News
FG to strengthen border control measures as NIS arrests 51 illegal immigrants
The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has called for collaboration with the Sahel and West African countries on information and data sharing for effective border control.
He made the call on Tuesday while addressing newsmen on the sidelines of the Summit on Border Security in London.
“There is a need for collaboration of countries within the Sahel and West African sub-region for better international partnerships and information dissemination.
“We need more data sharing and better collaborations to make sure we don’t just solve the problem but we stop the problem from happening.
“The major takeaway from this summit is proactiveness and not just being reactive as countries are now more poised to criminalising irregular migration.
“So this summit is a wonderful one because it brings an opportunity for ministers in border control to make sure we are all able to manage our borders to secure our countries,” Tunji-Ojo said.
According to him, organised immigration crimes are peculiar to any nation but cut across, hence, the need for collaboration and shared solutions.
“Nigeria has a border control solution because we are not just a destination point. We have automated our solutions as there are more measures in place to ensure the borders are secured and to ensure irregular migration is brought to an end.
“We can’t afford to lose the battle before we start it, and so we know that with this kind of summit, as a united front, we will effectively combat this menace,” Tunji-Ojo assured.
NAN reports that the UK summit brought together over 30 global leaders, including UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, and UK Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, to discuss critical issues surrounding border control and organised immigration crime
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Immigration Service, on Tuesday, announced the arrest of 51 illegal immigrants in Nasarawa State.
According to the NIS, the illegal immigrants, who were apprehended in New Nyanya, Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, are all from Mali and are between the ages of 17 and 25.
The NIS Public Relations Officer, A.S. Akinlabi, confirmed the arrest on Tuesday, stating that 11 of them are female, while 40 are male.
He said a preliminary investigation conducted by the service suggests that the migrants may be victims of human trafficking and migrant smuggling.
Akinlabi said, “The Nigeria Immigration Service has arrested 51 illegal immigrants in New Nyanya, Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
“The illegal migrants, all Malians aged between 17 and 25, were arrested at their hideouts following credible intelligence. Eleven of them are female, while 40 are male.
“Preliminary investigations indicate that they may have been victims of human trafficking and migrant smuggling. None of them presented any valid travel documents or residence permits during interrogation.”
Akinlabi added that the migrants had been taken into NIS custody and were undergoing further profiling and investigation.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Enugu Governor Peter Mbah has expressed deep grief over the passing away of former Super Eagles skipper and coach, Christian Chukwu, describing him as a football icon, titan, and phenomenon.
Reacting to the development on Saturday Mbah said: “I received with a deep sense of loss the passing away of Chairman Christian Chukwu. It is a personal loss to us as Ndi Enugu, his home state, and indeed to Nigeria as a nation and Africa as a continent.
“Christian Chukwu was a national icon, a football titan, field marshal, and phenomenon. His exploits as a footballer united the country across ethnic divides and creed.
He was patriotism personified, serving the nation and Africa unreservedly both as a player and coach of the highly successful Rangers International Football Club of Enugu and Super Eagles of Nigeria, which he captained to victory as Green Eagles at the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON. He also coached the Harambee Stars, Kenya’s senior male national team, among others.
“Chairman, as he was fondly called, gave his all not only to the nation but to the rest of Africa. He wrote his name in gold in the annals of the history of Nigerian and African football.
Our dear legend has gone the way of all mortals, but the fond memories and the pride he gave Ndi Igbo and Nigeria as a whole will be cherished forever.
“My heart goes out to his family, Ndi Enugu, the Nigerian sports community and the entire nation over this irreplaceable loss. May the good Lord grant his soul eternal repose.”
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
No fewer than seven people lost their lives on Saturday following the detonation of an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted by Boko Haram terrorists in Borno State.
The deadly incident occurred along the Maiduguri-Damboa Road, a notorious route that cuts through the Sambisa Forest—an area long plagued by insurgent activities.
The victims were part of a convoy of vehicles being escorted by the military from Damboa to Maiduguri.
According to eyewitness accounts and local sources, the explosion struck as the convoy—organized to provide safe passage through the volatile region—was underway. Several other passengers sustained varying degrees of injuries and were rushed to a hospital in Maiduguri for urgent treatment.
The Maiduguri-Damboa Road serves as a vital link between the state capital and several local government areas in southern Borno, including Chibok and Gwoza.
For years, the route remained closed to civilian traffic due to persistent terrorist threats. However, under the administration of Governor Babagana Zulum, the road was reopened, with military escorts deployed to accompany travelers twice weekly after clearing the area for explosives.
Saturday’s attack raises fresh concerns about the safety of the corridor, despite consistent military presence. The blast also comes just days after Governor Zulum publicly raised alarm over renewed Boko Haram activity in the state, highlighting the persistent threat the group poses to peace and development in the region.
Authorities are yet to release an official statement on the incident, while investigations and security operations in the area continue.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has initiated a search following the theft of a black Toyota Hilux vehicle belonging to the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Nuhu Ribadu, which was stolen during Friday’s Juma’at prayers in Abuja.
It was gathered that the vehicle was parked around 1:05pm opposite the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) complex in Area 10, while the official attended prayers at a nearby mosque.
Security source, Zagazola Makama, disclosed the incident via his X (formerly Twitter) handle, revealing that the ONSA official returned from the mosque only to find the vehicle missing.
According to him, a sources said the theft was immediately reported to the Garki Police Division at approximately 2:00 p.m., leading to a swift response by law enforcement.
Meanwhile, the FCT Police Command promptly activated a stop-and-search operation at various checkpoints and across all entry and exit points in the capital city.
Police authorities confirmed that investigations are ongoing and all efforts are being made to apprehend the culprits and recover the vehicle.
The Command said it had intensified efforts to track down the fleeing suspects and recover the stolen Hilux.
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