Kidnappers on the rampage in Lagos, Ondo, Ogun - Newstrends
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Kidnappers on the rampage in Lagos, Ondo, Ogun

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The spate of kidnapping in the last three months across the South-West is becoming worrisome despite the advent of the Western Security Network codenamed Amotekun by the South-West governors.

Though kidnap cases have been on the increase, Amotekun, in collaboration with the police, Department of State Service, DSS and other security agencies, have worked round the clock to rescue victims from kidnappers’ dens.

In Ondo State, there have been countless abductions over the last three months. While some victims were rescued alive, others died at the hands of their captors.

Unfortunately, in one of the abductions, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, who was abducted by bandits, Mr. Bamidele Emmanuel Isibor, was shot dead.

Isibor, 62, a father of five was a member of the state executive committee of the party. He was attacked in the company of three others on their way from Imoru to Ifon, the headquarters of Ose Council Area of the state.

They were heading back to Ifon after a church programme when five armed men attacked them.

The late party chieftain died of gunshot wounds.

Also, 13 passengers on transit from Abuja en route to Lagos were abducted by 10 gunmen at a bad portion of the Ifira-Akoko highway in Akoko South-East area of Ondo State at about 6:30 pm.

Although, Amotekun claimed it rescued the victims but it was gathered that the bandits took three of the victims away including two women and a man.

They immediately sent words to the family of one of the victims requesting for N10 million ransom before she could be released.

The father of one of the victims, Ojo Fajana said: “The kidnappers demanded N10 million and they were given rigid instructions. Something went out of my pocket.”

Another case was the kidnap of a 14-year-old JSS 2 student, Felix Adekunle of Furaben International College Owo, in Owo Council Area of the state, who was kidnapped while hawking slippers after school hours and a 12-year-old groundnut seller, Abibat Saani in Ofosu, Ore in Odigbo Council Area of the state.

Their parents reportedly parted with an undisclosed amount of money as ransom before they were released.

Similarly, last weekend, gunmen abducted a university lecturer, Mayowa David Adinlewa and demanded N10 million ransom.

Adinlewa, who is of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba, Akoko, AAUA, was abducted along bad Akure-Ikere Ekiti road.

The victim’s brother, Toyin confirmed that the kidnappers opened a line of communication with the family and demanded N10 million ransom.

Within the week, a family of four on a religious trip was again abducted at Iju-Itagbolu in Akure North Council Area of the state.

The family, including the father, his two children and another family member were abducted while on transit from Ado Ekiti, Ekiti state to attend a religious programme in Akure, the Ondo State capital. Three other passengers in the vehicle escaped.

Findings by Vanguard indicated that relations and family members of victims may have parted with almost N10 million as ransom to kidnappers within the last three months in the state.

When contacted, the state commander of Amotekun, Chief Adetunji Adeleye said that the security outfit was working in synergy with the DSS and Police to rid the state of criminal elements.

Adeleye, who noted that the state security network agency would make the state uncomfortable for criminals and make it crime-free, said they have foiled 35 kidnap cases.

He said: “We have arrested no fewer than 400 suspected criminals in the ongoing Operation Clean up across the state.

“We started from the state capital and combed all the black spots and made over 400 arrests before we headed to the local government areas and concentrated on the Northern Senatorial District where we embarked on 24 hours patrol.

“We engaged the services of local hunters and vigilante to join our men and patrol the forest. Substantially, we were also able to drive out the bad guys in recent times. You will find out that most of the kidnap cases you get nowadays are at the border.

“We have put out searchlight and we have mapped out security strategies to checkmate the activities of those bad people. But we are checking them.

“We want to ensure that all persons travelling along the highways, major roads, remote areas, hinterland, forests, inland waterways, and sea are free to carry out their normal social and economic activities without fear or hindrance.”

 

We’re not aware of the demand, payment of ransom —Police

 

Also reacting, the state Police Command spokesperson, Funmilayo Odunlami said the Command’s anti-kidnapping unit was on top of the situation.

 

Odunlami said that several suspected kidnappers have been arrested and charged to court.

 

On payment of ransom by victims, Odunlami said: “I don’t know anything about the ransom demand.”

 

Retired AVM, 4 others abducted in Lagos

 

It is the same story as there seems to be a resurgence in kidnapping in Lagos, following the abduction of five persons, including Air Vice-Marshal Sikiru Smith, retd, in two days.

 

Vanguard gathered that retired AVM Smith was abducted at about 6 pm on Monday, September 27, 2021, at a site near Blenco Mall on Addo Road, Ajah area of Lagos.

 

The gunmen, who were hooded, announced their presence with sporadic gunshots before abducting him.

 

He was said to have put up some resistance, demanding to know who the intruders were but were overpowered and dragged into the kidnappers’ speedboat.

 

Eyewitnesses said the gunmen released some shots into the air to scare people, thus causing a  stampede among passers-by who scampered in different directions to avoid being hit by stray bullets.

 

While the operation lasted, his driver, Corporal Odiji, was absent, as he was said to have gone on an errand for his boss.

 

RCCG pastor, wife, others abducted

 

Aside from the retired Air Chief, other persons also fell victim to kidnapping in Lagos, including a pastor with the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, and his wife. The kidnappers intercepted their vehicle at Dopemu, Agege area of Lagos, on their way home.

 

The kidnappers, it was gathered, fired some shots into the air, dragged the couple’s driver out of the car and forced him into one of their operational cars.

 

His wife has been released by the gunmen after an unspecified amount was paid as ransom.

 

The abductors were said to have demanded N50 million for her husband’s release.

 

In another attack, a man with an unknown identity was kidnapped by hooded gunmen on Admiralty Way, Lekki Phase 1, 24 hours earlier, another Pastor, Kingsley Ogbuagu, was also kidnapped by unknown gunmen near Catholic Church of the Visitation, Festac Town, last Sunday.

 

Ogbuagu had parked his car and was about to enter the church when three masked gunmen dragged and bundled him into a waiting Lexus SUV and drove off.

 

Vanguard learned that the Lekki-Ajah axis is prone to kidnap attacks, some of which the Police have botched.

 

Vanguard also gathered that the kidnappers pose as private taxi drivers, only to take their unsuspecting passengers to unknown destinations.

 

13 people kidnapped in Ogun

 

In Ogun State, no fewer than 13 persons were kidnapped by suspected gunmen between July and September 2021, while about 12 kidnappers were arrested during the period under review by the state command of the Nigeria Police. Also, one policeman lost his life in one of the operations, while three kidnappers were killed during a gun duel with the police.

 

Analysis of series of kidnappings in the state within the three months under review showed that a retired lecturer of Federal Polytechnic, Offa, Kwara State, Fasasi Olanigan, was kidnapped while travelling from Abeokuta to Imasai in Yewa North Local Government Area of the state.

 

In August, a Swiss national and his Nigerian driver were abducted after a gunfight between the victim’s police escort and unknown attackers, while coming from a farm on the Ibese-Itori road.

 

Also, the 25-year-old son of a former National Secretary of the Nigerian Medical Association, Adewunmi Alayaki; Ademola Alayaki was kidnapped at his father’s farm in Isaga Orile, Abeokuta North Local Government Area of the state and demanded N20 million ransom before freeing Ademola.

 

In September, an eight-month pregnant woman and two others were kidnapped along Igbo-Ora-Sokoto road in Abeokuta North Local Government Area of the state and demanded a ransom of N30 million. Also, three workers of Obasanjo Holdings in Kobape, Obafemi/Owode Local Government were kidnapped by unknown gunmen around Seseri village.

 

The abductees were the company’s Financial Controller, the Group Auditor and the Group Store Manager.

The Police, however, made headway as men of the State Command of the Nigeria Police arrested 10 suspected kidnappers.

While five of the kidnappers were arrested in Ogere-Remo while trying to collect N3.5m ransom for an eight-year-old boy, Sadiq Abass, they had kidnapped, others were arrested in different locations in the state.

No cause to fear—Ogun Amotekun boss

Reacting to the series of kidnappings in the state, Ogun State Commander of Amotekun Corps, Mr. David Ajibola Akinremi, has said that the corps was established to serve the people of the state

 

Akinremi said: “Amotekun has always been collaborating with other security agencies in the state to ensure the security of lives and property, especially when issues like kidnapping occur. I want to assure our people that they have no cause to fear. The governor had given a mandate and we are ready to ensure the actualisation of that mandate. That is to say, we assure of protection of lives and property for everybody living in the state.

“There is no security without human beings and no human beings without security. It is a symbiotic relationship. The work of security agencies at whatever level cannot be done without the support of the people.

“That is why we want to build a people-oriented organisation.

“As we all know, security is everybody’s business and we must all join hands to ensure a safe environment. They should collaborate with us.”

In Osun State, there was no incident of kidnapping reported in the last three months.

The Amotekun Corps Commandant in Osun State, Brig. Gen. Bashir Adewinmbi (retd), said this is largely due to surveillance and past successes in tackling kidnapping in the state.

 

Adewinmbi said: “Presently, there is no case of kidnapping reported so far. I believe, to a large extent, it was due to past successes security agencies achieved in rescuing victims of kidnap in the state.

 

“Amotekun is not doing this alone, we work with other security operatives and local hunters in areas where such incidents occurred to trail suspects and in most cases, rescue victims.

“More importantly, recently at the inauguration of Amotekun Corps in the state, Governor Adegboyega Oyetola also announced the engagement of vigilante groups on intelligence gathering to forestall any form of criminality.’

Vanguard News Nigeria

 

 

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Why men should marry a second wife after 25 years — Morayo Afolabi-Brown’s husband

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Why men should marry a second wife after 25 years — Morayo Afolabi-Brown’s husband

Why men should marry a second wife after 25 years — Morayo Afolabi-Brown’s husband

Nigerian lawyer and businessman Olufemi (Femi) Afolabi-Brown has sparked widespread reactions after explaining why he believes men who intend to practise polygamy should wait about 25 years after marrying their first wife before taking a second spouse.

Afolabi-Brown, who is married to media personality Morayo Afolabi-Brown, shared his views during an episode of The Brown Couch Podcast, where he discussed marriage, family dynamics and what he considers the ideal structure for a successful polygamous home.

According to him, one of the major causes of rivalry in polygamous families is marrying another wife too soon after the first. He argued that spacing the marriages by about 25 years would create a generational gap between the children, thereby reducing competition and conflict within the family.

He explained that a man who marries his first wife at the age of 25 should ideally wait until around the age of 50 before taking a second wife.

“Your first wife ought to be a lot older than your second wife. You can marry your second partner at age 50 if you first marry one at age 25.

“So the first child’s children become like the older brothers, uncles and aunts to the younger ones. They are not of the same generation, so there will never be rivalry between them,” he said.

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The businessman maintained that when children from different wives belong to separate generations, they are more likely to see one another as extended family rather than direct competitors for attention, inheritance or parental affection.

Afolabi-Brown further argued that taking another wife only a few years into a marriage often creates unnecessary tension that can destabilise the home.

“If you marry your first wife in the first year of your marriage and then marry your second wife in the third year, your home will be the centre of chaos. You cannot escape it,” he said.

He also stressed that couples should first establish a shared purpose before considering polygamy, saying such alignment often takes several years to achieve.

According to him, many marriages require at least a decade for both partners to fully align their vision, values and long-term goals.

“Before a husband and wife can consolidate in purpose, it may take 10 years.

“Once they identify that purpose and both of them have keyed into it, if the man goes to marry a second wife because of the purpose, the first wife will overlook it,” he added.

The comments have generated mixed reactions on social media, with some Nigerians agreeing that a wider age gap between wives and children could minimise rivalry in polygamous homes, while others argued that harmony in marriage depends more on mutual respect, fairness, communication and responsible leadership than the timing of additional marriages.

In Nigeria, polygamy is recognised under customary and Islamic law but is not permitted under statutory marriages conducted under the Marriage Act. Family experts have consistently maintained that successful polygamous families rely on trust, financial responsibility, effective communication and equitable treatment of spouses and children.

The remarks have also reignited conversations about modern marriage, family values and the realities of polygamous marriages in contemporary Nigerian society.

Why men should marry a second wife after 25 years — Morayo Afolabi-Brown’s husband

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Nnamdi Kanu Accused of Recruiting Igbo Youths from Prison to Fuel Violence – Uwazuruike

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Nnamdi Kanu Accused of Recruiting Igbo Youths from Prison to Fuel Violence – Uwazuruike
Founder of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Chief Ralph Uwazuruike

Nnamdi Kanu Accused of Recruiting Igbo Youths from Prison to Fuel Violence – Uwazuruike

Founder of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, has leveled a heavy accusation against the incarcerated leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, claiming he is directing deadly violent activities from his prison cell. Uwazuruike alleged that Kanu, who is serving a life sentence for terrorism at the Sokoto Custodial Centre, has continued to actively recruit impressionable Igbo youths from inside the facility, and that this ongoing recruitment pipeline directly drives the rising body count of young people across the Southeast region. The MASSOB founder, who has consistently advocated for a non-violent approach to the Biafran agitation, expressed deep concern that young men are being deceived into violence that ultimately costs them their lives.

In a widely circulated video broadcast on YouTube, the MASSOB founder expressed deep worry over the situation. He urgently appealed to prominent Southeastern leaders and the leadership of the apex pan-Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, to intervene immediately. He urged them to form a high-powered delegation to travel to the Sokoto prison facility to confront Kanu with a strict warning to stop pulling young men into fatal operations. Uwazuruike emphasized that the time for silence had passed and that Igbo leaders must take a stand against the continued loss of youth to a violent struggle that he believes is being orchestrated from behind prison walls.

Expressing his frustration, Uwazuruike said: “I hate violence, and anyone who knows me will agree that I do not have anything to do with violence. How can someone who was sentenced to prison remain there and be recruiting our youth to go into violence? He has been sentenced, he should remain in prison and serve his jail term in peace and not recruiting more people into violence. Everyday, our young men are killed because they are being deceived into engaging in violence by Nnamdi Kanu, who is recruiting them from prison.” His emotional appeal highlighted the growing frustration among some separatist veterans who feel that the movement has been hijacked by violent elements that are leading young people to their deaths without any clear path to victory.

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He further pushed for a paradigm shift toward peace and rehabilitation, drawing a sharp contrast with how the federal government handles armed actors in northern parts of the country. “In the north, we hear things like repentant terrorists and bandits, and federal government spend money to reintegrate them into society, so why can’t we have repentant IPOB members here? Why can’t the people who have been in violence renounce it and come out and seek amnesty, so that the federal government can rehabilitate them?” Uwazuruike lamented. He questioned why young Igbo men must be initiated deeper into violence instead of being given the opportunity to embrace amnesty and reintegration, as is being done with repentant terrorists and bandits in other parts of Nigeria.

The strong remarks from the MASSOB pioneer follow an increase in alarming video clips emerging on various social media platforms. These videos feature numerous masked, armed individuals asserting their allegiance to Kanu and identifying themselves as functional wings of IPOB. Filmed deep within thick forests and unidentified locations across the region, the militants can be heard chanting solidarity anthems for Kanu while threatening a massive wave of armed unrest in the Southeast if the federal authorities fail to release him. The emergence of these videos has heightened concerns about the militarization of the separatist movement and the potential for large-scale violence in the region.

Tensions within the separatist movement have been boiling over for some time. Reports indicate that Kanu recently issued directives from detention to dissolve the powerful Directorate of State (DOS), which had long served as the administrative core of IPOB. Alongside stripping his closest confidants and allies of their administrative powers, Kanu reportedly initiated a new governance structure. He is also alleged to have launched a recruitment drive for 100 individuals under a secretive initiative tagged the “100-man-project,” though the definitive operational mandate and duties of these specific recruits remain highly ambiguous. The restructuring has created confusion and division within the movement, with some members loyal to Kanu and others opposing what they view as overreach from a detained leader.

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In a significant development that has thrown the separatist movement into deeper turmoil, the proscribed IPOB announced the indefinite suspension of the Office of its Leader, Nnamdi Kanu, and the position of the Director of Radio Biafra. The decision followed a full-house meeting of the IPOB Directorate on June 17, 2026, where the leadership reviewed intelligence reports concerning communications from Nnamdi Kanu within Sokoto prison. The leadership organ clarified that IPOB was “formed and nurtured by a group of Biafrans in the Diaspora (not by any singular individual)” and emphasized that no single individual has the authority to dissolve the Directorate of State, which remains the apex leadership structure. This marked a dramatic escalation in the internal power struggle within IPOB.

The group stated that it acted after becoming “mindful that certain unguarded communications from Sokoto prison to those in Biafraland has caused unnecessary arrests and death of IPOB family members.” The leadership expressed concern that Kanu’s communications were being intercepted by security agencies and were leading to the targeting and killing of IPOB members. The statement noted that the suspension will “prevent unchecked actions, reckless assumption of authority and unguarded utterances from resulting in the reckless arrests, torture and needless death of Biafran youths.” It declared that any criminal activity carried out in the name of the suspended office will no longer be blamed on the group, adding that “IPOB shall hence forward not be held accountable for actions of individuals or group of Individuals not holding any active position within IPOB.”

In a counter move, Nnamdi Kanu has rejected the suspension, declaring that the dissolution of the 3rd Administration is constitutionally valid and binding on all IPOB structures worldwide. Through his spokesperson, Emma Powerful, Kanu insisted that the power to appoint, suspend, or dismiss principal officers vests exclusively in the leader of IPOB, citing the group’s Code of Conduct. The statement emphasized that “the same authority that appoints possesses the authority to remove.” Kanu further argued that none of the members of the dissolved 3rd Administration are founding members of IPOB, and they occupied their offices solely by virtue of appointments made under his authority, which he maintains gives him the sole power to remove them.

The IPOB leader has inaugurated a 4th Administration of the DOS, appointing US-based Mazi Chris Nwaogu as the new Head of the Directorate, while the Chika Edoziem-led faction insists its suspension of Kanu is valid. The conflicting claims have deepened the leadership dispute within IPOB, with both factions asserting legitimacy and authority over the organisation’s affairs. This internal rift has significantly weakened the separatist movement and raised questions about its future direction and cohesion.

The IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, was convicted on all seven charges he faced on November 19, 2025, including terrorism, treason, and involvement with an outlawed movement. Justice James Omotosho sentenced him to life imprisonment on multiple counts, with the sentences to run concurrently effective from November 20, 2025. The judge noted that Kanu had made a series of broadcasts to incite violence and killings as part of his campaign for a separate Biafran state. The decision to relocate him to the Sokoto Custodial Centre has also attracted criticism from Igbo leaders and youth groups who have expressed concern over his safety in the volatile region.

Nnamdi Kanu Accused of Recruiting Igbo Youths from Prison to Fuel Violence – Uwazuruike

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DSS Arrests Seven Boko Haram, ISWAP Commanders Returning from Hajj

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DSS Arrests Seven Boko Haram, ISWAP Commanders Returning from Hajj

DSS Arrests Seven Boko Haram, ISWAP Commanders Returning from Hajj

Nigeria’s security operatives have arrested seven suspected senior commanders of Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) after they returned from the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, in what officials have described as a major counter-terrorism breakthrough. The suspects were apprehended last Thursday at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua International Airport in Katsina State shortly after landing from Mecca, and were immediately transferred to the Department of State Services (DSS) for interrogation and further investigation. The arrest operation, which unfolded at the airport’s arrival terminal, has been hailed as a significant victory in Nigeria’s ongoing battle against terrorism and a testament to the effectiveness of the government’s new digital identity integration system.

Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, disclosed the development on Friday shortly after President Bola Tinubu signed the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act, 2026, into law at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. According to the minister, the arrests highlight the impact of the Federal Government’s ongoing reforms in identity management and national security coordination. He emphasized that the success of the operation demonstrates how technology and inter-agency collaboration can be leveraged to enhance national security and protect citizens from terrorist threats. Tunji-Ojo explained that the country previously operated a weak and disconnected data system, making intelligence gathering and threat detection difficult across multiple agencies. “We inherited a fragmented identity management system where government databases operated independently. Today, our immigration database is fully integrated with NIMC and linked to Interpol’s 24-hour security network,” he stated. He recalled that the Senate President had previously raised alarm over how terrorists managed to go on pilgrimage, questioning how they crossed Nigeria’s borders without detection.

Giving more details on the operation, the minister said, “I’m happy to tell you that even last week, Thursday, seven of the known commanders of Boko Haram and ISWAP, at the point of coming back from Mecca, were arrested in Katsina at the airport and were handed over to the DSS.” He attributed the success to the integration of the NIMC database with the Nigeria Immigration Service and international security platforms, noting that “this is only possible because NIMC’s ID is already connected with the immigration database, and it’s already speaking to even the Interpol 24/7, and we have been able to automate this.” The minister’s comments underscore the transformative impact of digital identity reforms on Nigeria’s security architecture, suggesting that similar arrests could become more frequent as the system becomes more entrenched.

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The minister did not disclose the identities of the suspects, whether they had been on security watchlists before travelling to Saudi Arabia, how they obtained travel clearance, or whether they have been formally charged. He also did not indicate whether the suspects travelled independently or received sponsorship for the pilgrimage. The announcement has raised fresh questions about how suspected Boko Haram and ISWAP commanders were able to obtain travel documents and leave Nigeria undetected before eventually being intercepted on their return. These unanswered questions have sparked calls for greater transparency from security agencies and a thorough investigation into how the suspects managed to navigate Nigeria’s border controls in the first instance.

The revelation comes days after allegations circulated that the Katsina State Government sponsored Hajj pilgrimages for some bandit leaders. The Katsina State Government has denied the allegations, describing them as false, baseless, and politically motivated. In a statement, the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasir Mua’zu, said the allegation was “entirely baseless, unfounded and devoid of any factual basis,” adding that it was a deliberate attempt to mislead the public and undermine ongoing efforts to tackle insecurity in the state. The minister did not suggest that the seven suspects were among any government-sponsored pilgrims, nor did he link their arrests to the allegations against the Katsina State Government. However, the timing of the arrests has fueled public speculation and drawn attention to the broader challenges of monitoring pilgrimages and preventing terrorists from exploiting religious travel.

President Tinubu signed the NIMC Act, 2026, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja in the presence of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu, Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi, NIMC Director-General Abisoye Coker-Odusote, House Leader Julius Ihonvbere, and other senior government officials. Tunji-Ojo described the new legislation as a significant reform aimed at strengthening the harmonisation of Nigeria’s identity management systems, improving the integrity of the National Identification Number (NIN) system, and enhancing collaboration among security and intelligence agencies. He noted that the Act provides a legal framework that will accelerate the integration of databases and ensure that no Nigerian citizen can obtain official documents without proper verification through the NIMC system.

The newly signed law is expected to play a major role in strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture by accelerating the harmonisation of identity databases and improving cooperation among security and government agencies. Government officials say the legislation is designed to eliminate long-standing gaps in Nigeria’s identity management system. The law is also expected to strengthen the integrity of the NIN, improve data sharing, and enhance the tracking of criminal activities including terrorism financing, identity fraud, cybercrime, and cross-border offences. Officials believe that the Act will serve as a deterrent to criminals and terrorists who have historically exploited weaknesses in the country’s identity verification processes.

The minister further explained that the integration has also improved the passport application process, noting that no Nigerian passport can now be issued without proper identity verification through the NIMC database. “When Mr President came on board, we had a disconnected system within our identity data management system. At that time, getting a passport and getting a driving permit were completely disconnected from our identity database. But today, you can’t get a Nigerian passport without pulling data from NIMC,” he stated. This reform has not only enhanced national security but has also reduced instances of identity fraud and document forgery, which were previously rampant under the disconnected system.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Senate President Akpabio welcomed the presidential assent, describing the legislation as a reflection of the National Assembly’s commitment to enacting laws that address Nigeria’s changing security and development needs. He said the Act would strengthen public confidence in the country’s identity management framework and aligns with President Tinubu’s reform agenda. Similarly, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu described the legislation as a transformative reform that would improve governance, promote accountability and support national development through a credible identity management system, noting that the previous NIMC Act of 2007 had become outdated and ill-suited to the demands of a digital age.

NIMC Director-General Abisoye Coker-Odusote said the Act represents a significant step towards building a trusted and inclusive digital identity ecosystem, reinforcing the National Identification Number as the cornerstone of identity verification in Nigeria while introducing reforms that will strengthen the country’s digital public infrastructure and improve access to government and private-sector services. The development comes as the Federal Government intensifies efforts to strengthen national security, improve border surveillance, and curb the movement of terror-linked individuals across the country. Security analysts have welcomed the arrests as a positive development, but many have also cautioned that technology alone cannot solve Nigeria’s security challenges without sustained investment in intelligence gathering, community policing, and addressing the root causes of extremism.

DSS Arrests Seven Boko Haram, ISWAP Commanders Returning from Hajj

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