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Mozambique police fire tear gas as opposition supporters march on capital

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A protester runs after teargas was fired at a crowd gathering during a "national shutdown" against the election outcome, at Luis Cabral township in Maputo, Mozambique, November 7, 2024. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko. © Thomson Reuters
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MAPUTO (Reuters) – Mozambican police fired tear gas at hundreds of opposition supporters converging on the capital Maputo on Thursday for the biggest demonstration yet against last month’s disputed election.

Human rights groups say at least 18 people have been killed in the police crackdown on protests since the Oct. 9 vote, which extended ruling party Frelimo’s five decades in power.

Opposition parties, civil society groups and Western observers said the election was unfair and that results were altered.

A Frelimo spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment. The party has also been accused of vote-rigging in previous polls and has denied it.

Thursday was dubbed the “Day of Freedom” in flyers distributed on social media by presidential candidate Venancio Mondlane, who commands a strong following among the country’s disenchanted youth and came second in the official election results but claims to have won.

A local walks past police officers with his hands up, after police fired teargars to disperse proters during a “national shutdown” against the election outcome, at Luis Cabral township in Maputo, Mozambique, November 7, 2024. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko.
© Thomson Reuters

 

Security forces were out in force along the main highway into Maputo on Thursday morning, as crowds of people tried to make their way into the city on foot, said a Reuters witness.

Elsewhere in the city, groups of protesters burned tires and blocked roads. South Africa closed its main border crossing on Wednesday for security reasons, and its foreign ministry advised its citizens against all but essential travel to Mozambique.

South African logistics company Grindrod on Thursday said it had suspended port and terminal operations in Mozambique.

Mozambique’s Constitutional Council on Tuesday ordered the electoral commission to clarify within 72 hours why there had been discrepancies in the number of votes counted in the presidential, legislative and provincial elections, according to a letter seen by Reuters.

An electoral commission spokesperson did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment.

(Reporting by Siphiwe Sibeko and Manuel Mucari; Writing by Nellie Peyton; Editing by Alexander Winning and Ros Russell)

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Two women drown, die in Kano puddle

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Two women have tragically lost their lives in Gezawa Local Government Area of Kano State after reportedly falling into a puddle while attempting to wash their bodies after work at a zobo processing factory.

The incident which occurred on Monday evening, was confirmed in a press release issued on Tuesday by the Kano State Fire Service Public Relations Officer, Assistant Chief Fire Officer Saminu Yusif Abdullahi.

According to the statement, the fire service received an emergency call at about 11:15 a.m. on Tuesday from the commander of a local vigilante group in Gezawa, who reported that the women had entered the puddle with the intention of washing their bodies after closing from work.

“According to their relatives, they are workers in a zobo processing company and entered the water with the intention of washing their bodies after closing from duty, which resulted in the loss of their lives,” the statement said.

Although a search for the victims began on Monday evening, their bodies were only recovered on Tuesday morning. They were found unconscious and handed over to Officer Musa Garba of the Gezawa Police Division.

The fire service did not release the names of the deceased, and further details surrounding the circumstances of the incident remain unclear.

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Pascal Dozie, Founder Of Diamond Bank Passes Away At 85

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The founder of the defunct Diamond Bank Plc, Pascal Gabriel Dozie, has died at the age of 85.

According to Business Day, Dozie passed away in the early hours of Tuesday, April 8, 2025.

His death came just a day before his 86th birthday, following a battle with an age-related illness.

Dozie was best known as the founder of Diamond Bank, one of Nigeria’s most innovative financial institutions before its merger with Access Bank.

He served as the bank’s chairman before handing over leadership to his son, Uzoma Dozie.

Dozie is survived by his wife Chinyere Dozie, and five children among other relatives.

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Security forces foil kidnapping in Katsina, one civilian killed

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A kidnapping attempt was foiled in the early hours of April 5, 2025, in Gidan Yan Ali, Kurba Village, Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State, after security forces engaged armed bandits in a fierce gun battle.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the assailants believed to be part of a larger criminal network stormed the village around 11:45 p.m., setting corn stalks ablaze and attempting to abduct women and livestock.

Prompt deployment of security personnel led to a swift response, forcing the bandits to flee into the nearby bush.

During the confrontation, a villager identified as 40-year-old Murtala Dayyabu Sidi was shot and killed by the attackers.

The intervention of security forces ensured the safe rescue of the kidnapped women and the recovery of stolen animals, which were returned to their rightful owners.

Investigations into the attack are ongoing.

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