Villeworth Security Services Ltd

week 25

PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

JTF Rescues Abducted Corps Members, Widows

Men of the Joint Military Task Force (JTF) last weekend rescued four members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), who were kidnapped last Thursday, at Abonnema, headquarters of Akuku-Toru LGA of Rivers State. Similarly, operatives of the JTF, assisted by men of the state command of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN), also rescued two widows, Mrs. Mary Bob and Mrs. Comfort Bob from the hands of their abductors. The VGN also arrested a suspected kidnapper, Gift James, who was alleged to be involved in the abduction of the two widows, wives of late Thompson Bob of Ihuaba Community of Ahoada-East LGA of the state.

Police Nab Suspected Killer of Varsity Lecturer

A final year student in the Department of Microbiology, University of Calabar, has been arrested in connection with the death of a lecturer in the department, Dr. Godwin Iwatt, who was shot on May 6. Iwatt, who was the examination officer in the department, later died on May 15. It was gathered on Wednesday that the Cross River State Police Command arrested a final year student, whose name was withheld, in the Calabar South area. A police source disclosed that said the shooting was done with the assistance of three other students who are still at large. The Police source said the suspect was traced through some death threat messages he sent to Iwatt, who allegedly refused to clear the student’s backlog of carryovers to enable him proceed for the national youth service. The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Hogan Bassey, said investigation was still ongoing, while confirming that the principal suspect has been arrested, but investigation is still ongoing.

Explosion Rocks Rivers High Court Again

The Rivers State High Court was, on Monday, hit by another explosion, the second in less than one year. The explosion, which occurred in the early hours, destroyed the main courtroom, the judges’ chambers and adjoining offices. It was gathered that while property worth millions of naira and sensitive documents were destroyed, no life was lost in the incident. The Chairman of the Caretaker Committee of Ahoada-east LGA, Mr. Andy Nweye, disclosed that the incident happened in the early hours of the day, adding that the explosion was politically motivated. According to Nweye, unknown persons planted dynamite at the main court building, destroying the roof of the court house and documents, including case files. The police however have said there was no evidence of explosion in the court premises, even as it acknowledged that hoodlums had visited the court. The assistant Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mrs. Grace Iringe-koko (ASP), on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Tunde Ogunsakin, said the police commissioner and his team had visited the scene of the incident and collected samples for analysis.

Nigeria to Pay $70,000 for Forced Eviction of Slum-Dwellers

Nigeria was on Tuesday ordered to pay nearly $70,000 (50,000 euros) damages after at least one person was killed and 12 seriously injured during the military's forced eviction from a slum five years ago. The case was related to an incident on October 12, 2009, when families in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, were forced out of their make-shift homes by the military. The 40 waterfront settlements in Port Harcourt are thought to be home to more than 200,000 people and thousands had been forcibly evicted in recent years. It is still not clear exactly how many people died in the shootings in the area called Bundu Ama as there was no government inquiry. But the Community Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) ruled that there was no justification for the shootings, saying the government had breached its obligation to protect the right to peaceful assembly.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

Edo Assembly Suspends Deputy Speaker, Four Others for Misconduct

Edo State House of Assembly, on Monday, suspended its Deputy Speaker, Mr. Festus Ebea and four other members for alleged misconduct. Other lawmakers who were suspended with the deputy speaker include Friday Ogieriakhi representing Orhionmwon South; Jude Ise-Idehen, Ikpoba-Okha; and Patrick Osayimwen, Oredo East. A total of 11 members were present at the sitting where the lawmakers were suspended under section 38 rules three of the House Rules. Moving the motion for their suspension, Paul Ohonbamu, Ego state constituency said actions of the affected lawmakers constituted misconduct. The motion was seconded by Majority Leader, Philip Shaibu and member representing Etsako West II.

Suspected Cattle Rustlers Rape Woman to Death

A middle-aged woman has been reportedly raped to death by suspected cattle rustlers.
The victim, accompanied by her 18-year-old son, was attacked by the hoodlums while returning from the farm at Odighi community in Ovia North-East LGA of Edo State last Tuesday. The deceased’s son was reported to have escaped while his mother was raped to death. The incident prompted some farmers in the community to lodge a complaint with the police at Ekiadolor Divisional Police headquarters who recovered the body of the deceased. Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Edo State Police Command, Noble Uwoh, who confirmed the sexual assault and murder of the woman, said three suspects linked with the crime had been arrested.

FG Arraigns Delta Kidnap Kingpin, Others

The Federal Government, Tuesday, arraigned Delta State alleged kidnap kingpin, Mr. Kelvin Oniarah Ezeiegbe and two others before a Federal High Court in Abuja on a 13-count charge of terrorism and kidnapping. He was arraigned alongside Frank Azuekor and Michael Omonigho. They all pleaded not guilty to the charges against them. Subsequently, the prosecution counsel, Chioma Onuegbu, prayed the court for an order directing the accused persons to be remanded in prison custody pending their trial. Refusing the oral application for bail made by the defence lawyer, Mr. Bala I. Dakum, the trial judge, Justice Ademola Adeniyi said the application was not in line with the Criminal Procedure Rule of the court. The accused persons are being prosecuted for conspiracy to commit terrorist acts, kidnapping of persons, inciting persons to commit acts of terrorism, recruitment and abetting escape, contrary to Section 17 of the Terrorism Prevention Act 2011 as amended.

Edo House Suspends Members

There was tension in Edo Monday as thousands of youths besieged the state House of Assembly Complex at Oba Ovonramwen Square, giving a seven-day ultimatum to four members of the Assembly, who recently announced their defection from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to recant their position or risk recall from their constituents. While the protesters, with various placards chanted solidarity songs in support of the leadership of the House and the governor and other songs were against the lawmakers in question, members of the House were meeting in the chambers where they voted for the suspension of four lawmakers. The four were accused of gross misconduct and actions that contravened the House Rules of Order 38 Rule 3, which bars any member of the House from taking the Assembly to court.

Edo Assembly Members Fight as Lawmakers Try to Suspend Speaker

Edo State House of Assembly Tuesday erupted like a volcano following a counter move led by the Deputy Speaker, Festus Ebea, and three other lawmakers who were suspended on Monday, to effect the suspension of the Speaker, Uyi Igbe, the majority leader and six others. The four suspended members and five others had arrived at the assembly in the morning and broke through the entrance of the chambers, then moved and adopted a motion for the suspension of the speaker and seven others without the mace. According to a member of staff of the assembly, trouble began at 9.45 am when the suspended members drove into the assembly complex with some riot policemen and broke into the chambers, which was under lock and key. He said on siting the lawmakers, the Sergeant at Arms, who apparently knew the intention of the suspended members, took to his heels. Subsequently, in a sitting that lasted about five minutes and presided over by Ebea, Igbe, the minority leader and six other lawmakers were suspended. However, just as Ebea and his group of dissenting lawmakers were concluding their motion, Igbe and 14 other lawmakers stormed the hallowed chambers at exactly 10 am, following which a free-for-all broke out.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

Customs Destroy 107 Bags of Marijuana

The Oyo-Osun Customs Area Command on Monday morning seized 107 sacks containing 963 kilogrammes of marijuana at the Igbo-Ora area of Oyo State. The command’s Area Controller, Richard Oteri, disclosed that apart from the seizure, 10,000 cartons of poultry products loaded in three vehicles were also intercepted on June 6, 2014 along the Agbegi/Olodi area of Osun State. Oteri said the relationship between the Customs and other relevant agencies had resulted in the reduction of smuggling activities in the command. He added that the customs had built on the past successes and contributed to the development of the nation’s economy. The sacks of marijuana were handed over to the Oyo State Commandant of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Mrs. Omolade Faboyede, who promised to carry out further investigation that would lead to the arrest of those responsible for the importation of the substance into the state.

Police Kill Robbers in Lagos

The Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SAR) of the Ogun State Police Command has killed two suspected armed robbers while three members of the gang were arrested. It was gathered that the incident happened in the early hours of Monday in Epe, Lagos State after the hoodlums engaged the police in a gun duel. A statement by the Police Public Relations Officer of the Ogun State command, Muyiwa Adejobi, on Monday said the anti-robbery squad stormed the bandits’ hideout in Epe around 2am on Monday after one of the gang members, who was earlier arrested, led the security operatives to the hideout. The Commissioner of Police, Ogun State, Ikemefuna Okoye, commended the gallantry of the team, particularly the follow-up on the case that led the policemen to Epe. He also urged the general public, particularly medical practitioners, to be on the look-out for the fleeing robbers, who were believed to have been injured. The Commissioner of Police also directed the Officer-In-Charge of SARS, Ogun State, Mohammed Tijani, to ensure the fleeing gang members were arrested.

Man, 53, Arraigned For Sexually Harassing Girl, 10

A 53-year-old engineer, Leonard Okafor, was on Monday remanded in prison by an Ota Senior Magistrates’ Court in Ogun for allegedly defiling a 10-year-old girl. The accused was arraigned for alleged defilement of the victim at about 9pm on May 28 at his residence. The prosecutor, Sgt. Italta Ebobimino, alleged that Ebobimino was fond of enticing underage girls whose ages ranged between five years and 10 years with the intention of having unlawful carnal knowledge of them. He said that the offence contravened section 218 of the Criminal Code Vol.1 of Revised, Law of Ogun State, 2006. Senior Magistrate Titi Bello ordered the remand of the accused pending the receipt of legal advice from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution. She adjourned the case till Friday

Man Jailed Six Years for Drug Trafficking

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos during the week sentenced a man, Chibuzo Elioku, 33, to six years in prison for cocaine trafficking. The convict was arraigned by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on November 29, 2013. He had pleaded guilty to the offence. Justice Okon Abang then ordered that Elioku should be remanded in prison and adjourned the case for a review of facts and sentencing. Delivering his judgment, Justice Abang held that the prosecution sufficiently established the guilt of the convict, regardless of his plea before the court. In the charge, the Prosecutor, Uchechukwu Eke, had told the court that the convict was arrested on May 13, 2013. He said the convict was apprehended at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, during the inward clearance of a Qatar Airlines flight from Brazil. According to the prosecutor, the volume of cocaine obtained from the accused measured about 95 grammes.

Teenager Remanded for Raping Blind Octogenarian

A Yaba chief magistrate’s court in Lagos, Tuesday, held that a teenager, Avoseh Satingo, has a case to answer in the alleged rape of an 80-year-old blind woman. It, therefore, ordered that the accused be remanded in prison custody. Magistrate Yewande Aje-Afunwa made this known following advice by the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). The Police had on March 24 charged the teenager with raping an octogenarian on her bed. The prosecutor, Godwin Anyanwu, disclosed that the accused raped the grandmother in her room. He was apprehended by members of the community who sighted him coming out of his victim’s room as she cried for help.

Domestic Worker in Court for Abducting Employer’s Child

A 38-year-old domestic worker, Oke Omoloye, was on Tuesday in Okitipupa arraigned on two counts of abduction and assault. The accused, of no fixed address, is standing trial in an Okitipupa Magistrates’ Court in Ondo State. The prosecutor, Sergeant Zedekiah Orogbemi, told the court that the accused and two others at large abducted 20-year-old Grace Olusola. The victim, who was said to be the child of Omoloye’s employer, was allegedly abducted over unpaid salaries. Orogbemi said the accused, who had been sacked, abducted Olusola to frighten her parents into paying his salaries. The prosecutor said Olusola was deprived of her liberty and was also assaulted as she sustained injuries while being taken through the bush. He said the accused committed the offences on March 10 at about 11am on the Okitipupa-Igbokoda Road.

Angry Passengers Burn NRC Stations, Loot Offices

There was pandemonium at the Nigerian Railway Corporation stations in the Agbado and Itoki areas of Ogun State on Tuesday as some passengers and hoodlums set fire on the offices after destroying them and carting away some amount of money. It was gathered that the uproar, which began at about 7am when passengers were boarding trains, was over a hike in the fares. It was learnt that the fare to Oshodi for the economic class shot up from N150 to N230, while the executive class went from N500 to N750. The Vice President, Alhaji Namadi Sambo, had come to Lagos on Monday to inaugurate two new air-conditioned coaches at the Iddo Terminus. The new trains were expected to increase the daily train passengers in the state from 16,000 to 22,000. However, on Tuesday, being the first day after the inauguration, it was learnt that the NRC officials effected an increase in the fares which got the passengers angry and led to the vandalism. Also, several tyres were burnt along the rail line, while the smoke of the fire was still billowing as of the time of visit. One of the NRC officials explained that some hoodlums took over the protest of passengers, while the police could not curtail them.

Court Remands 35-Year-Old over Rape of Teenager

A 35-year-old man, James Babarinde, was remanded in prison on Tuesday by an Ogun State High Court sitting in Isabo, Abeokuta, for allegedly raping a 15-year-old girl. The accused, who resides in Prison Quarters, committed the offence at Olorunsogo area in Abeokuta. He is facing two count of conspiracy and rape. According to the prosecutor, Jude Michael, the accused forced his manhood into the private part of the victim which made her to bleed profusely and thus causing her pain. The judge, Olanrewaju Majekodunmi, in his ruling went through the file of the accused and ruled that he should be remanded in prison pending a legal advice on the alleged rape. The case has been adjourned till July 11,2014 for hearing.

GENERAL

Protests Hit Kano as Ex-CBN Boss Emerges Emir

Hundreds of aggrieved persons on Sunday spilled into the streets of Kano in protest over the emergence of the former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, as the new Emir of Kano. The protesters, who set a car ablaze, burnt tyres and carried sticks, tree branches and other dangerous weapons, chanted war songs and demanded the reversal of Sanusi’s emergence as the emir. The former CBN governor was in contention to succeed the late emir, Alhaji Ado Abdullahi Bayero, who died on Friday at the age of 83 after a long battle with cancer. Another top contender for the Kano throne was the late emir’s first son, the Ciroman Kano, Alhaji Sanusi Ado Bayero, who was widely considered the more popular choice than the deeply polarising former CBN governor. However, Sanusi, who was installed the Dan Majen Kano last year, was rejected by several youths who upon hearing the announcement of his selection as the emir, spilled into the streets to protest his emergence.

Female Suicide Bomber, Soldier Killed in Foiled Bomb Attack

A female suicide bomber was on Monday killed along with a soldier in Gombe town before she could get to her target. Suicide bombers have traditionally been men. The woman, according to sources, had strapped herself with the bombs and covered herself in a flowing hijab, while also carrying a handbag, which sources said, contained the detonator. The foiled bomb attack occurred in front of the 301 Artillery Regiment Quarter Guard in the heart of Gombe town, the capital of Gombe State. According to sources, a woman suspected to be a suicide bomber hid the explosives in her bag but the bomb went off prematurely before she could get to her target said to have been the military quarter guard that houses the office of the Commandant on Biu Road, Gombe. Although the woman had not arrived at her destination when the bomb went off, chances were high that the military quarter guard barracks was her target.

One Dies As Police, Robbers Battle Over Vehicle

One person suspected to be a member of a robbery gang died on Saturday after a shootout with the police in Ogun State. It was learnt that the policemen, who were attached to the anti-robbery team of the Mowe Police Division, had engaged the gang in a gun battle after the robbers allegedly snatched a Toyota Sienna Bus. It was gathered that the vehicle was snatched at the Redemption Youth Camp on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway around 9.21pm. Ogun State Police Command’s spokesman, Muyiwa Adejobi, who confirmed the incident, said the area of the robbery was close to a pin-down point of the Mowe police team. The policemen were said to have engaged the robbers in a shootout that lasted for several minutes. It was learnt that the robbers later abandoned the vehicle and fled into the bush. The police spokesman said the injured owner had been taken to a hospital for proper treatment, adding that the Commissioner of Police, Ikemefuna Okoye, had linked the foiling of the robbery to the proactive measures put in place by the command.

50 Terrorists Killed in Borno Villages

Troops conducting counter-insurgency operations in North-eastern Nigeria, last weekend, averted attempted massive raids on villages in Borno and Adamawa States. The Director of Defence Information, Major-General Chris Olukolade, said the terrorists who were on their way to attack selected communities were ambushed by troops along Bilta, Borno State on receiving intelligence report of the terrorists’ intention. Over 50 terrorists died in the fierce encounter that ensued, while 30 rifles, 36 hand grenades, seven machine guns and 11 rocket-propelled grenade tubes were captured by the troops. Also, the Department of State Security Service (DSS), Tuesday, disclosed that it had taken into its custody a suspected Boko-Haram impersonator.

Akunyili Dies at 59

Former Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and ex-information minister, Professor Dora Nkem Akunyili, passed away on Monday morning at the age of 59. A statement, signed on behalf of her family by the former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, confirmed her passage in a Specialist Cancer Hospital in India. She died after a two-year battle with cancer. Professor Akunyili was a pharmacist with a quiver of awards for her work in pharmacology, public health and human rights, who came to public limelight when she was appointed the director-general of NAFDAC under the President Obasanjo administration. While she headed NAFDAC, she made the eradication of counterfeit drugs and unsafe food her top priorities.

Italy Pledges Support to Nigeria to Combat Insecurity

The Italian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Fulvio Rustico, has announced plans by his Government to support the Federal Government’s efforts at fighting the activities of terrorists in the country. Rustico disclosed this on Sunday night, at a ceremony to celebrate the Italian National Day in Lagos. He said that the Italian Government was ready to share her past experience of fighting terrorism with the Nigerian Government. The envoy expressed his government’s readiness to organise specialised training programmes for the Nigerian Police, the Immigration Service, the Customs, the Armed Forces and other security agencies. He added that his government’s support for Nigeria was underway by the Italian Carabinieri, the Guardia di Finanza and the Polizia di Stato.

Three Feared Dead as anti-Sanusi Protest Continue in Kano

Three people   were feared dead and scores of others injured in Kano when supporters of the first son of the late Emir of Kano and those of the former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor Lamido Sanusi clashed in the city on Monday. The clashes   which were later brought under control by security operatives took place shortly before   Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso   presented Sanusi   with   a letter of appointment and staff of office as the   Emir of Kano. Areas where the pro and anti-Sanusi protesters had a face-off at about 10.30am were the Emir Palace Road and Kofar Nassarawa. The youth made bonfires on the roads in Kofar Nassarawa and on both sides of the   Emir Palace Road before heavily armed policemen arrived and dispersed them. Some minutes after, they regrouped and attacked one another. Police however reinforced and cordoned off the roads.

Robbers Kidnap Sisters in Abuja, Demand N150m Ransom

Suspected robbers on Sunday evening stormed the residence of an engineer, Mr. Samson Opaluwa, in Karmo, Abuja, kidnapping two ladies in the family after robbing them. The elder lady, Ejura Opaluwa, is 23 years, her sister, Unekwu is four years younger. It was learnt that the gunmen, who drove a blue Honda Accord car with number plate, HR 152 ABC, stormed the family’s residence on Impresit Camp, Associated Estate at about 5pm. The gunmen reportedly raided the entire house and dispossessed the residents of their valuables. After carrying out the operation, the robbers were said to have been dissatisfied with the money they got. It was gathered that as they were leaving, they abducted the two sisters. Speaking with our correspondent on the telephone, the uncle of the ladies, Mr. Amade Opaluwa, said the abductors had demanded a ransom of N150m from the family.

Suspected Berom Youths Injure 30 Fulani, Kill 60 Cows

There was  palpable tension  in Riyom LGA of Plateau State on Tuesday as  Fulani herdsmen alleged that some unknown gunmen suspected to be Berom youths attacked their cattle taken out for grazing by some of their boys in Jol and Rim villages, killing 60 of the cattle while 30 of their boys were also seriously wounded. The head of the Fulani in the local government, Alhaji Mohammad Adamu, said that the incident had already been reported to the Special Task Force (STF) in charge of the area, saying that the attack occurred at about 1p.m. on Monday when the boys took the cattle out for grazing. He also alleged that efforts by the Fulani men to go to the scene after the incident to rescue the wounded cows were also repelled by the Berom youths, who hid in the nearby bush and fired shots at them, and the security men, who wanted to go close to the cows. He revealed that the attack became easy for the Beroms because of the false alarm they had earlier raised that the Fulani were planning to attack Shonong village. In response to the alarm, the security men were moved to Shonong to repel any attack by the Fulani.

Boko Haram Kills 5 in on Two Borno Villages

Suspected members of the outlawed Boko Haram have laid siege on two villages in Borno, killing at least five persons and carting away food items and livestock. Residents of the area revealed that armed hoodlums believed to be members of the outlawed sect invaded the two villages, Tohya and Wurojene near Chibok, the town where over 200 schoolgirls were abducted on April 14. According to them, the attackers opened fire on the villagers as soon as they sneaked into the area at about 7pm on Monday, killing at least five people.

Food Shortage Hits Gwoza People

The people of Gwoza area of Borno state, which has been under insurgency attack in the last one month, have resorted to eating wild fruits and roots to survive as food have been scarce, it was Tuesday gathered, Thousands of residents of six border villages of Attagara, Amuda, Agapalawa, Ashigashiya, Ngoshe and Chikedeh in the area, which recently witnessed insurgency attack have started mass exodus from the areas. It was gathered that the residents started the massive exodus from the areas on Monday, moving into caves of Mandara Mountains in Gwoza council area of the state, even as about 1300 were said to have made a trip to Maiduguri. The people, according to some of them who spoke to journalists in Maiduguri on Tuesday, said they had waited for military deployment to their areas without success and decided to flee. The Senator representing Southern Borno at the National Assembly, Mohammed Ali Ndume had led the call of stakeholders from the areas for military deployment, which the people claimed never came.

Pakistan, Nigeria Collaborate on War against Terrorism

Nigeria and Pakistan have resolved to collaborate on war against terrorism. The two countries are equally poised to improving their bilateral trade from the current below $100 million to $1 billion in the next five years. The revelation came to the fore when President Goodluck Jonathan signed bilateral trade agreement with his counterpart from Pakistan, President Maroon Hussain, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. This was as the government of Sri-Lanka equally expressed its deep concern over the spate of violence and increase in terrorist attack by the Boko Haram sect in the country and expressed its readiness to share her experience in tackling the scourge. Jonathan described the visit of Hussain as unique because it was the first ever state visit by any Parkistani President. He emphasised that the bilateral discussions were based on issues of common interest. The president noted that just like Nigeria was suffering from terrorist attack, Pakistan too was experiencing such. Jonathan further drew comparison between the two countries, saying just as terrorists were breaching the security of Pakistan, Nigeria was still battling on how the abducted schoolgirls can be freed from the hands of the terrorists.

Kogi Speakers Children Released from Captivity

The Conference of Speakers has expressed happiness over release of the kidnapped children of the Speaker of Kogi State House of Assembly, Lawal Jimoh.  The abducted children regained their freedom at the weekend. In a statement signed by the Speaker of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly and Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures, Sam Ikon, the forum commended the professionalism of the security agencies for working round the clock to ensure the safe release of the children. The forum, which also thanked the government and the people of Kogi State for their support, solicited the support and cooperation of Nigerians for President Goodluck Jonathan in the task of fighting insurgency and kidnapping bedeviling the nation. It pledged its support and indeed, the support of the state lawmakers in the country to Mr. President in his fight against the menace.

INTERNATIONAL

Five Students Die, 20 Missing In India Flood

Rescuers found the bodies of five of the 24 students who went missing after the sudden surge of a river in northern India, reports said on Monday. It said that they were still searching for the other students and their tour manager in the hill state of Himachal Pradesh. They were believed to have been swept away by a sudden surge in the river caused by release of water from the reservoir of a hydropower station. The group of over 40 college students on an excursion had stopped along a bank of the Beas River to take photographs when the incident happened on Sunday evening.

UN Welcomes Release of Gbagbo Loyalists

Doudou Diene, UN Independent Expert on the Humanitarian Situation in Cote d’Ivoire, has described the recent release of 50 political detainees loyal to former President Lauren Gbagbo as a welcome development. Diene said that the government had, with the decision, demonstrated the political will to ensure peace and stability in the country. The detainees’ release was part of the conditions by the Ivorian Popular Front, Gbagbo’s party, for resumption of dialogue. At the resumption of the dialogue, the government had promised to release some 150 political detainees loyal to Gbagbo. The government also at the meeting urged the FPI to rescind its call for the boycott of the national population census. Meanwhile, Diene has called on both sides to play roles that would ensure fruitful dialogue by fulfilling agreements reached at every stage.

Pakistan Taliban ‘Master Bomber’ Killed

A suicide bombing “mastermind” in the Pakistan Taliban has been gunned down and killed in the country’s northeastern tribal region, just days after a major faction in the militant group announced it was breaking away over ideological differences. Gunmen riding in a car attacked Ashiqullah Mehsud, a senior commander in the leadership of the group known formally as the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), in the village of Urmuz in North Waziristan on Thursday before speeding off. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, while the TTP has yet to issue a statement. Mehsud was viewed as a successor to Qari Hussain Mehsud, the militant group’s explosives expert whose notoriety includes allegedly recruiting children as suicide bombers. Pakistani intelligence sources believe the incident is the result of internal rivalries between TTP factions.

Deadly Fighting Breaks Out In Iraq

Gun battles and suicide bombings in and around the northern Iraqi city of Mosul have killed dozens of security personnel and civilians, according to officials and witnesses. Friday’s violence came a day after fighters launched an offensive on Samarra, also in the country’s north, killing seven members of the security forces and taking control of some areas of the city, officials said. Security sources told Reuters news agency that fighters advanced on Mosul from the northwest and deployed in large numbers in the west of the city, killing at least four riot policemen and three soldiers in separate clashes. In southern Mosul, five suicide bombers stormed an arms depot and some managed to detonate their vests before being shot, killing eleven soldiers, the sources said. In the village of Muwafaqiya near Mosul, two suicide car bombs exploded, killing six members of the Shabak minority that lives there and is often a target for Sunni armed groups. More attacks were reported over the course of the day, and according to Governor Atheel al-Nujaifi, clashes between fighters and security forces continued into the night

Five NATO Troops Die in Afghanistan

Five NATO soldiers have been killed in an incident in southern Afghanistan, the NATO-led force in the country says. The International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) says the incident took place on Monday but gave no details. The ISAF force currently has soldiers from 50 contributing nations in Afghanistan. Taliban militants have stepped up attacks ahead of the planned withdrawal of most foreign troops from the country at the end of 2014. Most troops stationed in the south are American, but NATO has not confirmed the nationality of these casualties. Southern Afghanistan is the heartland of the Taliban movement and insurgents frequently attack security forces in the region. Afghanistan is set to hold the second round of its presidential election on Saturday. Insurgents - who vowed to disrupt campaigning and voting - attacked the campaign rally of one of the contenders last week.

Gun Battle Rages Near Karachi Airport

A fierce gun battle has erupted close to Karachi airport, Pakistan's biggest and busiest, one day after it was stormed by Taliban militants. Local media say gunmen have attacked a training camp of the airport security forces. It is not clear if there are any casualties. Flights have once again been suspended at the airport, officials say. The Taliban gun and bomb attack on the cargo terminal of Karachi's airport left 30 people dead. It appears as if the attack is focused upon a hostel housing the airport security forces. There are reports that rocket-propelled grenades were fired after several militants pulled up in a vehicle. Ambulances were seen rushing to the scene and local media reports say that gunfire can still be heard.

East Syria fighting Rages as Jihadists want Islamic State

Fighting is raging in eastern Syria as a jihadist group rooted in neighbouring Iraq pushes a fresh bid to create an "Islamic state" along the border, a monitor said Tuesday. Since the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) launched a new offensive in Deir Ezzor province 40 days ago, 634 people, mainly fighters, have been killed, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. At the same time, 130,000 people have been forced to leave their homes, with 39 civilians killed from shelling in the fighting. The Britain-based Observatory said 354 of the dead were members of Al-Nusra Front -- Syria's official Al-Qaeda arm -- and allied rebel groups. And 241 were members of ISIL. The group was once welcomed by some Syrian rebels, but earned the rebellion's wrath because of its systematic abuses and quest for hegemony. Even Al-Nusra turned against ISIL, after its Iraqi chief, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, sought to take over the group.

Suspect Killed after Trying to Seize School

Police in China killed a suspect who was attempting to take over a primary school on Tuesday, state media said, in the latest incident targeting children. The unnamed suspect was shot dead Tuesday morning after trying to seize control of the school in Qianjiang in central China's Hubei province, according to the provincial news website Jingchu network. Police believe the suspect may have left an explosive device on the campus, said state broadcaster CCTV, adding that teachers and students had been moved to a safe location. No further details were available. China has seen several attacks against children in recent years, including a spate of incidents in 2010 that left 17 people dead -- 15 of them children -- and wounded more than 80.

Activist Jailed for 15 Years for Illegal Protest in Egypt

A court in Egypt has sentenced one of the country’s most prominent pro-democracy activists, Alaa Abdul Fattah, to 15 years in jail for illegal protest and attacking a police officer. Mr Abdul Fattah’s family said the verdict was issued in absentia as he was refused entry into the court. Mr Abdul Fattah played a key role in the 2011 revolt against Hosni Mubarak. The sentence comes three days after ex-army chief Abdul Fattah al-Sisi took office as president. The authorities have cracked down harshly on Islamists and secular activists since former President Mohammed Morsi was removed by the military in July 2013. Hundreds have been killed and thousands arrested. Abdul Fattah was arrested in November after taking part in a protest calling for the repeal of a new law that banned unauthorised demonstrations.

South Sudan Leaders to Form New Government

South Sudan’s president and rebel chief have met in Addis Ababa in a bid to end six months of civil war, agreeing to forge a transitional government within a 60-day deadline, Ethiopia’s prime minster says. President Salva Kiir and rebel leader Riek Machar met on Tuesday on the sidelines of a regional leaders’ summit organised by the East African regional bloc the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), which is brokering the slow-moving negotiations. Mediators, frustrated by the failure of previous deals including two ceasefires, threatened tough action if the rivals once again ignore agreements made. “Any attempt to stand in the way of peace will have consequences,” Hailemariam warned. The crisis in the young nation has already killed thousands and forced more than 1.3 million people from their homes. Both Kiir and Machar had also agreed to “fully to commit themselves to already signed agreements,” Hailemariam said. Delegates for Kiir and Machar have been meeting in luxury hotels in the Ethiopian capital since January, with both sides bickering over the agenda and even the venue of discussions.

African Leaders Urged to Deploy Troops in South Sudan

Mediators of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, on Tuesday in Addis Ababa, called on African leaders to urgently deploy troops to stop war atrocities in South Sudan. Chairman, IGAD Council of Ministers, Tedros Adhanon, warned that the continued fighting in South Sudan had drastically affected the humanitarian situation in the country and risked worsening. Adhanon said although the peace talks to end the fighting remained sluggish, it gained momentum with the signing of a peace deal between the two leaders involved in the war on May 9. He said the South Sudanese President, Salva Kiir, had shown kindness by freeing political detainees and allowing them to join the talks to end the crisis in the country. Lazarus Sumbeiywo, one of the chief mediators, called for international aid to the refugees and the immediate end of the war. He said there was urgent need for international efforts to end the crisis.

Iraq Crisis: Islamists Force 500,000 to Flee

As many as 500,000 people have been forced to flee Iraq’s second city of Mosul after Islamist militants effectively took control of it. Troops were among those fleeing as hundreds of jihadists from the ISIS group overran the city and much of the surrounding province of Nineveh. Iraqi PM Nouri Maliki responded by asking parliament to declare a state of emergency to grant him greater powers. The US said the development showed ISIS is a threat to the entire region. ISIS – the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant – is an offshoot of al-Qaeda which now controls considerable territory in eastern Syria and western and central Iraq, in a campaign to set up a militant enclave straddling the border. Residents of Mosul said jihadist flags were flying from buildings and that the militants had announced over loudspeakers they had “come to liberate” the city. Meanwhile, the Turkish consulate in Mosul confirmed reports that 28 Turkish lorry drivers had been abducted by militants in Nineveh province. A spokesman for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he was “gravely concerned” at the situation.