News
ECOWAS panel calls for residence permit abolition
A joint committee of the Economic Community of West African States has called for the abolition of the residence permit system, which they argue is obstructing the free movement of citizens across the region.
The joint committee made this call on Thursday to member states and the ECOWAS Commission in their draft report at the end of their delocalised sittings in Banjul, The Gambia.
The joint committee, which includes representatives from Social Affairs, Gender and Women Empowerment, Legal Affairs and Human Rights, Political Affairs, Peace, Security, and Trade Customs, stated that the residence permit system, initially introduced under the ECOWAS Treaty of 1975, no longer serves its intended purpose.
The system, known as the ECOWAS Residence Permit or Residence Card, was designed to allow citizens to reside in another member state for extended periods for business, employment, or personal reasons.
However, the committee now argues that the permit system contradicts the fundamental ECOWAS objective of promoting economic integration and cooperation, particularly the protocol on free movement.
“The issuance of residence permits should be completely abolished in the region in conformity with the Community Text,” the report stated, pending approval by the ECOWAS Parliament’s plenary.
The committee’s report also pointed out widespread non-implementation of the ECOWAS free movement protocols at borders within West Africa.
In response, they have called for robust sensitisation campaigns to educate both citizens and government officials on these regional agreements.
They also recommended that all Immigration and Customs officers receive training on the relevant Community Texts, with special attention to border posts.
“The Free Movement Protocol should be made available to all Immigration Officers, especially at the border posts.
“All training programmes of Immigration and Customs officials should include training on the relevant Community Texts,” the draft report said.
Further, the committee demanded the deployment of officials at border posts to monitor, document, and report instances of extortion and other malpractices.
Additionally, they urged the ECOWAS Commission to ensure full compliance with the implementation of signed Community Texts by member states, particularly the ECOWAS Biometric Identification Card.
“Ensure that all signed Community Texts by Heads of State and Government are implemented by their Member states.
“Ensure the full compliance of member states in the implementation of the ECOWAS Biometric Identification Card,” it urged the ECOWAS Commission.
The committee’s recommendations followed a series of consultations held earlier in the week, including a town hall meeting with stakeholders and an interactive session with border officials from The Gambia and Senegal.
Bandits have killed a monarch,his wife, his son, and three other residents in a deadly night attack on Olegabulu community in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State.
Residents said the attack happened on Thursday night when the armed men, numbering about four and arriving on two motorcycles, stormed the palace of the monarch and opened fire on him and his family members.
According to a resident who requested anonymity, the attackers entered the community without raising suspicion, reportedly exchanging greetings with locals in the native dialect before heading straight to the royal residence. Once inside, they opened fire, killing the traditional ruler, his wife, and his son on the spot.
The attackers were said to have spent about 20 minutes in the community. After the assault on the palace, they reportedly moved to a nearby compound where they killed two additional residents and left another person injured before fleeing the scene.
Eyewitnesses described the incident as coordinated and deceptive, noting that the gunmen initially blended in with residents before launching the attack.
The Chairman of Agatu Local Government Area, Melvin Ejeh, confirmed the incident, stating that five people were killed and one person sustained injuries.
He added that security operatives, including police personnel, have since visited the scene.
Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer in Benue State, DSP Udeme Edet, said she was yet to receive full details of the attack at the time of filing this report.
Proceedings in the case involving former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, were on Thursday adjourned till May 6, 2026, by Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
At the resumed hearing, counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, represented the prosecution, while Bello was represented by his lead counsel, Mr Joseph Daudu.
During proceedings, the prosecution informed the court of the need for more time to respond to applications filed by the defence, while Bello’s legal team urged the court to consider their submissions and move the matter forward.
Justice Nwite, in his ruling, adjourned the case to May 6 to allow all parties to adequately prepare and ensure a fair hearing.
Mr Bello is currently facing charges bordering on alleged financial misappropriation during his tenure as governor, allegations he has repeatedly denied.
Nigeria is set to experience one of the highest increases in food insecurity worldwide in 2026, according to the latest Global Report on Food Crises released on April 24, 2026.
The report, compiled by agencies including the Food and Agriculture Organization and World Food Programme, raised fresh concerns over worsening hunger levels driven by insecurity, economic hardship and declining humanitarian funding.
According to FAO findings, about 4.1 million additional Nigerians could fall into acute food insecurity in 2026, placing the country among those with the largest increases globally.
Reacting to the development, President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development, Mr Alvaro Lario, said “the crisis is becoming more prolonged and difficult to contain”.
“We are no longer seeing just temporary shocks, but persistent shocks over time,” warning that the situation is placing growing pressure on global stability.
FAO noted that about 266 million people across 47 countries face high levels of acute hunger in 2025, with conditions expected to remain severe into 2026.
In Nigeria, the situation is being worsened by continued insecurity in key farming regions, rising inflation and limited access to food.
According FAO projections, over 34 million Nigerians may experience crisis level hunger between June and August 2026, during the peak of the lean season.
The FAO Country Representative in Nigeria, Mr Hussein Gadain, said the combined impact of armed conflict, climate shocks, high food prices and cuts in global aid funding is pushing more Nigerians into hunger.
The report called for urgent and sustained intervention, warning that without immediate action, millions more could slide into emergency levels of food insecurity in the coming months.
BREAKING: Benue boils again as bandits invade palace, kill monarch ,wife, son three others
Yahaya Bello to know fate on May 6 as Court adjourns financial infractions case
Nigeria set to record largest surge in food insecurity globally in 2026-Reports
-
Metro22 hours agoTwo Injured as Police Foil Kidnapping Plot in Ibadan
-
News23 hours agoOAU Medical Student Slumps, Dies During Clinical Examination
-
Politics23 hours agoLagos 2027: Obasa Hosts Hamzat,Promises Support For Governorship Bid
-
News22 hours agoTight Security as Court Arraigns Suspects Over Jos Killings
-
News22 hours agoTinubu Unveils ₦25 Trillion Pension Fund to Strengthen Workers’ Retirement Security
-
News22 hours ago$516m loan request: Tinubu’s borrowing bonanza mortgaging Nigeria’s future
-
News22 hours agoEx-footballer Jailed 3 Years For Rape
-
Politics22 hours agoAPC shifts presidential primary to May 23, 2026, releases revised 2027 election timetable
You must be logged in to post a comment Login