News
Strengthening UK-Nigeria Relations: UKVI Global Director’s Official Visit to Nigeria

Strengthening UK-Nigeria Relations: UKVI Global Director’s Official Visit to Nigeria
By: Michael Mike
The Director of United Kingdom Visas and Immigration (UKVI), Mr. Marc Owen was in Nigeria this week for his first official visit to the country in this role.
A statement on Thursday by the Senior Communications & Public Diplomacy Officer, Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, British High Commission, Onyinye Madu said as one of UK’s largest visa markets, Nigeria remains pivotal to the UKVI’s global operations.

During his visit, Marc Owen engaged with key stakeholders in Abuja and Lagos and reiterated the UKVI’s dedication to fostering strong relationships and ensuring efficient, customer-focused visa services.
In Abuja, he met with Ambassador Asari E. Allotey, Director for Legal, Migration and Consular Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs where he highlighted important UK visa developments including the global eVisa rollout and how to maintain the integrity of the UK’s immigration system.
He also met the Vital Registration and Digitisation Lead at the National Population Commission (NPC), Mr. Makama Taala as well as Dr. Penelope Miremba, Migration Health Officer at the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) where he emphasised the benefits to both UK and Nigeria of digitising records such as birth and death certificates and TB test certificates respectively, enhancing how records are stored, transmitted, and verified.
At the British Council office, the UKVI delegation toured the English language test centre, and engaged with a range of student councillors and UK university agents.
In Lagos, he met with stakeholders from the UK Joint Border Task Force (JBTF) and key business leaders. He also visited the newly inaugurated UK Visa Application Centre (VAC) in Ikeja, operated through the UK’s new commercial partner, VFS Global, to engage with teams on service delivery to ensure our services meet the highest standards of convenience and efficiency.

Throughout his time in Nigeria Marc also addressed the challenges posed by visa fraud and fake travel agents and cautioned visa applicants to be vigilant and reiterated the importance of using only official UKVI channels when applying for UK visas. This step is vital to safeguarding applicants and maintaining trust in the visa process. His visit marks a new chapter in UK-Nigeria collaboration, with promises of greater engagement and impactful outcomes.
Strengthening UK-Nigeria Relations: UKVI Global Director’s Official Visit to Nigeria
News
Massive Crowd in Maiduguri as Pastor Paul Enenche Leads Revival Crusade

Massive Crowd in Maiduguri as Pastor Paul Enenche Leads Revival Crusade
By: Zagazola Makama
A mammoth crowd of Christian worshippers gathered in Maiduguri for a revival crusade led by renowned Nigerian pastor, Dr. Paul Enenche, General Overseer of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Abuja.
The crusade, titled “Ignited: A Fire of Revival in Borno State,” saw thousands of Christians from across the North East convene for a night of prayers, worship, and spiritual upliftment in the heart of a city once at the center of insurgency.
Symbol of Peaceful Coexistence
The event, held without incident, served as a indication to the improving security situation in Borno and the resilience of the Christian community in the region. Worshippers sang, prayed, and listened to sermons focused on hope, unity, and faith despite past security challenges.

The gathering also comes amid recent clarifications by the Federal Government refuting allegations that Christians are being deliberately targeted in Nigeria especially in the North East.
Government officials have dismissed such claims as misleading narratives aimed at influencing foreign governments, particularly the United States, to designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC).
Faith Over Fear
Many attendees described the crusade as a historic moment for Christians in the North East, emphasizing their right to practice their faith freely.
“This is a sign that peace is returning to Borno. The presence of this large number of Christians, worshipping at night in Maiduguri without fear, is a powerful message,” said Deborah Musa, a worshipper from Yobe State.
Another attendee, Pastor James Buba, praised the Dunamis International Gospel Centre for organizing the crusade, saying it has rekindled hope among believers in the region.

Despite past insurgency threats, Borno State has witnessed religious tolerance and restoration of peace, allowing such large-scale religious gatherings to take place safely.
The Federal Government has repeatedly maintained that Nigeria upholds religious freedom and that violence affecting communities is largely due to criminal activities and terrorism, rather than state-sponsored persecution. Officials have urged both local and international observers to avoid narratives that exaggerate religious divisions in the country.
As the revival ended, worshippers left the venue with renewed faith and optimism, seeing the event as a milestone in Borno’s path to peace and religious harmony.
Massive Crowd in Maiduguri as Pastor Paul Enenche Leads Revival Crusade
News
Three Arrested for Farm Destruction in Borno, Livestock Seized

Three Arrested for Farm Destruction in Borno, Livestock Seized
By: Zagazola Makama
Security operatives in Borno State have arrested three herders for allegedly allowing their livestock to destroy farmlands in Ajiri Town, Mafa Local Government Area.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the suspects, identified as Muhammadan Usman (27), Abba Muhammad (16), and Adamu Bangi (12), were apprehended on March 13, 2025, around 8:00 a.m. during a routine patrol by a combined security team.
It was gathered that the herders’ cattle invaded and damaged sections of the Firgi Guinea Corn Farm. Security operatives swiftly intervened and recovered 46 cows and 30 goats.
Police have taken the suspects and livestock into custody, and the Farmers-Herders Conflict Resolution Committee has been contacted.
Investigations are ongoing.
Three Arrested for Farm Destruction in Borno, Livestock Seized
Military
Troops Raid ISWAP Enclave in Dalari, Neutralize Four Insurgents, recover weapons, bombs

Troops Raid ISWAP Enclave in Dalari, Neutralize Four Insurgents, recover weapons, bombs
By: Zagazola Makama
The Nigerian Army troops of 21 armored Brigade, Operation Hadin Kai have successfully raided an Islamic State of the West African Province(ISWAP) enclave in Dalari, Borno State, neutralizing four insurgents and recovering arms and ammunition.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama, that the troops of 151 Task Force Battalion, in collaboration with the Civilian Joint Task Force as well as the Hybrid forces conducted the Operation in the early hours of March 15, 2025.

The troops under Operation Desert Sanity 4, engaged the insurgents in a firefight at approximately 7:10 a.m., resulting in the elimination of four terrorists, while several others escaped with injuries.

During the clearance operation, the troops recovered: One RPG tube, one AK-47 rifle, one Dane gun, two RPG bomb chargers, three RPG bombs and 504 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition.
No casualties were recorded from the side of the troops.
Troops Raid ISWAP Enclave in Dalari, Neutralize Four Insurgents, recover weapons, bombs
-
News1 year ago
Roger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
-
Opinions3 years ago
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
-
News12 months ago
EYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
Opinions3 years ago
POLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
Columns1 year ago
Army University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
ACADEMICS1 year ago
A History of Biu” (2015) and The Lingering Bura-Pabir Question (1)
-
Opinions1 year ago
Tinubu,Shettima: The epidemic of economic, insecurity in Nigeria
-
National News1 year ago
Fraud and Mismanagement Rock INGO’s IDP Cash Assistance Effort in Bama