Boko Haram "killed woman in labour" during attack: Amnesty

Thursday, January 15, 2015 | 4:34 AM    

LAGOS, Nigeria (AFP) – Boko Haram fighters killed a woman as she was in labour during what is feared to be the deadliest attack in the militants’ six-year insurgency, Amnesty International claimed on Thursday.

The human rights group said one witness to the assault on Baga, on the shores of Lake Chad in northeast Nigeria, told them the woman was shot by indiscriminate fire that also cut down small children.

“Half of the baby boy (was) out and she died like this,” the unnamed witness was quoted as saying.

Amnesty said this week that hundreds of people, if not more, may have been killed in the attack, which began on January 3 and is thought to have targeted civilian vigilantes helping the military.

“They killed so many people. I saw maybe around 100 killed at that time in Baga. I ran to the bush. As we were running, they were shooting and killing,” a man in his fifties was quoted as saying.

Another woman added: “I don’t know how many but there were bodies everywhere we looked.”

The testimony chimes with claims from local officials that huge numbers were killed and that of witnesses spoken to by AFP, who described seeing decomposing bodies littering the streets.

One man who escaped from Baga after hiding for three days said he was “stepping on bodies” for five kilometres (three miles) as he fled through the bush.

Nigeria’s military, which often downplays death tolls, said this week that 150 people died, dismissing as “sensational” claims that 2,000 may have lost their lives.

Human Rights Watch said the exact death toll was unknown and in a statement published on Thursday quoted one local resident as saying: “No one stayed back to count the bodies.

“We were all running to get out of town ahead of Boko Haram fighters who have since taken over the area.”

Both Amnesty and HRW published separate satellite images of Baga and Doron Baga, 2.5 kilometres away, which it said showed the scale of the attack.

Aerial shots of the two towns — which have been hit previously by fighting — were shown the day before the Islamists moved in and four days later, after they had razed homes and businesses.

Amnesty said that the images showed “devastation of catastrophic proportions”, with more than 3,700 structures — 620 in Baga and 3,100 in Doron Baga — damaged or completely destroyed.

HRW said 11 percent of Baga and 57 percent of Doron Baga was destroyed, most likely by arson, attributing the greater damage in the latter to the fact that it houses a military base.

The Multinational Joint Task Force of troops from Nigeria, Niger and Chad has been involved in counter-insurgency operations against Boko Haram.

At least 16 settlements around Baga were burnt to the ground and at least 20,000 people fled, according to local officials.

Medical charity Doctors Without Borders said on Tuesday that its team in the Borno State capital, Maiduguri, was providing assistance to 5,000 survivors of the attack.

The UN refugee agency has said that more than 11,300 Nigerian refugees have fled into neighbouring Chad.

Amnesty said the eye-witnesses and images reinforced the view that the attack was Boko Haram’s “largest and most destructive” in its fight to establish a hardline Islamic state in northeast Nigeria.

“The deliberate killing of civilians and destruction of their property by Boko Haram are war crimes and crimes against humanity and must be duly investigated,” it added.

Some 300 women were said to have been rounded up and detained at a school, witnesses told Amnesty, adding that older women, mothers and children were released after four days but younger women kept.

The Baga attack came before presidential and parliamentary elections in Nigeria next month and an upsurge in violence apparently designed to undermine the legitimacy of the vote.

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Boko Haram "killed woman in labour" during attack: Amnesty

WORST ATTACK YET: Images show Boko Haram"s destruction, group says

Amnesty International has released satellite images that it says show widespread destruction in two Nigerian towns attacked by Boko Haram last weekend. 

The international human rights organization says that the photos show the towns of Baga and Doron Baga in northeast Nigeria before and after the attacks. The images were taken on Jan. 2 and Jan. 7 of this year. Boko Haram fighters seized a military base in Baga on Jan. 3 and, according to witnesses, killed hundreds of civilians in cold blood in the ensuing days.

“Residents have not been able to return to bury the dead, let alone count their number. But through these satellite images combined with graphic testimonies a picture of what is likely to be Boko Haram’s deadliest attack ever is becoming clearer,” Daniel Eyre, Amnesty International’s Nigeria researcher, told The Independent. 

Amnesty International calculates that 3,700 homes and other structures were demolished by the Islamic militants over the course of the attack. 

In the aftermath of the assault on the multinational military base, residents were forced to escape to safety across Lake Chad in canoes. They said insurgents fired rocket-propelled grenades and automatic assault rifles and hurled explosives.

“They came in their hundreds driving several Hilux patrol vehicles, trucks and some were on motorcycles and immediately began to throw explosives and bombs,” fisherman Audu Labbo told The Associated Press.

Initial reports citing the testimony of eyewitnesses suggested that as many as 2,000 civilians may have died. However, the Nigerian military has claimed that only 150 were killed, a number that includes casualties among the militants. Outside observers, including Amnesty International, have repeatedly accused Nigeria’s government of giving false information about attack casualties to downplay the strength of the insurgency. 

The terror group, whose name roughly translates to “Western education is forbidden” in English, shot to prominence in the West this past April when it kidnapped 276 girls from a school in the town of Chibok. Dozens escaped but 219 remain missing.

Boko Haram is believed to control approximately 20,000 square miles of territory across two states in northeastern Nigeria. Amnesty International estimates that the group killed 4,000 people in 2014.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

Click for more from The Independent.

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WORST ATTACK YET: Images show Boko Haram"s destruction, group says

UN chief condemns Pakistan school attack as "act of horror"

Tuesday, December 16, 2014 | 11:59 AM    

UNITED NATIONS, United States (AFP) – UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon strongly condemned on Tuesday a Taliban attack on a Pakistani school that left at least 130 dead, most of them students.

“It is an act of horror and rank cowardice to attack defenceless children while they learn,” Ban said at the start of a UN Security Council meeting.

“The hearts of the world go out to the parents and families who have lost loved ones.”

Taliban insurgents stormed the army-run school in the north-western city of Peshawar on Tuesday, going from classroom to classroom shooting children, some as young as 12, in one of Pakistan’s bloodiest ever attacks.

Speaking in a solemn tone, Ban began his address to a council meeting on peacekeeping with the statement condemning what he termed the “blood-curdling attack” in Pakistan.

“I condemn this heinous attack in the strongest possible terms,” he said. “No cause can justify such brutality. No grievance can excuse such horror.

“Schools must be safe and secure learning spaces. Getting an education is every child’s right. Going to school should not be an act of bravery.”

Ban expressed UN support for the Pakistani government’s efforts to fight terrorism and extremism, and urged Islamabad to make every effort to track down those responsible for the carnage.

The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan claimed responsibility for the attack, calling it revenge for a major military offensive in the region.

TTP spokesman Muhammad Khorasani said Tuesday’s assault was carried out to avenge Taliban fighters and their families killed in the army’s offensive against militant strongholds in North Waziristan.

The military has hailed the operation as a major success in disrupting the TTP’s insurgency.

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UN chief condemns Pakistan school attack as "act of horror"

Uber driver charged in hammer attack on passenger

SAN FRANCISCO –  A driver for ride-sharing company Uber is accused of striking a passenger in the head with a hammer during a dispute over the route he was taking, the San Francisco District Attorney’s office said Friday.

Patrick Karajah, 26, picked up three people from a bar around 2 a.m. Tuesday and, while driving the passengers to their destination, he got into an argument with one of the passengers who questioned the route he was taking, according to court documents obtained by the San Francisco Chronicle.

The documents said that Karajah, who was driving for the basic UberX service, forced the passengers out of his car in the Bernal Heights neighborhood. Once the victim was out of the car, Karajah allegedly struck him on the side of his head with a hammer and drove away.

The victim suffered facial fracture and trauma to the head, and was taken to the hospital.

Karajah was arrested at his home in Pacifica.

He pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges of assault with a deadly weapon and battery with serious bodily injury.

Uber said in a statement that the company has suspended Karajah’s account and was prepared to assist authorities in any investigation.

“Safety is Uber’s No. 1 priority. We take reports like this seriously and are treating the matter with the utmost urgency and care,” the statement said.

A call to Karajah’s home went unanswered Friday evening.

His case comes the same week the district attorneys of San Francisco and Los Angeles threatened ride-sharing companies Uber, Lyft and Sidecar with legal action over how they screen drivers, charge passengers, among other business practices.

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Uber driver charged in hammer attack on passenger

Razz releases debut rhythm, "Razz Attack"

Razz – Contributed

The Razz Attack rhythm is the debut production from sound system selector and disc jock Sean ‘Razz’ Cousley.

The dancehall rhythm features 10 tracks from up-and-coming acts as well as established names. It is the first release under his Razz Attack Muzik label.

“I have an extensive knowledge of good music, and a keen ear to music that will progress into greatness and ones that will last forever. I love music, and it has helped me immensely and production is an excellent way to recreate and reevaluate what is released on air, and it is my contribution to the business I have grown to understand and love,” Cousley said in a media release.

The beat was built by artiste and producer Craig ‘Serani’ Marsh. Getting artistes involved with the production was an easy task for Cousley.

“It wasn’t difficult to get the artistes who are on it now, but there were other artistes that I tried to have on the project as well. However, they were either too busy or weren’t interested,” he noted.

Featured on the rhythm are This A Di Best by Dexta Daps, Loyal Yute by Demarco, Print Pon Dem Face by Dean Loyal, Nuh Tek Bad Up by I Octane, One Life To Live by Delus and Rikroot, Write The Book by Lady Saw, Grey Sky Blue by Ryme Minista, Get Gal Easy by Kanambo, Who Me by Serani and Razz Attack and Prescription by Ryme Minista.

Since its release, the rhythmm has been receiving significant airplay on most radio stations and is fast becoming a favourite with music industry selectors and the general public.

A mix CD titled Razz Attack Summa (Dancehall Mix CD 2014) was recently release to boost the promotion of the project.

Cousley is a former Kingston College student. He also studied at the University of Technology (Utech). He plans to get more involved in music production.

Fans can follow Razz on Instagram and Twitter @razzattack876 and on Facebook.com/razzattack876.

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Razz releases debut rhythm, "Razz Attack"

Razz releases debut rhythm, "Razz Attack"

Razz – Contributed

The Razz Attack rhythm is the debut production from sound system selector and disc jock Sean ‘Razz’ Cousley.

The dancehall rhythm features 10 tracks from up-and-coming acts as well as established names. It is the first release under his Razz Attack Muzik label.

“I have an extensive knowledge of good music, and a keen ear to music that will progress into greatness and ones that will last forever. I love music, and it has helped me immensely and production is an excellent way to recreate and reevaluate what is released on air, and it is my contribution to the business I have grown to understand and love,” Cousley said in a media release.

The beat was built by artiste and producer Craig ‘Serani’ Marsh. Getting artistes involved with the production was an easy task for Cousley.

“It wasn’t difficult to get the artistes who are on it now, but there were other artistes that I tried to have on the project as well. However, they were either too busy or weren’t interested,” he noted.

Featured on the rhythm are This A Di Best by Dexta Daps, Loyal Yute by Demarco, Print Pon Dem Face by Dean Loyal, Nuh Tek Bad Up by I Octane, One Life To Live by Delus and Rikroot, Write The Book by Lady Saw, Grey Sky Blue by Ryme Minista, Get Gal Easy by Kanambo, Who Me by Serani and Razz Attack and Prescription by Ryme Minista.

Since its release, the rhythmm has been receiving significant airplay on most radio stations and is fast becoming a favourite with music industry selectors and the general public.

A mix CD titled Razz Attack Summa (Dancehall Mix CD 2014) was recently release to boost the promotion of the project.

Cousley is a former Kingston College student. He also studied at the University of Technology (Utech). He plans to get more involved in music production.

Fans can follow Razz on Instagram and Twitter @razzattack876 and on Facebook.com/razzattack876.

View the original article here

Razz releases debut rhythm, "Razz Attack"

Alleged gay men attack male shopper

Bjorn Burke, Staff Reporter

Business came to a halt at a popular Corporate Area shopping establishment on Wednesday, after men, who are alleged to be homosexuals, reportedly attacked a male shopper following disparaging remarks directed at the group.

Reports from the Half-Way Tree police are that on June 2, at approximately 1:15 p.m., police personnel were called to the scene. Upon arrival, officers who caught the tail end of the fracas cautioned the rowdy quartet to leave the establishment immediately.

One of the men from the boisterous group was said to have had an altercation with a male shopper who passed critical remarks. As a result, the alleged homosexual reportedly hurried to an aisle of the supermarket, grabbing a knife off shelf, unsheathing it, later approaching the man wielding threats.

THE WEEKEND STAR understands that the group of men had been carrying on in unbecoming manner prior to the incident.

“Mi see dem. Female slippers, women’s handbag, and one of dem was exposing him bottom area. They were picking up things like ladies stuff, like Stayfree and dem sort of something deh,” said one man, as he recounted the incident. “This particular guy it seem to upset him. Him pass some remarks and dem hear, so dem decide fi attack him.”

The debacle sent several horrified shoppers scampering.

Police told THE WEEKEND STAR that no charges have been laid against the men since they cooperated and left the enterprise, returning the knife used to threaten the male shopper.

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Alleged gay men attack male shopper

That JUTC bus fire, dog attack and pregnancy

News

BY THE RAKE MASTERSunday, September 08, 2013

WOW! What a way dat JUTC bus ketch fire Thursday! Bank on 2 and 27 for that one.And did you realise it happened during heavy rain? Fresh water (24), please.I don’t know why people play with dogs trained to attack. The young man who was thrown to the ground on the Cumberland playing field in Portmore found it funny, but him lucky seh the owner of the dog was there to save him. Anyway, memba seh dog a 11, so bite that!You could also buy 23 — the black man playing with the dog. Also, try 30 (playing with a dog).Dem seh pregnancy is not a nice dream, but since we only care bout the rake, big up 8.And how could I go without that joke from a colleague who said he joined the longer line at the Half-Way-Tree Road bank because of the cute teller. Oh my! That good-looking woman is 4.Tek care until Wednesday, my friends.

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That JUTC bus fire, dog attack and pregnancy

Syrian taekwondo athlete killed in mortar attack

Sport

Thursday, September 05, 2013

DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — Syrian state media say a member of the national taekwondo team has been killed in a mortar attack in Damascus.State news agency SANA says 27-year-old Mohammed Ali Neimeh died when a mortar shell hit a sports hall in the Syrian capital yesterday. Neimeh had been training for an upcoming Islamic Solidarity Tournament in Indonesia this week, SANA said.Neimeh has been a member of the national team since 2006. While he has never qualified for the Olympics, SANA said he was a Syrian sporting hero for winning medals at international tournaments, including a bronze in the 2010 West Asian Championships.Syrian rebels fighting to topple President Bashar Assad have frequently fired mortars on residential districts of the capital to disrupt life in the capital that the regime tries hard to portray as detached from the bloody civil war that has raged for more than two years.

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Syrian taekwondo athlete killed in mortar attack

Man, 54, dies after attack near pub

28 July 2013 Last updated at 07:12 ET A man, 54, has died following an attack outside a pub in Abergele in Conwy.

North Wales Police say the assault outside the Pen-y-Bont pub happened on Thursday night but it was not reported to them until Saturday morning.

Two local people, a man and woman, arrested on suspicion of assault continue to be questioned by police.

Officers want to hear from any witnesses to the attack at around 22:30 BST.

The force said anyone with information should contact the police on 101. Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

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Man, 54, dies after attack near pub

Talks follow sectarian attack

29 July 2013 Last updated at 01:42 ET Cars and home were targeted on Friday night Politicians, community leaders, residents and the police are due to take part in talks following a sectarian attack in west Belfast.

The window of a house and four vehicles were targeted in Ringford Park in Suffolk on Friday.

It is understood nationalist youths were involved in the attack in a loyalist area.

The police are treating the attack as a hate crime. Political representatives claimed up to 100 youths were involved.

The police said they had earlier been called out to a house party in Brooke Drive. Some youths had moved into the street and there were scuffles.

The police said there were between 50 to 100 youths in the area but they said no offences were noted in regard to this incident.

Ruth Patterson of the DUP said there had been a history of attacks in the area.

Sinn Fein councillor Matt Garrett also condemned the attacks as sectarian.

SDLP MLA for west Belfast Alex Attwood described the attack in Suffolk as “appalling” and said those responsible “must face the full rigours of the law”.

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Talks follow sectarian attack