Villeworth Security Services Ltd

Week 30

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PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

JTF Arrests 11 Suspected Oil Thieves in Rivers State

Operatives of the Joint Task Force (JTF) have arrested 11 persons on board four ocean-going barges in Rivers State used for illegal oil bunkering activities in the waterways of the Niger Delta. Another anti-oil theft security operation by the operatives of the JTF, according to the Media Coordinator of the JTF, Lt. Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, also led to the seizure of four barges with over 600,000 litres of crude in some communities and waterways. However, the Commander JTF, Major General Bata Debiro, has called on all community leaders and youth in the Niger Delta to synergise with the JTF to bring the oil theft menace in the region to a complete stop.

Police Declare Chidi Lloyd Wanted

The Rivers State Police Command, on Wednesday, declared the Rivers State House of Assembly Majority Leader, Hon. Hon. Chidi Lloyd, wanted for his involvement in the recent fracas in the state legislature between lawmakers loyal to and those against the state Governor, Chibuike Amaechi. The police said Lloyd was being wanted for attempted murder of a colleague, Hon. Michael Chinda. Lloyd, in a video clip that went viral on the internet last week, was shown as he was hitting Chinda with a mace. The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, has also summoned Lloyd along with the Aide de Camp (ADC) and the Chief Security Officer (CSO) to the governor, Debeware Semeikumo and Tony Iwelu respectively, to explain their roles in the brawl that took place in the state assembly. In a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Angela Agabe, said Lloyd was declared wanted having failed to honour invitations to appear before the command to explain his role in the fracas.

Ebonyi Demolishes Kidnap Suspects Abode

The kidnap of the wife of Deputy Leader, Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Mrs. Winifred Ogbu, penultimate Friday, evening in Abakaliki by a six-member gang has led to the enactment of a new policy on kidnapping by the Ebonyi State government. The policy states that any building where kidnapped victims are kept with the knowledge of the owner, the structure will be demolished; and that if the owner of a building finds out that his residence was being used to keep kidnap victims and fails to report it to security agents, the building will also be demolished. Mrs Ogbu was taken away by the suspected kidnappers who held her hostage in the three- bedroom mud house located in an isolated part of Umezabi community, until she was rescued by men of the Nigeria Police Force following a tip-off. The ensuing gun battle left one of the suspected kidnappers dead. The state government on Tuesday demolished the three-bed room apartment, following reports that it was used as a hideout for keeping victims of kidnapping.

Bayelsa CP Attacked in Bayelsa Creek

The Bayelsa State Police Commissioner, Mr Tonye Ebitibituwa, on Tuesday, escaped being killed on the Oporoma/Oyoma waterways and creeks in the Southern Ijaw LGA of the state, as his convoy was attacked by gunmen. The attack, which occurred at about 7.30am, led to unspecified number of killings, with police claiming that some pirates were killed. The statement from the state police spokesman, Alex Akhigbe, did not disclose if the police command recorded any casualties. It was gathered that the armed men, numbering about 10, were reportedly killed in the gun duel and their boats sunk. It was also gathered that Ebitibituwa was on a week-long familiarisation tour of divisions and formations within the command.

Angry Youths Shut Down NDDC Office in Owerri

Militant youths from oil producing areas in Imo State under the aegis of Ohaji/Egbema and Oguta Youths Stakeholders Forum, Wednesday, grounded activities at the state office of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in protest of what they described as “gross marginalisation” and alleged diversion of jobs and projects meant for the area. The youths, numbering over 1000, who stormed the NDDC office along Port Harcourt road in Owerri, the state capital, around 8.30:a.m., chanting war songs, chased out NDDC staff that had resumed for the day’s job and locked up the gate. The youths disclosed that the NDDC sharing formula stipulated that 75 per cent of projects accruable to the state from NDDC be allotted to the oil producing areas.

Girl, 9, Raped to Death

A 20-year-old man, Chijioke Nwakor, has been arrested for allegedly raping a nine-year-old girl to death in Calabar, Cross River State. The suspect is alleged to have engaged Miss Alice Eneji in a marathon sex, which resulted in the girl’s death. Claiming there was mutual agreement between them, Chijioke said Alice soon started crying but he thought she was pretending. Few minutes later, she slumped and became unconscious and he decided to raise alarm calling for help. Alice was rushed to hospital while Chijioke went round the community sourcing for money to foot the hospital bill, until she was told that she had died. Acting Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, Mr. Hogan Bassey confirmed the incident, saying the culprit is in custody and that they were investigating the immediate and remote cause of such a criminal act. According to him, Chijioke will be charged to Court.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

2 Arrested as JTF Discovers Stolen Crude Oil in Shrine

Soldiers of the Joint Task Force (JTF) have arrested 2 persons in connection with oil theft in Delta state. The JTF are questioning them over the huge volume of stolen crude oil in a shrine at Ugbokodo community in Warri South LGA of Delta State. Soldiers of the 3rd Battalion anti-oil-theft patrol team of Sector 1 of the JTF made the discovery when they stormed the shrine where over 230 drums of illegally refined diesel were being stored. The team, led by the Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Ifeanyi Otu, invaded the abodes of the gods following intelligence report on the illegalities going on in the area. According to the Media Coordinator of the JTF, Lt. Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, the discovery at the community shrine has led to the arrest of two suspects and the scuttling of 13 illegal oil distillery camps.

Reps Summons Shell, Others over Bonga Oil Spill

The House of Representatives Committee on Environment has summoned the management of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCO) and the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) over an oil spill that occurred at Shell's Bonga Field in December 2011. Also summoned are the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) as well as representatives of about 88 fishing communities located in Warri South–west and Warri North LGAs of Delta State. They were summoned following the demand by the coastal communities for N20 billion as compensation for special and general damages allegedly caused by the oil spill. Chairman of the House Committee on Environment, Hon. Uche Ekwunife, said the summon of the oil firm, communities and government agencies became necessary because the committee could not take any decision on the  claims by the communities  without giving all parties  fair hearing and ascertaining the facts of the case.

Police Foil Robbery Attempt in Delta

Police in Delta State, Thursday, foiled an attempt by a three-man armed robbery to hold up passengers in Aragba on Abraka Road, Ethiope East LGA of the state. Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Ikechukwu Aduba, who confirmed the incident, said the bandits started operation, in the morning, in Isiokolo, while the police, acting on a tip-off, laid siege for them. He said police assisted by anti-cult and vigilance groups in the area gave the bandits a hot pursuit and foiled their operation. Two of the robbers were arrested with injuries.

Three-Year-Old Abducted in Delta State

Suspected kidnappers, on Monday, abducted a three-year-old baby, Destiny Osanebi, from the residence of the parents, Mr and Mrs. Lucky Osanebi, in Ashaka, Ndokwa East LGA of Delta State. It was gathered that the gunmen contacted the family, on Tuesday asking for N10 million as ransom. The family was also robbed of cash, phones and other valuable property. It was gathered the kidnappers, who went away with the father‘s phone had told the family to contact their lawmaker brother to raise the ransom if they have any problem with the sum.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

Seven Killed as Police, Robbers Engage in Gun Duel

At least seven persons were, penultimate Sunday, killed in different operations at Ajah and Ajao Estate in Lagos State, when policemen engaged an eight-man armed robbery gang in a gun duel. It was gathered that while the police killed five members of the robbery gang, two officers also lost their lives. According to a report, the gang had first stormed Ajah at about 1am, where they snatched a Honda Odyssey space bus and shot two policemen who were on patrol at Ajao Estate. At the scene of their operation at Ajao Estate, the gang was said to have robbed a warehouse where telephones and electronic gadgets were sold.

Suspected Kidnapper Killed as Police Rescue Abducted Chinese Nationals

Policemen attached to Ogijo division in Ogun State, Monday, engaged a four-man kidnap syndicate in a shoot-out, killing one of them. Rescued at the end of the shoot-out were two Chinese men said to have been kidnapped in Ikorodu, Lagos. The kidnappers allegedly laid ambush for their victims who are staff of LEE Group of companies at about 1am, forced them into their car and drove straight to their den in Sagamu, Ogun State. Confirming the incident, spokesman for the Ogun State Police Command, Muyiwa Adejobi, said that the Chinese nationals were rescued unhurt.

Court Remands 39-Year-Old Man in prison over Rape of 9-Year-Old

An Abeokuta Chief Magistrates’ Court on Thursday remanded a 39-year-old man, Emanuel Ojelade, in prison custody for allegedly raping a 9-year-old girl. The accused, whose plea was not taken by the court, was represented by a counsel, Mr Adeola Ogunlade. The Police Prosecutor, ASP Paul Etusi, told the court that the offence was committed on July 16 at 18 Iyana Mortuary Road, Abeokuta. Etusi said that the accused, who is neighbor to the girl’s parents, called the girl to help him buy beans and when she went in to collect the money, he pushed her on the bed and gagged her with his socks. The Chief Magistrate, Mr Anthony Araba, ordered the accused to be remanded in Oba prison and adjourned the case to July 25, for further hearing.

Thugs Beat up Ekiti Party Exco Members and Journalists

Political thugs invaded the secretariat of the Ekiti State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday, beating up some members of the state executive of the party. Ekiti state chapter of the PDP is facing crisis over the method for the selection of the party’s candidate for the coming governorship election in the state. Some members of the state executive of the party had called a press conference, but before it began, some thugs had invaded the party secretariat, shot indiscriminately into the air and beat up fleeing members of the party and journalists. The state legal adviser of the party, Mr Kola Adefemi, who was the speaker of the state House of Assembly during the administration of Governor Niyi Adebayo and its auditor, Mr Tunji Olanrewaju, were seriously injured.

Two Arrested for Buying, Trading in Blood from Pupils, Donors

A laboratory assistant, Shola Opeyemi, has been arrested by the Lagos State Police Command for allegedly buying pints of blood from some secondary school pupils. Opeyemi was said to have been apprehended at Orile-Agege after a local traditional ruler tipped off the police about his activities. Opeyemi, who was a former employee of a registered medical laboratory that supplied blood to hospitals in Lagos, was said to have delved into buying and selling of blood after he was fired from his job late last year. Opeyemi’s activities came to the notice of the traditional ruler when some senior secondary school students always seemed to be hanging around Opeyemi’s store. In a related development, another laboratory assistant, Tunde Adeagbo, was also arrested by the police at Abule Egba for allegedly arranging blood donors for hospitals for a fee. The Lagos State Police Commissioner Mr. Umar Manko confirmed the arrests.

Policeman Vehicle Knocks Down Woman, Baby in Lagos

A police corporal, identified simply as Friday, has been accused of knocking down a teacher, Mrs. Taskirat Anjolaiya, and her baby. It was learnt that as a result of the incident, the mother and daughter sustained pelvic fracture, brain injury and a broken jaw among others. According to eyewitness, the policeman was driving against traffic on Apapa-Oshodi Expressway when he knocked down the victims. The victim’s husband, Sulaiman, said the policeman claimed he was running an errand for the Divisional Police Officer, Ibrahim Zango. The policeman rushed the victims to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi Araba. Sulaiman said the policeman had abandoned the victims at the hospital since depositing the sum of N70, 000.

Police Kill Gunmen in Lagos

Five of the gunmen who stormed the 04 Hotel in Ajah area of Lagos, penultimate Sunday, have been confirmed dead. The robbers were killed in a shoot-out with the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). Several gunmen had stormed the hotel in a purported reprisal for the arrest of a colleague by SARS operatives at the same hotel. Seven persons including the owner of the hotel, Olarenwaju Subair, were killed in the attack. The robbers had earlier attacked some policemen at Ajah and later at Ajao Estate before the shoot-out with SARS operatives. Having received a directive from the Lagos Commissioner of Police, Mr. Umar Manko, to apprehend the robbers, SARS operatives were said to have laid ambush along the Mushin/Ojuelegba areas. The robbers, who drove through the Mushin/Ojuelegba road, reportedly opened fire on sighting the SARS teams. In an intense gunfight that reportedly lasted 30 minutes, some of the robbers were gunned down.

Judge Dragged to Court over Alleged Abuse of Power

Embattled judge of the Federal High Court, in Lagos, Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia, has been dragged before a Lagos High Court in Igbosere, over alleged abuse of judicial power. The lawyer, John William Dong, is claiming N5 million as damages against Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia for ordering his arrest and detention for four hours without any charge or trial. Dong is praying the court to declare that his arrest and detention without a charge or trial were extra-judicial, arbitrary, and unlawful and amount to infringement of his rights to dignity of human person and personal liberty guaranteed by the Constitution.

GENERAL

CAN Wants Boko Haram Dialogue C’ttee Disbanded

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has called for the immediate disbandment of the Presidential Committee on Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution of Security Challenges in the North, alleging that the committee had deceived Nigerians. Reacting to the disclaimer by the leader of the Boko Haram sect, Abu-Bakr Shekau, that the sect had entered a ceasefire deal with the federal government, the spokesman of CAN in the 19 northern states, Mr. Sunday Oibe, said the dialogue committee headed by the Minister of Special Duties, Alhaji Kabiru Turaki, was being economical with the truth about its recent claim that it had signed a pact with the sect for a ceasefire. The minister had announced recently that the committee had secured a ceasefire deal with the sect.

JTF Uncovers Bags of Hemp in Maiduguri Church

One hundred and twenty four bags of weeds suspected to be Indian hemp (marijuana) have been seized from the premises of a Celestial Church of Christ in Maiduguri by the Joint Task Force (JTF) in Borno State. The JTF has also relaxed the curfew on Borno State from 9pm to 6pm to between 11pm and 6pm daily. A statement ON Wednesday by the JTF spokesman, Lt. Col. Sagir Musa, said troops, raided the church on July 10, during which the seizure was made. The suspect, who is a pastor of the church, Moses Edon, admitted knowledge of the content of the bags and confessed that the Indian hemp was brought to his church from Ondo State for safe keeping by a member of the church, one Mr Segun Oni. According to Musa, preliminary investigation revealed that the church has not been active for some time now and has been used for safe haven for Indian hemp business.

GSM Services Restored in Yobe, Parts of Maiduguri

Two months, after the Global Mobile Communication System (GSM) services were shutdown in the three North-eastern states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa, after a state of emergence was declared by President Goodluck Jonathan, services were on Wednesday, restored in Yobe State. The state of emergency was slammed on the three states on May 14, due to insecurity brought about by the Boko Haram insurgency. Residents of Yobe State woke Wednesday morning, to discover an epileptic MTN service in the state, while all other GSM networks were yet to be restored. The restoration came one week, after the service was restored in neighbouring Adamawa State. The Military Joint Task Force (JTF), in the state has commended residents for keeping faith with security agencies during the outage of GSM services in the state. A statement by the military spokesman, Lieutenant Eli Lazarus, enjoined residents to continue to contribute positively towards the enhancement of peace and security in the state. Mobile phone service also returned to parts of Maiduguri, Borno State.

Sultan Tasks Muslim Clerics on Peace

President-General of Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Mohammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has urged Muslim clerics in the country to pray for peace and tranquillity in the spirit of the Ramadan fasting. In a statement issued by the Secretary General of the NSCIA, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, called on Muslim faithful to eschew violence and pray for leaders at all levels for Allah’s guidance and justice. The council urged Nigerian leaders to be conscious of Allah and discharge their responsibilities to His followers. Meanwhile, Islamic preachers in Nigeria have been cautioned to be guided by the principles of Islam in their preaching and shun comments that could incite people against one another with a view to ensuring better development in the country.

Gunmen Attack Police Station, Kill 2 Policemen in Kaduna

The Commissioner of Police in Kaduna State, Mr Olufemi Adenike, on Wednesday confirmed the killing of two policemen by unknown gunmen in an attack on Tuesday night. Adenike said that the officers were killed when the gunmen attacked the Divisional Police Headquarters at Kaura LGA. The commissioner said during the attack, one of the officers was shot dead on the spot while the second one died at the Kafanchan General Hospital. Adenike said the attackers took advantage of the porous nature of the police headquarters because it was not fenced.

Military Deploys More Troops over Threats of Attacks in Yola

Following the recent threats by Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, that more schools would be attacked in the North-eastern states, the military has deployed more troops to Adamawa for effective operations in the state. The Brigade Commander, 23 Armoured Brigade, Yola, Brig.-Gen. Fatai Oladipo Alli, said that security agents were battle-ready for any gang that would want to foment trouble in the state. Alli, who confirmed that more military troops were deployed to the state for effective operations, however, declined to disclose the total number of the troops deployed. The military had earlier assured the people of the state that the security agents would ensure that the security of lives and property in the state is not under any threat.

JTF, Vigilance Group Arrest Top Boko Haram Commander

The military Joint Task Force (JTF) and members of Borno Vigilance Youths Group (BVYG), on Thursday, arrested a top Boko Haram commander, who had been on the wanted list of security forces and youths since last year. The arrested commander was reportedly picked up by the vigilance youths as he attempted to flee Maiduguri in military camouflage attire. Chairman of BVYG, Abubakar Mallum, said the arrested commander has been handed over to the JTF sector commander. Spokesman of JTF, Lt.-Col. Sagir Musa, confirmed that the suspected Boko Haram commander, nicknamed Two Face, the only name he is known by, was arrested by vigilance youths of Hausari and Lawan Bukar wards of Maiduguri in the afternoon. He said besides the arrest of Islamist sect commander, several terror suspects have also been arrested in three different wards of the metropolis by the vigilance youths.

Air Force Arrests Facebook Impersonator of CAS

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has arrested one Israel Justice Ukaegbu, for impersonating the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Alex Badeh, on Facebook, with an account name “AS Badeh”. The Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Yusuf Anas, paraded Ukaegbu at the NAF headquarters in Abuja. Anas disclosed that the suspect, who was arrested in Abia State, on the facebook, displayed a portrait photograph of the CAS while interacting with the unsuspecting public in that capacity. He further disclosed that the suspect was said to have connived with an information and communication specialist, one Mr. Wisdom Raphael Onyebuenyi currently at large, to commit the crime. The suspects claim to have done this after having fallen victim to a fake NAF recruitment agent who defrauded him the sum of N30,000 to get enlisted into the force.

Court Convicts Three for Copyright Violation

The Federal High Court in Abuja, has convicted and sentenced three pirates to various jail terms for illegally printing the book, “The Accidental Public Servant” written by a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mallam Nasir el-Rufai. The Director General of the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), Dr. Afam Ezekude, who disclosed this in Abuja, said the commission had secured 40 convictions for various infringements of the copyright Act. He said a Federal High Court in Lagos also sentenced one Ifeanyichukwu Nweke to six months imprisonment with an option of N1,000 fine for each count on a two-count charge of infringing the same book. Similarly, on a two-count charge of having in possession and selling pirated copies of the book, the court also sentenced one Akamu Chibueze to three months imprisonment without any option of fine.

Ombatse Kicks against Panel’s Terms of Reference

The Judicial Commission of Inquiry set up by the Nasarawa state government to probe the May 7 killing of security forces in Alakyo Village, was on Thursday told by the legal adviser to the Ombatse group that it lacked the legal powers to carry out some of its assigned duties. Over 50 policemen and operatives of the State Security Services (SSS) were ambushed and massacred by members of the Ombatse Militia Group in May. But the group denied complicity in the killings. Legal Adviser to the Ombatse Militia Group, Zachary Zammani Alumugu, who spoke at the inaugural sitting of the commission, contended that Ombatse was never banned. Alumugu said what appeared to be preliminary objection was to enable the commission decide whether it was competent to adjudicate on some of the provisions contained in its terms of reference as regards the alleged proscription of Ombatse in 2012.

NJC Finds Former Judge Guilty of Gross Misconduct

The National Judicial Council (NJC), on Thursday, found the former Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Justice Lawal Gummi, guilty of gross misconduct. In a statement its Spokesman, Mr. Soji Oye, the NJC said it also found that Gummi interfered with the execution of a judgment delivered by Justice Jude Okeke, also of the Abuja High Court. Gummi, who had since been turbaned as the Emir of Gummi in Zamfara State will, however, not be punished by the council because he had since resigned from office. The council nevertheless warned that any judicial officer, who committed similar offence, would be punished severely.

Nigeria to Reduce Troops in Mali to Tackle Domestic Insecurity

Due to the high demand for troops to ensure internal security and stability in the country, Nigeria is set to withdraw some of her troops from the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali (MINUSMA). The Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Authority of Heads of State and Government and President of Cote d'Ivoire, Allasane Ouattara, confirmed this in Abuja, where he debunked speculations that Nigeria was withdrawing some of the troops because it lost the command of the peacekeeping forces to Rwanda. The Director of Defence Information (DDI), Brig-Gen. Chris Olukolade, who said the troop withdrawal would start any moment, added that the withdrawal would be in accordance with United Nations' procedure. The ECOWAS Heads also endorsed the establishment and implementation of joint border posts in the ECOWAS space to eliminate all the barriers to trade and mobility of persons.

NIS to Register All Foreigners in Nigeria

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) said plans are underway to register all foreigners in order to ascertain the number of aliens in the country. This is part of its effort to improve internal monitoring and to fortify security in Nigeria. This plan was disclosed on Thursday by the NIS Comptroller General, Mr. David Parradang, during his maiden press conference in Abuja. Parradang noted that the NIS needs the information of foreigners in the country to build a virile nation. The NIS boss explained that foreigners, who were legally residing in the country should be monitored, adding that this was part of the effective monitoring mechanism intended to be put in place through the use of modern technology to enhance internal patrol. He further emphasised that patrol posts would be increased by 30% in the North-eastern part of Nigeria to fortify the border and increase the security, adding that more personnel would be deployed to the place too for border patrol.

INTERNATIONAL

Israel Vows to Keep Weapons from Hezbollah Militants

Israel's prime minister has insisted that he will not allow "dangerous weapons" to reach Lebanon's Hezbollah militants. His stance follows reports that Israel recently carried out an airstrike in northern Syria against a shipment of advanced missiles. The airstrike in Latakia reportedly targeted Russian Yakhont anti-ship missiles, one of the types of advanced weapons that Israeli officials have previously said they would not allow to reach Syria. Israel has repeatedly said it would take action to prevent what it calls "game changing" weapons, including chemical weapons and advanced guided missiles, from reaching Hezbollah or other hostile militant groups. Syria's President Bashar Assad is a key backer of Hezbollah. Following an attack in May, Assad vowed to retaliate if Israel struck his territory again.

US Drone, Pakistan Air Force Strikes Kill 9 Militants

At least nine suspected militants, including two foreigners, were killed in Pakistan's tribal region in a US drone strike and a separate Pakistan military operation, officials said on Sunday. Pakistan has seen a spate of militant attacks since Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif took office last month, putting pressure on his team to act more aggressively to curb the insurgency. In a third missile attack since Sharif came to power, two suspected militants riding a motorcycle were struck by missiles in the Mir Ali area of North Waziristan on Saturday night, one official said. Their identities were not clear. Another security source said they were foreign militants of Turkmen origin. The government condemned the US drone attacks as a violation of its sovereignty, and has vowed to map out a new security strategy to tackle the insurgency. In a separate operation by the Pakistan Air Force, jets pounded several militant hideouts overnight, killing seven insurgents, senior security officials said.

Typhoon Forces Evacuation of 500,000 Residents in China

Eastern China was on Sunday bracing for torrential downpours from Typhoon Soulik which forced the evacuation of half a million people after killing two in Taiwan. Soulik lashed coastal Fujian province with winds of 118 kilometres per hour (73 mph) when it made landfall but had weakened to a tropical depression as it moved inland, the China Meteorological Administration said. More than half a million people were evacuated from Fujian and neighbouring Zhejiang as the typhoon approached, with 5,500 soldiers deployed to carry out relief work if needed. In Taiwan, two people were killed, one was missing and 104 were injured by the storm, with one town reporting widespread landslides and floodwaters a storey high. The northern village of Bailan saw the heaviest rain, with 90 centimetres (35 inches) falling in 48 hours, with winds gusting up to 220 kilometres per hour.

23 Killed in Bomb Attacks on Sunni Mosques

Two bomb attacks near Sunni mosques in the Iraqi capital killed at least 23 people who had gathered to pray after breaking their daily fast for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan penultimate Saturday. A car packed with explosives went off near the Mulla Hwesh mosque in Baghdad's western district of Jamia, killing at least seven people, and a suicide bomber blew himself up in the southern Doura neighbourhood, leaving 16 dead. The violence is part of a sustained campaign of militant attacks since the start of the year that has prompted fears of wider conflict in a country where ethnic Kurds and Shi'ite and Sunni Muslims have yet to find a stable power-sharing compromise.

22 Indian School Children Killed after School Meal

At least 22 children died and dozens were taken to hospital with apparent food poisoning after eating a meal provided free by their school in the Indian state of Bihar. The development sparked violent protests across the state. Police said the children, aged eight to 11, fell ill after eating a lunch of rice, soybean and pulses on Tuesday. The school, in the district of Chapra, provided free meals under the Mid-Day Meal Scheme. Education minister, M.M. Pallam Raju, said a school cook also died after apparently eating the meal. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has ordered an inquiry into the incident and has offered 3,400 dollars to the families of those who have died. The meal was cooked in the school kitchen, and police have seized all the ingredients used. Bihar's Education Minister P K Shahi said a preliminary investigation suggested the food had traces of phosphorous, which is used to preserve rice and wheat. Authorities have suspended a food inspector and registered a case of criminal negligence against the head teacher.

Eight Men Arrested over Rape of School Girls in India

Eight men have been arrested over the abduction and gang-rape of four young girls from a convent boarding house in eastern India. The girls aged between 12 and 14 were taken from the hostel in Jharkhand state by men armed with knives, who then assaulted them in a nearby forest, according to police superintendent, YS Ramesh. He added that police would press for a speedy trial if the men were charged over the crime.  The school principal told police that the gang had locked him and other teachers in a room at the school run by a Christian missionary in the state's Pakur district. The men then entered the dormitory and took away the four girls, all from a local tribal community.  Medical tests on the girls confirmed they were raped. India faces intense scrutiny over its efforts to curb violence against women following the fatal gang-rape of a student on a bus in New Delhi last December that sparked protests across the country throughout December and January.

Panama Stops N'Korea Ship Carrying Missiles

Panama has stopped a North Korean ship which it claims was trying to illegally sneak sophisticated missiles through the Panama Canal. Panamanian authorities boarded the ship suspecting it was carrying drugs. However, when they searched it they discovered "undeclared weapons of war" among a shipment of brown sugar, according to Panamanian President, Ricardo Martinelli. The North Korean captain attempted to kill himself and violence broke out among the 35-strong crew as the ship was raided, according to Martinelli. The ship is currently being held by the Panamanian authorities, but North Korea is yet to respond to its seizure.  North Korea believes it has the right to ship weapons in the same way that most other countries do on a regular basis. North Korea is banned, under several United Nations resolutions, from importing and exporting all weapons, with the exception of small arms until it shuts down its nuclear weapons programme. Cuba has admitted being behind a stash of weapons found on board a North Korean ship seized in the Panama Canal. The Cuban foreign ministry said the ship was carrying obsolete arms from Cuba for repair in North Korea.

French Hostage Confirmed Dead in Mali

A body found in northern Mali has been confirmed to be that of a French man seized by Islamist militants in 2011, the French president's office says. Al-Qaeda's North Africa branch said it had killed geologist Philippe Verdon in retaliation for France's intervention in Mali. Verdon and another Frenchman were seized in the northern town of Hombori. He was said to have been on a business trip when he was kidnapped in November 2011. France sent troops to Mali in January saying al-Qaeda-linked militants could overrun the capital, Bamako. Besides Verdon, another six French nationals are being held by Islamist groups in the country. President Francois Hollande said he was doing everything possible to bring the remaining hostages back.

Seven Killed, Several Wounded in Clashes in Cairo

Seven people were killed and 261 wounded in Cairo when supporters of ousted President, Mohamed Morsi, clashed with opponents and security forces overnight. Head of Egypt's emergency services, Mohamed Sultan, on Tuesday, said that two people had been killed at a bridge in central Cairo and five more in the capital's Giza district. Supporters of Morsi have clashed with police as they continued to demand his return to office. Many protesters were injured and they received treatment at a makeshift ward set up to deal with casualties. Thousands of people also staged a sit-in near the Rabia el Adawiya mosque to protest Morsi's ouster by the military. Marches by Morsi's supporters have been largely peaceful since violence peaked a week ago when more than 50 Muslim Brotherhood supporters were killed in clashes with the military. The deputy president of the Brotherhood's political party, Essam el Erian, stressed for the protests and sit-ins to remain peaceful.

Drone Attack Kills Arabian Al Qaeda Number Two

A Saudi national, who was freed from Guantanamo Bay only to become second-in-command of al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), has been killed. Said al Shehri died in a US-led drone strike in Yemen, senior AQAP official, Ibrahim al Rubaish, said. He did not say when the strike took place. Shehri was taken to the Cuban detention facility in 2002 after Pakistan handed him to US authorities. He was returned to Saudi Arabia in late 2007 and later fled to Yemen to join the al Qaeda branch there.

Drug Cartel Leader Captured in Mexico

Miguel Angel Trevino Morales, head of the brutal Zetas drug cartel, has been captured in northern Mexico. Trevino Morales, known as "Z-40", was captured outside Nuevo Laredo, near the US border at dawn on Monday. He took control of the Zetas following the death of group founder, Heriberto Lazcano, in October 2012. The Zetas were formed by defectors from a Mexican elite police unit and quickly became infamous for their brutality, which included the beheadings of kidnapped migrants and rival gang members. The group split in 2010, sparking brutal turf wars in the north of the country. Government spokesman, Eduardo Sanchez, disclosed that Marines stopped a pick-up truck containing $2m (£1.3m) in cash and Trevino Morales was taken into custody along with a bodyguard, an accountant and eight guns, he said.

Gay Rights Campaigner Tortured, Killed in Cameroon

A gay rights campaigner in Cameroon was found dead in his Yaounde home after being tortured, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said on Tuesday. Eric Lembembe’s body was discovered in the capital on Monday and his body showed he had been extensively tortured. Friends of Lembembe reportedly found his body on Monday evening. According to one of his friends his neck was broken and his face, hands and feet were burned with an iron. Lembembe was found after worried friends had been unable to contact him by phone. The front door to his house was padlocked on the outside but they could see his body through a window and called the police, who broke down the door. Lembembe, who was executive director of the Cameroonian AIDS Foundation, was an outspoken advocate of gay rights in a country where homosexuality is punishable by up to five years in prison.

Pirates Hijack Tanker Off Gabon

Pirates have hijacked an oil products tanker with 24 crew members onboard off the Gabon coast, the vessel’s operator said on Wednesday. A Gabonese naval source said the ship was now believed to be in Nigerian waters. Pirates are thought to have boarded the Maltese-flagged Cotton tanker, carrying a partly loaded cargo of fuel oil, on Monday near Gabon’s Port Gentil in the first reported attack in that region in the past five years, Turkish operator, Geden Lines, said. A Gabonese security source said the tanker was attacked by 12 to 15 gunmen armed with AK-47 assault rifles.

Russian Opposition Leader Freed after Protests

Russia has freed opposition leader, Alexei Navalny, on bail, bending to the will of thousands of protesters, who denounced his five-year jail sentence as a crude attempt by President Vladimir Putin to silence him. A judge approved an unusual prosecution request to release him while he awaits the outcome of an appeal. The anti-corruption campaigner's movements will be restricted to Moscow but he proclaimed the ruling, one day after he was convicted of theft, as a victory for people power. People poured onto the streets of big Russian cities to protest on Thursday evening after Navalny was convicted of stealing at least 16 million roubles ($494,000) from a timber firm when he was advising the Kirov regional governor in 2009. Police said more than 200 people were detained in St Petersburg and Moscow although there were no big clashes. Navalny says the case was politically motivated and intended to sideline him as a political threat to Putin.

Australia, PNG, Indonesia to Crack Down on Refugees

Australia announced tough new measures to stem a dramatic increase in refugee boats from Indonesia, with a new deal to send all boat arrivals to Papua New Guinea (PNG) for assessment and eventual settlement. Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, also said Indonesia was poised to toughen visa arrangements for people from Iran, a major source country of those trying to make it to Australia by boat, by ending arrangements for Iranians to get visas on arrival there. More than 15,000 asylum seekers have arrived by boat in Australian territory this year, igniting a heated debate on refugee policy and prompting opposition accusations that the ruling Labour government is soft on border protection. Australian elections are due within weeks and Rudd, who has revived Labour’s support, needs to take tough action on asylum seekers to have a chance of winning key seats in western Sydney, where anger at the boat arrivals is a major issue. Since 2001, about 1,000 people have died while trying to reach Australia's Indian Ocean territory of Christmas Island on unseaworthy boats.

Ex-CIA Station Chief Detained in Panama

A former CIA station chief convicted by an Italian court of kidnapping a terror suspect has been detained in Panama, Italian officials say. Robert Seldon Lady was sentenced to nine years in jail for his involvement in the abduction of the man, an Egyptian cleric, in Milan in 2003. The cleric, known as Abu Omar, was allegedly flown to Egypt and tortured. Lady was convicted in absentia with 22 other Americans for their role in his "extraordinary rendition". But the Italian authorities have so far only sought the international arrest of the former Milan station chief. However, Panamanian Security Minister, Jose Raul Mulino, denied knowledge of the detention. Lady was reportedly arrested near Panama's border with Costa Rica.