Author: Tunde

A British mother of two, Nusrat Osman, 47, was rescued after being abducted in Malawi last week, according to police. Inspector General Richard Luhanga confirmed she is safe and has been reunited with her family following a police operation in Blantyre on Thursday. Four suspected kidnappers were killed during the operation. The Malawi Police Service reported that their officers exchanged gunfire with the armed suspects, who were carrying an AK-47 rifle and a Girsan Regard MC pistol. Police stated, “The criminals got shot and were rushed to the hospital where they succumbed to their injuries.” During the incident, Deputy Inspector…

The Sierra Leone Maritime Administration (SLMA) has donated 15 motorbikes to Maritime Traffic Overseers, Regional Managers, and Dispatch Riders to enhance mobility and improve operations across the country. The handover took place on Thursday, 17 September 2026, and aims to bolster maritime monitoring, inspections, and stakeholder engagement. This initiative is particularly significant for districts and remote communities, ensuring quicker responses to maritime-related issues. Dr. Daniel B. Kaitibi, SLMA Executive Director, emphasised that the motorbikes are vital tools that will help officers perform their duties more effectively. He urged the recipients to utilise the motorbikes responsibly and maintain them properly. Ibrahim…

Counties in Kenya have been heavily criticised for mismanagement, after it was revealed they spent Sh13 billion on travel while development projects stalled. Over the first nine months of the 2025/26 financial year, governors and officials incurred Sh11.4 billion on domestic trips and Sh1.8 billion overseas. Controller of Budget, Margaret Nyakang’o, stated that nearly half of the 47 counties failed to allocate the required 30 per cent of their budgets to development. The funds used for travel could have equipped health facilities and completed much-needed infrastructure projects. Dr Nyakang’o expressed concern over the excessive spending, which diverts money away from…

Environmental defenders continue to face violence worldwide, with Latin America identified as the most dangerous region, according to Global Witness. The group reported at least 124 deaths globally in 2025, as communities from Peru to the Philippines oppose threats from activities like mining and drug trafficking. Since 2012, over 2,375 individuals have been killed for defending their land and rights. In Kasibu, Philippines, residents have erected a bamboo barrier to block trucks heading to a proposed mining site. In August, confrontations with police, aided by soldiers, resulted in the arrest of 13 individuals, all of whom have since been released.…

The Citizens Democratic Party (CDP) has confirmed that Alhaji Musa Tarawally, who is known as a flagbearer aspirant for the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP), remains a member of the CDP and has not formally resigned. This confirmation comes from a letter dated 3rd September 2026, directed to the SLPP’s National Chairman. The letter, signed by CDP National Secretary General Ibrahim Sorie Sesay, responds to questions about Tarawally’s party membership. According to the CDP, Tarawally, who was the party’s presidential candidate in the 2018 elections, has not submitted any resignation and has taken no official steps to leave since joining…

Governors in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) cannot dictate the political alliances President Bola Tinubu should pursue for the 2027 elections, according to Amb. Tajudeen Olesin. Olesin recently switched from the APC to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State. Supporting the Nyesom Wike-led Rainbow Coalition, Olesin challenged APC governors to focus on their own performance in office. His statement comes after the APC Governors Forum declared it would not support any alliances that could jeopardise Tinubu’s re-election ambitions or undermine the party. Olesin argued that political figures are free to form alliances and support candidates outside…

The Greek parliament has voted to lift the parliamentary immunity of former European Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos, allowing Belgian authorities to proceed with their investigation into the Qatargate scandal. Out of 266 MPs present, 264 voted in favour, with two declaring themselves “present”. The Ethics Committee had recommended this action unanimously after a European arrest warrant was issued by a Belgian judge in June. Avramopoulos, 73, who represents the ruling New Democracy party, was EU Commissioner for Migration from 2014 to 2019 and has previously served as the mayor of Athens. He has denied any wrongdoing, having requested the immunity be…

The European Parliament is set to vote on a resolution calling for increased pressure on Sierra Leone regarding fugitive Dutch drug trafficker Jos Leijdekkers, known as “Bolle Jos.” Proposed measures urge stronger judicial cooperation and ask the European Commission to consider targeted visa restrictions and diplomatic pressure. Dutch MEP Malik Azmani and Dutch officials have spearheaded efforts demanding European action over stalled extradition requests. While the EU allocated €352 million in development grants to Sierra Leone for 2021–2027, the parliamentary resolution serves as a political statement and does not automatically cancel or suspend funding without formal Commission approval.

Chernor Mamoud Jalloh, the new Director General of the National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT), began a week-long operational tour of NASSIT’s regional and investment sites across Sierra Leone on Monday, 14th September 2026. His first stop was at the NASSIT Sub-Office in Kono District, where he assured staff of management’s dedication to their welfare and effective service delivery. He outlined his vision for enhancing the scheme’s efficiency and impact. Mr Jalloh also met with local Paramount Chiefs, Section Chiefs, and Town Chiefs in Kono, thanking them for their support and promising improved service delivery and responsible investment. During…

The Federal Government has set up a committee to establish an operational framework and develop a curriculum for the Centre for Skills Development and Training in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. This initiative, led by the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), aims to enhance the availability of qualified technical personnel in Nigeria’s oil and gas and broader energy sectors. In a statement following the committee’s inauguration in Abuja by PTDF Executive Secretary Shuaibu Aliyu, it was revealed that the group will assess the centre’s current systems and identify areas for improvement. The establishment of the centre follows a skills audit which…