Nigerians

By Anas Abbas

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reassured Nigerians living in Libya of its unwavering commitment to their safety and welfare, particularly in light of recent tensions following a ruling by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) against the Libyan Football Association.

Reports have emerged indicating that some Nigerians in Libya faced harassment from local authorities after CAF’s decision, which criticized the Libyan FA for mistreatment of the Nigerian football team and officials during a Nations Cup Qualifying Match.

In a statement released on Sunday by spokesperson Ambassador Eche Abu-Obe, the Ministry confirmed that Nigerians currently residing in Libya are safe and able to carry out their daily activities without interference.

The Ministry emphasized its proactive stance in monitoring the situation and reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting its citizens abroad. “The well-being of Nigerian citizens anywhere in the world is a top priority for the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and we will continue to take all necessary measures to ensure their safety,” the statement read.

As of now, the Ministry assures that Nigerians in Libya are not experiencing any form of harassment from local authorities, reinforcing the government’s dedication to their security amidst ongoing diplomatic developments.

By Uzair Adam

Four Nigerians have been sentenced to a combined total of 13 years in prison in the UK for their involvement in forging over 2,000 marriage certificates, which allowed people to live in the UK illegally.

Abraham Alade Olarotimi Onifade, Abayomi Aderinsoye Shodipo, Nosimot Mojisola Gbadamosi, and Adekunle Kabir were found guilty after a hearing at Woolwich Crown Court in London on Tuesday.

The individuals were accused of making fraudulent EU Settlement Scheme applications between March 2019 and May 2023.

They provided false Nigerian Customary Marriage Certificates and other fraudulent documents to help Nigerian nationals remain in the UK.

An investigation by Home Office Criminal and Financial Investigators, in collaboration with Home Office International Operations based in Lagos, uncovered over 2,000 forged marriage documents.

Paul Moran, Chief Immigration Officer at the Home Office, emphasized the group’s significant abuse of UK immigration laws, noting their sole motive was financial gain.

Onifade and Shodipo were both convicted of conspiracy to facilitate illegal immigration and conspiracy to provide articles used in fraud.

Kabir was found guilty of possessing an identity document with improper intention but acquitted of obtaining leave to remain by deception.

Gbadamosi was convicted of obtaining leave to remain by deception and fraud by false representation.

Moran stated that the convictions serve as a warning to other gangs exploiting vulnerable individuals for financial gain and reiterated the UK’s commitment to securing its borders and stopping such illegal activities.

By Muhammad Sabiu

The United Arab Emirates has declared thirty-eight individuals wanted, of which six are Nigerian citizens.

The declaration is in connection to allegations of involvement in terrorism and related activities, which had the names of the individuals included on the country’s terror designation list.

A foreign news platform, Al Arabiya, reports, “The decision, WAM stated, comes within the framework of the UAE’s efforts to target and disrupt networks associated with the financing of terrorism and its associated activities.”

Other individuals on the UAE’s terror list are from Iran, Iraq, India, Russia, Jordan, Britain and others.

According to the Daily Trust newspaper, the six Nigerians are Abdurrahaman Ado Musa, Salihu Yusuf Adamu, Bashir Ali Yusuf, Muhammed Ibrahim Isa, Ibrahim Ali Alhassan and Surajo Abubakar Muhammad.