The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission has defended its handling of cases involving Nigerians detained in a deportation camp in New Delhi, India, saying the country’s authorities had earlier granted an amnesty that some of the detainees failed to take advantage of.

The response came after journalist Rufai Oseni and other Nigerians on social media criticised NiDCOM and its Chairman, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, over what they described as slow action to secure the release of a detainee identified as Ekene and more than 200 other Nigerians reportedly held at the Lampur detention centre.

Oseni, co-host of Arise TV, said he first raised Ekene’s case weeks earlier and, about a week ago, emailed NiDCOM with the man’s contact details after Dabiri-Erewa directed him to use official channels.

He claimed that despite an initial acknowledgment, neither the commission nor the Nigerian mission had reached out to Ekene.

“I spoke to Ekene this evening and he confirmed no one reached out,” Oseni posted on his X handle on Saturday.

“I have sent Abike Dabiri and NIDCOM the details of Ekene… they haven’t reached out to him! Nigerians, let’s beg her to help this man!”

He later added that Ekene told him more than 200 Nigerians were stranded at the Lampur detention centre, Sewa Sadan, in New Delhi, and described conditions there as “harrowing.”

The journalist also shared screenshots of correspondence and called for public help with flight logistics to enable Ekene to return home.

In an official email reply to Oseni on Sunday, which Dabiri-Erewa shared on X, NiDCOM said India had earlier granted a targeted amnesty to undocumented Nigerian migrants.

The programme began on May 1, 2025, as a six-month window and was later extended by three months following negotiations by Nigeria’s High Commissioner.

According to NiDCOM, more than 4,000 Nigerians returned home under the amnesty without legal or administrative penalties.

It said some refused to take advantage of the amnesty, and those were rounded up again and put in deportation camps.

NiDCOM wrote, “Regrettably, Ekene and some others did not take advantage of this program or its subsequent extension while it was active and because he did not regularise his status or exit during the grace period, he was arrested and is currently being held in a deportation camp. Please note that he is not the only one awaiting deportation.”

The email continued: “Unfortunately, deportations are entirely at the prerogative of the host country. Host governments typically have to reach a certain number of detainees before arranging an airlift to reduce the financial burden on their taxpayers.

“Kindly note that the Nigerian High Commission in India is still actively engaging with the Indian authorities to advocate for a fresh extension of the amnesty programme.”

It added that the NiDCOM legal team would continue to monitor the situation and noted the broader difficulties migrants face, including challenges finding jobs.

Oseni disputed the adequacy of the response, calling it a “glomar” reply issued only after public pressure and accusing NiDCOM of inefficiency.

He maintained that the focus should remain on helping Ekene and others return home, noting that the detainee is separated from his wife and children in Nigeria.

The exchange has drawn mixed reactions online, with some criticising the commission for what they described as slow action on individual cases.

Others argued that citizens who overstayed their visas or declined an available amnesty must bear responsibility under host-country laws.

The husband of 36-year-old Anulika Onyeanusia, who was arrested by the Anambra State Police Command for allegedly using a sex toy on her underage daughter, has recounted how he discovered the alleged sexual abuse.

Ikechukwu Onyeanyusi said he was informed about the incident by a friend who showed him a video of his wife allegedly using a sex toy on their daughter.

He said he was returning from his business on Thursday evening when his friend called him and showed him the video.

Speaking in a video posted on Saturday on the Facebook page of the Ministry of Women and Social Welfare, Anambra State, Onyeanyusi said he had not seen the video on social media before his friend brought it to his attention.

He said, “I saw the video. It was my wife, and I saw my daughter. She was molesting the child.

“I got a kind of confused and ‘What is this? What is happening? Could this be true?’ Immediately, I wanted to leave, but my friend held me. He said no, no, I should calm down, I should take it easy.”

Onyeanyusi said he later confronted his wife about the video, but she initially denied the allegation and claimed that the video was generated using artificial intelligence.

“I came to her, and I asked her, ‘What exactly is this that I saw on the internet?’ She said what? ‘I saw your video molesting my daughters. How come this happened?’ She said no. That it’s not true,” he recounted.

According to him, when he asked her how she could deny what he had seen, she maintained that the video was not genuine.

“I saw you! I saw your video! I saw everything, and you are telling me it’s not true? What makes it not to be true?”

“And she said that it’s AI,” he said.

Onyeanyusi said he returned to his friend and told him about his wife’s explanation, asking whether the video could actually have been generated by AI.

He said the police arrived at his residence shortly afterwards and searched the premises before arresting his wife.

“Before I knew it, police have already come to my house. They said they want to search. I said to them, ‘Okay.’ So they did all the searching they did, they arrested her and all of us left,” he said.

The husband said his wife later admitted to the allegation while being questioned at the police station.

“When they were asking her in the police station, that is when she accepted that it is true. DPO called me because I was outside while she was inside the office with the DPO.

“And the DPO asked me in her presence, ‘Do you know about what your wife is doing with my… daughters?’ I said, ‘No, I don’t know.’

“Then they asked her, ‘Did your husband know about this?’ And she also said no, that ‘I didn’t know… he didn’t know about it.’

“That is when I turned to her, I asked her, ‘Did you do this, really?’ And she said yes.”

Onyeanyusi said he was devastated by the admission.

“I got weak. I got tired. How come this kind of a thing can happen? How can you do this kind of a thing?

“I just sat down in the police office, I can’t get myself. I was, you know, reasoning, ‘What is this? What has happened to me?’”

The couple resides in Onitsha, where police officers recovered sex toys and other items said to be relevant to the ongoing investigation.

The Anambra State Police Command had earlier said the suspect was arrested on September 10 following open-source intelligence concerning a disturbing viral video allegedly showing a woman using sex toys on a minor.

The police also said four children, aged two, three, six and nine, were rescued during the operation.

The command said the suspect remained in custody as investigators worked to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged offence and determine whether other persons were involved.

The husband, who said he was disappointed in his wife, added that he decided to speak publicly to explain what happened and how he became aware of the alleged abuse.

“I am totally disappointed in my wife. I never believed that she is going to do this kind of a thing, even to the daughter… to her own daughter and to my own daughter. I never believed it.

“That is why I decided to make this video to the public to know.”

In a video of her questioning circulating, Anulika Onyeanusia told investigators that she uploaded content involving her daughter on a pornographic platform for money, with the highest amount earned being $300.

She blamed the devil and pleaded for forgiveness, while stating her husband was unaware.

Anambra First Lady Dr Nonye Soludo has condemned the alleged abuse, describing it as beyond comprehension, and pledged to follow the case closely to ensure the children receive necessary medical, psychological and rehabilitation support.

The Political Movement of Igbo Delegates Assembly in the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory has endorsed President Bola Tinubu for a second term in the 2027 presidential election, pledging to mobilise two million votes for the All Progressives Congress.

The group also declared its support for APC candidates contesting governorship and legislative positions across the Northern states and the FCT.

The Director-General of the Igbo Political Movement under the Igbo Delegates Assembly, Chief John Amaechi Onwe, disclosed this on Saturday at a press conference in Kaduna.

The declaration is coming despite the candidacy of former Anambra State governor and 2027 presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, who is of Igbo extraction.

Asked about the group’s position on Obi, Onwe said the movement had chosen to support Tinubu, stressing that its decision was not based on ethnic considerations.

“We in the North are for Tinubu and nothing more,” he stated.

Onwe said the endorsement followed consultations with traders, industrialists, youths, women and community leaders across the 19 Northern states and the FCT.

He said the group had reviewed the Tinubu administration’s performance in the last three years before arriving at its decision.

“We, the Igbo Political Movement 19 Northern States and FCT, who believe in unity, enterprise and progress, are throwing our full weight behind the re-election of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, in 2027. We believe we can achieve this because we have at least two million eligible voters across the 19 Northern states and FCT,” Onwe declared.

The group, which adopted the theme, “Continuity, Prosperity and Inclusion,” said the economic reforms of the Tinubu administration needed more time to mature.

Onwe specifically cited the removal of fuel subsidy and the unification of the foreign exchange market, describing them as difficult but necessary decisions.

He said, “Though painful at first, these reforms have stopped leakages, increased government revenue and restored investor confidence. For the first time in years, we are seeing a more transparent and market-driven economy.”

The group also commended the administration’s infrastructure projects, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway and access roads to the Second Niger Bridge.

According to Onwe, the projects are critical to Igbo businesses because improved transportation infrastructure will facilitate the movement of goods and boost commercial activities.

He said the administration’s support for micro, small and medium enterprises had also benefited Igbo traders operating in major Northern commercial centres. “Thousands of Igbo traders in Northern Nigeria have accessed funding without godfatherism,” Onwe claimed.

He further praised the Federal Government’s student loan and consumer credit initiatives, as well as its policies on manufacturing, gas development and ease of doing business.

Onwe also commended the increase in the monthly allowance of National Youth Service Corps members from N33,000 to N77,000, describing it as an indication that the government valued Nigerian youths. “For us in the North, where thousands of our sons and daughters serve in every state, this welfare improvement means dignity, motivation and hope,” he said.

The movement subsequently pledged to mobilise its structures across the 19 Northern states and the FCT for the APC during the 2027 elections.

It also promised to educate its members at the grassroots on the policies of the Tinubu administration and urged Nigerians to reject ethnic bigotry, division and politics of bitterness. Onwe said, “We believe Nigeria needs continuity, not disruption.”

He added, “President Tinubu, the Igbo nation in 19 Northern states in Nigeria and FCT is with you. Finish the job you have started.”

The group also pledged to support APC candidates for governorship and legislative positions across the Northern states and the FCT.

Former Labour Party vice-presidential candidate, Datti Baba-Ahmed, has explained his recent statement that Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar lack the capacity to fix Nigeria if elected president in 2027.

Baba-Ahmed said his comments were made in the interest of fairness, arguing that he did not want to give any of President Bola Tinubu’s major challengers an undue advantage by asking the president to step down.

He made the clarification while speaking on the Naija Unfiltered Podcast, following criticism over his recent interview with Seun Okinbaloye.

In the earlier interview, Baba-Ahmed had said Tinubu should step aside and that none of those seeking to replace him in 2027 had the capacity to improve Nigeria.

When asked specifically if his assessment included Obi, his former running mate, he replied, “Yes, including Peter Obi.”

‘I didn’t want to disadvantage Tinubu’

Explaining his controversial assessment of Obi and Atiku, Baba-Ahmed said he was trying to maintain what he considered a level playing field among the major contenders.

“In the way 2027 elections are, I will not disadvantage Uncle (Tinubu). I will not disadvantage him to unnecessarily promote Baba Atiku and Peter Obi and others, because we have to be fair in life, and that’s what I stand for,” he said.

He explained that asking Tinubu to hand over while promoting the opposition candidates would amount to unfairly favouring some contenders over others.

“I don’t want to unduly disadvantage a key opponent. Who is the key opponent? The major opponent, Tinubu, Shettima ticket and promote the Atiku ticket, which I’m not there, or the Obi ticket that I’m not there. One has to be fair in life, and that’s what happened,” Baba-Ahmed said.

He added that his response to Okinbaloye’s question was not the issue he initially went to discuss but was brought up during the interview.

“And it was not what I went to discuss with Seun, but Seun found a way of bringing that topic and insisting, including Peter Obi,” he said.

‘I still stand by Obi’

Baba-Ahmed also rejected suggestions that his controversial remark meant he had withdrawn his support for Obi, saying he remained appreciative of their political history.

“What I have done to support Peter Obi, I can repeat it,” he said.

“Peter Obi knows I stood for him. I still stand by him, and it is regretful those moves he made. But it is his choice.”

He also denied claims that Obi had “dropped” him, saying he had raised concerns about Obi’s political plans as far back as January 2024.

“Now they keep saying that he dropped me. He didn’t drop me,” Baba-Ahmed said.

“On 31st of January, 2024, I told him, sir, I need you to have a plan, and you don’t have it. At least I haven’t heard from you.”

Baba-Ahmed further expressed respect for Atiku, describing the former vice-president as a father figure and saying his comments were not intended to undermine him.

“Between me and Atiku, it’s much, much, much respect. In fact, I was able to remind him that I personally see you as like a father figure,” he said.

No fewer than 125 businessmen operating in some of Lagos’ major markets have been pencilled down as potential victims by suspected fraud syndicates, in what the police described as a disturbing web of calculated targeting.

According to the police, the gang studied successful traders, identified the commodities they dealt in and devised different schemes to lure them into what appeared to be lucrative business deals.

But the operation reportedly went beyond fraud. In some cases, victims were kidnapped and held hostage until their families or associates paid ransom.

One such case involved a tyre merchant who, according to the police, was lured to the Aiyetoro-Itele area of Ogun State, where members of one of the syndicates held him captive and collected about N24 million in ransom before releasing him.

Arrests expose wider operation

The development came to light following the arrest of seven suspected members of two fraud syndicates by operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Lagos State Police Command, headed by CSP Sunday Cirman.

The breakthrough reportedly came when one of the gangs lured a cloth seller to Ayobo, Lagos, apparently unaware that the police were already closing in. Three members of the gang were arrested in the ensuing operation, leading investigators to uncover a list containing the names of more than 125 business operators lined up for similar schemes.

The suspects reportedly described themselves as “local 419”, a Nigerian slang for fraudsters who obtain money or property through deception.

A police source said: “The two groups use different tactics but their mode of operation is that they target prospective investors or traders but ended up defrauding them in the process.”

From failed business to ‘caller’

One of the suspects, 61-year-old Patrick Nwankwo, the journey into the fraud business began, by his account, with a failed business, the death of his wife and the struggle to survive afterwards.

He said: “I was into second hand cloth selling at the popular Katangua Market. At a time, the business failed and at that time, I lost my wife. I used the small money that was remaining with me to bury my late wife.

“I started as a ‘Caller’. A caller is a person who goes out to identify and speak with our prospective victims. We identify businessmen. After this, we lied to them that someone was in need of large supply of any particular commodity and for them to supply. We usually use bicycle spare parts as the needed commodity.

“Another member of the gang will serve as the receiver. Once they supplied those items to him, we will disappear from that address. Our base is in Ogun State but we target businessmen at popular market, including: Oshodi, Arena, Idumota, Alaba Trade Fair markets. We already have our target and what they sell.

“We don’t pray for gullible people to finish. Gullible people cannot finish in Nigeria. They want to get very rich quick and we take advantage of that.”

‘I get 10% of their proceeds’ – Obi

Sixty-year-old Emeka Obi also said he became involved after falling victim to another gang.

According to him: “After serving my boss for six years and I had my own shop, somebody told me that they had drugs in large quantity but, when I got to where I was to get the drugs, I saw large quantity of American dollar. I didn’t know that they were fake. I was asked to deposit the N400,000 that was with me. That was a large money then in 1990.

“Initially, after collecting my money, they ran away but after they came back, I asked to join them and since then I have made more than the N400,000 that I lost to them.

“I used to be a caller but now I am old. I only allow them to use my office for their operations and I get only ten percent of whatever they get from their victims”.

‘My wife left me because of hardship – Okeke

Another suspect, 47-year-old Charles Okeke, a shoemaker in Aba, Abia State, said the journey followed a failed attempt to travel abroad.

Hear him: “I joined the syndicate in 2018, when I was duped, while trying to travel out. One Mr Eze took me to Ghana. He promised to take me to Europe or America but abandoned me in Ghana.

“I started looking for something to do. I met some Nigerians there. I was into shoe making but the money was nothing to write home about. I met a boy, Chukwudi and a Ghanaian, Jojome. They invited me to join them and we duped people, under the guise of washing money for them. They lured people with gold.

“Later my mother died and I had to come back to Nigeria for her burial. When my family saw my situation, they advised that I should not return to Ghana. They said that I was not doing well.

“Because of hardship, my wife left with my two children. It was while I was looking for what to do that I met Emeka, through one of our town brothers, who was also into the fraud business but had quit,” the suspect said.

Fifty-three-year-old Emmanuel Ekenta, an indigene of Awka, Anambra State, said he was once a successful businessman exporting plates to Ghana.

“I was exporting plates to Ghana then and I was doing well. Problem started, when I was duped at the Togo border. Ghana people and some Nigerians duped me. They lied to me that they wanted to wash dollar for me in 2006.”

“After I was duped, I requested to join them and they directed me to their boss in Lagos. He is the one who taught me how to dupe and I worked with him for six years”, he stated.

How the ‘catcher’ and ‘sitter’ worked

Ekenta also described the roles played by different members of the group.

He explained that “What we do is that one of us, usually the catcher, will pose as a sailor and a foreigner, who just arrived Lagos with goods for sale. We would then tell our prospective victim that he would make huge money by selling these non existent goods.

“After agreeing to sell the goods, the catcher will pretend to take them to the place, where the goods are kept but instead take them to our base, where we introduce them to dollar washing business. It is the normal thing of telling them that we have dollar but we need chemical to wash it.

They will be asked to pay for the chemical. That is how we collect money from them.

“There is also usually the ‘sitter’, who sits at our base. He would corroborate whatever the ‘catcher’ already told the victims. He would lie to them. He would pretend to be the younger brother of the Customs officer that cleared the goods.”

Another suspect, 46-year-old Uchenna Paul, a former foodstuffs seller, said he joined the group after being duped of his master’s money while on a trip from Abia State to Lagos to buy stockfish.

No room for criminals – Police

For the more than 125 business operators identified as potential targets, the arrests may have disrupted a carefully planned operation.

Lagos State Police Command spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi, said the development reaffirmed Commissioner of Police, CP Fatai Tijani’s determination to make the state uninhabitable for criminals.

The PUNCH had earlier predicted that there could be a fresh hike in fuel prices following the rise in oil prices.

The latest adjustment is the fourth upward review of Dangote refinery’s petrol gantry price since August 21.

The refinery had increased the price from N1,165 to N1,185 per litre on August 21 before raising it to N1,200 on August 26. It subsequently increased the price to N1,265 on August 29 and has now added another N85 per litre, taking the gantry price to N1,350.

The successive increases have raised the refinery’s petrol price by N185 per litre, or about 15.9 per cent, in 22 days.

In a circular issued late on Friday by the Group Commercial Operations of Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals, the company notified customers of the revised prices.

The circular read, “Dear Valued Customer, please find below the revised DPRP PMS gantry and coastal prices, which are effective from 12th September 2026:

“Coastal (MT): The old price of ₦1,669,545 has been revised to ₦1,783,530. Gantry (LTR): The old price of ₦1,265 per litre has been revised to ₦1,350 per litre.

“You are advised to return all ATCs for repricing, and a new volume contract will be issued for immediate resumption of loading.

“Should you require any further clarification, please do not hesitate to contact us.”

Petroleumprice.ng also confirmed that the new gantry price stands at N1,350 per litre, while the coastal delivery price was also adjusted from N1,669,545 to N1,783,530 per metric tonne.

Customers were directed to return all existing Authority to Collect documents for repricing. A new volume contract will be issued to allow immediate resumption of loading.

The circular advised customers to contact the company for any further clarification.

The adjustment comes against the backdrop of elevated international crude oil prices. Brent crude recently climbed above $104 a barrel and had earlier surged past $107 as the prolonged confrontation between the United States and Iran continued to disrupt oil supplies through the Strait of Hormuz.

Oil flows through the strategic waterway have fallen sharply in recent weeks, with volumes dropping well below the levels recorded during the earlier recovery period.

Attacks on tankers and restricted shipping have intensified supply concerns, keeping global benchmarks firm and placing upward pressure on refined product costs worldwide.

Officials of the Dangote refinery have yet to respond to messages seeking further details about the new hike.

The Ogun State Police Command has arrested three women allegedly linked to a child-stealing syndicate and rescued three children during an intelligence-led operation in the Ibafo, Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of the state.

The suspects were identified as Kikelomo Jimoh, 36; Kayode Elizabeth; and Blessing Anochike, 60.

The command, in a statement issued on Friday by its Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babasiyi, said detectives attached to Ibafo Division made the breakthrough while investigating a reported case of child stealing.

According to the statement, Jimoh was initially arrested during the investigation and allegedly confessed to the crime, subsequently leading detectives to the residence of Anochike, where three children were rescued.

The rescued children were identified as Christiana Olowokere, 14; Olamilekan Abdurusheed, 16; and Adeniji Rebecca, 12.

The police said preliminary findings indicated that Christiana was allegedly sold for N500,000, while Olamilekan, who had earlier absconded from his parents, was subsequently allegedly abducted.

“The circumstances surrounding the movement and custody of Adeniji Rebecca are also under investigation,” the command said.

The police said the three children were rescued safely and are currently in safe custody, while the suspects remain in detention.

The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Eleweran, Abeokuta, for what the command described as a “discreet and comprehensive investigation”.

The investigation, according to the police, is aimed at establishing the full circumstances surrounding the incident, determining the individual roles of the suspects and identifying other persons who may be connected to the alleged criminal enterprise.

The Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, CP Bode Ojajuni, commended the detectives of Ibafo Division for what he described as their “swift response, investigative diligence and commitment to protecting children and other vulnerable persons.”

Ojajuni also assured residents that the command remained “proactive and resolute in detecting, disrupting and dismantling criminal networks that target vulnerable members of society.”

He urged parents, guardians, neighbours, community leaders, schools, transport operators and other members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities involving children.

The commissioner specifically urged the public to report “any unexplained disappearance, suspicious movement, unusual custody arrangement or activity suggesting the sale, abduction or exploitation of a child.”

“A child’s safety is everyone’s responsibility. See something. Say something. Stay safe,” the command stated.