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Despite New Travel Restrictions, US Embassy Says Visas Issued Before Jan 1, 2026 Remain Valid
Despite New Travel Restrictions, US Embassy Says Visas Issued Before Jan 1, 2026 Remain Valid
The United States Embassy in Nigeria has assured Nigerians that US visas issued before January 1, 2026, will remain valid, despite the introduction of new US travel restrictions affecting the country.
The clarification follows concerns raised after the US government placed Nigeria among 15 countries, mostly in Africa, under partial travel suspensions on December 16. Other affected countries include Angola, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon and The Gambia.
According to US authorities, the decision was driven by security concerns, citing the activities of radical Islamist terrorist groups, including Boko Haram and the Islamic State, in parts of Nigeria. The US government said these conditions pose “substantial screening and vetting difficulties.”
Visa overstay rates were also cited as a factor. US officials disclosed that Nigeria recorded a 5.56 per cent overstay rate for B-1/B-2 visas and 11.90 per cent for F, M and J visas.
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Under the new policy, the partial travel suspension affects both immigrant and non-immigrant visa categories commonly used by Nigerians. These include B-1 visas (business), B-2 visas (tourism), B-1/B-2 combined visas, F and M student visas, and J exchange visitor visas. The restrictions are scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026.
In a statement released on Monday, the US Embassy in Abuja explained that the proclamation does not apply to certain categories of travellers. Exemptions include dual nationals travelling with passports from unaffected countries, lawful permanent residents (green card holders), special immigrant visa (SIV) holders who worked for the US government, participants in major international sporting events, and some immigrant visas for ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution in Iran.
The embassy stressed that the restrictions apply only to foreign nationals who are outside the United States on the effective date and who do not hold a valid visa.
“No visas issued before January 1, 2026, at 12:01 a.m. EST, have been or will be revoked pursuant to the Proclamation,” the embassy said.
While affected applicants may still submit visa applications and attend interviews, the embassy cautioned that such applicants could be found ineligible for visa issuance or entry into the United States under the new rules.
Despite New Travel Restrictions, US Embassy Says Visas Issued Before Jan 1, 2026 Remain Valid
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Gunmen Attack Gebbe Community in Kebbi, Many Feared Dead
Gunmen Attack Gebbe Community in Kebbi, Many Feared Dead
Suspected gunmen have launched a deadly attack on Gebbe community in Shanga Local Government Area of Kebbi State, leaving an undisclosed number of people feared dead and several others injured.
Eyewitnesses said the assailants struck suddenly, firing sporadic gunshots that threw the community into panic, forcing residents to flee to neighbouring villages and nearby bushes for safety.
Local sources disclosed that the exact number of casualties could not be immediately ascertained due to the scale of the attack and the displacement of residents. The incident has reportedly left the community, which has not experienced such violence in years, in a state of shock and trauma.
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Confirming the incident, the Kebbi State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bashir Usman, said police operatives have been deployed to the area to assess the situation.
“The police are currently on ground to determine the number of casualties and injured persons. An official statement will be issued as soon as investigations are concluded,” he said.
Some residents, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that security agencies have mobilised to restore calm in the area.
Meanwhile, community members have appealed to the Kebbi State Government and security agencies to provide urgent intervention, describing the attack as unprecedented in the history of Gebbe community.
Gunmen Attack Gebbe Community in Kebbi, Many Feared Dead
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Three Killed, NSCDC Outpost Burnt in Katsina Youths–Police Clash
Three Killed, NSCDC Outpost Burnt in Katsina Youths–Police Clash
No fewer than three persons were killed and several others injured following violent clashes between youths and security operatives in Katsina metropolis, Katsina State.
The unrest reportedly began late on Friday, December 27, around 10:00 p.m., when police operatives raided suspected criminal hideouts in Sabuwar Unguwa Quarters in an attempt to arrest a suspected drug dealer identified as Uzairu, popularly known as Kuda.
According to the Katsina State Police Command, the suspect resisted arrest and raised an alarm that attracted suspected gang members, who attacked the officers in a bid to free him. During the ensuing struggle, a firearm was discharged, hitting Uzairu. He was rushed to the hospital, where he was later confirmed dead.
Tension escalated the following day during Uzairu’s funeral procession, as youths allegedly clashed again with security personnel at the graveyard. Two persons were reportedly hit by stray bullets during the confrontation.
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Police authorities confirmed that one of the victims died on arrival at the hospital, while the second is currently receiving treatment.
Amid the violence, the youths allegedly set ablaze a Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) outpost and attempted to burn a nearby police outpost before security reinforcements were deployed to the area.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Katsina State Command, DSP Abubakar Aliyu, said the clashes resulted in the death of two civilians, while another injured victim is responding to treatment.
DSP Aliyu explained that during the initial raid, the police team was attacked, an operational vehicle was damaged, and several officers sustained injuries. He added that one policeman was stabbed with a knife while suspects attempted to disarm him.
“During the struggle to secure the rifle, a shot was released, hitting and injuring the suspect, who later died in the hospital,” he said.
He further disclosed that on December 28, suspected miscreants hijacked the funeral procession, attacked security personnel, burned the NSCDC outpost, inflicted a deep machete wound on a policeman, and damaged a police patrol vehicle.
The police spokesperson said calm has been restored following the deployment of additional police and NSCDC personnel to the area.
DSP Aliyu added that the Commissioner of Police has ordered a thorough investigation into the incident and appealed to residents to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies.
Three Killed, NSCDC Outpost Burnt in Katsina Youths–Police Clash
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Two Killed, 16 Injured in Fuel Tanker Crash at Polo Roundabout in Jos
Two Killed, 16 Injured in Fuel Tanker Crash at Polo Roundabout in Jos
At least two persons were killed and 16 others injured following a fuel tanker crash in Jos, the Plateau State capital, on Sunday evening.
The accident occurred near the Polo Field Club Roundabout, close to St. Louis College, when a laden fuel tanker reportedly lost its brakes shortly after the Plateau State Specialist Hospital Roundabout and rammed into several vehicles.
Confirming the incident on Monday, the Public Education Officer of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Peter Longsan, said emergency responders swiftly arrived at the scene to prevent further casualties.
According to Longsan, 18 persons were involved in the crash. Two male adults died on the spot, while 16 injured victims were rushed to the Plateau State Specialist Hospital and Bingham University Teaching Hospital (BUTH) for medical treatment. The corpses of the deceased were deposited at BUTH.
He explained that the accident was reported to the FRSC at about 6:49pm on December 28, 2025, prompting immediate rescue operations by the FRSC in collaboration with other security and emergency agencies.
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To avert a possible fire outbreak, the area was cordoned off and traffic diverted, while security agencies prevented looting. Fortunately, Longsan said there was no spillage of petroleum products, significantly reducing the risk of explosion.
Agencies involved in the operation included the FRSC, Nigeria Police, Nigerian Army, Federal Fire Service, NSCDC, Operation Rainbow, Nigerian Red Cross Society, Vehicle Inspection Officers, and the Vigilante Group of Nigeria.
Following the rescue operation, the petroleum product was safely transloaded, damaged vehicles were removed, and the road was fully cleared, restoring traffic flow by Monday morning.
Commending the coordinated response, FRSC Plateau Sector Commander, Olajide E. Mogaji, praised stakeholders and community members for their cooperation and reiterated that road safety is a shared responsibility.
He urged motorists to drive cautiously, especially during the festive season, and advised the public to report emergencies using the FRSC emergency number 122.
Two Killed, 16 Injured in Fuel Tanker Crash at Polo Roundabout in Jos
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