News
FG deports 828 illegal immigrants from Nigeria
….and revamped the country’s border security
The federal government has deported 828 illegal immigrants in 2024 as part of its intensified efforts to combat irregular migration and enhance national security.
On Tuesday, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, disclosed this at a media parley in Abuja.
Highlighting the government’s achievements, the minister stated, “In the last year, 137 victims of trafficking were intercepted, and in 2024 alone, 828 foreigners were repatriated by the Nigerian Immigration Service.”
As part of broader reforms, the government implemented measures to modernise border operations and immigration systems.
These include integrating Nigerian passports into the International Civil Aviation Organisation Public Key Directory, allowing seamless verification worldwide, and establishing a centralised Visa Approval Centre in Abuja to streamline visa processing.
To support these initiatives, an 8.3-petabyte data centre—the largest in Nigeria—has been constructed, and solar-powered infrastructure has been introduced to ensure uninterrupted operations.
A command and control centre monitors all land and air entry points, boosting surveillance capabilities.
According to the minister, at least 97 cases of persons of international security interest have been recorded through the API/PNR as of Sunday, 26th January 2025. These persons would have entered the country under the manual passenger processing and profiling system.
The minister noted that the NIS cleared a backlog of „ Over 200,000 passport applications within three weeks in 2023 and issued 1,836,533 passports in 2024.”
He also said the centralised passport personalisation process will begin with 21 African Countries on February 3, 2025.
The Chairman of Bariga Local Government Area of Lagos State, Kolade Alabi, on Wednesday, suddenly slumped at the All Progressives Congress stakeholders’ meeting held at the party’s Secretariat in Ikeja, the state capital.
According to The PUNCH, Alabi, who is the state chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria, was addressing party members when the sad incident occured.
Fortunately, he was immediately revived and rushed away to the hospital in an ambulance for further treatment.
Details shortly…
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday, admitted a video recording allegedly showing the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu issuing inflammatory directives which the prosecution claims incited acts of terrorism across the South – East region of the country.
The Wednesday proceedings resumed with the continuation of the testimony of the second Prosecution witness, an operative of Department of State Services (DSS) codenamed PWBBB.
In the video played in open court, Kanu was seen addressing his followers in what he called, “the blessed land of Biafra”, wherein he announced the formation of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), urging followers to defend their land against what he referred to as “Fulani domination.”
He warned political leaders in the region against compromises and issued a directive forbidding the presence of fulani herdsmen, saying, “No Fulani parading as herdsman shall be allowed in our land. If you are an agent of the Fulani, turn your way this evening.”
The device was admitted as evidence alongside a certificate of compliance, despite objections from the defence.
They were marked as Exhibits PWA and PW1, respectively.
The court also admitted a letter dated June 17, 2021, authored by the former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN, which accused Kanu of terrorism, murder, and incitement to violence.
The letter, addressed to the DSS, was tendered without objection and marked as Exhibit PWF.
Reading from the document, the witness, who was led in evidence by the prosecuting counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN alleged that Kanu’s broadcasts were followed by coordinated attacks on police stations and correctional facilities, resulting in loss of lives and property.
He quoted the petition as saying Kanu had instructed that security operatives be “brought down” and their weapons seized.
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has alerted the public on the activities of Property World Africa Network (PWAN), which holds itself out as a real estate investment company and solicits funds from the public for investment purposes through PWAN MAX.
In a statement on Tuesday, the SEC said PWAN/PWAN MAX are not registered either to solicit investments from the public or operate in any other capacity within the Nigerian capital market.
The SEC said investigations revealed that PWAN’s operations exhibit the typical indicators of a fraudulent Ponzi scheme, including the promise of unusually high returns and failure to honour withdrawal requests from subscribers.
“Accordingly, the public is strongly advised to be wary about investing with PWAN/PWAN MAX, as any person who places such investment with these entities, does so at his/her own risk.
“The commission similarly reminds potential investors of the need to verify the registration status of investment platforms via the commission’s dedicated portal: www.sec.gov.ng/cmos before transacting with them,” the SEC said.
(The Guardian)
-
News5 hours agoReal cause of Herbert Wigwe’s helicopter crash revealed
-
News24 hours agoTension As Lawmakers Warn of Public Revolt Over Insecurity
-
Politics7 hours agoUghelli North PDP Holds Crucial Meeting
-
News12 hours agoTinubu presents N1.78 trillion FCT budget to NASS
-
News23 hours agoEdo Speaker, Two Other Lawmakers, Formally Join APC
-
News12 hours ago2027: Why Obi should reject VP slot — Tinubu’s aide
-
News24 hours agoRep Raises Alarm After Deadly Attacks In Borno, Says Boko Haram Is Returning Stronger
-
News12 hours agoNnamdi Kanu wanted more states for Biafra – DSS