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30 Seconds Biometric Clearance at Nigeria’s International Airports Begin in March-Tunji-Ojo
30 Seconds Biometric Clearance at Nigeria’s International Airports Begin in March-Tunji-Ojo
By: Michael Mike
All International airports in Nigeria will now have 30 seconds biometric clearance gates in line with international standards and best practices.
The Federal Government installed the facilities for the Nigeria Immigration Service, (NIS), at all international airports in the country.
The biometric gates have the capacity to screen and clear a passenger within 30 seconds without any interface or contacts with Immigration personnel.
When inaugurated, it would provide seamless clearance services for passengers entering the country through any of the International airports.
Speaking to journalists after undertaking a tour of the biometric equipments installed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, and the Command and Control Centre at the NIS Headquarters on Monday, the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo said the 30 seconds biometric clearance gates would be ready in Lagos, Portharcourt, Kano, Abuja and Enugu by March.
He said Lagos would have 17 gates, Abuja 10, Portharcourt and Kano 5 each and Enugu 4.
Tunji-Ojo while stating that the facilities would be a game changer for effective and efficient management of international passengers in the country, noted that the Advanced Passenger Information System (APIS), and the Commandant and Control Centre facilities had been integrated not just for seamless entry and exit for passengers, but to add another layer to the nation’s National Security Architecture.
The Minister who was conducted round the facilities by Comptroller of Immigration in Charge of the Abuja International Airport, Alhaji Mohammed Adamu, said whatever is happening within the airports domains would be seen real time at Command and Control Centre to enable security agencies monitor persons of interest entering the country.
The Minister also said:” I am impressed by the levels and pace of works I have seen here today. The facilities are about 70 percent ready. This means our border control management system is on track. It also means that the Nigeria Immigration Service is ready to contribute its qouta to the National Security Architecture.
“The efficiency of the services provided by the NIS determine whatever we see in our security outlook as a nation. All these are being done in line with global best practices and standards and in consonance with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu to provide quality services to Nigerians.
“We have decided that the more the gates at the airports, the easier it would be for passengers to be cleared. And looking at the ones that have been tested, it is about 30 seconds for a passenger to clear, so I look at the solutions and the hardwares, and I think they are a top notch.
“I am happy with the quality of works and I am happy with the prospect of giving Nigerians the experience. And once it is completed Nigerians will no longer be at the mercy of Immigration officers whenever they arrive in the country.
“Once you check in you don’t need to have encounter with Immigration officers anymore except you are a person of interest. This facility is not just for you to pass at record time, no. It is also to secure the nation and add another layer to our National Security Architecture.
“If a person is a person of interest, he can easily be flagged. And this gives our Immigration support to be able to effectively do their jobs.”
30 Seconds Biometric Clearance at Nigeria’s International Airports Begin in March-Tunji-Ojo
Enugu police arrest notorious IPOB/ESN member linked to attacks on patrol teams
By: Zagazola Makama
The Enugu State Police Command has arrested a notorious member of the outlawed IPOB/ESN group, following intelligence on his whereabouts in the state.
According to sources, operatives of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team stormed a beer parlour in Akwuke, Awkunanaw, at about 0045hrs on Feb. 3, 2026, acting on credible information about the suspect’s presence.
The suspect, identified as Chukwujekwu Ugwu (26), also known as Jekwu, attempted to flee but was intercepted and arrested.
The police said Ugwu and his cohorts, currently at large, had participated in attacks on Distress Response Squad (DRS) patrol teams at Ziks Avenue, Uwani, on Dec. 27, 2025, and at Agbani Road on Jan. 15, 2026.
The sources that discreet investigations are ongoing to track down other gang members still at large and to recover arms carted away during past attacks.
Enugu police arrest notorious IPOB/ESN member linked to attacks on patrol teams
Police arrest four over killing of worshipper in Osogbo mosque in Osun
By: Zagazola Makama
The Osun State Police Command says it has arrested four suspects in connection with the murder of a 35-year-old worshipper, Ahmed Najeem, who was attacked at the Ummu Hanni Adigun Central Mosque in Osogbo.
Zagazola Makama report that the suspects were arrested following intelligence-led investigations by the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID).
The sources said that the suspects as Abdulgafar Sakariyah (51), Kosamot Hakeem (50), Folorunsho Mukaila (57) and Sakariyau Hafeez (45).
The command said the arrests followed a review of CCTV footage from the mosque, which contradicted the suspects’ initial denials.
“Though the suspects initially denied the offence, they later confessed after the CCTV footage from the mosque was reviewed,” the sources stated.
According to the police, items recovered from the suspects include ten mosque donation boxes, three planks and a metal microphone stand, believed to have been used during the attack.
The killing occurred on Jan. 30, 2026, when the victim was attacked while worshipping at the mosque in the Ayedun Ogo Oluwa area of Osogbo.
The remains of the deceased have been evacuated and deposited at the UNIOSUN Teaching Hospital Morgue, where an autopsy has been conducted. The police said the autopsy report is being awaited.
The command added that other suspects mentioned in the course of investigation are still at large, while efforts are ongoing to track and arrest them.
It assured the public of its commitment to ensuring that all those involved in the crime are brought to justice.
Police arrest four over killing of worshipper in Osogbo mosque in Osun
Gunmen attack Fulani settlement in Niger, rustle 200 sheep, injure herder
By: Zagazola Makama
Unidentified armed men have attacked a Fulani temporary settlement along the Kontagora–Makera Road in Niger State, rustling about 200 sheep and injuring a herder in the process.
Zagazola gathered that the incident occurred at about 11 p.m. on Feb. 2.
Sources said that the attack was reported at about 8:30 a.m. on Feb. 3 by the District Head (Sarkin-Udawa), Mallam Mustapha Sani, at the ‘B’ Division Police Station in Kontagora.
According to the sources, the gunmen stormed the Fulani settlement and opened fire, shooting Dahiru Daudu, a 44-year-old man from Gada Local Government Area of Sokoto State, on the hand before making away with about 200 sheep.
“Upon receipt of the report, security forces visited the scene, and the injured victim was rushed to General Hospital, Kontagora, where he is currently responding to treatment,” the sources stated.
The sources said investigations had commenced to track down the attackers and recover the stolen livestock.
Residents have been urged to remain vigilant and to promptly report suspicious movements to security agencies as efforts continue to curb cattle rustling and violent crimes in the area.
Gunmen attack Fulani settlement in Niger, rustle 200 sheep, injure herder
Enugu police arrest notorious IPOB/ESN member linked to attacks on patrol teams
Police arrest four over killing of worshipper in Osogbo mosque in Osun
Gunmen attack Fulani settlement in Niger, rustle 200 sheep, injure herder
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