Nigeria has signed a new deal with the United Kingdom (UK)
which will allow Britain deport thousands of failed asylum seekers and
criminals to the West African country.

The agreement was signed by Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, minister of
interior, and Shabana Mahmood, home secretary, during President Bola Tinubu’s
state visit to the UK, the Home Office announced on Thursday.

Tinubu’s two-day state visit spanned Wednesday and Thursday.

The new deal will also allow Britain to send visa
overstayers to Nigeria and comes with wide flexibility for the English country.

Under the agreement, the Nigerian government will, for the
first time, allow undocumented deportees to use UK letters, an alternative
identification certificate issued to individuals without a valid passport and
used to support the return of people with no right to remain in the UK.

Nigeria uses emergency travel documents as supplementary IDs
for undocumented travellers.

The Home Office said Nigeria’s willingness to accept UK
letters as an alternative removes one of the major administrative hurdles to
returning individuals to their countries.

The start date and duration of the deal were not specified.
It is also unclear if there will be any financial incentives.

In 2022, the UK struck a similar deal with Rwanda, agreeing
to pay at least £370 million to the East African nation as part of its plan to
relocate asylum seekers there. But that deal later went sour after British
Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the pact “dead”.

It is also uncertain if the deportees will include other
nationalities or be restricted to Nigerians.

Currently there are 961 Nigerian failed asylum seekers in
this country who have exhausted their rights of appeal, Daily Mail reports.

There are also 1,110 foreign national offenders from Nigeria
who the Home Office is waiting to deport.

Both groups are now more likely to be kicked out speedily.

Tunji-Ojo said Nigeria’s signatory to the deal shows that
“we are totally committed to being a responsible country in fulfilling our core
obligations”.

“And for us to sustain that relationship, we must remember:
‘He who comes to equity must come with clean hands.’ So, we need to be as open
and as fair as possible,” the minister said.

Alex Norris, UK minister for border security and asylum,
said Nigeria is a key partner in tackling illegal migration as the UK’s largest
African visa market.

“We owe everyone across the system fairness,” Norris said,
adding that “anyone who abuses our systems, breaks our laws or tries to cheat
their way into Britain will be stopped and removed”.

A further agreement to launch joint operations and share
information on criminal gangs abusing visa routes was also reached, the Home
Office added.

The deal was prompted by a string of high‑profile
cases involving fake job sponsorships, sham marriages, and forged financial or
employment records.

Nigeria is also set to review its laws to tackle immigration
crime, ensuring the toughest possible sentences are handed down to offenders.

The Home Office noted that a new partnership targeting
online scammers involved in romance fraud, investment scams and cryptocurrency
schemes would also deliver stronger protections for the UK public.

The new “fusion cell” model will bring together public‑sector
bodies, banks, tech firms and communications companies to rapidly share
intelligence on criminal tactics so swift action can be taken.

Aprokorepublic

Many African countries are only weeks away from fuel
shortages, as larger and more powerful economies move ahead of them in the
queue amid the war in the Middle East.

According to a Bloomberg report on Wednesday, the war has
sparked a scramble by African nations to secure new sources of petroleum,
putting strained budget and fragile economic recoveries at risk.

Bloomberg said although the Dangote refinery has ramped up
quickly after initial construction delays, it will not be able to fully replace
supplies from the Gulf, particularly after meeting its domestic obligations in
its Nigeria.

“The Persian Gulf was once a dependable, steady and
conveniently located fuel supplier to meet Africa’s steadily rising demand,”
the publication said.

“Most of the diesel that’s shipped out of the Strait of
Hormuz usually headed to the continent.

“The US-Israel strikes on Iran have changed all that —
effectively closing the crucial maritime chokepoint and leaving a gigantic fuel
hole for developing nations to fill.”

Bloomberg said countries in eastern and southern Africa
depend on the Middle East for three-quarters of their supply.

The report also highlighted Kenya’s vulnerability, noting
that it renewed contracts last year with major Gulf players Aramco, Adnoc, and
Enoc.

Compounding the challenging outlook, Bloomberg said numerous
refineries — from Mombasa and Lusaka to Durban and Limbe — have closed over the
past decade, reflecting a long-standing lack of investment.

“Several projects have been pitched in recent years to build
new capacity, but plants have remained closed. South Africa stands as the most
severe example, with domestic refining being cut in half,” the report said.

“Prices will soon be — or have already been — hiked, driving
inflation and setting back hopes of lower interest rates. Costs are set to
climb sharply when South Africa does its monthly adjustment in April — diesel
is seen spiking to a record — and there’s not much the Treasury can do about
it.”

The publication said smaller nations also face persistent
foreign-exchange shortages, which can delay fuel shipments, while investing in
strategic oil reserves remains a luxury that few governments can — or are
willing to — finance.

Aprokorepublic

Peller, the Nigerian TikToker, has addressed the controversy
surrounding his recent visit to the Benin Kingdom, following condemnation from
the Benin traditional council.

The council had criticised the visit, describing it as
“unauthorised” and a breach of palace protocol.

It also summoned Peller to appear before a committee of
chiefs and warned that the queen involved in the encounter could face removal
from the palace.

In a statement released on Thursday, Peller’s management
clarified that the visit was properly initiated through official channels and
was never intended to disrespect Benin culture.

According to the statement, a formal request for a courtesy
visit was submitted to the palace on February 23. The visit was initially
scheduled for March 3 but was later moved to March 6. To substantiate their
claim, the team attached a copy of the submitted letter.

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They explained that although they had been informed ahead of
time that the Oba would not be available, they were nonetheless welcomed into
the palace and received by chiefs, who guided them through its history and
traditions.

The team acknowledged that certain moments during the visit
may have been perceived as inappropriate but insisted there was no ill intent.

“We would like to sincerely address the concerns surrounding
Peller’s recent visit to the Benin Kingdom. First and foremost, we acknowledge
the deep cultural significance of the Benin Kingdom and extend our utmost
respect to its traditions, heritage and people,” the statement reads.

“Peller and his team, with the facilitation of Uyiekpen
Ogiefa, son of Chief Courage Uyi Ogiefa, the N’ozeben of the Benin Kingdom,
formally submitted a letter on February 23rd to the palace requesting a
courtesy visit scheduled for March 3rd, and it was later moved to March 6th
(letter attached herein).

“Ahead of the visit, the team was clearly informed that the
Oba would not be available. However, they were graciously welcomed to the
palace, with arrangements made for them to be received by Uyiekpen Ogiefa and
the palace chiefs, as well as guided through the palace while being educated on
its history, culture, and traditions.

“This was fully respected, and the visit proceeded
accordingly. That said, we understand that certain moments during the visit may
have been perceived as inappropriate. We sincerely wish to clarify that this
was never the intention. Any mispronunciations or actions were unintentional
and purely human, possibly influenced by excitement and the warmth of the
reception.”

The statement reaffirmed Peller’s commitment to promoting
Nigerian culture, stressing that he would never deliberately disrespect the
heritage he is passionate about showcasing to the world.

“Peller is deeply passionate about promoting Nigerian
culture, and it would never be his intention to disrespect the very heritage he
is committed to showcasing to the world. At no point was it the mission or
intention to offend or disrespect the culture in any way,” they continued.

“We, however, acknowledge that there may have been
misconceptions arising from the visit and sincerely apologize for any such
misunderstandings. We appreciate the feedback and the continued support.”

Aprokorepublic

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has said it is leveraging the historic state visit of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the United Kingdom to deepen diaspora enrolment in the National Identification Number (NIN) scheme.

The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the commission, Abisoye Coker-Odusote, was among top government officials who received the President and the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, during the visit hosted at the invitation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla.

NIMC said the visit reflects Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation in critical areas, including digital transformation, identity management and innovation.

In a statement, the commission’s Head of Corporate Communications, Kayode Adegoke, noted that the engagement created “a strategic platform to advance the ongoing diaspora National Identification Number (NIN) enrolment initiative.”

He added that the initiative is designed to ensure Nigerians in the diaspora are seamlessly integrated into the national identity database, in line with the government’s broader digital inclusion agenda.

“For NIMC, the occasion is far more than diplomatic pageantry. It is a strategic opportunity, one the Commission is seizing with purpose.

” At the heart of its agenda is the on-going diaspora National Identification Number (NIN) enrollment initiative, a drive to ensure that Nigerians living abroad are not left behind in Nigeria’s rapidly evolving digital ecosystem”, Adegoke said.

Adegoke quoted the NIMC boss as saying that the Commission had resolved to not only expand NIN enrollment access globally but also to significantly scale up operations in the United Kingdom.

“The UK is home to one of the largest Nigerian diaspora communities in the world,” she noted, and highlighted the deep historical, economic, and diplomatic bonds that make the present push both timely and necessary.

She assured that more enrolment centers would be opened with better service delivery, and seamless digital processes as Nigerians abroad deserve nothing less.

“The stakes are real. Enhanced NIN services in the UK mean that Nigerians in the UK can obtain their NIN and NIN-related services without delays, access essential services, and seamlessly plug into Nigeria’s growing digital economy, from wherever they are in the world.

“But the Commission’s ambitions don’t stop at international borders. Back home, NIMC is simultaneously executing a ground-level revolution through its ward-level enrollment strategy, a grassroots initiative designed to carry identity services directly to the people, especially in rural and underserved communities where access has historically been limited.

“No more long distances. No more unnecessary barriers. Identity, delivered to the doorstep.

This dual-track approach, scaling the diaspora enrollment drive while intensifying registration at the ward level, is not coincidental.

” It is deliberate, and it reflects NIMC’s deep commitment to inclusive identity management. It is also perfectly aligned with the Federal Government’s broader vision of harnessing digital identity as a catalyst for economic growth, social protection, and effective governance” Engr Coker-Odusote said.

She added that the visit to the United Kingdom not only reinforced Nigeria’s diplomatic and innovation agenda, but also highlighted the critical role of identity infrastructure in connecting citizens at home and abroad to opportunities in an increasingly digital world.

Aprokorepublic

The Imo state police command has arrested 75 suspects over a
range of criminal offences, including kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism,
murder, theft, child trafficking and terrorism.

Parading the suspects on Wednesday, Audu Garba Bosso, the
state commissioner of police, said the arrests followed “intensified, proactive
and intelligence-driven policing” carried out in collaboration with other
security agencies and community stakeholders.

Bosso noted that the coordinated efforts have contributed to
a reduction in crime across the state, improving safety for residents and
visitors.

He added that several weapons and stolen items were
recovered during the operations, including three AK-47 rifles, three magazines,
65 rounds of live ammunition, two locally made pistols, a Beretta pistol, and
six stolen motorcycles.

The CP explained that on March 3, operatives of the
anti-kidnapping unit responded to a distress call from the Adapalm facility in
Ohaji/Egbema LGA, where suspected IPOB/ESN members had set heavy equipment
ablaze.

“Security personnel engaged the attackers in a gun battle,
during which one suspect was shot and later died in the hospital. His body was
deposited in the mortuary for autopsy and investigation,” he said.

“Following the incident, security was reinforced in the
area. On March 14, operatives on surveillance encountered the suspects again,
leading to another exchange of gunfire. The attackers fled with gunshot wounds,
abandoning three AK-47 rifles and magazines loaded with 65 rounds of
ammunition.”

In a separate operation conducted between February and
March, police, in collaboration with the military and other security agencies,
carried out a counter-terrorism mission in Orsu LGA. The operation led to the
destruction of an IPOB/ESN camp known as “Mother Valley”.

He said during the raid, two suspects were killed, while
others escaped with injuries.

Security operatives reportedly recovered more than 300
improvised explosive devices, including those concealed in gas cylinders and
pipes, as well as five exotic vehicles.

Bosso urged residents to continue providing credible
information to security agencies, assuring them of confidentiality.

He also said adequate security measures have been put in
place ahead of the Eid-el-Fitr celebrations, including the deployment of
personnel to strategic locations and traffic control measures across the state.

He advised residents and travellers to comply with traffic
regulations and cooperate with security agencies to ensure a peaceful festive
period.

Aprokorepublic

Niger State Governor Umar Bago has said his government is ready to confront bandits and their informants.

The governor made this known on Thursday in a video clip published by Gaskiya News Hausa, in which he warned bandits, informants and those harbouring them to reveal their identities to the security agencies.

The governor visited Borgu Local Government Area in Niger State where he had a chat with the Emir over the bandits’ disruption of schooling and farming activities.

Bago disclosed that his government had received support from the federal government and foreign partners to strengthen operations against the terrorists.

He stressed the impact of insecurity on education and agriculture in the state, saying banditry had disrupted schooling and farming activities and had drawn the state backwards.

“I’m warning you all, I swear to God Almighty, we are now fully ready to confront bandits and we have started. We have gotten enough support from the Federal Government of Nigeria and the foreign governments to do the needful.

“I was in Borgu three days ago and I told them but they thought I was joking. But the way and manner I spoke to them, they should understand that it is no longer business as usual,” he said.

Bago urged residents to join hands to rid the state of the menace and not to hide bandits or their informants, and to provide information to the security agencies.

He disclosed that the government had technology in place to monitor communications linked to criminal activities, accepting personal responsibility for actions against informants in the course of operations.

“Don’t hide them, don’t hide informants or any suspects in your houses and forests. Give us information and we will pick them up.

“Niger State’s agriculture and education have been hampered. Students no longer attend boarding schools and this has drawn us backwards.

“For the informants present here, we have gadgets capable of tracking and monitoring your calls and if we discover you spoke or were in communication with bandits or anyone on our wanted list, we would add you to the list of wanted bandits and informants.

“If any informant goes missing, I, Bago, am responsible for their disappearance. I swear to Almighty God to hold me responsible. If you know any informants and you are here, I, Bago, will hunt you down,” he said.

Aprokorepublic

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Bauchi State has commenced moves to reconcile aggrieved members following the resolution of its prolonged leadership crisis by the court.

DAILY POST reports that the crisis, which pitted rival factions against each other over control of the party structure was recently settled by a High Court ruling that affirmed Hassan Haruna as the legitimate state chairman.

Responding, the party set up a reconciliation committee to unite members and restore cohesion ahead of future political activities.

Deputy State Publicity Secretary, Arsanu Guyaba, who spoke to journalists on Thursday, described the judgment as a turning point, saying it provides both legal backing and a pathway to stability within the party.

He disclosed that the leadership has extended olive branches to dissenting members, urging them to return and work collectively to reposition the ADC.

Guyaba added that the party is now focusing on strengthening its internal structures and mobilising support in preparation for the 2027 general elections.

He noted that while the opposing faction may still explore legal options, the party remains committed to dialogue and peaceful resolution of differences.

He also commended the national leadership of the ADC for its support and non-interference, allowing the state chapter to resolve its internal issues.

With reconciliation efforts ongoing, the party says it is shifting attention to grassroots mobilisation and strategic positioning, expressing optimism about its performance in the next electoral cycle.

Aprokorepublic

Russia will refer women who do not want to have children to psychologists under new health guidelines designed to address a systemic demographic crisis.

Russia’s dwindling birth rate has been one of President Vladimir Putin’s main worries during his 25-year rule and with Moscow having sent hundreds of thousands of young men to the front in Ukraine over the last four years, the problem has only worsened.

Under new guidelines from the health ministry for reproductive health checks, doctors will ask women how many children they want to have.

If the woman answers zero, “it is recommended to send the patient to a consultation with a medical psychologist with the goal of forming a positive attitude towards having children.”

The recommendations were approved in late February but only picked up by state media this week.

The Kremlin chief casts Russia’s shrinking population as a matter of national survival — warning in 2024 Russia faced “extinction” if it did not boost birth rates.

Russia’s birth rate is running at a 200-year low of around 1.4 per woman — far below the 2.1 that demographers say is necessary for a stable population.

In recent years Moscow has tightened abortion rules and passed bills to make so-called “child-free propaganda” illegal.

Large families are heralded as national heroes and offered a host of financial and social benefits from the state.

Aprokorepublic

King Charles III says Nigeria has “profoundly enriched” the
British culture in more ways than one.

The monarch spoke on Wednesday while delivering a speech at
the state banquet hosted in honour of President Bola Tinubu and his wife,
Oluremi Tinubu.

The president and the first lady are in the United Kingdom
for a state visit — the first by a Nigerian leader in 37 years.

King Charles III described the bond between Nigeria and the
UK as enduring, adding that Britons “cherish their personal connection to
Nigeria”.

“We in the United Kingdom are blessed that so many people of
Nigerian heritage, having chosen Britain as their home, are now at the heart of
British life through excelling at the highest levels of business, technology,
academia, law, science, sport, literature and the arts, and public service,” he
said.

“I have met so many of these quiet heroes in our schools,
businesses, National Health Service and universities, including countless young
people who have flourished through the work of my King’s Trust over the last
fifty years. Only last week, I was delighted to host a rather lively group of
them for a ‘Jollof and Tea’ party at St. James’s Palace. I was firmly assured
that the Jollof was only the best: Nigerian, of course… or perhaps Ghanaian or
Senegalese. Diplomatically, I cannot remember!

“But who could have imagined that, when I first visited
Nigeria thirty-six years ago today, so many of those I might have met would
have gone on to have such an impact in the United Kingdom. From Afrobeats
filling our concert halls and Nollywood captivating our screens, to stars
competing in our Premier League and adjudicating our highest courts, so much of
Britain’s culture is, in truth, profoundly enriched by Nigeria.

“Whether they are Nigerians who have chosen Britain as their
adopted place to invest, trade or study, or Britons who cherish their personal
connection to Nigeria, they all represent a living bridge of over half a
million people who connect our nations, Mr President, and help make our
cultures richer, our shared security stronger and our economies more
prosperous.”

King Charles III added that the state visit is an
“opportunity to celebrate the fact that Nigeria is investing in Britain’s
future as much as Britain is investing in Nigeria’s”.

“The friendship between our two countries, Mr President, is
a partnership of equals that has brought us both enormous benefits. It has been
described to me as a deeply spiritual connection – beyond churches and mosques
– a deep bond through which we have strengthened our shared security, ensured
our economies are more prosperous, and empowered each other to believe in a
more hopeful future,” the monarch said.

Aprokorepublic