Villeworth Security Services Ltd

week 46

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PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

25 Die in Anambra Church Stampede

About 25 people died and dozens of others injured in a stampede following the end of an overnight vigil at St Dominic's Catholic Church in Anambra State, spokesman Mike Udah. There was no immediate known cause for the stampede which happened in the grounds of the church as followers celebrated an overnight vigil to mark All Saints' Day. Anambra state governor, Peter Obi, who had earlier attended the vigil, returned to the scene of the tragedy, promising to set up an inquiry to establish the cause of the tragedy. The monthly religious exercise is very popular in the area. On the fateful Saturday, no fewer than 100,000 persons had gathered at the Adoration centre organised by Fr. Obinma popularly known as ‘Ebube Muonso’.

NDLEA Nabs 5 Suspected Cannabis Dealers in Bayelsa

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Bayelsa state have arrested 5 persons suspected of dealing in cannabis sale. One of the suspects, a fisherman, said he took to peddling the drugs because his income was no longer adequate to support his five children and three wives. NDLEA Bayelsa State Commander, Mr. Frank Hanacho, said drug problem remained a major source of concern to the agency. He said 21 suspected drug dealers were arrested last month. The number comprised 15 males and six females and that 34.648kgs cannabis sativa was also seized.

PHCN Manager, 8 Others Arrested for Cable Theft

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Akwa Ibom State Command, has arrested a Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) service manager and eight others for allegedly engaging in illegal poles planting and cables theft. The eight men were said to have been nabbed following a tip-off from residents that some vandals were tampering with the PHCN installations. It was learnt that the service manager was arrested for alleged complicity in the crime. The command’s head, Public Relations/Protocol, Ime White, said that the state commandant of the agency quickly mobilised patrol teams to the area. He explained that the command’s prompt action was also necessitated by the fear that if the vandals were quacks, they could be electrocuted. White said following the arrest of the suspects, the command impounded the truck they were using, which had PHCN label indicating that the vandals were from the Port Harcourt district. He noted that investigation, however, revealed that none the suspects had ever worked with the PHCN.

Cult Clash Claims 2 Lives in Cross River

A violent clash between two rival secret cult groups has left two youths dead in Cross River State. The clash, which took place Sunday night, reportedly started at a burial ceremony when the cult groups engaged each other in a free-for-all following an argument between two young men. An eye witness said that trouble started when a boy slapped a nursing mother and her boyfriend, who is an alleged cultist, confronted him and an argument started, and in the process a fight ensued. “One of them brought a machete with which he inflicted a cut on one of the boys and that escalated matters. “It was in a bid to retaliate the machete cut on their member that opposing members mobilised that night and attack members of the other group. The State’s Police spokesman, Hogan Bassey, confirmed the clash.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

Explosive Planted under Delta Speaker’s Seat Shatters Woman’s Legs

The police in Delta State have arrested a man in connection with the explosion that rocked the seat of speaker of the state House of Assembly, Hon. Victor Ochei, at a political meeting in the state, last weekend. Two cannons exploded at the venue of the meeting at Obomkpa, Aniocha North Council Area of the state, while the speaker was acknowledging cheers from supporters. The seat of the speaker was specially clothed along with other special guests. It was gathered that Ochei’s seat was thrown meters up while a lady close by had her legs shattered. Police public relations officer, ASP Lucky Uyabeme, said that the police had intensified investigation into the incident to bring any other accomplice to book. The speaker is jostling for the governorship position of the state in the 2015 governorship elections. The chief press secretary to the speaker, Mr Nkem Osu, who was also at the venue of the meeting, confirmed that the speaker was targeted, describing it as an assassination attempt on Ochei.

Delta Police Kill Two Robbery Suspects, Arrest Kidnappers

The Delta Police Command says it shot dead two armed robbery suspects in a shootout in Udu LGA of the state. Police spokesman, Lucky Uyabeme, said that the robbers were killed on Saturday during a shootout between the bandits and the police. According to him, the police responded to a distress call from a resident of the area and immediately mobilised to the scene. The robbers, on sighting the police, promptly opened fire on them. The police returned fire, gunned down two of them, while two others escaped. One locally-made pistol, one cut-to-size single-barrel gun and a double gun as well as three live and one expanded cartridges were recovered from them. It also added said efforts were on to arrest the fleeing suspects. Uyabeme further disclosed that the command also arrested two suspected kidnappers and rescued their victims at Ogwashi-Uku, in Aniocha South LGA on Monday.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

Father of Three Shot Dead Trigger Happy Cop

A policeman, last weekend, shot to death a father of three, Azeez Omotosho, in front of their home at Oyegunwa Street, Sogunle area of Lagos State. Azeez was allegedly shot in the presence of his seven-year-old daughter, Aliya. Upon the death of the 35-year-old, irate youths in the area allegedly marched down to Sogunle Police Division where the killer policeman, identified as Corporal Emejo Gabriel, was said to be attached to. He was reportedly disarmed and arrested before being transferred to Area F Police Command, Ikeja. Police Public Relations Officer, Ngozi Braide, said that policeman was first attacked and beaten by hoodlums. The policeman has been hospitalised while his team members have been arrested and investigations are on to determine if the policeman acted in accordance with Force Order 237.”

2 Arraigned over Rape of 15-Year-Old Girl

Two young men have been arraigned before an Osogbo Magistrate’s court for allegedly raping a 15-year-old girl in Ikirun. The men, Azeez Kehinde, 20, Adeyanju Ismaila, 23, were alleged to have defiled and assaulted the girl at Igbo-Ile area of Ikirun, mid night. Both Kehinde and Ismaila, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges against them. Counsel to the accused persons, Mr. Adedokun Tunde applied for the bail of his clients, praying the court to grant them bail in the most liberal terms as according to him the accused persons were ready to stand their trial before the court. The presiding magistrate, Mr. Olusola Aluko lamented the involvement of young men in criminal activities especially the rate at which females were defiled in the state. He granted bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the case till 6th of December, 2013.

Pipeline Vandalism: Ex-NNPC Staff, 3 Others Arrested

Operatives of the Inspector-General of Police Special Task Force on Anti-Pipeline Vandalism have arrested a former private security personnel attached to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), for allegedly working as a middleman for vandals in Shagamu area of Ogun State. The 47-year-old suspect identified as Kehinde Orimade, who admitted culpability, said he was tempted to work for vandals following the money that was offered. Orimade, according to the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the Special Task Force, Friday Ibadin, was arrested while relocating to Benin, Edo State, when he got wind that the operatives were on his trail. Also arrested were Adewale Saka, Kemi Balogun and Umaru Abudulahi. A truck, fully-loaded with a petroleum product, was recovered at the point of discharging it to prospective buyers at Ogere, Ogun State.

MMIA Connected to International Anti-drug Trafficking Network

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA) has said the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos is now connected to the international database and communication network  on drug control and other crimes in order to curb the use of the airport as transit for narcotics. This new system, which utilises computer and other basic technology, is designed to facilitate the transmission and reception of real time operational information with access to consultation of a larger criminal database. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade, said the connection of the airport was a fall out of the agreement signed between Nigeria and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Control (UNODC), in 2010. About 36 officers from NDLEA, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Department of State Services (DSS) and Nigeria Police have been trained on the project, which emphasises corporation and synergy among security operatives at the airport.

Police Arrest Suspected Killers of Ogundare

The police in Ekiti State on Wednesday said they had arrested three suspected killers of Foluso Ogundare, a supporter of House of Representatives’ member and governorship aspirant, Opeyemi Bamidele. Ogundare and a female supporter of the lawmaker, Beatrice Ige, were attacked and shot by suspected political hoodlums during a meeting of Bamidele’s support group at Emure Ekiti, last Sunday. The State’s Police spokesman, Victor Babayemi, on Wednesday, said the three suspects were arrested at different locations in Ekiti State on Tuesday. The police spokesman however said he could not disclose the names of the arrested suspects for security reasons “as investigation had been taken over by the Force Headquarters”. The Emure Ekiti killing continued to enrage groups and individuals in the state. A group, Save Ekiti Coalition, on Wednesday accused the state police command of partisanship, saying the State’s Commissioner of Police, Sotonye Wakama, should be redeployed in the interest of justice.

Policeman, Driver Killed in Clash

A violent clash that erupted between the youths of Oke-Odan community in Yewa South LGA of Ogun State and security agents in the area, on Monday, left two persons dead. Irate youths in the town had allegedly engaged policemen and operatives of the state anti-crime military security outfit (Operation MESA) in an exchange of fire over the killing of a member of the community, Yinka Falola. The violence which had lasted three days culminated in the alleged reprisal killing of a police Inspector, Kolapo Lasisi, on Wednesday by some youths who also burnt two police vehicles and vandalised twelve others. A witness disclosed that violence broke out on Monday when a police officer allegedly shot and killed 30-year-old Falola. According to the eyewitness, the FED-SARS inspector had allegedly slapped Falola, who was on a motorcycle. Falola was said to have retaliated, infuriating the police inspector who allegedly cocked his rifle and shot him. Falola’s death immediately triggered the reprisal by the youths of Oke–Odan. The state Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, confirmed the incident.

Housewife Arraigned in Court over Assault on Cops

A 52-year-old housewife, Grace Adebanjo, who allegedly assaulted a policeman and two of his female colleagues, was on Wednesday charged before an Apapa senior magistrate’s court in Lagos. The accused is being tried for assault, tearing of police uniform, unlawful obstruction, damage to property and breach of the peace. The prosecutor, John Iberedem, told the court that the accused person, who was being investigated by the police, bit a policewoman on her finger, tore the uniform of one sergeant while performing his lawful duty, and held the clothes of a female corporal cutting her necklace in the process. If convicted of felony, the accused could bag three years imprisonment. Adebanjo, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges. In his ruling, the Senior Magistrate, Mr P. A. Adekomaiya, granted the accused bail in the sum of N50,000 with a surety in like sum.

Armed Robbers Kill Policemen for Arms

An arrested armed robbery suspect has confessed to killing policemen for the purpose of taking their guns which are later used in carrying out robberies. The revelation came to the fore as the Lagos State Police Command arrested an eight-man robbery gang. It was learnt that operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) commenced investigations after which the suspects were arrested in different parts of Lagos and Ogun states. Commissioner of Police, Umar Manko, disclosed that one of the suspects, identified as Olubaba, was a close associate of robbery kingpin, Abiodun Ogunjobi aka Godogodo. The leader of the gang, Olubaba, confessed that they killed the policemen and took the guns because the policemen’s guns were superior to theirs.

Fire Guts 25-Storey Building in Lagos

An early morning fire Monday gutted the popular building housing the Great Nigerian Insurance Company on No 47-57, Martins Street, Opposite Oluwole New Plaza, Lagos Island, destroying properties worth millions of naira and leaving several others injured. Fire service and security personnel were also said to have rushed to the scene and embarked on a search and rescue operation immediately. One of the injured persons, Obia Onoh, was said to have been one of the earliest fire service men to arrive the scene, but was attacked following an attempt by rescue workers to control the crowd in order to concentrate on fighting the fire outbreak. The crowd had resisted and attacked the fire fighters, injuring Onoh and several other bystanders. The fire that finally doused 32 hours after it started. The authorities have yet to identify the cause of the inferno which consumed three floors of the 25-storey building. General Manager, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu, said the agency had called in the ministry of works and physical planning to make a full assessment of the damage done to the structure.

Angry Family Beats-Up Nurse over Death of Patient

A staff nurse at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti, was on Monday beaten up by family members of a female patient, who died in the hospital following a health complication. It was gathered that the nurse was beaten by children and relatives of the deceased who were at the hospital when the woman died. The patient, who was diagnosed with a terminal liver illness, died few days after she was admitted at the hospital. Acting Chief Medical Director of EKSUTH, Dr. Kolawole Ogundipe, said that the deceased had been kept at a faith-based home for months before she was brought to the hospital when they saw that her condition deteriorated. Police Public Relations Officer, Ekiti State Command, Victor Babayemi, said investigation was being carried out on the matter.

Man Arrested for Killing Friend over Alleged Affair with Wife

The police in Ogun have arrested a 30-year-old man, Wasiu Yusuf, for allegedly stabbing his friend, Adeolu Olatoye, 32, to death in Abeokuta. Another suspect in the alleged killing, Mukaila Popoola, is currently on the run. The suspect’s wife, Busayo, is also in detention. The victim, the suspect and his alleged accomplice lived in the same premises before the incident. It was gathered that Olatoye was allegedly killed by Yusuf and his accomplice for allegedly having an affair with his wife. Police sources disclosed that during interrogation, the suspect allegedly confessed to attacking the deceased when he visited his wife in their matrimonial home. The suspect was said to have further claimed that the victim mistakenly stabbed himself during a scuffle between them while attempting to escape from his room. An eyewitness claimed that Olatoye had gone to his friend’s room to give him an invitation card when the suspect allegedly attacked him with broken bottles.

5 Killed as Shopping Complex Collapses in Lagos

A five-storey shopping complex under-construction in Eti-Osa LGA of Lagos state, Monday, collapsed killing at least five persons and injuring 15 others, while scores of persons remained trapped under the debris. Officials of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Red Cross and security operatives were engaged in the battle to rescue the trapped persons. It was learnt that the construction workers were casting the decking and the pillars when the building caved-in on them at about 4:00p.m. The General Manager of LASEMA, Dr Femi Oke-Osanyintolu, confirmed the incident.

Lagos Police Parade Pregnant Mother of Two, 7 Others as Robbery Suspects

The Lagos State Police Command, Monday, paraded eight armed robbery suspects, who were said to have killed two Policemen and wounded several others at Iju-Ishaga area of the state. Among the suspects is a pregnant woman, Taiwo Obafunsho, 28, who is also a mother of two. The other suspects are Ife Olubaba, 29 who is the alleged gang leader; Saheed Wasiu, 23; Sedu Idowu 20; Wasiu Rafiu, 23; Odelade Kabiru, 26; Waliu Sanni, 29, and Taiye Agege said to be dead. The suspects were found with two AK-47 rifles, one automatic pump-action gun, four locally-made pistols, two fully-loaded AK-47 magazines, 135 live cartridges and a Hyundai Tucson sports utility vehicle.

GENERAL

Gunmen Kill 30 in Attack on Wedding Convoy

Suspected members of Boko Haram, last weekend, attacked a wedding convoy in Borno State and killed over 30 people, including the groom. It was reported that the wedding ceremony had taken place in Firgi village in neighbouring Borno State and the groom and guests were driving home to Adamawa when they were attacked on Saturday on the highway between Bama and Gwoza towns in Borno. The Caretaker Committee Chairman of Bama LGA of Borno State, Alhaji Baba Shehu, who made this known on Monday, said 12 other persons were also injured in the attack by about 70 gunmen who stormed the town. But a statement by the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army, based in Maiduguri, put the death toll at five. Army spokesman, Lt.-Col. Mohammed Dole, said the five persons were killed after an attack on a bus at a village called Bulakuri. In a related incident, Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau said in a video released same weekend, that he led an attack on October 24 in which 35 people found in military uniforms were killed in Yobe State.

Taraba House Speaker, Haruna Tsokwa, Dies

The Speaker of the Taraba State House of Assembly, Haruna Tsokwa, in the early of hours of Monday, slumped and died. Tsokwa, who led the team of lawmakers opposed to the resumption of work by ailing Governor Danbaba Suntai despite his plea, is said to have slumped in his house and was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, where he died. Tsokwa was recently attacked by unknown gunmen on his way out of Taraba State. One of his aides was killed in the attack while Tsokwa escaped unhurt. The late speaker was being expected to lead a delegation of the state Christian community to the yearly pilgrimage in Israel. Tsokwa is said to have been down with some heart-related ailments.

Court Fines STF, IGP N2m over Rights Violation

A  Federal High Court in Jos, Plateau State, has asked the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Special Task Force (STF) to pay N2m as damages to a Jos-based businessman, Chijioke Achi, for violating his fundamental human rights. The damages were awarded jointly and severally against the IGP and some of his officers serving under the STF and one Colonel. Achi had dragged the security officers to court alleging assault and brutality. Achi said the Colonel had in March this year bought a computer from his shop and returned it after a month through a soldier, claiming that the device was defective but a technician, who examined the computer, certified it okay. But the soldiers insisted that the Colonel told them to drop the computer and ask for a refund. In the ensuing argument, the security men beat him up and damaged his goods. Justice Ayo Emmanuel condemned the action of the security men, describing it as flagrant abuse of the fundamental rights of the applicant.

Military Kills Boko Haram Members in Raids

The military has broken into the Boko Haram strongholds in Borno State as some of the insurgents were killed and a large number of their vehicles destroyed in land and air raids. The military further revealed that the insurgents had planned to detonate a large cache of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in some Borno towns and villages before the raids. The army spokesman, 7 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maiduguri, Lt. Col. Muhammad Dole, said that the simultaneous aggressive operations conducted by the troops recorded huge success on Monday 4, 2013. Dole said the military responded to information from the general public and was able to trace the camps and hideouts, which were eventually destroyed, noting that severe losses were inflicted on the Boko Haram sect.

Four Family Members Killed in Fresh Plateau Crisis

Four members of a family were killed and two others seriously wounded when some gunmen, suspected to be Fulani herdsmen, invaded Rantis village near Kurra Falls in Barkin Ladi LGA of Plateau State. It was gathered that the gunmen invaded the village around 7pm on Monday, killing one Mr Joil Pam, his wife, two of his children aged 4 and 2. Those injured were Susanna and Alfa, and are said to be receiving treatment. Spokesman for the Special Task Force (STF), Capt. Salisu Mustapha, who confirmed the incident, said security had been heightened in the area by men of the task force.

Senate Extends Emergency Rule in Borno, Adamawa, Yobe

The Senate has approved the extension of emergency rule in 3 northern states. President Goodluck Jonathan had sent a request to the Senate for a six-month extension on the state of emergency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States. In separate letters to the Senate and the House of Representatives, the president asked the lawmakers to review the period of the emergency as the first six months he declared in May, ends November. The 1999 Constitution states that the proclamation of a state of emergency will elapse after a period of six months from the day of approval, except the period is extended by the National Assembly. Consequently, in view of the fact that the current emergency rule will expire on November 12, the president has conveyed a letter which was read on the floor of the senate Wednesday. Emergency rule was declared in the three states on May 14, to curtail the violent activities of the Boko Haram sect which has killed thousands of people in series attacks on security forces, religious houses, schools, and private residences.

Man Arrested for Murder of Nigerian in Indian State

The Police in the Indian state of Goa have arrested one person in connection with the murder of a Nigerian in north coastal Goa. The killing led to a huge diplomatic furore between Nigeria and India. However, India has reached out to pacify Nigeria by engaging in a dialogue with it in a bid to douse the diplomatic tension between the two nations over the incident. Surendra Paul, 24, who is suspected to have links with the drug mafia, was arrested for the murder of the Nigerian, Obodo Simon. Paul was arrested from Chapora, a village known as a haven for drug traffickers. The police suspect that Paul was one of the six attackers involved in killing Simon on October 31. Simon death triggered angry protests by a group of 200 Nigerians who blocked a major national highway and clashed with the police. The clash further resulted in the arrest of over 50 Nigerians and the forced eviction of several others. A Nigerian consular official had, on Monday, warned that thousands of Indians in Nigeria would be "thrown out on the streets" if police don't stop evicting Nigerians from their rented homes in Goa. While there are only 50,000 Nigerians living in India; there are over one million Indians living in Nigeria. India’s external affairs ministry spokesperson, Syed Akbaruddin, discountenanced any tension with Nigeria over the death and the clash between Nigerians and the police that followed in Goa.

Police Bans Political Rallies at Airports

The Police High Command has banned political, social and religious gatherings at all the nation's airports, describing the airports as exclusive security zones. Rising from a strategic security meeting at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, on Tuesday, the Police authorities directed the Airport Command Commissioners of Police and Commissioners of Police in states hosting the airports to ensure that  in line with international best practices, firm security measures are taken to safeguard the airports and their critical infrastructure. "The ban was necessary to avert security breaches and protect critical infrastructure, travellers, aircrew, airport staff and personnel at the nation’s local and international airports and to prevent a situation where the airports are turned into places of political assemblies, religious worship and other social receptions" a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba said.

Lawmakers Prescribe Life Jail for Offenders

The House of Representatives has proposed stiffer penalties for manufacturers, marketers and hawkers of counterfeit and fake drugs in the country. Penalties can go as high as life imprisonment or a fine of N10m or both for manufacturers on conviction while those who engage in marketing such drugs and unwholesome processed foods, risk seven-year jail term or a fine of N5m. These provisions were the highlights of a bill, which passed second reading at the House on Tuesday. The “Bill for an Act to Amend the Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods (Miscellaneous Provisions) to Increase Penalties for Offences under the Act” was sponsored by a lawmaker from Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Bassey Dan-Abia. Dan-Abia argued that the current penalties for offenders were mild and that they allowed the offenders to get away with the serious crime of murder.

Boy, 10, Goes Missing from Abuja Church

A 10-year-old boy, Chibuike Ogbusu, has been abducted by unknown persons on his way from the St. Bartholomew Cathedral Church, Kubwa, Abuja. The boy had attended the Boys Brigade rehearsal at the church, last Saturday and was on his way home before his disappearance. Chibuike’s father, Peter Ogbusu, said that different people had been calling to make “funny” demands and suggestions. According to him, “after the Boys’ Brigade practice, Chibuike’s friends told him they wanted to drink water at a borehole in front of the church, but the others went to drink, Chibuike waited for them. When the three boys returned, they did not see him. He added that the family had, however, been receiving calls from unknown persons asking for N10m. The worried father expressed hope that the boy would be found. The FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Altienne Daniel, said the incident was being treated as a missing person case.

INTERNATIONAL

UK Scraps Visa Bond Plan for “High Risk” Countries

Britain is scrapping a plan to force visitors from six “high-risk” countries to pay a cash bond of £3,000, the country’s interior ministry said Sunday. The government had been preparing to pilot a scheme requiring visitors from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Ghana and Nigeria to pay the deposit for a six-month visa. They would have forfeited the money if they overstayed. The plan had prompted an outcry from government and business leaders in India, with which Britain has been trying to foster a closer trade relationship. The then Nigerian Foreign Minister, Olugbenga Ashiru, also said in June that the bond scheme was “not only discriminatory but also capable of undermining the spirit of the Commonwealth family.”

Court Rejects Appeal on Ban of Muslim Brotherhood

A court in Egypt has dismissed an appeal by the Muslim Brotherhood against a ban on all its "activities" and the seizure of its assets. Lawyers had sought to halt the implementation of the 23 September ruling affecting the Islamist movement, its NGO, and any affiliated groups. Brotherhood officials said they would now appeal to a higher court. The interim authorities have cracked down on the group since the army ousted President Mohammed Morsi in July. Several senior figures, including Mr Morsi and general guide Mohammed Badie, have gone on trial on charges of inciting violence and murder. Hundreds of people demanding Morsi's reinstatement, most of them Brotherhood members, have also been killed in clashes with security forces, which portray the crackdown as a struggle against "terrorism". The 85-year-old Islamist movement was banned by Egypt's military rulers in 1954, but registered an NGO called the Muslim Brotherhood Association in March. The Brotherhood also has a legally registered political wing, the Freedom and Justice Party (FJP).

Pervez Musharraf Freed from House Arrest

Pakistan's former military ruler, Pervez Musharraf, has been released from house arrest and is free to move around the country, officials say. His release comes days after he was bailed over the 2007 army operation to oust militants from Islamabad's Red Mosque - the last legal case against him. But the former general remains on a government exit control list and cannot leave the country. It is also unclear if he will leave the house because of threats to his life. Musharraf's seven-month house arrest was unprecedented in a country which has been ruled by the military for more than half of its history. Musharraf has consistently maintained that all the charges against him are politically motivated. The court, Monday, approved his bail on the condition that Musharraf paid bonds totalling $2,000 (£1,243). The operation ordered by Musharraf on the besieged Red Mosque left a cleric and over 100 others dead, and fuelled a deadly militant insurgency inside Pakistan. Earlier this year, he returned to Pakistan from self-imposed exile to fight elections - which were won by Nawaz Sharif, the man he ousted in his 1999 coup - but swiftly ran into trouble.

Somali Army Attacks Al-Shabaab Base, Kill 30

Somali government soldiers, backed by African Union peacekeepers, have clashed with al-Shabaab fighters on the outskirts of Kolbiyo, a town in lower Jubba province near the Kenya-Somalia border. About 80 government soldiers on pick-up trucks attacked the group’s bases 10km from the town on Saturday, an al-Shabaab spokesman said. The early-morning attack lasted for more than an hour, he said. The Kenyan military said about 30 fighters from the anti-government group were killed in the ensuing clashes. But al-Shabaab denied the claim, saying that it did not lose a single fighter. The al-Shabaab base that the government soldiers attacked is close to Kolbiyo and not far from Badhadhe. Both towns have been scenes of recent attacks by the group fighting the UN-backed Somali government.

Colombian Navy Make Huge Caribbean Cocaine Haul

The Colombian navy has seized 1,450 kg (3,200 lb) of cocaine from a speedboat in the Caribbean, following a tip off by US anti-drugs agents. Colombian officials say the boat had left the northern town of Manaure and was heading towards the Dominican Republic, according reports. It was intercepted in international waters. Four Venezuelans and a Colombian have been detained and are being held in custody in Tampa, Florida. They are expected to be charged with drug trafficking, Colombian police said. The drugs allegedly belonged to Los Urabenos, which operates in northern Colombia. Los Urabenos is one of the groups the Colombian government calls Bacrim, short for bandas criminales (criminal gangs). Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos has made the fight against the Bacrim one of his government’s priorities.

M23 Rebels End Insurgency in DR Congo

The M23 rebel group in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo says it is ending its insurgency, hours after the government claimed military victory. M23 leader, Bertrand Bisimwa, announced on Tuesday that it would adopt "purely political means" to achieve its goals and urged its fighters to disarm and demobilise. The army says it will now pursue other rebel groups that do not disarm. At least 800,000 people have fled their homes since the M23 took up arms in 2012 but several other armed groups still operate in the mineral-rich eastern DR Congo. His statement came after an apparently heavy military defeat and an agreement by African leaders on Monday night that the M23 should make "a public declaration renouncing rebellion" to allow a peace accord to be signed with the Congolese government. Congolese Defence Minister Alexandre Luba Ntambo, said once the rebels had publicly abandoned their insurgency the government "would make a public declaration of acceptance of this".