Interior Minister Orders Investigation into Alleged Criminal Activities in Okere Correctional Centre

By: Michael Mike

The Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has directed the immediate and comprehensive investigation into allegations of criminal activities within the Okere Correctional Centre, Warri, Delta State, which have recently been reported in the media.

The Minister, in a statement signed by his spokesman, Babatunde Alao on Tuesday strongly condemned the alleged reprehensible behaviour and emphasizes that any form of indiscipline and misconduct will be met with severe consequences.

The Minister was quoted to have said: “I will not allow indiscipline to fester under my nose. Any officer found wanting will face the full weight of the law. The leadership of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) must provide explanations.”

He reiterated his commitment to upholding the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability in the administration of justice within correctional service system.

He said: “We take these allegations seriously and will not tolerate any form of misconduct within our correctional facilities.”

The Minister however called on the general public to provide any relevant information that may aid in the investigation.

Interior Minister Orders Investigation into Alleged Criminal Activities in Okere Correctional Centre

NIS to Launch Contactless Passport Solution in Europe on February 7

By: Michael Mike

Comptroller General, Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Mrs. Kemi Nandap has announced that NIS is set to launch the contactless passport application solution in Europe, with UK serving as the coordinating centre on February 7.

The Comptroller General made the announcement on Tuesday when she paid a courtesy call on Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa at NiDCOM headquarters in Abuja.

She said: “This initiative set for launch on 7th of February 2025 will enable Nigerians in the Diaspora to apply for and renew their passports online from the comfort of their homes.”

Nandap reiterated that the innovative solution is designed to simplify the passport application process for Diaspora, save time, and reduce costs associated with travelling to apply for passport.

She, however, said that the initiative is not for fresh applicants or minors but for those renewing their passports.

She said Nigerians living abroad can start the process of renewing their passports a year to its expiration.

Nandap commended NIDCOM for being a dependable partner and ally in advocacy in giving awareness to its programmes and policies, especially as it affects Nigerians living abroad.

The Comptroller General said that President Bola Tinubu has given them the marching order to make life easier for Nigerians in the diaspora, saying the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has in the meantime approved a passport processing facility for New York, to address the backlog and bring experience there.

She added that passport front offices will soon be opened in other parts of the US and other countries.

Responding to the news, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, commended the laudable initiative, which aligns with the Commission’s mandate to support and facilitate diaspora engagement.

“The launch of the contactless passport application solution in Europe is a significant step towards efficient, secure, and convenient travel document management for Nigerians in the diaspora. NiDCOM will continue to support, monitor and collaborate with the NIS to ensure the success of this initiative” she added.

She commended the Interior Minister, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo and the Comptroller General for the innovations introduced, noting that the contactless application has since taken off in Canada with commendations from Nigerians in Canada.

NIS to Launch Contactless Passport Solution in Europe on February 7

NSCDC, Search for Common Ground Organise Capacity Building for Civil Defence Officers

By: Michael Mike

Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in conjunction with Search for Common Ground; a Nigerian International Non Governmental Organisation has organised a 5-Day Capacity Building Training on “Common Ground Approach and Early Warning and Early Response To Conflict” for officers of the NSCDC.

The training witnessed participants who are top management staff officers of the NSCDC at Sandralia Hotel in Abuja.

The training programme was organised to provide the participants and others with the tools, insights, and strategies necessary to navigate the pressing security challenges facing the country .

While declaring the conference open, the NSCDC Commandant General, Dr Ahmed Audi said the training is to enhance development and result -oriented outcome .

The NSCDC Boss said: “Discipline starts from training and retraining, we will continue to leverage on the regular training programs because we are also product of regular training programs which has helped us to evolve professionally and gives us much required impetus to always live up to expectation.”

Audi, in his address, traced the beginning of the present day insurgency years back and lamented that what started like a child’s play has now developed to full scale monsters such as kidnapping, banditry in the North and militancy in the South South.

He postulated that to strengthen the nation’s Security architecture there is need for improvement in the area of synergy among the security agencies, adding that the present collaboration has started to yield more positive results.

He said: “We can trace the genesis of the present day insurgency to sometime in 2007. When stated somewhere in a particular state has now spread to every corner of the country with various names as banditry and kidnapping in the North East, North West and North Central to Militancy and agitators in the South South and South East.

“One thing that is constant with the present reality is that no particular security agency can lay claim to holistic strategy on how to combat this insurgency.
This is time to improve on synergy among the security agencies in the country.

“Interestingly, the synergy among the security agencies are improving in recent time with the exhibition of 3 Cs; Collaboration, Coordination and Cooperation

The good working relationship is now conspicuous and we look forward to more favourable working relationship. “

In her welcome address the Country’ Director of Search for Common Ground, Fatimah Abubakar, who was represented by Director of Programme, Miss Gift Owonipa, lauded efforts and sacrifice of the NSCDC and other security agencies in the country adding that the workshop is being organized to strengthen operational responses to emerging contemporary security threats.

She said: “We will like to recognize the immense sacrifice that NSCDC makes on daily basis together with other security agencies in safeguarding the lives and property of Nigerians especially the country’s infrastructure and salute your courage in the face of adversity.

“We have come to realize that the country has continue to grapple with myriad of conflict such as inter communal clashes , insurgency, banditry, militancy , cultism and other form of violence and conflict.

This training represents a significant step towards empowering the participants to imbibe an early warning early response system and is expected to foster a safer, more stable and peaceful Nigeria. ” She disclosed.

NSCDC, Search for Common Ground Organise Capacity Building for Civil Defence Officers