NIN Registration: NIMC Assures Nigerians of Better Service Delivery

By: Michael Mike

The Director General/CEO of Nigeria Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Engr Abisoye Coker-Odusote has assured Nigerian that the National Identification Number (NIN) would only get better as all the challenges in the process are addressed.

The DG gave the assurance on Wednesday in Abuja at the capacity building for staff in some of the state offices.

Coker-Odusote, who said the Commission was presently undertaking the training of its entire workforce, said Nigerians should expect the best from them after the training.

Represented by the Deputy Director, Training and Development, Olufunmilola Opesanwo, the DG told the trainees that “it gives me great pleasure to welcome you all to this important training programme, organized in partnership with our trusted facilitator, Toppy Integrated Limited. This initiative reflects our commitment to building a workforce that is not only efficient but also deeply rooted in the values of professional customer service, ethical practices, and organizational excellence.

“As custodians of Nigeria’s identity management system, we understand that our success depends not only on technology and processes, but also on the integrity, competence, and dedication of our people.

“Over the course of this programme, you will be equipped with skills and insights that will strengthen your capacity to serve Nigerians with greater efficiency, empathy, and accountability. We encourage you to actively participate, share experiences, and translate the knowledge gained here into practical action in your respective roles.

“Let me also acknowledge the efforts of Toppy Integrated Limited for anchoring this training. Their expertise and professionalism give us confidence that the objectives of this programme will be fully achieved.

“Together, let us seize this opportunity to reaffirm our shared vision: a world-class identity management system driven by excellence, ethics, and service to the Nigerian people.”

On his part, one of the facilitators, Dr. Ibrahim Gaddafi noted that: “The aim of this training is to build the capacity of NIMC staff on customer relations. The last time capacity training of this nature was organized for staff was 12 years ago.”

He added that: “We know that NIMC is the number one agency that manages database of Nigerians. The reason many Nigerians have not registered for NIN is the way they interact or the kind of perceived interactions they have with NIMC staff at registration centres. That was why this training was organized to increased the number of Nigerians on NIMC data base.

“The Hallmark of customer service is customer satisfaction and one of the ways to achieve this is through operational efficiency. This begins with the way we attend to our customers; in this case those who want to register for NIN. Some may be aggressive, but we have a responsibility as professionals to calm them down and attend to them in professional and efficient manner.”

Gaddafi said: “My expectations from the participants is that we want them to go back to their respective states and train their colleagues and third party that assist them in registering Nigerians.”

NIN Registration: NIMC Assures Nigerians of Better Service Delivery

Saudi authorities free 3 Nigerian pilgrims arrested for alleged drug trafficking

By: Michael Mike

Saudi Arabia authorities have released three Nigerian pilgrims who were detained in Jeddah, since last month following their arrest over alleged drug trafficking

The three Nigerians who were freed from detention after four weeks in custody include: Mrs. Maryam Abdullahi; Mrs. Abdullahi Aminu; and Mr. Abdulhamid Saddieq. Their freedom came following weeks of relentless engagements by the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd) with the leadership of the General Directorate of Narcotics Control (GDNC) in Saudi Arabia with the full support of President Bola Tinubu and the assistance of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar and the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, as well as the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.

A syndicate operating at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano had tagged bags containing illicit drugs with the names of the three unsuspecting Nigerians who travelled on an Ethiopian Airline flight ET940 which departed Kano on 6th August 2025 to Jeddah on lesser hajj. They were later arrested in Saudi for alleged drug trafficking.

Following complaints to the NDLEA boss by families of the three victims over the detention of their family members in Saudi Arabia after the completion of their lesser hajj on an allegation of trafficking in illicit substances, an investigation was launched to unravel what happened. The probe led to the arrest of 55-year-old drug kingpin Mohammed Abubakar alias Bello Karama and three other members of the syndicate including the airline officials behind the shipment of the illicit substances for which the three innocent pilgrims were arrested and detained in Jeddah.

Charges had since been filed against Mohammed Abubakar and other members of the syndicate: Celestina Yayock; Abdulbasit Sagagi and Jazuli Kabir.

Armed with the outcome of NDLEA investigation and charges filed against members of the syndicate as well as other evidences to prove the innocence of the three Nigerian pilgrims, Marwa engaged with his Saudi counterpart at multiple levels and different locations including Saudi Arabia in compliance with President Tinubu’s agenda that no Nigerian suffers unjustly in a foreign land.

The spokesman of the NDLEA, Femi Babafemi said following series of engagements one of the three Nigerians was released from custody last Sunday and the remaining two on Monday.

Expressing happiness over the development, Marwa commended his counterpart at the Saudi GDNC for upholding the essence of the Memorandum of Understanding between NDLEA and GDNC on collaboration and partnership. “The biggest support of our effort on this case came from President Tinubu who is committed to ensuring that every Nigerian gets their deserved respect and fair treatment wherever they are across the world. And that is what has come to play in this case, that no Nigerian is unjustly punished for crimes they know nothing about anywhere in the world. We equally appreciate the assistance provided by the Hon. Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN; the Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs Amb. Yusuf Tuggar and the Hon. Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo SAN, as well as the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, who were with us all the way on the matter.”

Saudi authorities free 3 Nigerian pilgrims arrested for alleged drug trafficking

Police arrest two armed suspects in kaduna, recover pistol

By: Our Reporter

The Kaduna State Police Command has arrested two suspected armed men and recovered a pistol with live ammunition in Kabala West area of Kaduna metropolis.

Sources said that the suspects was apprehended by police lice patrol team at about 1:30 a.m. on Sept. 15.

He explained that the patrol team, led by ASP Paul Rikici of Kabala West Division, stopped the suspects while they were riding a black TVS motorcycle close to a bridge at Unguwan Mu’azu along the Kaduna bypass expressway.

“Upon search, a Mackrove 9mm pistol loaded with three live rounds of ammunition was recovered from the suspects,” he said.

The suspects, identified as Ibrahim Hassan, 19, of Layin Pampo, and Usman Abubakar, 21, of Unguwan Dankali, Zaria, were immediately arrested and are currently in custody.

Sources added that the case would be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation.

Police arrest two armed suspects in kaduna, recover pistol