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Immigration, Customs, Police, Others Meet to Strategize on Ending Insecurity in the Gulf of Guinea

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Immigration, Customs, Police, Others Meet to Strategize on Ending Insecurity in the Gulf of Guinea

By: Michael Mike

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), the Nigeria Customs Service, the Nigeria Police Force and other international security organisations are currently in talks on strategic moves to combat terrorism and other criminal activities on the Gulf of Guinea (GoG).

Speaking in Lagos at the opening ceremony of ongoing Regional Workshop on Maritime Border security organised by the NIS on Tuesday, Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Mrs Kemi Nandap said the workshop emphasizes the collective resolve of governments in West and Central Africa to tackle piracy, terrorism, illicit flow of arms, migrant smuggling, human trafficking and stowaway, among other transnational organised crimes.

Nandap also noted that the Atlantic coast of the Gulf of Guinea, particularly near Nigeria, is notorious for piracy and other maritime crimes.

At the workshop themed: “Maritime Security in the Context of Counter-Terrorism in the Gulf of Guinea.” the NIS boss stated that maritime insecurity from illegal oil bunkering, fishing, piracy, armed robbery, and oil-related crimes is threatening vessel and crew safety, adding that these threats undermine regional stability and hinder economic growth and integration.

She said: “The theme of this Workshop, Maritime Border Security in the Context of Counter-Terrorism in the Gulf of Guinea, is apt and timely in evaluating and rethinking security under the present circumstances of evolving maritime threats in the Gulf of Guinea (GoG).

“In addition, the ECOWAS Sub-Committee of Chiefs of Naval Staff meeting was held in Praia, Cabo Verde, from February 25 to 27, 2025, to discuss critical maritime security issues in the region.

“This Workshop further emphasizes our collective resolve to tackle piracy, terrorism, illicit flow of arms, migrant smuggling, human trafficking and stowaway, among other transnational organised crimes. We aim to achieve this through sound policies, capacity building, community engagement, collaboration, and regional partnerships.

“Along West Africa’s Atlantic coast, the Gulf of Guinea is known for piracy, especially near Nigeria. It spans several countries, including Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, São Tomé and Príncipe, Ivory Coast, Togo, Benin, and Ghana. Due to its offshore oil and gas reserves, the region plays a crucial role in the global energy sector. Beyond oil and gas, harnessing the economic potential of the GoG resonates with Agenda 2063: the Africa We Want, and the 2050 African Integrated Marine Strategy, Policy Framework, and Reform strategy for fisheries and aquaculture in Africa. However, maritime insecurity from illegal oil bunkering, fishing, piracy, armed robbery, and oil-related crimes threaten vessel and crew safety.

“These threats undermine regional stability and hinder economic growth and integration. And this is the reason why we are gathered here today to find actionable solutions.

“As the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, I know the urgent priority of innovating countermeasures by deploying advanced surveillance systems and communication technologies for early detection and response.

“Mitigating maritime threats in this vital region requires a broad spectrum of initiatives, not limited to international collaboration but fortifying defence capabilities in the marine domain. The NIS plays a pivotal role in maritime border security while ensuring that foreign terrorist fighters and other criminal elements do not exploit our territorial integrity.

“Passenger facilitation and control of travel documents are the root of all counter-terrorist interventions. We will continue to prioritize cooperation, professionalism, and deployment of cutting-edge technologies in the surveillance and management of our borders.

“Our gathering shows our commitment to AIMS 2050 and ECOWAS’s Gulf of Guinea strategy. We aim to create a peaceful maritime environment to maximize blue economy potential and achieve social, environmental, and economic goals in the Gulf of Guinea. The Nigeria Immigration Service is dedicated to utilizing API/PNR for better intelligence sharing and strengthen maritime security though robust visa administration where applicable.

“We recognize its benefits for air-border security and will expand our Border Management Information System (BMIS) to marine frontiers to counter international threats in the GoG.

“Our threats are transnational, and so must be our response. No agency or government involved in border security and migration management can operate independently. The NIS is committed to collaborating with regional and global partners to facilitate safe, orderly, and regular migration at sea without compromising security.

“Let us conclude this workshop with clear action plans, stronger partnerships, and a renewed determination to secure the Gulf of Guinea for prosperity and peace.”

As the Nigeria Immigration Service and its sister agencies await the compendium of good practices from the workshop, it is envisaged that the compilation should focus on strengthening cooperation among states, adhering to relevant international conventions and protocols, establishing joint task forces and intelligence fusion centres, building capacity, and deployment of advance technology as outlined in the Yaounde Code of Conduct 2013 and the ECOWAS Integrated Maritime Strategy.

Similarly, the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Mr. Adewale Adeniyi, emphasized the need to close existing gaps in the country’s financial system, noting that terrorists have exploited these loopholes to fund their activities.

Speaking to journalists at the workshop, the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, disclosed that the Police have finalized plans to strengthen marine security operations.

On his part, the minister for interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, while declaring the event opened, appreciated the NIS for taking the lead in the needed move to review the country’s border strategic policy. He emphasized the importance of border security in the general wellbeing of Nigerians, while reiterating the readiness of the federal government to take difficult decisions in protecting the Nigerian border.

The gathering has in attendance, security and intelligence agent from Italy, Philippines, Mauritius, Togo, Britain, Cameroun, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Benin Republic, Seirra leone, Sao Tome, Germany and Denmark.

Immigration, Customs, Police, Others Meet to Strategize on Ending Insecurity in the Gulf of Guinea

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Construction worker dies after vomiting blood in Abuja community

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Construction worker dies after vomiting blood in Abuja community

By: Zagazola Makama

Tragedy struck in the Chikakore area of Byazhin community in the Federal Capital Territory on Friday when a 30-year-old construction worker, Paul Musa, suddenly slumped and died after vomiting blood.

Zagazola Makama learnt that the deceased, a member of the Bojuby ethnic group from Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State, was working at a construction site when the incident occurred.

According to eyewitnesses, Musa began vomiting blood from his mouth and nose before collapsing and slipping into unconsciousness.

One Mr. Ayuba Ishaya, a resident of Byazhin village, reported the incident to local authorities after receiving a distress call from a man identified simply as Friday.

Emergency response operatives were immediately mobilised to the scene and rushed the victim to Kubwa General Hospital, where medical personnel confirmed him dead on arrival.

The remains of the deceased have been deposited at the hospital’s mortuary for preservation, while preliminary investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of death.

Police sources said an autopsy may be conducted to rule out any foul play or underlying medical condition.


Construction worker dies after vomiting blood in Abuja community

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FCT police arrest suspected one-chance syndicate behind killing of Grace Godwin Alewa

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FCT police arrest suspected one-chance syndicate behind killing of Grace Godwin Alewa

By: Zagazola Makama

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested three suspected members of a notorious “one-chance” robbery syndicate allegedly responsible for the abduction and killing of Miss Grace Godwin Alewa, a 23-year-old woman whose lifeless body was discovered along Abubakar Street, Alex Ekwueme District, Jabi.

Zagazola Makama reports that the tragic incident occurred on Friday, July 11, when Grace, a petrol station attendant working in Abuja, boarded a commercial vehicle on her way home from work, unaware that it was operated by kidnappers posing as transporters.

Grace, who hailed from Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State, was reportedly abducted and dispossessed of her belongings. The kidnappers subsequently contacted her family, demanding a ransom of N1 million for her release.

It remains unclear whether the ransom was paid or negotiations were still ongoing, but Grace was eventually killed and her body dumped by the roadside in Jabi. She was found the following morning at about 6:00 a.m., and though rushed to a nearby hospital by the police, she was pronounced dead on arrival.

The case drew public outrage, particularly after misleading social media narratives suggested she had been involved in a transactional relationship, claims which were debunked by her family and colleagues who insisted she was a hardworking young woman returning from work.

Following the incident, the FCT Commissioner of Police, Benneth Igweh, ordered a tactical manhunt and charged operatives to intensify efforts to apprehend criminal gangs operating “one-chance” vehicles in the capital.

Acting on the directive, the Scorpion Squad, led by ACP Victor Godfrey, conducted a series of intelligence-driven raids between July 12 and 26, which culminated in the arrest of three suspects: Sunday Uduma a.k.a. Akidi, 39, from Ohafia LGA, Abia State, Godwin Eze, 39, from Cross River State, Nnaiji Ikenna, 33, from Imo State.

Police sources told Zagazola that the arrests were made through “actionable reconstructive digital intelligence,” and that the suspects have made useful confessional statements linking them to the crime.

The black Mazda 323 vehicle allegedly used in the kidnapping and subsequent killing of the victim has also been recovered.

Further investigations revealed that one of the suspects, Sunday Uduma, had previously been arrested on February 11, 2024, for a similar one-chance robbery case and was remanded at Keffi Correctional Facility. It remains unclear how he regained freedom and resumed criminal activities.

The police added that the suspects are currently in custody and are expected to face prosecution upon conclusion of investigations.

FCT police arrest suspected one-chance syndicate behind killing of Grace Godwin Alewa

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Troops neutralise notorious bandit leader ‘Dan Dari Biyar’ in Sokoto

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Troops neutralise notorious bandit leader ‘Dan Dari Biyar’ in Sokoto

By: Zagazola Makama

The Nigerian Army Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA have neutralised a notorious bandit leader identified as Dan Dari Biyar during a clearance operation in the western axis of Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the bandit kingpin was eliminated on Thursday while attempting to collect a ransom from relatives of kidnapped victims in the forest corridor between Turtsawa, Mazau, and Zango villages.

Dan Dari Biyar, whose nickname was derived from his infamous catchphrase “I prefer ₦500 to a Hausa man” was known for his brutality against kidnap victims, often mocking them before demanding large sums in ransom.

He was reportedly based deep within the Tidibale forest, from where he launched coordinated attacks on communities in Lalle, Tsamaye, and parts of Gwaronyo, including the notorious razing of Gidan Sale village along the Gundumi axis.

Military intelligence linked him to multiple raids, ambushes, and acts of arson across Sokoto East senatorial zone, particularly in hard-to-reach forest enclaves.

Sources said the successful operation was part of an ongoing offensive by troops aimed at flushing out bandit elements and dismantling their hideouts.

The operation was executed by a joint team of the Nigerian Army and local security volunteers under the Sokoto State Government’s community protection initiative.

Zagazola gathered that arms, ammunition, and communication devices were recovered from the scene, while pursuit of fleeing members of his gang continues.

Troops neutralise notorious bandit leader ‘Dan Dari Biyar’ in Sokoto

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