NIS Cracks Down on Alleged Extortion at Lagos-Seme Border, Orders Probe

By: Michael Mike

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has launched an immediate investigation into allegations of extortion involving its personnel along the Lagos-Seme border corridor, vowing swift disciplinary action against any officer found culpable.

In a statement issued on Friday, the Comptroller-General of Immigration, Kemi Nandap, strongly condemned the reported misconduct, describing it as a clear breach of the Service’s ethical standards and operational principles.

The allegations, which surfaced through online reports, have sparked public concern over the conduct of immigration officers stationed at one of Nigeria’s busiest land borders. Responding decisively, the NIS leadership has taken the unusual step of temporarily relieving the Comptrollers overseeing the affected commands of their duties pending the outcome of a comprehensive probe.

According to the Service, the investigation will focus on identifying all officers involved in the alleged acts, with a commitment to enforce strict disciplinary measures without delay.

Reaffirming its stance, the NIS stressed that it would not tolerate any behavior capable of eroding public confidence or damaging the institution’s reputation. The Service reiterated its commitment to professionalism, transparency, and efficiency in managing Nigeria’s entry and exit points.

To strengthen accountability, the Service urged members of the public to report cases of misconduct through its official communication channels, including its verified social media platforms and dedicated contact centre lines.

The NIS emphasized that it remains resolute in upholding integrity and discipline while facilitating lawful migration, assuring Nigerians and international travelers that measures are being reinforced to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.

NIS Cracks Down on Alleged Extortion at Lagos-Seme Border, Orders Probe

Troops rescue 21 kidnapped victims, clear bandits’ camps in forest operation in Plateau

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of the Nigerian Army have rescued 21 kidnapped victims and dismantled several bandits’ camps during a coordinated clearance operation in Daji Madam Forest in Plateau State.

Security sources said the operation was conducted in the early hours of April 9 by troops of 33 Artillery Brigade, led by the Brigade Commander, Brig.-Gen. S.S. Shehu, in collaboration with a team from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).l

The operation targeted identified bandits’ enclaves in locations including Dogo Ruwa and Bogwas within the forest.

Simultaneously, troops of a Combat Support Infantry Battalion deployed at Mansur, led by Lt.-Col. J.T. Bere, in conjunction with Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) elements, mounted blocking positions at key crossing points to prevent the escape of fleeing bandits.

During the operation, troops made contact with the armed elements and successfully cleared multiple camps, including one linked to a notorious bandit leader identified as Auta Kachalla.

In the course of the operation, troops rescued 21 kidnapped victims and destroyed several motorcycles belonging to the bandits,” a source said.

Items recovered from the camps included one G3 rifle, four magazines, three generating sets and a solar panel.

The rescued victims are expected to undergo medical checks and debriefing, while efforts are ongoing to reunite them with their families.pp

Troops said offensive operations continue in the general area to eliminate remaining threats.

The operation is part of ongoing efforts by security forces to dismantle criminal networks and restore stability across forested enclaves in Plateau and adjoining states.

Troops rescue 21 kidnapped victims, clear bandits’ camps in forest operation in Plateau

FG, Ohanaeze Outlaw ‘Eze Ndigbo’ Titles Abroad Amid Rising Diplomatic Tensions

By: Michael Mike

The Federal Government has moved to curb the controversial installation of “Eze Ndigbo” in foreign countries, backing a sweeping decision by Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide and South East traditional rulers to abolish the practice outside Igboland, following a series of international incidents that have strained Nigeria’s diplomatic relations.

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, delivered the government’s position at the high-level Imeobi meeting of Ohanaeze in Enugu on Thursday, describing the proliferation of Igbo “kings” in the diaspora as a growing embarrassment to Nigeria and a trigger for avoidable conflicts abroad.

She warned that while diaspora communities are free to promote their culture, attempts to replicate traditional rulership structures in foreign lands have repeatedly sparked tensions with host authorities and local populations.

The latest flashpoint occurred in East London, where the coronation of Solomon Ogbonna Eziko ignited violent protests. The unrest led to the destruction of property, attacks on foreign-owned businesses, and clashes with security forces, after locals interpreted the installation as a challenge to South Africa’s traditional authority system.

South African institutions, including the Eastern Cape House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders and the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, declared the coronation illegal, underscoring the diplomatic sensitivity of such actions.

Nigeria’s foreign missions quickly distanced themselves from the development, with officials clarifying that the event was merely cultural and not a recognized monarchy. The Nigerian Embassy in Pretoria subsequently issued an apology and urged citizens to maintain a low profile.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu revealed that similar tensions had surfaced in Accra in 2025, where protests against Nigerians escalated over the same issue. She led a diplomatic delegation to calm the situation, engaging directly with John Mahama and other key stakeholders.

According to her, the intervention of the Ghanaian president was pivotal in diffusing tensions, as he reaffirmed his country’s commitment to ECOWAS protocols on free movement and rejected calls for xenophobic actions against Nigerians.

The minister stressed that such crises place Nigerian lives, businesses, and diplomatic standing at risk, insisting that urgent measures were necessary to prevent further escalation.

In response, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has formally proscribed the conferment and use of “Eze Ndigbo” titles outside Igboland. President-General of the organization, Azuta Mbata, declared that any individual assuming such a title abroad does so without the backing of the Igbo people.

He disclosed that the group would notify state governments and Nigerian missions globally of the decision and is working with traditional rulers to establish sanctions for violators, including community-level enforcement through hometowns and town unions.

The Federal Government has pledged to reinforce the directive through its diplomatic channels, signaling a coordinated effort to prevent further international disputes linked to cultural misrepresentation.

The development marks a decisive shift by both the government and Igbo leadership to separate cultural expression from traditional authority in diaspora settings, amid growing concern over the global implications of local customs.

FG, Ohanaeze Outlaw ‘Eze Ndigbo’ Titles Abroad Amid Rising Diplomatic Tensions