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158 Nigerian Irregular Migrants to Libya Repatriated, Says Envoy

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158 Nigerian Irregular Migrants to Libya Repatriated, Says Envoy

By: Michael Mike

A total of 158 Nigerian irregular migrants have again been repatriated from Libya, the Charge’ d’ Affaires of the Nigerian Mission in Tripoli, Libya, Amb. Mohammed Mohammed has revealed

The envoy, in a release made available to journalists on Wednesday, disclosed that the repatriation exercise was carried out by the Mission in collaboration with the Libyan authorities and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) under the organisation’s Voluntary Humanitarian Repatriation (VHR).

The release further stated that the evacuees departed Mitiga International Airport, Tripoli, aboard chartered flight no: – UZ 189 at 1500hrs local time and arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos at 1800hrs.

According to Mohammed, the group of evacuees comprised seventy-seven (77) males, forty-five (45) females, 26 children as well as 10 infants.

On the reasons for this latest repatriation of these Nigerians, the Nigerian Embassy said they were repatriated for lack of proper documentation and accusations of various criminal activities,among others.

Of the total number, the Embassy said 26 males arrested from the ongoing raid of undocumented foreigners in Libya were released from Abu-Salim Detention Centre in Tripoli.

The Mission also informed that upon arrival in Nigeria, the evacuees were received by relevant government agencies, including NAPTIP, Nigerian Immigration Service, Airport Security and the NDLEA. These evacuees are expected to undergo rehabilitation and reintegration processes before they are released into society.

According to Mohammed, nearly 1, 776 stranded Nigerians have safely been returned home in 2024 so far.

The Nigerian Envoy, while urging citizens to shun irregular migrations,lauded the collaborative efforts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,the Libyan authorities and the IOM for coming through for so many of the evacuees,who had the urgent desire to return home,but did not have the means to do so.

He said: “This marks the twelfth evacuation exercise carried out by the Nigerian Mission in Libya this year.

“The current exercise follows the repatriation of one hundred and forty-two (142) irregular Nigerian migrants from Sabha, Libya, on 9th July.

“While some of them were rescued from the Mediterranean Sea by the Libyan Coastal Guards, others were arrested on charges of prostitution, illegally entering the country, over stay and lack of proper documentation, just as others willingly submitted themselves to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in Libya for repatriation.

“You know, lately, there have been increasing and coordinated raids of illegal migrants across the cities of Libya and these are likely going to continue as Libyan authorities consider influx of illegal migrants in the country a National Security issue and have vowed to employ all legal means to stop the menace.

“Nigerians living in Libya,from many indications, already have damaged reputations due to the alleged nefarious activities of some criminal elements among them.Some have been fingered in the commitment of crimes such as kidnapping for ransom, drug peddling, prostitution, sale of alcohol as well as cultism and human trafficking with their Libyan collaborators, among others .

“It is, therefore ,as a result of the above that, arrest and deportation of Nigerians may continue in the weeks and months ahead,” the Nigerian Envoy said.

Worried by the challenges of illegal migration, the Libyan authorities recently, on July 17,2024, hosted the Trans-Mediterranean Migration Forum in Tripoli which brought together source, transit and destination countries to discuss solutions to irregular migration.

The Voluntary Humanitarian Repatriation is a programme of the International Organization for Migration that guarantees safe, dignified and expedited return for willing migrants. The Federal Government has through its constant collaborations with this organisation ensured that many irregular Nigerian migrants return home from time to time.

158 Nigerian Irregular Migrants to Libya Repatriated, Says Envoy

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FCT police arrest 59 suspects in raid, investigate suicide in Lugbe

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FCT police arrest 59 suspects in raid, investigate suicide in Lugbe

By: Zagazola Makama

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested 59 suspects during coordinated raids across major black spots and criminal hideouts in Abuja.

Sources revealed that the raids were conducted late Saturday by operatives from Apo, Kubwa, Karu, Karmo, Life Camp, Maitama, Wuse, Mabushi, Nyanya, Jikwoyi, Zuba, and Tungan Maje Divisions.

The police said the operation targeted uncompleted buildings and identified criminal hideouts within the divisions’ areas of responsibility.

According to the sources, all suspects are currently undergoing screening and interrogation, and those found culpable will be charged to court upon completion of investigations.

Meanwhile, the command is also investigating an alleged suicide involving a 20-year-old labourer identified as Alfred Habila, from Bogoro Local Government Area of Bauchi State.

Habila was reportedly found hanging in an uncompleted building behind River Park Estate, Lugbe, on Sunday morning.

A resident, Engr. Jatto Abdulkareem, told the police that he received a distress call from another resident, Joshua, who discovered the deceased’s body around 8 a.m.

Police operatives who visited the scene took photographs and conveyed the victim to the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada, where he was confirmed dead on arrival.

The corpse has been deposited at the hospital’s mortuary for autopsy and preservation, while investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident is ongoing.

FCT police arrest 59 suspects in raid, investigate suicide in Lugbe

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Security forces repel bandits’ attack in Sokoto community

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Security forces repel bandits’ attack in Sokoto community

By: Zagazola Makama

Security forces in Sokoto State have foiled an attempted attack by armed bandits on Mangwarori Kwandawa area of Isa town, Isa Local Government Area of the state.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that
heavily armed bandits invaded the community, shooting sporadically in an attempt to penetrate the town.

According to the sources , troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA army responded swiftly and engaged the bandits in a gun duel that lasted several minutes.

The superior firepower of the security forces forced the attackers to retreat into the nearby forest with gunshot wounds.

The sources added that four civilians sustained minor injuries from stray bullets during the exchange, while no casualties were recorded among security personnel.

Security operatives are currently conducting bush combing operations to trace the fleeing bandits, while adjoining divisions have been placed on alert to block possible escape routes.

Security forces repel bandits’ attack in Sokoto community

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NSA, service chiefs meet over Trump’s directive on Nigeria

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NSA, service chiefs meet over Trump’s directive on Nigeria

By: Zagazola Makama

The National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, is currently meeting with service chiefs and heads of security and intelligence agencies at the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Abuja, following reports of a directive by U.S. President Donald Trump to prepare for possible military action in Nigeria.

A security source told Zagazola Makama that the emergency meeting, which began on Monday afternoon, is aimed at assessing the implications of Trump’s statement accusing the Nigerian government of failing to protect Christians from Islamist militant groups.

Trump’s remarks, made late Saturday, alleged that the U.S. military was being prepared to “act in Nigeria to tackle Islamist militancy” a statement that has triggered widespread concern across diplomatic and security circles in Abuja.

According to the source, the NSA convened the session to coordinate a unified national security response and review intelligence assessments on the potential fallout of the U.S. president’s pronouncement.

Zagazola reports that Trump did not specify which killings he was referring to, though claims of a “genocide against Christians” in Nigeria have been circulating in some right-wing U.S. circles in recent months.

However, independent monitoring groups and analysts have noted that both Christians and Muslims have been victims of terrorism and banditry in the country, with no evidence of a targeted campaign against one faith.

The outcome of the meeting is expected to be communicated through official channels from the Office of the National Security Adviser.

NSA, service chiefs meet over Trump’s directive on Nigeria

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