Villeworth Security Services Ltd

week 26

PORT HARCOURT AND ENVIRONS

Six Suspects Arrested While Planting Bomb in Church

Six suspected terrorists were arrested in Owerri, the Imo State capital on Sunday inside the Winners’ Chapel along the Port Harcourt road by the state police command, while planting bombs in the church premises. According to reports, the security personnel attached to the church had noticed some strange movements within the church premises and monitored their movements. The security men alerted the senior pastor of the church, Moses Oyedele, who instructed them to alert the police and the police immediately rushed to the scene with soldiers and other security agents. In the process, it was discovered that about six bombers had taken over the church in order to perpetrate their nefarious activities. The police immediately cordoned off the church premises in search of the suspects, leading to their arrest. It was discovered that the suspects had planted a bomb at the entrance gate of the church and had taken position round the premises of the church so as to plant more bombs. However, the police anti-bomb squad detonated the bombs and conducted a thorough check round the premises to ensure that there were no other hidden bombs within the premises. When interrogated, the suspects confessed to be suicide bombers, who had stormed the state with the intention of bombing five churches in the state.

Army Nabs 486 Insurgents in Abia

Military authorities at the 144 Battalion, Asa in Ukwa West LGA of Abia state on Sunday arrested 486 persons suspected to be insurgents from some northern states. The development was made known Monday by the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Chief Eze Chikamnayo. The Commander in-charge of the battalion, Lt.-Col. Rasheed Omolori confirmed the arrest but declined to give further details. The commissioner explained that the suspects were moving in a motorcade of 35 Toyota Hummer buses when they were intercepted at about 2am on Sunday, adding that two buses escaped arrest. Both the suspects and the impounded vehicles were being detained at the Army base. According to the information commissioner, the convoy of the suspected insurgents was truncated by the Army between Arungwa Junction and Imo Gate (Abia/Rivers boundary), along the Port Harcourt - Enugu Expressway.

Bayelsa Commissioner’s Mother Abducted

The 78-year-old mother of the Bayelsa state Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Furuebi Akene, was kidnapped at her Fonibiri community in Southern Ijaw LGA of the state. The kidnap is coming on the heels of the abduction of the 90-year-old mother-in-law of the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Hon. Kombowei Benson.  Almost three weeks after, her whereabouts still remains unknown. The abducted Madam Akene was whisked away by armed men numbering about six at about 12 midnight on Saturday on her way from a church service. According to her son, Furuebi Akene, who confirmed the abduction, the incident happened without any gunshot. He confirmed that the armed men had made contact with him, but made strange demands. He added that added one of the demands was that he should resign from the cabinet of Governor Seriake Dickson as a commissioner. The spokesman for the state police command, Mr. Alex Akhigbe confirmed the incident and said they had mobilised policemen to comb the waterways and creeks of the state.

South East Governors Warn Boko Haram

The recent foiled bomb attack on the Winners Chapel in Owerri, Imo State has elicited a stern warning from the South-East governors to terrorists to stay away from the geopolitical zone. Issuing the warning on Monday after four of the five South-east governors met with President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja, the Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano, said security arrangements had been made to forestall any plans by Boko Haram to carry out attacks in the area. Obiano said the South-east governors had come to assure Jonathan of their support. Following the foiled attack Sunday, the police had said six suspects were arrested while improvised explosives devices (IEDs) were recovered from the church premises.

Terror Kingpin Nabbed Among 486 Suspects in Abia

A terror kingpin on the list of wanted terrorists by security forces in Nigeria has been identified as one of the 486 Boko Haram suspects who were nabbed on Sunday by the Nigerian Army in Abia State en route to Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital. The Director of Defence Information, Major-General Chris Olukolade, said during the screening of the 486 suspects who were apprehended in Abia, the terror kingpin who had been on the wanted list was identified and taken into custody. The Nigerian Army had on Sunday apprehended 486 persons who were travelling in a motorcade of 35 Toyota Hummer buses along the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway. Although two of the buses were able to escape arrest by the military, others who were detained by the army were being interrogated to ascertain their mission in Rivers State. The arrest of the suspects came a few hours after a foiled bomb attack on a church in Owerri, the Imo State capital. The Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima, had ominously warned last week that it would only be a matter of time before Boko Haram terrorists extend their scope of attacks to the southern part of the country.

Prostitute Stabs Soldier to Death in Bayelsa

In a fit of rage, a prostitute in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, Wednesday, stabbed a soldier to death following a disagreement over the payment for services rendered. The soldier was brutally stabbed twice in the stomach by the commercial sex worker at the popular red light spot in Yenagoa called Sand Field Road. The area is also a notorious crime spot. The incident caused panic among other commercial sex workers and residents of the area as rumours of a possible invasion of the area became rife. Although the death was not confirmed by the Nigerian Army, there were fears of a reprisal by the military, resulting in the mass exodus of both commercial sex workers and other residents from the area. When contacted, Hilary Opara, the state Police Commissioner confirmed the incident, disclosing that the culprit had been arrested and was facing investigation.

BENIN/WARRI/ESCRAVOS

Six Suspected Kidnappers Shot Dead in Edo

Six suspected kidnappers were shot dead, on Wednesday, along Igbanke-Ewohinmi road, in Esan South-East Local Government Area of Edo State, during a gun battle between Police and the kidnappers. According to the Edo State Police Commissioner, Foluso Adebanjo, the incident happened when operatives of the command went to the kidnappers’ den with four suspects following the kidnap of a woman who was kept in a forest around the Igbanke-Ewohinmi road. He said: “On getting to one of their hideouts, immediately our operatives disembarked with the suspects from a vehicle, the kidnappers opened fire on our men. “The Police engaged the gang in a gun battle and two of the kidnappers were shot dead. Simultaneously, the other four suspects who took to their heels were fatally injured in the cross exchange of fire and they eventually died. “One pump action gun with four rounds of live cartridges was recovered from the assailants. We also embarked on a search around the scene and huge sum of foreign currencies and arms were recovered. Some of the items recovered at the kidnappers’ den include a Mercedes Benz C-Class car with number plate AGL 133 CX, $8,200, CFA20,000, five Dirham’s United Arab Emirate currency, N8,500, 12 sim cards, four cut to size single barrel gun, 72 live cartridges and one locally made Revolver pistol.

Teacher Gets 14 Years Jail over Rape of 9-year-Old

Mother of a nine-year old victim of rape has said that the 14 years prison sentence slammed on the convicted rapist by a high court in Delta State fell short of her expectation. She also accused the authorities of the school where the act was committed of utter insensitivity. The High Court sitting at Effurun in Uvwie LGA of Delta State had on Tuesday, June 17, 2014 sentenced the accused teacher, Godwin Onoyiwai, to 14 years in prison for raping the nine-year-old pupil six years ago. It was learnt that Onoyiwai had canal knowledge of the pupil, by forcing the helpless girl unto the floor of the staff room of Delta Career College Effurun, near Warri. The unlawful act was said to have been committed by the teacher on September 23, 2008 at Delta Career College Effurun. The presiding judge at Effurun High Court 1, Justice Kujaobola Onadike, said that the court had overwhelming evidence before it against the accused to pass the guilty verdict and accordingly pronounced the 14-year sentence.

Edo Assembly Initiates Contempt Proceedings against Suspended Members

The All Progressives Congress leadership of Edo State House of Assembly has initiated contempt proceedings against the four Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), suspended members of the House. Speaker of the House, Hon. Uyi Igbe and Majority Leader, Mr. Philip Shaibu, had gone to court, saying that the four lawmakers, Festus Ebea, Patrick Osayinmen, Jude Ise-Idehen and Friday Ogierhiakhi, were in contempt of the order of the court, since they failed to heed the restriction by the court not to show up at the Assembly complex. The presence of the suspended lawmakers at the chambers of the House, aborted the sitting of the House, on Monday. Meanwhile, Publicity Secretary of PDP, Mr. Matthew Urhoghide, has blamed the stalemate in the crisis rocking the Edo Assembly on the leadership of APC, accusing them of acting under instruction.

LAGOS AND ENVIRONS

Three Killed in Ilorin Fracas

Three persons were feared dead in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital last weekend when hoodlums suspected to be supporters of the two rival political parties in the state engaged themselves in a gun duel. The hoodlums clashed following their alleged refusal to agree on the sharing formula of the sum of N20,000 reportedly doled out to them before their defection to a rival party in the state and  thereby degenerating into bloody clash. The fracas, according to an eyewitness account, which started last Friday around Abayawo area, resulted in the death of one person. However, in a reprisal that followed on Sunday, resulted in further killings. The rampaging hoodlums in their large numbers wore mask, brandishing dangerous weapons as they engaged themselves in heavy exchange of gunshots that lasted for almost five hours. The hoodlums also looted many shops, carting away goods and cash, a development which prompted some youths to rise against them. The state Police spokesman, Ajayi Okansanmi, confirmed the incidents and the killings.

Passengers Allege Pilfering of Luggage at MMIA

Pilfering of belongings of air travellers has returned in full force at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) has reported. The development has left many victims with sour tales of how they lost valuables after arriving at the airport from various overseas countries. The victims alleged that their belongings were tampered with during the process of bringing their baggage to the conveyor belts at the arrival hall of the airport. One of the victims, Mrs. Sarah Ashafa, lamented that her luggage had been tampered with at MMIA after a recent trip overseas. Ashafa lamented that she lost many personal belongings at the airport on June 3 on her return from a trip to the US, saying that she had suffered a similar experience before. A staff of the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO), who spoke on the development, said the management of the company was not aware that belongings of travellers were being tampered.

Scores Dead from Pipeline Explosion at Takwa Bay in Lagos

Scores were killed and several others injured on Tuesday after an early evening explosion that rocked one of the pipelines belonging to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) at the Takwa Bay Beach area of Lagos. According to eyewitness accounts, some vandals had beforehand, visited the area, vandalised the pipeline and successfully siphoned fuel by digging a pit where the stolen products from the ruptured pipeline flowed into. Although the cause of the explosion was yet to be ascertained, the deceased and injured persons were said to have been among those that stormed the site of the spillage to scoop fuel after the vandals had disappeared.

Customs Arrests Man with Vehicle Loaded with Military Uniforms, Boots

The increased security checks at the nation’s seaports in the wake of the insurgency in the North-eastern part of the country has yielded fruits as a young man, Emmanuel Eko, has been arrested for importing of army camouflage boots, belts and other military accessories. The 38-year-old, who has both Nigerian and British passports, was apprehended by officials of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Ports and Terminal Multi-Services Limited (PTML) Command, Apapa, Lagos. The suspect, who claimed to be a soldier with the British army was arrested because the items are listed. Army camouflage, military uniforms, boots, belts and other military accessories are items listed in the Import Prohibition List (IPL) maintained by the NCS. Eko said the items were reportedly approved for clearance by the NCS and he was on his way out of the terminal when he was stopped at the exit gate of the port.

Suspected Drug Dealers Kill NDLEA Officials in Ogun

Three officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) were killed on Sunday in Sabo Owode, Yewa South Local Government Area, Ogun State. It was gathered that the NDLEA officials were in the area to arrest some suspected drug dealers when the incident happened. Eyewitnesses explained to one of our correspondents that the dealers sighted the NDLEA officials and engaged them in a shootout. He said the combat left three officials dead, while an unspecified number of the suspected dealers were also killed. The state commander of the NDLEA, Bala Fagge, confirmed the incident, adding that the entire command was mourning the men. The national spokesman for the NDLEA, Michelle Ofoyeju, explained that the men were killed during the arrest of a drug dealer. Three suspected drug peddlers were also killed in the clash. It was revealed that the drug dealers had got the hint of their impending arrest by the operatives and laid ambush for the officers.

Lagos CJ Frees 75 Inmates from Kirikiri Prison

The Lagos State Chief Judge, Justice Ayotunde Phillips, Wednesday, freed 75 prisons inmates of the Kirikiri prisons. Seventy-one of the inmates were released from the medium section of the prison, three from maximum and one from the female prisons. Majority of the inmates who were set free by the chief judge were still awaiting trial prior to the favour granted them. Justice Phillips ordered their release pursuant to the powers conferred on her under Section 1(1) of the Criminal Justice Release from Custody Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2007. She admonished the inmates to be of good behaviour and shun crime for them not to return to prison. Welcoming the Chief Judge, the Deputy Comptroller of the Kirikiri Maximum Prison, Mr. Olu Tinuoye, said Justice Phillips’ administration had significantly reduced the number of awaiting trial inmates in the prisons. Chairman of the Lagos Prison Decongestion Committee, Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye, said the release of inmates who have no reason to be in prison would continue even when the chief judge has retired.

Police Charge Ekiti Commissioner, 11 Others for Terrorism

The police have filed a charge bordering on terrorism against the Ekiti State Commissioner for Integration and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Funminiyi Afuye and 11 others. Afuye and others are charged with terrorism in a three-count charge. They were arrested over a violent clash by the supporters of the All Progessives Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State, during which a man identified as Peter Akin was killed. The government’s decision to arraign the 12 comes shortly after Afuye sued the police, alleging physical assault on him by riot police commander, Gabriel Selenkere. Afuye, in the suit filed before the state High Court in Ado Ekiti, is seeking N1 billion in damages for physical assault on his person and unlawful detention. They were, in count one, accused of conspiring with each other to commit an act of terrorism at Ijegbo Roundabout. In count two, they were accused of committing an act of terrorism by using dangerous weapons at Ijigbo Roundabout and Oluyemi Kayode Stadium and shot one Peter Akin to death.

Kwara Police Arrest Fake Medical Doctor

The Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Mr Ambrose Aisabor, on Wednesday, paraded a fake medical doctor, Mr Adams John Ayeh, who had been on the wanted list of the Police. Aisabor said the suspect was an expelled medical student of the University of Maiduguri, Borno State. The Police commissioner noted that the fake medical doctor was arrested at the Civil Service Clinic, Ilorin while parading himself as a medical doctor and canvassing patronage. He also said the suspect would be charged to court as soon as the Police completed investigation.

Motorists Beat Up LASTMA Official

An official of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) was beaten up on Monday afternoon at the Ogolonto area, Ikorodu in Lagos for what motorists described as an “immodest attitude.” The LASTMA official was beaten up by a combined team of motorists and street urchins, otherwise known as area boys, at about 12.30pm. This incident occurred after two LASTMA officials climbed into an empty commercial bus for a reason unknown to the driver, and ordered him to park. “While the driver was finding out what his offence was, one of the LASTMA officials placed his leg on the clutch. Meanwhile, the driver’s leg was on the turtle, causing the bus to swerve and knocking the engine. Motorists got angry, and the pandemonium started.

GENERAL

Death Toll Rises to 44 in Wukari Mayhem

The death toll in the ethno-religious clashes that erupted in Wukari and Ibi LGAs of Taraba State last Sunday hit 44. The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Joseph Kwaji, said several corpses were recovered at Wukari and Ibi towns. Apart from the corpses that were recovered at Ibi, Kwaji further disclosed that 21 people were injured at Ibi and had been moved to the Specialists Hospital in Jalingo as well as the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jalingo where doctors are battling to save their lives. However, in a bid to forestall a recurrence of the incessant clashes in the area, acting Governor of the state, Alhaji Garba Umar, ordered the proscription of all youth groups in Wukari and Ibi Local Government Areas. A fresh communal clash broke out last weekend in the ancient city of Wukari. The outbreak of violence was triggered by the discovery that a shop very close to a church belonging to a Muslim was burnt, prompting the owner of the shop to immediately mobilise people to attack the man he suspected to have burnt his shop. The attack on the man did not go down well with other residents who attempted to repel the attack, leading to full blown hostilities and the use of guns and other dangerous weapon.

Gunmen Kill 15 in Borno Market Attack

At least 15 people were killed when suspected Boko Haram gunmen stormed a market in Daku, Borno State on Sunday, witnesses and a security source said. Villagers in the farming community of Daku, in Borno state, described how they were surrounded by at least 20 gunmen who fired indiscriminately and threw petrol bombs, engulfing the market in flames. Scores of people escaped with bullet wounds while dozens of shops, stalls, houses, vehicles, motorcycles and assorted foodstuff were set ablaze by the rampaging attackers, a witness disclosed. The insurgents reportedly surrounded the village with sophisticated weapons and petrol bombs. Zaka Sama'ila, a trader in the market, said the latest attack was the first of its kind in Daku. Sama'ila said villagers found 15 bodies among the market stalls after the gunmen left. Residents said 10 others were found dead after being shot in their homes or as they were fleeing the violence.

Adamawa Assembly Serves Governor, Deputy with Impeachment Notice

Protesters spilled out into the streets of Yola, the Adamawa State capital, following the impeachment notice served Wednesday by the state House of Assembly on the governor, Murtala Nyako, and his deputy, Bala James Ngillari, for gross misconduct. Nineteen out of the 25 members of the Assembly were said to have signed the impeachment notice after the motion moved by the member representing Numan Constituency, Mr. Kwamoti Laori, who accused the governor of committing acts of gross misconduct in the performance of his duties in the state. Laori, who doubles as the deputy speaker of the assembly, based his motion on 20 charges of financial misconduct by the governor, notable among which was the fraudulent award of a contract of over N8 billion through SNECOU Group of Companies Limited, a company linked to one of the governor’s wives to siphon public funds without delivering the project. While moving the motion for the impeachment of the deputy governor, Ngillari, also on grounds of financial misconduct, Hon. Abdulkarim Umar, representing Narrasawo/Binyeri constituency, listed six grounds for the notice.

Boko Haram Plans to Plant Explosives in Petrol Tankers, FG Warns

The Federal Government has revealed plans by the terrorist group, Boko Haram, to plant Improvised Explosive Device (IEDs) in petrol trucks and drive them to crowded places in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) with the aim of wreaking maximum havoc on the city. This is just as the federal government has urged state governments to take extra measures in ensuring security of citizens who watch football matches at viewing centres, even if it means closing down the centres. Coordinator if the National Briefing Centre on Terrorism and Director General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Mike Omeri, stated that intelligence reports available to the government indicated that the insurgents planned to hijack petrol tankers, and thereby placed the Petrol Tankers Association on red alert. He also urged residents to report any broken down tanker in any part of the territory to the security agencies.

Delegates Advocate Life Imprisonment for Fake Drug Peddlers

Delegates to the ongoing National Conference Wednesday recommended stiffer penalty of life imprisonment for peddlers of fake or adulterated drugs. They also called for a restriction of medical tourism as Nigeria spends huge amount of money on those seeking medical treatment overseas. The delegates also called for a reduction in the age limit for all elective offices, including the offices of the president, governors and national assembly, which were rejected. The committee further said that there was need for improvement in the quality of healthcare services in Nigeria and there should be deliberate efforts to re-orientate the attitude of healthcare workers to patients in Nigeria and as well as the need for improved political commitment to health care by political office holders. On the discrimination against youths, Mike Ozoekhome and Charles Ibiam called for the reduction of the age limits of those seeking election into different offices.  Ibiam said that it amounts to discrimination if youths at 18 years should vote but should not be voted for. He urged the conference to recommend that the age limits be removed.

40 Die in Taraba Boat Mishap

No fewer than 40 persons were feared dead Wednesday as a boat conveying people from the troubled Dampa Village in Ibi Local Council Area of Taraba capsized, killing all the occupants. The victims were said to be fleeing the area following gunmen’s attack on the village from the neighbouring Plateau State. The suspected gunmen, numbering over 100, were said to have invaded Dampa Village on Wednesday morning, killing several persons and inflicting injuries on others. Majority of the victims were women, children and the elderly who could not swim, adding that a family of six, including father, mother and four children, were victims of the boat mishap. The Council Chairman, Adamu Ishaka, said: “When the attackers stormed the village, people started running away. They shot at several bullets at the boat conveying the fleeing villagers.

Abducted Lebanese Released in Jos

The Federal Government announced on Monday that the abducted Lebanese national, Khaleel Diyab, who was held in Latang area of Plateau State, has regained his freedom. The Coordinator of the National Briefing Centre on Terrorism and Director General of National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mike Omeri, announced that Diyab, who was erroneously reported to be Briton, secured his freedom through the efforts of security forces. Omeri however, did not disclose details of how he was freed. Omeri also said troops in Maiduguri had apprehended seven terrorists who infiltrated the town to carry out attacks. He stated that the terrorists confessed to having terror missions as directed by their superiors.

Police Arraign Three Commissioners

The Adamawa State Commissioner of Police, Mr. John Abakasanga, on Monday arrested and arraigned three of the four commissioners who failed to appear before the state House of Assembly last Thursday over the non-implementation and budgetary expenditure in their ministries. But in swift reaction, Governor Murtala Nyako faulted the claim, saying the commissioners were waylaid by the leadership of the assembly who then called in the police to present them before the assembly. The assembly had declared the four commissioners in the Nyako administration wanted following their refusal to appear before the assembly to answer queries on the financial expenditures of their ministries. The three commissioners paraded on the floor of the assembly included Mrs. Lucy Ishaiku (Agriculture), Lilian Stephen (Health), Alhaji Ibrahim Gorko (Commerce and Industries). However, a fourth commissioner, Alhaji Abdulrahaman Shuiabu (Land and Survey) was absent. Meanwhile, Governor Nyako while refuting the allegation that the state police commissioner arrested and arraigned  commissioners on the floor of the assembly, said the commissioners were waylaid by the leadership of  the assembly who call in the police to present them before the assembly as if they were criminals.

Boko Haram Threatens another Chibok Attack

Terrorist group, Boko Haram, has written a threatening letter promising to attack Chibok again very soon, in the process spreading panic through the town in South-eastern Borno where over 200 secondary schoolgirls were kidnapped over two months ago. However, the purported letter written by the terrorists is said to have caused severe panic in Chibok, whose residents continue to relive the April 14 incident and is forcing many of them to flee the town. Briefing reporters in Maiduguri yesterday, a top official of Chibok Local Government Area said a letter had been received from the terrorist group, stating that the town would soon be visited with terror. The official said they immediately went to show the letter to the police authorities who assured them of maximum protection. He said though the police had assured the residents of Chibok of protection, the people were still panic stricken.

INTERNATIONAL

Al-Shabaab Claims Responsibility for Kenya Attack

The radical Islamist group of Al- Shabaab on Monday claimed responsibility for a deadly attack on the Kenyan coastal town of Mpeketoni that left dozens killed or injured, pro-militant media reported. Nearly 48 were killed after more than 50 gunmen attacked people in bars and cafes watching FIFA world cup in the busy town. The radical group reportedly said it was behind the attack in retaliation over Muslims it claimed were killed by Kenya security forces in the coastal city of Mombasa. The group reportedly warned Kenya, which has troops serving in the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), and called for it to withdraw its troops. Kenyan troops are currently deployed in southern Somalia where they deposed militants from power.

US to Deploy Troops in Iraq

US President, Barack Obama, has announced that up to 275 military personnel will be deployed in Iraq after fighters from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) seized control of the country’s north. The troops will provide support and security for US personnel and the country’s embassy in the capital, Baghdad. “This force is deploying for the purpose of protecting US citizens and property, if necessary, and is equipped for combat,” Obama said in a letter to US legislators. Obama said he was notifying Congress under the War Powers Resolution. The US was also considering drone strikes in Iraq and has sent more ships to the Gulf, as Sunni fighters threatened to march on Baghdad. The UN meanwhile, has said it was pulling staff from Baghdad, with at least 58 already moved to Jordan. The organisation planned to relocate others to Erbil, which is the capital of the semi-autonomous Kurdish region of Iraq.

Warring South Sudan Factions Boycott Peace Talks

South Sudan’s warring forces have boycotted a new round of peace talks to protest against being accused of seeking a military solution to the conflict, mediators say. The latest blow to peace efforts comes after several months of talks that have already been hit by delays and boycotts over other seemingly trivial issues, such as the venue of the talks themselves. South Sudan’s government said it objected to comments made last week by IGAD executive secretary Mahboub Maalim that the two sides were “stupid” for believing military victory was possible. Government team leader and Minister of Information Michael Makuei sat that they would “suspend attendance or participation in the negotiations until this issue is addressed”. The rebels said they were boycotting talks, claiming they were not consulted on who would attend, calling the selection of delegates “faulty” and demanding a “transparent and inclusive process”. The talks, being held in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa, have so far cost over $17m but have failed to stop the war.

Families of Shipwrecked Immigrants Sue Australia

Relatives of dozens of asylum seekers who were killed in a shipwreck off Christmas Island in 2010 have launched a legal case against Australia. Lawyer George Newhouse said the government knew that people were at risk out at sea, but did not do enough to prevent their deaths. Immigration Minister Scott Morrison said the lawsuit was “shameful”. About 50 asylum seekers, mostly from Iraq and Iran, died when their boat broke up on rocks. Newhouse’s case, lodged at the New South Wales Supreme Court, alleges the government failed in its duty of care. The boat crashed into rocks near Christmas Island on 15 December 2010. Coastguards rescued 42 survivors but up to 50 people are believed to have drowned. The passengers were believed to have been mainly Iranian, Iraqi and Kurdish asylum seekers making their way to Australia through Indonesia. Australian jailed an Iranian people-smuggler for 14 years in 2012 for organising asylum boats including the Christmas Island vessel.

Czech Parliament Extends Mali Military Mission

Czech Chamber of Deputies, on Thursday, ratified the approval of the extension of Czech Military Mission in Mali until the end of 2014. The Senate had earlier approved the extension which will expire in June 2014. Martin Stropnicky, Czech Defence Minister said that presently, 34 Czech soldiers were on guard duties at the operation’s Command in Bamako, and four others training local forces in the north of the country. He said the Czech mission has been assessed positively both by the EU and the Government of Mali.