Nigerians

Libya Begins Mass Arrests Of Nigerians Following CAF Ruling.

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  Following the verdict delivered by the Confederation of African Football in response to the complaint lodged by the Nigeria Football Federation over the recent inhumane treatment meted out to the Super Eagles in Libya, members of the Nigerian community have reported mass arrests and fines in the country. The Nigerian football team was held at the Al-Abraq Airport in eastern Libya for over 20 hours upon arrival for the second leg of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between the Super Eagles and Libya’s national team. The contingent was scheduled to land at the Benghazi Airport and travel for nearly four hours by road to Benina, where the match was to be played. However, less than an hour before landing, the Tunisian pilot reportedly received a directive from Libyan authorities to divert the flight to the Al-Abraq Airport, located 150 miles away from the destination. Did You Know A Tribe That Prepares Meals Using Water From The Deceased?0:06 / 1:01 The development sparked widespread outrage, forcing the NFF to withdraw the Super Eagles from the qualifying match and file an official complaint to CAF. In its ruling on Saturday, October 26, signed by its Chairman, Ousmane Kane, the disciplinary committee of the African football body awarded the Super Eagles of Nigeria three points and three goals for the abandoned match. The disciplinary board ruled that the Libyan Football Federation breached Article 31 of the Africa Cup of Nations Regulations and Articles 82 and 151 of the CAF Disciplinary Code. The panel also ordered the LFF to pay a fine of $50,000 within 60 days of the notification of the decision. Displeased with the verdict, the LFF President Nasser Al-Suwai’I described it as “unjust and malicious,” alleging that the NFF’s influence within CAF played a major role in the outcome. A report on Monday by a Libyan outlet, Libyan Observer, quoted Al-Suwai’I saying the LFF would file an official appeal within hours and that if the appeal was denied, the body would resort to the Court of Arbitration for Sport to ensure “their legitimate rights are secured.” Campaign against Nigerians Following the CAF ruling, a popular Libyan news blog, Libya News Today 1, posted on Sunday, stating, “All Libyan TV channels are urging the government to arrest the Nigerian workers who are working here in Libya without legal papers. They have to pay $500 plus taxes. “The fine that Libya is accused of will be paid by Nigerian citizens who live in Libya. We have been subjected to injustice. We have no borders with Nigeria. What benefit are they to us? They’re a burden on the Libyan people. They have to go back home.” The blog has more than 188,000 followers on Facebook and 57,000 likes. The post was accompanied by a video of a Libyan TV presenter, who said, “Anyone who is living in Libya and working without paying tax is eating haram, which means sinful money. The government should make every effort to arrest all Nigerians who are working in Libya so that they can pay a tax of $500 and regulate their stay in the country by obtaining residence permits.” Another Libyan site, Libya INF.TV, reported that Libyan stations wanted the government to start arresting Nigerian workers. “Those who don’t have Libyan papers will have to pay a fine of $500 for taxes. If you refuse deportation, no mercy. The Libyan government will pay the Nigerian government from their citizens’ money,” the post said. Mass arrests Speaking with Sunday PUNCH, a Nigerian living in Tripoli, the Libyan capital, Adenaike Emmanuel, said the arrests began on Sunday after the CAF statement was released in the country. “They have already started. The news came out on Saturday, and they were saying they can’t accept it and that they are not the ones who will pay the money. They have started proving this. “Someone called me and said they had already begun arresting people in his area. The same thing is happening here in his area. The same thing is happening here in Tripoli. In some places, people were arrested on Sunday morning and afternoon. As I mentioned before, Libyans don’t hide their feelings. They believe that by doing this, they are getting their revenge,” Adenaike stated. The President of the Nigerian community in Libya, Peter Omoregbie, also confirmed the arrests in a video shared by multiple Libya-based Nigerian blogs during the week. Omoregbie, who confirmed this while making an official report at the Libyan immigration office on Monday, said, “The arrests started on Sunday night in some areas in Tedora. They are arresting innocent people. They don’t even care whether you have passports or residence permits. They just don’t care, which doesn’t happen in other countries.” When asked to provide background to the incident, he said, “The football body is an association on its own, which the government isn’t supposed to interfere with according to CAF laws. There was a football match scheduled between Nigeria and Libya on October 15. Nigeria was supposed to arrive in Benghazi, but they were diverted to another state, so the match could not take place. The Nigerian football team then returned home. Since then, CAF has investigated the issue and set up a committee to find out what really happened. “Yesterday, the verdict was issued that Libya has to pay a fine of $50,000 to CAF due to the way they treated the Nigerian football team. Now, on social media, Libyan journalists and numerous bloggers are saying that Nigeria will be made to pay the $50,000 fine by arresting all Nigerians in Libya. But in other countries, nothing like that happens. “As the community leader, I received some videos showing that the arrests started last night in the Tedora area. They said the Libyan police have started arresting Nigerians, whether they have passports or not. Some of us are already afraid, calling everywhere to ask what to do. Sometimes, as community leaders, we are helpless. Even the Nigerian Embassy’s hands are … Read more

NAFDAC Issues Warning To Nigerians About Recalled Nivea Roll-On Deodorant

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  The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has alerted Nigerians to the recall of Nivea Black & White Invisible Roll-on deodorant, 50ml labelled as providing 48-hour protection in African climates, following a warning from the European Union Rapid Alert System for Dangerous non-food products in Brussels. In a notice released on Thursday, NAFDAC stated that the product’s batch number is 93529610. “The recalled Nivea product is reported to contain 2-(4-tert-Butylbenzyl) propionaldehyde, a chemical prohibited in cosmetic products due to its potential to cause harm to the reproductive system, impair the health of an unborn child, and cause skin irritation and burns to users,” the agency explained. NAFDAC added that the product is manufactured in Germany with Bar Code Number 42299882. It advised importers, distributors, retailers, and consumers to exercise caution and vigilance within the supply chain to prevent the importation, distribution, sale, and use of the affected Nivea Roll-on with the specified batch. “Members of the public in possession of the affected batch should cease sale or use and submit stock to the nearest NAFDAC office. “Healthcare professionals and consumers are encouraged to report any adverse events experienced with the use of regulated products to the nearest NAFDAC office, via pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng, E-reporting platforms available at www.nafdac.gov.ng, or through the Med-safety application available for download on Android and iOS,” it added. Punch  

Choose Between Petrol At N1,000/litre Or CNG For N200, Tinubu Tells Nigerians

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  President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said that Nigerian motorists now have a choice between paying N1,000 per litre for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, or buying Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) at N200 per Standard Cubic Meter. The president said this during a meeting with executives of the Nigerian Independent Petroleum Company (NIPCO), led by the director, Mr. Ramesh Kasangra, at the State House in Abuja. In a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu emphasised his administration’s push for cleaner, more affordable fuel options for Nigerians. “Nigeria’s motorists can buy petrol at N1,000 per litre or equivalent gas per Standard Cubic Meter at N200,” Tinubu stated. “We have also introduced incentives for commercial motorists to convert from petrol to gas, free of cost.” Continuing, he said; “This move is part of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI), which is aimed at reducing the country’s reliance on petrol while promoting the use of CNG as an alternative fuel source. Tinubu praised NIPCO’s role in supporting the initiative, noting that the company’s investments align with his administration’s energy diversification strategy. “NIPCO’s efforts in promoting and supporting the ‘Switch to CNG’ campaign have been instrumental in boosting public awareness and providing affordable CNG conversion kits,” the president said. “This partnership helps us reduce fuel costs for consumers and our carbon footprint.” Tinubu also underscored the importance of public-private partnerships in driving Nigeria’s energy transition and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to creating a conducive environment for private-sector investments. “Our administration is focused on expanding Nigeria’s CNG infrastructure to enhance energy efficiency and stimulate economic growth,” Tinubu remarked, highlighting the long-term benefits of cleaner and more affordable energy solutions. The President further encouraged NIPCO to continue its innovative approach to CNG expansion while supporting the government’s broader goals in the energy sector. In his remarks, Mr Ramesh Kasangra expressed his gratitude for the government’s steadfast support of the CNG sector. He reaffirmed NIPCO’s commitment to working closely with the government to expand the CNG infrastructure, ensuring that CNG becomes a viable and accessible alternative for Nigerians nationwide. “We believe in Nigeria’s long-term potential,” Kasangra said, adding that NIPCO has already invested over N100 billion in laying pipelines for easy access to CNG and building CNG stations across the country.

Asylum: UK Deports 44 Ghanaians, Nigerians In Single Flight

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  In a record-breaking deportation flight, 44 Nigerians and Ghanaians were forcibly removed from the UK on Friday, marking a significant surge in immigration enforcement. According to The Guardian.com/uk The Home Office confirmed the action as part of a broader crackdown on immigration, which has seen the deportation of over 3,600 people since the Labour government came to power in July. This comes as news emerges that asylum seekers arriving at Diego Garcia, a UK-administered island, before the finalization of a treaty between the UK and Mauritius will be relocated to Saint Helena, a British territory in the Atlantic. This comes as news emerges that asylum seekers arriving at Diego Garcia, a UK-administered island, before the finalization of a treaty between the UK and Mauritius will be relocated to Saint Helena, a British territory in the Atlantic. The Chagos Islands treaty, expected to be signed next year, will not apply to around 60 Tamils who have been stranded on Diego Garcia since 2021 and are pursuing legal action over their detention. While the number of asylum seekers arriving at Diego Garcia has been in the hundreds, it pales in comparison to the tens of thousands who have crossed the English Channel in small boats from northern France in recent years. Just on Friday, 647 individuals made the perilous crossing in 10 boats, pushing the total for the year beyond 28,000. Deportation flights to Nigeria and Ghana have been relatively rare, with only four recorded since 2020, and prior flights carrying significantly fewer individuals—ranging from six to 21 people. The recent flight, which saw 44 deportees, more than doubled the numbers seen in previous removals. In a record-breaking deportation flight, 44 Nigerians and Ghanaians were forcibly removed from the UK on Friday, marking a significant surge in immigration enforcement. According to The Guardian.com/uk The Home Office confirmed the action as part of a broader crackdown on immigration, which has seen the deportation of over 3,600 people since the Labour government came to power in July. This comes as news emerges that asylum seekers arriving at Diego Garcia, a UK-administered island, before the finalization of a treaty between the UK and Mauritius will be relocated to Saint Helena, a British territory in the Atlantic. The Chagos Islands treaty, expected to be signed next year, will not apply to around 60 Tamils who have been stranded on Diego Garcia since 2021 and are pursuing legal action over their detention. While the number of asylum seekers arriving at Diego Garcia has been in the hundreds, it pales in comparison to the tens of thousands who have crossed the English Channel in small boats from northern France in recent years. Just on Friday, 647 individuals made the perilous crossing in 10 boats, pushing the total for the year beyond 28,000. Deportation flights to Nigeria and Ghana have been relatively rare, with only four recorded since 2020, and prior flights carrying significantly fewer individuals—ranging from six to 21 people. The recent flight, which saw 44 deportees, more than doubled the numbers seen in previous removals. The Guardian interviewed four Nigerian men held at Brook House immigration removal centre near Gatwick before their deportation. One of them, who had been in the UK for 15 years seeking asylum, expressed his distress: “I have no criminal record, but the Home Office has refused my claim.” Another man revealed he had been a victim of trafficking and bore torture scars, yet his asylum claim had also been rejected. Fizza Qureshi, the chief executive of Migrants’ Rights Network, condemned the deportations, citing the speed, secrecy, and lack of legal support. She quoted a detainee who said, “The Home Office is playing politics with people’s lives. We have not done anything wrong other than cry for help.” A Home Office spokesperson defended the move, stating that the government is committed to enforcing immigration rules and ensuring that people without legal rights to remain in the UK are returned.  

Nigerians May Pay N10million For Hajj As Tinubu Government Ends Subsidy For 2025 Pilgrimage

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  The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced that the President Bola Tinubu-led federal government will no longer subsidise hajj payments for pilgrims starting in 2025, marking the end of the long-standing concessionary exchange rate offered by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). This development is expected to drive hajj fares up significantly, potentially reaching N10 million per pilgrim. Previously, the subsidy allowed pilgrims to access U.S. dollars at a reduced rate, easing the financial burden of the pilgrimage. However, with the naira currently valued at N1,650 to a dollar and the standard hajj fare at approximately $6,000, the cost for each pilgrim could rise to N10 million if the exchange rate holds. In a statement released by NAHCON spokesperson Fatima Sanda Usara, the commission confirmed that for the 2025 hajj, “There will be no concessionary exchange rate from the government for Hajj fare payment for pilgrims whether under state or private Hajj operators.” While NAHCON has yet to announce the official hajj fare for 2025, several state pilgrim welfare boards have already begun advising intending pilgrims to make initial deposits of N8.5 million in anticipation of the price increase. Meanwhile, NAHCON has also announced a refund of 64,682 Nigerian pilgrims who participated in the 2023 hajj, amounting to 150 Saudi Riyal each. This revelation was made during a virtual meeting between NAHCON and the Private Tour Operators (PTOs), chaired by NAHCON’s Commissioner of Operations, Prince Anofi Olanrewaju Elegushi. In further developments, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has reduced the number of approved PTOs from 20 to 10, and each company is now required to register a minimum of 2,000 pilgrims to secure hajj visas. The Commissioner of Operations informed PTO members that NAHCON’s Executive Council has approved the option of using a bank guarantee to fulfill the N40 million caution deposit requirement for the 2025 Hajj. Operators who have already made a cash deposit but prefer to use a bank guarantee are invited to request a refund of their earlier cash deposit and submit the bank guarantee instead. He further clarified that contrary to claims that NAHCON owes PTOs N17 billion from the N25 million caution deposit for the 2024 Hajj, the commission only received N2.75 billion from 110 companies that registered for the 2024 Hajj. This amount included a rollover of N1.25 billion from the previous year. Of this, 30 companies requested refunds totaling N750 million, which has already been paid. However, the remaining N750 million is still held by the commission for undecided PTOs.

Nigerians To Process, Obtain Passports From Home – Tunji-Ojo

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  Nigerians will soon be able to process and receive their passports from the comfort of their homes, eliminating the need to physically visit passport processing centers, according to the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo. However, this new initiative will initially apply only to Nigerians aged 18 and above and those seeking the renewal of expired passports. Fresh applicants will still be required to appear in person to register their biometrics at passport centers. Dr. Tunji-Ojo announced this development at a stakeholders’ forum in Abuja, where the contactless passport processing App was unveiled. The initiative is part of an effort to streamline passport issuance and reduce the burdens often faced by Nigerians, both at home and abroad. The minister emphasized that the new process is designed to eliminate exploitation by middlemen, who often create unnecessary obstacles to extort applicants. The contactless passport processing project is a collaboration between two Nigerian firms, Irish Smart Technology and New World, which have been test-running the system over the last nine months. The new technology aims to make passport issuance more seamless, with the App covering every requirement for obtaining a Nigerian passport. Tunji-Ojo also revealed that beginning in April next year, passport production will be centralized in Nigeria. As part of this, immigration attachés in foreign missions will no longer be authorized to approve visa issuance, a step aimed at streamlining the process and improving efficiency. In addition, the minister announced that the President has approved the retention of 50% of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) internally generated revenue, enabling the service to enhance its operations and reduce delays in passport processing. To further strengthen national security, the government is also building 32 forward operational bases across the country to support the NIS in its duties. The Comptroller-General of the NIS, Mrs. Kemi Nandap, noted that the contactless passport issuance system will not only reduce the inconvenience associated with physical processing but also enhance the security of the Nigerian passport in line with international standards.

Oct 1st: IGP Orders Water-Tight Security, Felicitates With Nigerians On 64th Anniversary …Orders Clampdown On Miscreants

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  As we celebrate our nation’s 64th Independence, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD., NPM has ordered water-tight security across the country to create a safe and conducive environment for citizens of our great nation to celebrate this landmark occasion. As part of the IGP’s comprehensive plan to ensure a seamless celebration, the IGP has ordered the deployment of adequate human and tactical resources to enable a maximum level of security for the independence celebration. The Police, in synergy with other security agencies, will fortify various designated event venues and the major highways across the country, to forestall any threats to lives and property and the celebration. Additionally, the IGP has directed all personnel deployed for various operations during the celebrations to be courteous and firm in their engagements with members of the public. The Inspector-General of Police also felicitates with Nigerians as we commemorate our independence anniversary, noting that Nigerians are urged to reflect on the journey, triumphs and challenges that have shaped our nation, honoring the sacrifices of our founding fathers and the generations that have contributed to our nation’s growth, unity and progress. IGP Egbetokun reiterates that the Nigeria Police Force remains committed to safeguarding our nation’s security, ensuring peaceful coexistence, and upholding the rule of law. We are dedicated to serving our communities with integrity, compassion, and professionalism. As we move forward, let us rekindle our sense of national pride, foster unity, and work together towards a brighter future for all Nigerians. As we commemorate our journey to freedom and self-governance, let us remember our responsibilities to promote peace and respect for the rule of law.

NAFDAC Issues Warning To Nigerians About Fake Dettol Soap

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  NAFDAC has alerted Nigeria to the sale of a fake soap labeled as “Dettol Health Fresh Soap” in the market. According to the alert on NAFDAC’s website on Thursday, the manufacturer of Dettol Antiseptic products confirmed that the soap is fake as it does not have any product by the name “Dettol Health Fresh Soap.” “The Marketing Authorisation Holder and manufacturer (Reckitt Benckiser Nigeria Limited) of Dettol Antiseptic products, received a consumer complaint regarding the above-mentioned product. The product was reported to have caused skin irritation to the complainant. “The MAH has confirmed that the product is fake as they do not have any product by the name “Dettol Health Fresh Soap”. Dettol Antiseptic products are widely used in Nigeria for household disinfection and personal hygiene to prevent illnesses from germs (bacterial infection),” it said. It added that details of the complaint product were not provided by the complainant except for the name of the product “Dettol Health Fresh Soap.” The agency noted that the illegal marketing of NAFDAC-regulated products or fake products poses a risk to people’s health, and since they do not comply with the regulatory provisions, the products’ safety, quality, and efficacy are not guaranteed. It said all NAFDAC zonal directors and state coordinators have been directed to carry out surveillance and mop up the fake product if found within the zones and states. “Importers, distributors, retailers, healthcare professionals, caregivers, and consumers are advised to exercise caution and vigilance within the supply chain to avoid the importation, distribution, sale, and use of the fake product. All medical products must be obtained from authorized/licensed suppliers. The products’ authenticity and physical condition should be carefully checked. “Healthcare professionals and consumers are advised to report any suspicion of the sale of substandard and falsified medicines or medical products to the nearest NAFDAC office, NAFDAC on 0800-162-3322 or via email: sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng. “Similarly, healthcare professionals and patients are also encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of medicinal products or devices to the nearest NAFDAC office, or through the use of the E-reporting platforms available on the NAFDAC website www.nafdac.gov.ng or via the Med- safety application available for download on android and IOS stores or via e-mail on pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng”

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