A Nigerian police officer serving with a Formed Police Unit (FPU) of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) takes up an observational position at the main Km 4 junction in the Somali capital Mogadishu during a joint night patrol and snap-vehicle checkpoint exercise with the Somali Police Force (SPF). Security has steadily and significantly improved in Somalia's ocean-bordered capital over the last year as stability has gradually returned following the withdrawal of the Al-Qaeda-allied extremist group Al Shabaab 18 months ago. Sustained military operations by the Somali National Army (SNA) supported by AMISOM forces across southern and central Somalia have liberated towns and areas once under the control of the violent extremist group. AU-UN ST PHOTO / STUART PRICE.