News
NIDCOM Advised Nigerians to be Conversant with Laws of Countries they are Traveling
NIDCOM Advised Nigerians to be Conversant with Laws of Countries they are Traveling
By: Michael Mike
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has advised Nigerians to be familiar with the laws of the countries they are visiting.
The advice was given on Friday at the backdrop of the harrowing experience of a Nigerian medical doctor, Andrew Etsetowaghan at the Geneva Airport for carrying a presentation pointer in his hand luggage.
The Chairman/ CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa told Nigerians travelling through Switzerland to avoid carrying laser pointers as its usage has been ban in that European country.
Etsetowaghan, Chief Party, USAID Funded Accelerating Control of the HIV Epidemic in Nigeria, (ACE) C4 Project, narrating his ordeal at the airport in Geneva, said he was delayed at the airport for three hours because of laser pointer.
He said the use of laser pointer was ban in June 2019. The aim is to prevent people being injured or dazzled in a hazardous way by the beam from dangerous laser pointers.
The laser pointers is a hand-held laser that can be used to point to things, for amusement (as a toy or in hobbies) to scare off animals or to drive away other people.
Most times it is used to deliver lecture where slide is used. The most used laser pointer is the one carrying markings
Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO NiDCOM, noted that many immigrants might be unaware of this regulation and urged Nigerian travelers to exercise caution to avoid similar incidents.
Etsetowaghan, a public health expert and Project Director at the Centre for Clinical Care and Clinical Research Nigeria, was detained on May 25, 2024, after attending a United States Department meeting in Geneva.
Etsetowaghan , who was part of an official delegation ,recounted his ordeal: “Upon going through security at Geneva Airport, I was informed that my presentation pointer was not allowed in Switzerland.
He said he never knew of the law before leaving Nigeria and all through his short visit to Switzerland.
He said there was no notification even at the Geneva airport to warn travellers until he was called aside by the immigration and later joined by the police.
He said he was taken to cell for hours and it became a to and frot and was made to sign some documents in French even when he did not know what the contents are.
The Chief Party, who was worried not to miss his flight, said he was told bluntly that he would not be flying that day.
“I was detained, had my belongings and documents seized, and was subjected to several hours of interrogation and solitary confinement in a cell.
“Despite my compliance, the treatment I received was inhumane, including limited access to bathroom facilities and being forced to sign documents in French under duress.”
He called for measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
He called for a review of the procedures and better awareness of the banned items to ensure travelers are well-informed.
Reacting to the incident, NiDCOM emphasized the importance of raising awareness about such prohibited items in Switzerland Airports and urged Swiss authorities to enhance theircommunication on such regulations, describing Dr Etsetowaghan ordeal as “ avoidable “
NIDCOM Advised Nigerians to be Conversant with Laws of Countries they are Traveling
News
Two soldiers under probe for alleged collaboration with ISWAP terrorists, leaking troops movement in Yobe
Two soldiers under probe for alleged collaboration with ISWAP terrorists, leaking troops movement in Yobe
By: Zagazola Makama
Two soldiers of the 135 Special Forces Battalion are currently under investigation for alleged collaboration with ISWAP terrorists, Zagazola Makama has learnt.
Military sources told Zagazola Makama that the soldiers’ telephone communications were tracked by Security Intelligence, linking them to the recent kidnapping of commuters along the Gashua–Azare highway in Yobe State.
The intercepted calls reportedly indicated that the suspects likely leaked the movement of a patrol team along the Buratai–Kamuya–Azare–Gashua route to the insurgents, enabling the ambush.
It was gathered that the suspected leak contributed to the terrorists’ operation, which was later foiled by troops of the 135 SF Battalion during a swift rescue mission on May 9
Two soldiers under probe for alleged collaboration with ISWAP terrorists, leaking troops movement in Yobe
Troops rescue four kidnapped commuters in Yobe, foil ISWAP terrorist ambush
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the 135 Special Forces Battalion under Operation Desert Sanity IV have rescued four kidnapped civilians from ISWAP terrorists following a swift counter-offensive along the Gashua–Azare highway in Yobe State.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama on Saturday that the operation was carried out at about 6:10 p.m. on Friday, May 9, after intelligence reports indicated that insurgents had abducted travelers while riding on 15 motorcycles.
Quick Response Forces (QRF) from the battalion, swiftly mobilised to the area and engaged the terrorists in a heavy exchange of gunfire.
“The troops overpowered the terrorists, forcing them to retreat in disarray and abandon one motorcycle,” the source said.
The soldiers pursued the insurgents up to 6 kilometers from the ambush point, leading to the successful rescue of four abducted civilians. Items recovered from the scene included a pumping machine, a motorcycle tube, a plier, and three spanners.
Troops rescue four kidnapped commuters in Yobe, foil ISWAP terrorist ambush
Zulum orders immediate ban on the sale of fuel in Bama LGA
By: Our Reporter
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has ordered an immediate ban on the sale of fuel (petrol) in filling stations across Bama Local Government Area, including Bama town and Banki.
The ban was issued after due consultations with security agencies in the state and is aimed at addressing the prevailing security challenges in the state.
In a statement on Saturday by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Dauda Iliya, the measure is part of the state government’s strategic response to counter insurgency operations.
“I have directed the immediate ban on the sale of petrol in Bama town, Banki, and other parts of Bama Local Government Area with immediate effect,” Governor Zulum stated.
He warned that anyone found violating the directive would face the full weight of the law.
“Let me make it clear—there will be no sacred cows in the enforcement of this ban. Security agencies have been given strict orders to clamp down on any filling station or individual contravening this directive. Anyone found culpable will be dealt with accordingly,” he warned.
Governor Zulum reiterated his administration’s commitment to restoring lasting peace in the state and called for the support and cooperation of citizens in the ongoing fight against insurgency.
Zulum orders immediate ban on the sale of fuel in Bama LGA
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