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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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Gunmen attack Anambra community, kill one, burn vehicles

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Unidentified gunmen have attacked Amesi community in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, destroying its town hall, burning down cars and killing one person.

Ekwutosblog gathered that the incident happened on Friday morning.

It would be the first time criminals are operating in the state after a long while, as a result of measures put in place by the Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo.

In Friday’s early morning attack, members of the community described the incident as having caused chaos as the attackers stormed the hall, burning at least three vehicles, 2 motorcycles and firing sporadically.

The identity of the slain victim has not yet been officially released as at the time of filing this story.

A governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Mr Valentine Ozigbo, a member of the community who inspected the damage called on the state governor to come to their aid.

He said: “Anambra is still bleeding, our towns, our villages, our people—still live under the shadow of fear. We must listen. And we must act.”

A local resident who asked not to be named for fear of attack said: “This cannot continue. We deserve to sleep without fear. We deserve leaders who will fight for our safety, not merely manage our pain.”

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Man arrested for alleged trafficking of girl into prostitution in Bauchi

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The Bauchi State Police Command has apprehended a 26-year-old man, Johnson John, from Gwallameji, for allegedly trafficking a 19-year-old woman, Cecelia Cosmos, into prostitution.

The incident unfolded on April 12, 2025, when John lured Cecelia with promises of a job opportunity in Lagos State.

Cecelia’s mother, Rhoda Cosmos, filed a report with the ‘E’ Police Divisional Headquarters on April 19, 2025, after learning of her daughter’s disappearance.

The investigation revealed that Cecelia was handed over to a woman known only as “Mama,” who trafficked her to Burkina Faso for sexual exploitation.

Following the report, Bauchi State Commissioner of Police, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, instructed immediate action. John was arrested and confessed to his role in the crime.

The investigation is ongoing, and the case will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further proceedings. The suspects are expected to face charges in court after the investigation is complete.

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Mysterious Kano ditch of death “swallows” boys amid fear of supernatural forces

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Panic and fear have gripped residents of Musukwani area in Jakara, Kano Municipal Local Government Area, following the mysterious disappearance of two young boys believed to have gone missing inside a large, deep ditch in the neighborhood.

The alarming incident has raised fresh concerns, with locals linking the location to possible supernatural forces due to repeated strange occurrences in the area.

Eyewitnesses say the latest case happened on Monday, April 21, 2025, when one of the boys reportedly removed his clothes and wallet — which contained money — and handed them over to some people nearby before entering the ditch.

“We were sitting here when the boy came, took off his clothes, including his wallet with money, and asked us to keep them for him. He said he was going into the ditch to check something, as they usually store things like rods inside. He never came back. Even after nightfall, we closed our shops and went home. The next morning, there was still no sign of him. His belongings are still with us,” Abdul Basit Yusha’u Safiyanu told Ekwutosblog.

This is not an isolated incident. Just a few days earlier, another boy named Dan Sani also entered the same ditch with a friend and was never seen again. His disappearance remains unresolved.

Musa Hamza, a community leader and maternal uncle of (Dan Sani) one of the missing boys, expressed deep concern and frustration.

 

“He’s my nephew, about 12 years old. He and his friend came to the ditch. He told his friend to wait while he went in. When the friend noticed he wasn’t coming back, he ran home to tell us. We searched everywhere — even the mortuary — but nothing. All we have now are rumors and fear. Even the fire service officers who entered the ditch struggled to get back out,” he lamented.

Efforts to rescue the boys were made by the Kano State Fire Service. According to the commission’s spokesperson, Saminu Yusuf Abdullahi, the service received a distress call at exactly 3:55 p.m. on April 21.

“In response to a call from one Hamisu Wakili, our team rushed to the site in Jakara, but unfortunately, we could not find the missing individuals, and had to call off the operation,” he confirmed in a phone interview with Ekwutosblog.

 

Residents, however, believe the ditch may have more than meets the eye. Some, like Sadam Saraki, linked the area to paranormal activity, claiming it has long been known as a hub for spiritual and mysterious happenings.

Now, the people of Jakara are calling on the Kano State Government and emergency agencies to urgently investigate and take action before more lives are lost.

“People are scared. We can’t sleep with both eyes closed anymore,” one resident said.

The fate of the missing boys remains unknown, as the community anxiously awaits answers.

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