21.   Nigeria was suspended from the Commonwealth during its summit meeting last weekend following the execution of nine minority rights activists in the face of pleas for clemency.

22.   Statements from activists followed the execution last Thursday of former policeman and convicted killer Supoj Penglkai.

23.   The decision disappointed rights activists who had hoped for tougher action following the execution in November of playwright and environmentalist Ken Saro-Wiwa.

24.   The first followed the execution of Norwegian tourist Hans Christian Ostro.

25.   The group said tension is mounting in the Niger Delta region of southeast Nigeria following the executions.

26.   The latest cases follow two executions carried out last December.

27.   The Nigerian Human Rights Community said tension is mounting in the Niger Delta region of southeast Nigeria following the executions.

28.   The Super Eagles also were barred from a four-nation soccer tournament in South Africa following the executions.

29.   The U.S. Embassy in Riyadh, closed for the Muslim sabbath Friday, could not be reached for comment following the executions.

30.   Grappling with mounting international condemnation following the execution of Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight other minority rights activists, Nigeria appears to be casting about for scapegoats.