National News
NIS Officers May Protect Extension of Tenure for CG, Concerned Stakeholders Write Buhari

NIS Officers May Protect Extension of Tenure for CG, Concerned Stakeholders Write Buhari
By: Michael Mike
Some officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) are planning to come out and protest should President Muhammadu Buhari extend the tenure of the Comptroller General, Idris Isah after the ongoing one year extension he was given expires on April 24.
Isah has had his retirement extended from last year to April 24, 2023 but there is allegation that he has started lobbying for another one year extension, a situation which the aggrieved officers claimed would affect the morale and discipline in the Service.
In a letter signed by Akinwale Ayomipo Dennis on behalf of the officers who addressed themselves as Concerned Nigeria Immigration Stakeholders, the group told the President that they took the decision not for personal gains but rather to protect the integrity and sanctity of the Nigeria paramilitary structure particularly the Nigeria Immigration Service.
The letter read in part: “We are a group of patriotic Nigerians writing under the aegis of Concerned Nigeria Immigration Stakeholders who are worried about recent developments in the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS). Our worry is not about personal interest but about protecting the integrity and sanctity of the Nigeria paramilitary structure particularly the Nigeria Immigration Service and more importantly is the preservation of your legacy as a rare nationalist and principled retired military officer who understands and imbibe the fundamental concept of morale in military and paramilitary system.
“We are compel to write this letter to you, being the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and father of all including all the officers (rank and file) of the Nigeria Immigration Service.
“Sir, permit us to draw your attention to the planned further extension of tenure of the current Acting Comptroller General of the NIS, Idris Isah Jere, who officially retired from the service on April 24,2022, after acting for seven months following the retirement of Mohammed Babandede in September 2021.
“But after his retirement in April last year, he was asked to continue as CG in acting capacity for another one year which will elapse on April 24 this year.
“To say the least, his tenure as acting CG has been uneventful and appeared to have set the service backwards in several ways which we do not want to divulge to the public.
“But the one that is already public knowledge is the delay and the stress Nigerians go through to acquire new international passports. We cannot begin to recount the damage that has been done to the image of the NIS in the last one year.
“But more importantly, and of more concern to us is the plan by the acting CG to seek another extension in clear contravention of service rule.”
They added that they are aware that the acting CG has been lobbying to ensure he gets another one year in office, claiming they have proof of the CG’s action as the latest was a letter he wrote to all directorates of the NIS dated April 12 titled “Official Assignment,” where he informed the directorates that he would be traveling for assignment to come back on April 25, which is a date beyond the one-year extension he was given, this they stated is an implication that the acting CG is already looking forward to another extension.
They told President Buhari that this “will be a disservice to Nigeria and a tragedy for the NIS if Idris Jere succeeds in getting another extension when there is a pool of more competent officers to occupy the CG position.”
“We are therefore appealing to Mr President not to entertain any argument to extend the tenure of the acting CG as this may irreparably damage officers’ morale with the consequent effect on service delivery,” the stakeholders said while not ruling out that concerned aggrieved personnel of the NIS may embark on an embarrassing protest against further tenure elongation for the acting CG which may negatively affect the image of the Service.
NIS Officers May Protect Extension of Tenure for CG, Concerned Stakeholders Write Buhari
National News
One killed, another injured as gunmen invade Gari Village in Niger State

One killed, another injured as gunmen invade Gari Village in Niger State
By: Zagazola Makama
Armed men have attacked Gari Village in Masamagu area of Niger State, killing one person and abducting another in a violent incident that occurred on Wednesday night.
Zagazola Makama gathered that the attack happened at about 9:30 p.m. on July 24, when six unidentified gunmen stormed the community and macheted a 55-year-old man, Umaru Zakiru, to death.
They also abducted one Hussaini Muhammed to an unknown destination, but the victim later escaped from captivity with a gunshot wound.
A tram of security forces responded promptly and evacuated both the deceased and the injured to the General Hospital in Kontagora for autopsy and medical treatment.
A manhunt has been launched to track down the assailants and bring them to justice.
One killed, another injured as gunmen invade Gari Village in Niger State
National News
Tinubu Assures Nigerians in Diaspora of Favourable Policies Towards Them

Tinubu Assures Nigerians in Diaspora of Favourable Policies Towards Them
By: Michael Mike
President Bola Tinubu on Friday assured Nigerians in Diaspora of his administration’s determination to continue to provide the enabling environment and policies that will boost their active participation in the country’s governance.
Tinubu gave the assurance at the opening of the National Diaspora Day celebrations 2025 at the Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja.
This year’s celebration is themed: “Optimizing formidable Diaspora Potentials for National Development and growth”.
The President, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, said: “We will continue to provide an enabling platform for effective policies for the Diaspora with the view to galvanizing your support for this administration and concretizing our democracy, optimizing your potentials and setting a good example for other African countries to emulate.
“Let me also state that we will look into the Challenges NiDCOM has enumerated with a view to ameliorating same so that we can harvest maximally the benefits of migration through the engagements with our Diaspora for national development and growth.”
He added that: “It is a great delight to address our over 20 million Nigerians in the diaspora on this auspicious occasion of the celebration of our National Diaspora Day 2025.”
“Only Nigerians both at home and abroad can develop Nigeria,” Tinubu stated.
The President highlighted the contributions of the diaspora, which include increasing remittances, pointing out that in 2024 alone, “Nigerians abroad sent home $20.9 billion through official channels—more than four times the value of the country’s foreign direct investment.
He said: “The Nigerians in the diaspora are also actively investing in our health care, agriculture, education, information, communication technology, housing and real estate, sports, transportation, oil and gas, and other sectors.
“This, I must say, is commendable and in our enlightened self-interest.”
The President stressed how highly the government rates the Nigerians in diaspora, saying “Our renewed hope for foreign policy recognises the diaspora as the fourth pillar for the agenda—namely democracy, demography, development, and diaspora.
In his goodwill message, the minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo said:
“When you go to any part of the world, maybe in Asia, Africa, South America, you will see Nigerians excelling. Nigerians breaking barriers. Nigerians breaking ceilings. And Nigerians using ceilings as springboards to greatness.”
The Minister highlighted the economic potential of diaspora remittances—comparing Nigeria’s $21bn in 2024 remittances to $32.91bn in oil earnings and India’s $135.46bn diaspora inflows.
He said: “What does that tell you? It tells you that the power of economic emancipation, a lot of this resides within you, beyond your own imagination,” he said.
The minister also explained that the administration is laying the foundation for long-term national prosperity—even if short-term sacrifices are required.
“You cannot cure a tumor by virtue of a paracetamol. It is important that the Renewed Hope agenda of Mr. President came into being. And today, we can see the results. We can see the economic stability of this country,” he said.
Tunji-Ojo also spoke on the reforms in his ministry which include immigration and the protection of critical national infrastructure.
He therefore called on the diaspora community to trust in the country’s direction under President Tinubu’s leadership.
“Nigeria has never been ready for investment more than now. We are ready for investment.
“I assure you, under the leadership of this President, you will never regret your investment. Nigeria loves you. Nigeria cares about you. And this particular administration cares about you,” he said.
Earlier, in her remark, Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, said “The theme is apt to appreciate the efforts of both the government and the diaspora community in nation building and also to discuss how to make diaspora engagements better for national development.”
She emphasised the role of Nigerians in diaspora in the country’s development.
Dabiri-Erewa announced a proposed Diaspora Presidential Fellowship Programme. The initiative would allow professionals in the diaspora to take part in six-month sabbaticals in Nigeria, aimed at promoting knowledge transfer and innovation across sectors.
“It will strengthen their role in nation-building and serve as a knowledge-driven giveback to the fatherland,” she added.
Highlights of the event was the unveiling of a new Diaspora Home and Abroad Housing Platform, aimed at providing secure housing opportunities for diaspora Nigerians seeking to invest back home.
Tinubu Assures Nigerians in Diaspora of Favourable Policies Towards Them
National News
Nasarawa: Security operatives arrest six over kidnapping, rape and robbery in Doma

Nasarawa: Security operatives arrest six over kidnapping, rape and robbery in Doma
By: Zagazola Makama
Security operatives in Nasarawa State have arrested six suspected members of a notorious armed robbery and kidnapping gang responsible for a series of violent crimes in Yelwa Ediya village, Doma Local Government Area.
The suspects, identified as Darda’u Shehu, Yunusa Malami Hashimu, Musa Abubakar, Ibrahim Musa, Mohammed Musa, and Jibrin Lafia, were apprehended during a coordinated raid based on actionable intelligence from a concerned resident.
During interrogation, the suspects reportedly confessed to their involvement in the kidnapping of a local councillor, Hon. Ari Muhammad, on May 26, 2025. They further disclosed that one of their members, Darda’u Shehu, raped the councillor’s wife, Talatu Ari, during the abduction and stole two mobile phones an Infinix Note 30 valued at ₦250,000 and a Tecno phone valued at ₦20,000.
The gang also confessed to mounting a roadblock along the Doma–Yelwa Road on July 19, where they attacked one Ibrahim Haruna and snatched his Bajaj motorcycle worth ₦970,000.
Recovered from the suspects were ₦100,000 in cash and one Bajaj motorcycle believed to have been taken from one of their victims.
The suspects also named their gang leaders as Bammi Alhaji Amme (alias Zomo) and one Lawali (surname unknown), who are currently on the run.
Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining members of the gang and bring them to justice.
End
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