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UK and Nigeria unveil three-year plan to combat immigration crime

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The United Kingdom and Nigeria have agreed on a new three-year strategic plan aimed at tackling organised immigration crime and strengthening border security cooperation.

The initiative, announced in a joint statement by the UK Home Office, was finalised during the state visit of Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the UK. The agreement was signed by UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and Nigeria’s Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, outlining a broad framework to combat visa fraud, improve border systems, and enhance legal cooperation.

Under the plan, Nigeria is expected to review its legal framework to impose stricter penalties on immigration-related crimes, particularly offences involving forged or fraudulent documents. Both countries also pledged to strengthen laws and enforcement mechanisms around visa processing and travel documentation.

A key part of the agreement is the expansion of the UK–Nigeria Organised Immigration Crime Unit, with new memoranda focused on intelligence sharing and joint operations. The UK will also provide training and capacity-building support for Nigerian border agencies.

The partnership places emphasis on protecting vulnerable migrants, especially women and children, while also improving research, document verification systems, and monitoring processes through the UK–Nigeria Migration, Justice and Home Affairs Dialogue.

Both governments described the deal as a reflection of a shared commitment to tackling transnational crime and improving migration management through closer collaboration. The agreement forms part of wider engagements during Tinubu’s visit, which has focused on strengthening diplomatic ties across security, migration, and economic development between the two countries.

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Eid al-Fitr: IG orders deployment of policemen to prayer grounds, recreation centres

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The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has ordered the nationwide deployment of tactical assets to ensure the safety and security of lives and property during the Eid-el-Fitr celebrations.

Disu also extended warm felicitations to Muslim faithful across Nigeria, congratulating them on the successful completion of the Ramadan fast and the joyous occasion of Eid-el-Fitr.

In a statement on Friday by the police spokesperson, Anthony Placid, the IG directed Commissioners of Police and Tactical Commanders across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to implement comprehensive security measures during the festive period.

The directive includes the strategic deployment of tactical teams and intelligence operatives, as well as the mobilisation of the Special Intervention Squad and conventional police personnel to Eid prayer grounds and other critical infrastructure.

“Operational measures include strategic deployment of tactical teams and intelligence operatives, deployment of the Special Intervention Squad and conventional police personnel to Eid prayer grounds and critical infrastructure, and increased presence at highways, motor parks, recreational centres, and other public spaces to ensure peaceful and hitch-free celebrations,” part of the statement read.

The Inspector-General further ordered heightened visibility policing, coordinated patrols, enhanced surveillance operations, and intelligence-led stop-and-search duties to proactively deter criminal activities and respond swiftly to any emerging threats.

Disu urged members of the public to remain vigilant, cooperate with law enforcement agencies, and promptly report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station or through designated emergency lines.

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PHOTOS: Akwa Ibom Govt hands over 44 trafficked Ghanaian nationals to home country

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The Akwa Ibom State Government has handed over 44 Ghana nationals rescued from human trafficking camps at Umo Ekpo, Ifuho community in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area and Ekpri Nsukara community in Uyo Local Government Area, to their home country.

Releasing the trafficked persons comprising 27 males and 17 females to an official of the Ghana High Commission, Mr Leslie Lawson, at the Department of State Security, DSS, operational office in Uyo, the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Princes Emem Ibanga, reiterated the determination of the State government to safeguarding lives and maintaining a secured environment.

“This successful operation is not an isolated achievement. It is a reflection of the deliberate and strategic commitment of the Governor, to safeguarding lives and maintaining a secure environment for all residents,” she said in a statement issued on Friday, March 20, 2026.

“Under his leadership, security has remained a top priority through: Strengthened collaboration with security agencies, ensuring intelligence sharing and rapid response to threats, continuous investment in security infrastructure and logistics to enhance operational effectiveness, community-based security engagement, empowering local communities to serve as the first line of defense; and a zero-tolerance on criminality, including human trafficking, kidnapping, and organized crime.”

Princess Ibanga explained that the victims were held in dire conditions after they were defrauded, coerced and lured into the State with a promise of a golden fleece in Europe.

She added that upon their rescue, the State government provided care and succour to the victims and initiated the process of their safe return to their country to reunite with their families.

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The Humanitarian Affairs Commissioner particularly commended the DSS and other Security Agencies for outsmarting the human trafficking syndicate and ensuring the release of the victims in their designated camps.

Recounting their ordeal, one of the victims Gideon Yeboah, said that he was defrauded of 30,000 Cedis and held hostage since February 25 at a camp at Ifuho community in Ikot Ekpene.

The Commissioner for Internal Security and Water ways, Brig. Gen. Koko Essien, rtd, expressing happiness for the successful rescue operation, warned that people should be vigilant and be wary of larger than life offers even from close persons.

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Blackouts: FG moves to resolve gas supply crisis

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The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has said Nigerians will soon begin to enjoy improved electricity supply as the Federal Government moves to resolve ongoing gas constraints affecting generation.

Adelabu made this known in his Eid-el-Fitr message on Thursday, where he noted that recent interventions by the government are beginning to address persistent gas supply challenges that have limited power generation across the country.

According to him, the government is implementing concrete measures to ensure a reliable supply for homes and businesses.

“Concrete measures are being implemented to ensure more reliable and sustainable electricity for homes, businesses, and industries. The reforms initiated by President Bola Tinubu are beginning to take root, and Nigerians will soon witness the full benefits,” he said.

The PUNCH recently reported that gas suppliers halted supply to thermal power plants over an estimated N3.3tn debt owed by power generation companies, a development that had deepened the nationwide power shortage.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Association of Power Generation Companies, Dr Joy Ogaji, disclosed this, warning that the mounting debt across the power value chain is pushing the sector toward a major crisis.

Her comments came amid worsening electricity supply across the country, with many Nigerians experiencing prolonged blackouts since the beginning of the year.

Data from the Nigerian Independent System Operator shows that power generation dropped below 4,000 megawatts in recent weeks, largely due to gas constraints affecting thermal power plants, making the reliable supply of electricity impossible across their franchise areas.

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The minister expressed optimism that ongoing efforts would translate into noticeable improvements in electricity supply in the near term, stressing that resolving gas constraints remains central to stabilising the power sector.

Electricity consumers, regardless of the supply bands they belong to, have continued to lament the situation, especially amid rising fuel prices and the severe heat.

Recently, NISO provided operational data illustrating the scale of the shortfall, noting that thermal power plants require an estimated 1,629.75 million standard cubic feet of gas per day to operate at optimal capacity. However, as of February 23, 2026, actual supply stood at about 692.00 mmscf per day—representing less than 43 per cent of the required volume.

Several power generation companies have repeatedly appealed to electricity consumers for patience, stating that the worsening gas constraints are beyond their control.

The situation has left many homes and businesses struggling with prolonged outages, raising fears that the electricity supply may deteriorate further if the financial impasse in the power sector is not urgently resolved.

He explained that the government’s broader reform agenda is designed to unlock efficiency across the electricity value chain, adding that sustained progress would depend on continued public support and alignment with policy direction.

However, Adelabu, in its message on Thursday, urged Nigerians to maintain patience and commitment, noting that the challenges currently being experienced are part of a transition towards a more reliable and sustainable power system.

“The challenges we face today are, without doubt, the building blocks of a more prosperous tomorrow,” he said.

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The minister further called on citizens to sustain the spirit of discipline and sacrifice cultivated during Ramadan, urging collective responsibility in supporting national development efforts.

He added that ongoing engagements by the president, including recent meetings in the United Kingdom, are expected to attract investment into critical sectors such as power, ultimately strengthening infrastructure and service delivery.

Adelabu emphasised that with continued reforms and cooperation, the government remains confident of delivering improved electricity supply to Nigerians in line with its development objectives.

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