The Comptroller-General of the NIS, Kemi Nandap, disclosed this on Monday in Lagos at the 2026 conference of the African Borderlands Research Network.

The conference, themed “The Connected Borderlands: Socio-Cultural Integration and the Centrality of Policy, Research, and Security,” brought together researchers, policymakers, security practitioners and development partners to examine the changing security and socio-economic dynamics of Africa’s border regions.

Nandap said Nigeria’s approach to border management was being reshaped by changing migration patterns, regional integration, expanding cross-border commerce and increasingly sophisticated security threats.

She argued that borders could no longer be treated simply as lines separating countries, given the extent to which communities, families, cultures and economies operate across them.

According to her, the challenge for governments was to secure borders while ensuring that legitimate travellers, traders and communities were not unnecessarily restricted.

“Borders should no longer be viewed merely as geographical lines separating sovereign states, but as dynamic spaces where families, communities and cultures interact and where legitimate trade and movement take place,” she said.

Nandap identified human trafficking, migrant smuggling, identity fraud, organised crime, terrorism and cyber-enabled offences among the threats increasingly exploiting cross-border networks.

“Addressing them requires us to work differently and, importantly, to work together,” she said.

She said the NIS was consequently combining the professional expertise of its personnel with digital technology, intelligence gathering and inter-agency cooperation to detect and respond to threats more effectively.

Nigeria, she noted, had been moving towards technology-driven border administration for nearly two decades, becoming the first African country to introduce the electronic passport in 2007.

The NIS boss said the country had since upgraded its e-Passport system with enhanced biometric and security features, while digitising several stages of passport processing, including applications, payments and identity verification.

She said the centralisation of passport personalisation had also strengthened the integrity of the production process, while Nigeria’s participation in the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s Public Key Directory had enhanced the international verification of its electronic passports.

Nandap added that contactless biometric passport services were being deployed to make passport services more accessible to Nigerians outside the country without compromising security requirements.

At the country’s international airports, she said, automated border control systems, including electronic gates, were also being deployed to speed up passenger processing through biometric verification.

The service is also investing in surveillance equipment, command and control systems, communications infrastructure and integrated data platforms covering Nigeria’s land, air and maritime borders, she said.

Nandap, however, cautioned against treating technology as an end in itself.

“Their fundamental purpose is to enhance the capacity of our officers to make timely and well-informed decisions, identify emerging risks at an earlier stage and improve operational coordination, and facilitate the seamless movement of legitimate travellers while safeguarding national security,” she said.

She maintained that technology would not eliminate the need for competent immigration personnel, stressing the importance of professional judgement, experience and integrity in border operations.

Beyond technology and institutional cooperation, Nandap called for stronger partnerships with communities living along Nigeria’s borders, describing them as an important source of local intelligence and strategic partners in border management.

The Chairman of ABORNE, Prof Paul Nugent, said borderlands had repeatedly become focal points of government security interventions during health emergencies and periods of regional instability.

He cited the Ebola outbreak, COVID-19 pandemic and regional insurgencies as examples of crises that had resulted in border restrictions and, in some cases, prolonged closures.

Nugent said ABORNE was seeking to narrow the gap between academic research and policymaking by bringing researchers into closer engagement with border agencies, policymakers and practitioners working in border communities.

He also urged a shift away from portraying African borderlands primarily as zones of insecurity and disorder, arguing that many had developed into centres of commerce, urban innovation and cultural exchange.

Prof Anthony Asiwaju, a former Director of the Centre for African Regional Integration and Border Studies, also commended the conference for promoting research and policy discussions around the future of African borderlands.

Agbebaku, who represents Owan West Constituency I, had, on Monday, August 17, 2026, resigned his position as Speaker of the House.

Yekini Idaiye, the lawmaker representing Akoko-Edo I, was then elected as his replacement.

However, eight days after the controversy began, the House converted Agbebaku’s resignation to impeachment.

The new Speaker, Idaiye, backed by some lawmakers, said the impeachment notice was signed by 17 members of the House.

He said the impeachment notice was formally presented by the Majority Leader during last Monday’s plenary, noting that the indefinite suspension had been converted to impeachment because Agbebaku’s resignation notice had not been officially presented and documented days after he was suspended.

The Speaker stressed that Agbebaku was impeached and did not resign from office.

The motion for the formal impeachment was moved by the Majority Leader, Sunny Ojiezele, and seconded by the member representing Etsako Central, Ahmed Waziri.

The Speaker, while directing Agbebaku to return all government property in his possession, further threatened that security agencies would be engaged if he failed to comply with the directive of the House.

“This is to let the public know that the Edo State House of Assembly has formally impeached the suspended Speaker, Blessing Agbebaku.

“And the impeached Speaker is to return all government property in his possession, and security agencies would be engaged if the former Speaker fails to comply with the directive of the House,” Idaiye added.

Oil prices fell on Monday as investors braced for details of a US plan to isolate the Iranian economy that President Donald Trump billed as the “most crushing” financial operation ever against Tehran.

Asian stocks were mostly down, with South Korea’s tech-rich Kospi falling more than three percent after Samsung Electronics said it spent $80 billion to buy back its own shares following weeks of turbulent trading.

The chip giant’s shares, along with those of rival SK hynix, peaked in June on optimism for the artificial intelligence boom, but have since fallen amid investor jitters and a broader tech rout.

In an important week for AI, investors are also looking towards an earnings report from Nvidia, the world’s most valuable company and a bellwether for the sector.

The recurring question for the US chipmaker is whether the AI boom will continue to accelerate as the technology takes over more corners of the broader economy.

“The spending machine is still running, but the bill is getting heavier,” said Stephen Innes of SPI Asset Management.

“Nvidia must now show that the most expensive investment boom in modern market history can still pay its bills.”

Chinese tech giant Alibaba is keeping focus on the sector after announcing on Sunday that it plans to issue $10.2 billion in new shares in Hong Kong to fund its global AI ambitions.

The firm, known for its open-source “Qwen” AI models, has been ploughing tens of billions of dollars into the technology, with shareholders eager to see how it will monetise the huge investments.

Tokyo and Shanghai closed down 0.7 percent and 0.6 percent respectively, echoing losses across Asia that included Taipei, Wellington, Bangkok, Mumbai and Jakarta. Sydney, Singapore, Manila and Kuala Lumpur posted marginal gains.

Hong Kong was down nearly two percent despite fast-fashion giant Shein announcing its market debut will take place in the Chinese financial hub on September 1.

The long-awaited listing would value the group — known for its vast selection of products at stunningly low prices — at close to $27 billion.

London was flat at the open, while Paris and Frankfurt were down 0.2 percent.

– ‘Get with the programme’ –

Eyes are also on US Treasury boss Scott Bessent, who said he would give more details in a news conference on Monday on a fresh push to pile economic pressure on Iran.

The United States warned allies and China on Thursday to join Trump’s new campaign, which comes as the unpopular war in the Middle East drags toward the six-month mark.

US Vice President JD Vance acknowledged the plan was a “delicate dance” because Iran will “try to apply economic pressure to us”.

Asked whether the United States would pressure China, Bessent told CNBC that “many conversations are best to have in private”, but he also called on Beijing “to get with the programme”.

Both main crude contracts were down around two percent, with the Brent benchmark sitting at $92 a barrel.

Traders will also be watching this week’s annual gathering of central bankers, economists and finance chiefs in Jackson Hole in the United States, hoping for some clarification on US monetary policy.

The meeting comes after the Treasury bought its own bonds last week in an effort to push down borrowing costs after the 30-year yield surged to levels last seen in 2007, just before the global financial crisis.

Yields have risen on inflation fears and as the United States reported that its federal debt had topped $40 trillion.

– Key figures at around 0700 GMT –

Tokyo – Nikkei 225: DOWN 0.7 percent at 65,528.09 (close)

Hong Kong – Hang Seng Index: DOWN 1.7 percent at 25,561.27

Shanghai – Composite: DOWN 0.6 percent at 3,882.01 (close)

London – FTSE 100: FLAT at 10,818.04

Dollar/yen: UP at 159.12 yen from 159.03 yen on Friday

Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.1671 from $1.1679

Pound/dollar: DOWN at $1.3642 from $1.3647

Euro/pound: DOWN at 85.55 pence from 85.58 pence

West Texas Intermediate: DOWN 2.3 percent at $85.06 per barrel

Brent North Sea Crude: DOWN 1.8 percent at $92.65 per barrel

AFP

An inferno on Sunday destroyed five shops and damaged part of a storey building at Ita-Amodu, Niger Junction, Ilorin, Kwara State.

The Kwara State Fire Service, in a statement on Sunday by its Public Relations Officer, Hassan Adekunle, said the incident occurred at about 1:36 pm.

The fire affected a storey building comprising three-bedroom flats and 10 shops, with five of the shops and the building’s parapet damaged.

Adekunle said materials used for the production of mattresses and sofas, which were among the commodities stored in the affected shops, contributed to the intensity and rapid spread of the fire.

“The incident involved a storey building comprising about three-bedroom flats and 10 shops, with five shops and the parapet affected by the inferno,” the statement read.

“Among the commodities involved were mattresses and sofa materials, which are highly combustible due to the materials used in their production, thereby contributing to the intensity and rapid spread of the fire.”

Adekunle stressed that the agency’s first fire appliance met the blaze already fully developed and overwhelming the building, prompting the immediate deployment of a second appliance to reinforce the operation.

“Due to the magnitude of the inferno, a second fire appliance was immediately deployed to reinforce the firefighting operation,” he said.

The service added that its personnel worked to prevent the fire from spreading to adjoining properties and eventually brought the blaze under control at about 2:05 pm.

“The firefighters demonstrated remarkable courage, professionalism and determination, working tirelessly to prevent the fire from spreading to adjoining properties. Their concerted efforts successfully brought the fire under control at about 14:05hrs,” Adekunle said.

Personnel of the Federal Fire Service also joined the operation, with the Kwara State Fire Service saying the collaboration helped to contain the inferno and prevent further damage.

“Personnel of the Federal Fire Service were also present at the scene and joined the Kwara State Fire Service in the firefighting operation. The collaboration between both agencies contributed significantly to mitigating the impact of the inferno and preventing further escalation,” Adekunle said.

The cause of the fire was still under investigation as of the time of filing this report. The Chief Fire Officer of the Kwara State Fire Service, Alabi Muhammed, commended personnel of both agencies for their efforts in containing the blaze.

He particularly praised the Kwara Fire Service personnel for their swift response and reinforcement, saying their efforts prevented the fire from spreading beyond the affected premises.

The fire service urged business owners dealing in combustible materials, including mattresses, upholstery and related products, to prioritise fire safety measures and provide appropriate firefighting equipment at their premises.

In other news, the 36 state governors are facing growing pressure to account for how they have spent public funds disbursed as revenue by the Federation Account Allocation Committee in the last three years, The PUNCH reports.

These and many more stories lead today’s headlines.

1. KWAM1 breaks down in tears on stage over Ogogo’s death

Legendary Nigerian Fuji musician, Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as KWAM 1 or K1 De Ultimate, broke down in tears on stage following the death of veteran Nollywood actor, Taiwo Hassan, better known as Ogogo.

Ogogo died on Sunday evening after battling cancer, prompting an outpouring of tributes from Nigerians, including celebrities and politicians.

2. FAAC bonanza: Govs face questions as payouts hit N47tn

The 36 state governors are facing growing pressure to account for how they have spent public funds disbursed as revenue by the Federation Account Allocation Committee in the last three years, The PUNCH reports.

This scrutiny follows the revelation that the Federation Account disbursed about N47tn to the three tiers of government in the three years since the removal of petrol subsidy.

3.‘Don’t cry, my princess,’ Ogogo told daughter weeks before death

One of the daughters of veteran Yoruba actor Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, Kira Taiwo, has shared an emotional message she exchanged with her father before his death.

Kira shared the message on her Instagram Story on Monday, following the actor’s death on Sunday at the age of 66.

4. Osun poll: How vote buyers breached EFCC, ICPC, INEC defences

They promised a crackdown. INEC, EFCC and ICPC warned vote buyers they would be arrested. But when Osun voters arrived at polling units on August 15, the cash was already waiting. In some places, votes reportedly went for N15,000, N30,000, N40,000 or more, turning polling centres into open-air marketplaces, BOLA BAMIG

The great-grandmother, identified as Esther Ogunmabo, was arrested in Ilisan, Ogun State, with retail sachets of skunk, a strain of cannabis, weighing 90 grammes, which she claimed she sold to locals.

A statement on Sunday by the agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, said the centenarian told operatives that she started engaging in illicit drug trade after her provisions shop was razed by fire.

The statement partly read, “Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have recorded significant breakthroughs across the country’s land and maritime borders, including the arrest of a 101-year-old great-grandmother for dealing in illicit drugs.

“NDLEA operatives on Saturday, August 15, 2026, arrested a 101-year-old woman, Esther Ogunmabo, in Ilisan, Ogun State, with retail sachets of skunk, a strain of cannabis, weighing 90 grams, which she claims she sells to locals.

“The centenarian told operatives that she resorted to the illicit drug trade after her provisions shop was razed by fire, adding that one of her daughters, who resides in Lagos, arranges the supply of the substance to her every four days, which she in turn sold in bits.”

Babafemi said the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), directed that the suspect be granted bail and placed on counselling because of her advanced age, while her daughter had been arrested.

PUNCH Online has not been able to speak with the suspect.

In a related development, he said NDLEA operatives in Akwa Ibom State, acting on credible intelligence, intercepted a wooden boat on the high seas on Friday, August 21, conveying illicit drugs to fishing settlements in the Republic of Cameroon.

According to him, three suspects arrested aboard the boat, which was heading to Ine Isu, Ine Mbah and Ine Ikot Itie Udung fishing ports in Cameroon, included Etima Effiong Eekpo, 29, caught with 1.120kg of skunk; Otobong Eyoh Etukudoh, 33, who had 42.060kg of skunk in his possession; and 27-year-old Kingsley Effiong John, who was found with 20 grammes of cocaine cleverly concealed inside a large wrap of edible cassava fufu, alongside 435 grammes of skunk.

“A total of 42.622kg of narcotics was recovered from the trio,” Babafemi added.

In the nation’s maritime space, Babafemi said the agency recorded its first-ever seizure of illicit drugs shipped from Thailand through the maritime corridor, following the interception of two containers of cannabis indica, also known as Loud, at the Apapa and Lekki ports, with a combined street value put at over N4.4bn.

“Both containers were loaded at the Port of Laem Chabang, Thailand, underscoring the emergence of a new trafficking route being exploited by drug syndicates to smuggle synthetic cannabis into the country,” he added.

At the Apapa Port, Babafemi said a container declared to be conveying dry fish, rice, vehicle spare parts, turmeric soap and inverter batteries was found, during a joint examination of the shipment on Friday, August 21, by the NDLEA, Customs and others, to contain 1,090.5kg of Thai Loud packed in 54 cartons comprising 2,181 sachets of 500 grammes each.

“At the Lekki Deep Sea Port, a similar container, which had been placed on the Agency’s watchlist and monitored by its Marine Special Operations Unit, was jointly examined on Wednesday, 19th August. Of the seven pallets found in the container wrapped in black nylon, four were confirmed to be laced with Thai Loud, yielding 96 cartons made up of 400 parcels weighing a total of 400kg. The remaining three pallets contained 798 rims of A4 paper, which had been used as cover for the consignment,” he said.

In the Federal Capital Territory, Babafemi said NDLEA operatives on Saturday, August 22, intercepted three waybill packages containing 24,410 pills of tramadol capsules inside a Hummer bus travelling from Enugu to Zuba.

“A follow-up operation conducted in Niger State led to the arrest of the owner of the consignment, Sunday Eze, 28, in Kontagora, after which he was transferred to Abuja,” he said.

In Ondo, Babafemi said operatives raided a cannabis farm at Ijare forest, Ifedore Local Government Area, on August 19, following the earlier arrest of three suspected cannabis planters at the same location on August 16.

“The team destroyed a total of 10,000kg of skunk cultivated across four hectares of the forest. In a separate operation in the state, operatives same day at Ita-Ogbolu, Akure North LGA, recovered 210kg skunk and a Toyota Camry car with registration number AGL 223 JH belonging to Sylvester Dibiagu Anthony, who is currently at large,” he added.

“A raid at Hadeija Road, Kano, on Monday, August 17, led to the arrest of Chibuzor Madueke, 31, with 98 blocks of skunk weighing 73.3kg recovered from him, while a similar operation by NDLEA operatives at Seme, Badagry area of Lagos, led to the arrest of three family members: Nasiru Tijjani, 52; Moshood Tijjani, 27; and Salami Tijjani, 27, at Ashipa area, near the Seme border, with 48kg of skunk.

“In Abia State, NDLEA officers on Thursday, August 20, raided the residence of Ikechukwu Anthony Iwuno, 36, at Umuobia Olokoro area of Umuahia South LGA, where 14.4kg Loud, 2.3kg Colorado, 386 grammes of tramadol and 134 grammes of rohypnol were recovered,” the statement added.

While commending the officers and men of the Ogun, Apapa, Lekki, Seme, Akwa Ibom, Ondo, Oyo, Kwara, Kano, Abia and FCT Commands for the various successful operations, Marwa enjoined them and their colleagues across the country to continue with the current balanced approach to the agency’s drug-control efforts.