered that no life was lost as the gunmen shouted that they flee before detonating the explosives. It was also learnt that motorists and commuters travelling to Gwoza, Michika, Mubi and Maiduguri, were however asked by soldiers to turn back, as Bama had been shut down to both residents and travellers. Spokesman of Borno state Police Command, Gideon Jibrin, also confirmed the torching of Bama police barracks, adding that none of the gunmen was arrested.

INTERNATIONAL

Mali's Terrorists Lack Capacity to Regroup

The President of the ECOWAS Commission, Ambassador Kadré Désiré Ouédraogo has said the intervention efforts in Mali are going on so well such that the terrorists that threatened its territorial integrity will not be able to regroup. The President of the Commission lauded the efforts of France and AFISMA troops for making irreversible progress in Mali. Ouédraogo lauded troops contributing member states, Chad, the African Union, UN and other partners for supporting the regional initiative by raising the African-led International Support Mission in Mali, which is expected to transform into a UN Mission by 1st July, 2013.

Syrian Death Toll Hits 82,000

At least 82,000 people have been killed and 12,500 others are missing after two years of civil war in Syria, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has disclosed. Most of the dead were killed by troops and militia loyal to President Bashar al-Assad and most of the missing are believed to have been detained by the government's secret police and other loyalists, the monitoring group said. The Observatory's president, Rami Abdulrahman, said 4,788 children were among the 34,473 civilians killed. Another 12,916 anti-Assad fighters were killed, along with 1,924 army deserters, it said. On the loyalist side, 16,729 troops and 12,000 militiamen and informers have been killed. The report said the fate of around 2,500 loyalist troops believed to be held by rebels is unknown.

UK's Wanted Fugitive Captured in Spain

One of Britain's most wanted fugitives has been arrested in Spain in a dramatic raid while he was relaxing by a swimming pool. Armed police officers swooped on Andrew Moran at a luxury villa in the Calpe area of Alicante in a joint operation between UK and Spanish forces. Two handguns, 60 rounds of ammunition and a machete were also recovered during the raid, penultimate Friday. Moran, 31, had been on the run since 2009 after he assaulted four security guards, vaulted over the dock and escaped while on trial at Burnley Crown Court. He was subsequently convicted in his absence of conspiracy to commit armed robbery. Moran evaded capture by fleeing to Spain and frequently changing his appearance and using false identities. Moran was one of seven men targeted in a crackdown on organised crime in the city.

Turkish Citizens Held Over Car Bombs

Nine Turkish citizens have been detained in connection with car bombs that killed 46 people near Turkey's border with Syria. Turkey's interior minister, Muammer Guler, alleged that an organisation which is in close contact to pro-regime groups in Syria was behind the attacks. Among the nine people held was the mastermind of the attack and more were expected, Guler said. Syria's government has rejected claims it had anything to do with the attacks. The two car bombs ripped into crowded streets near Reyhanli's shopping district on May 11, causing serious damage. More than 140 people were wounded. Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu vowed to catch those behind the attack in Reyhanli which is home to many Syrian refugees.

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Wins Election

Former Pakistani Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, declared victory following a historic election marred by violence last Saturday. The 63-year-old Sharif, who has twice served as premier, touted his success after unofficial, partial vote counts showed his Pakistan Muslim League-N party with an overwhelming lead. The party weathered a strong campaign by former cricket star Imran Khan that energized Pakistan's young people. Sharif expressed a desire to work with all parties to solve the country's problems in a victory speech given to his supporters in the eastern city of Lahore as his lead in the national election became apparent based on vote counts announced. The chief of Pakistan's election commission, Fakhruddin Ebrahim, said turnout was near 60 percent of registered voters, the highest since the 1970 election.

800,000 Need Food Aid In Niger -UN

About 800,000 people will require food aid in Niger Republic in the coming months due to problems supplying cereals to markets and an influx of Malian refugees, the United Nations said. The United Nations office for humanitarian coordination (OCHA) said they would need food from now until the start of the rainy season, which is usually between June and August. It said the situation was critical in 13 regions surveyed by the government in March, where 84,000 people needed emergency food aid.

Benghazi Police Stations Bombed Again

Two more police stations were attacked in Libya’s eastern city of Benghazi, penultimate Sunday. The attacks come after two others were bombed two days earlier. Osama Al Sharif, Benghazi’s local council spokesman, said that the people were not satisfied with the performance of the Ministry of Interior, and especially with the leadership of Benghazi’s police. Diplomats began to withdraw from the capital Tripoli, where security took a turn for the worse in late April when armed groups seized two ministries for about a fortnight to press demands on parliament.

Delhi Gang Rape Suspect Assaulted by Fellow Inmates

A suspect in the fatal gang rape of a student in India is in a critical condition after allegedly being beaten and poisoned in prison. The defence lawyer for Vinay Sharma said that the defendant was taken to a Delhi hospital on Tuesday after being assaulted by fellow inmates. The lawyer claimed that Sharma's food was being slowly poisoned over a period of several weeks. Another suspect, Ram Singh, was found hanged in his cell in the same prison in March. Sharma is one of four men and a teenager on trial for the gang rape, robbery and murder of a 23-year-old student on a Delhi bus in December.  The woman died from her injuries in a hospital in Singapore 13 days after the attack.

Four US Soldiers Killed in Afghanistan's Kandahar

Four U.S. soldiers were killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan's Kandahar province on Tuesday, a day after three Georgian soldiers were killed in nearby Helmand. The soldiers were in a vehicle on patrol in Kandahar's Zhari district when they were killed, provincial spokesman, Jawid Ahmad Faisal, said. May has proved particularly bloody for members of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). Many Afghans are eager to know the size of the post-2014 force, fearing chaos and civil war could erupt with no foreign forces in the country, but support for the costly war in ISAF countries is waning.

Six Killed in Kabul Convoy Blast, 15 Killed in Iraq

At least six Afghan civilians have been killed in a suicide bomb attack in the capital, Kabul, officials say. The bomber blew up his vehicle next to a convoy of foreign armoured cars in the east of the city. The NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan has confirmed that one of its convoys was hit. Government officials said those who died were bystanders. The force of the blast destroyed several houses and a wide area of the city has been cordoned off. Meanwhile 15 people were killed in bomb blasts and a shooting in Iraq on Wednesday, police and hospital sources said. Ten people were killed when two car bombs exploded near government buildings in the ethnically mixed, oil-rich city of Kirkuk. Relations between Iraq's Shi'ite, Sunni and ethnic Kurdish communities have come under growing strain since U.S. troops left the country in December 2011.

31 Killed as Army, Rebels Clash in DRC

At least 31 people were killed when gunmen attacked an army base in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo on Wednesday, the military said. The attackers, from one of dozens of armed groups operating in the densely forested terrain, fought a two-hour battle with soldiers at the army recruitment center near the town of Beni in North Kivu province, Colonel Olivier Hamuli, said. Mai Mai is the generic name given to a multitude of local armed groups, fighting for control of territory and resources ranging from farmland to mining operations. Soldiers eventually repelled the attack, Hamuli said. Officers were interrogating captured rebels to find out where they came from and why they launched the assault, he added. Meanwhile, the United Nations has voiced deep concerns about the deteriorating situation in some parts of eastern South Sudan, calling on the government to take immediate action on it. In addition to the significant displacement of the civilian population out of Pibor, UNMISS has recently received reports of widespread looting of civilian dwellings and humanitarian organization premises.