75 Nigerians Lose Over ₦100m in Alleged Canada Visa Scam

No fewer than 75 Nigerians have reportedly lost more than ₦100 million to an alleged Canada visa scam, after being promised relocation, employment, and caregiver opportunities in Canada by suspected fraudulent agents.

The victims, driven by hopes of securing a better life abroad, reportedly paid between ₦3 million and ₦12 million each for what they believed was a fast-tracked Canadian work visa and caregiver job placement programme.

Many of them said they sold personal property, rented out their apartments, resigned from their jobs, and borrowed money to raise the required funds demanded by the alleged facilitators of the scheme.

One of the victims, identified as Mr. Promise, allegedly paid ₦11 million and even resigned from his job after being assured that his Canada visa processing had reached an advanced stage.

Sources close to him said he also convinced his younger brother to join the programme, describing it as a “golden opportunity” to relocate abroad.

A family source said the development has left him financially devastated. According to the source, the victim now struggles to provide for his family and has been forced to shuttle between Port Harcourt and his village in search of means of survival. The source added that the victim is currently battling health challenges linked to the emotional and financial stress caused by the loss of his money.

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At the centre of the controversy is Dr. Nekebari Nathan Dambere, a self-acclaimed travel trainer and medical doctor who was previously arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Port Harcourt over an alleged ₦39.1 million visa fraud case.

The anti-graft agency accused him of involvement in a fraudulent Canada visa arrangement, although the matter remains subject to legal proceedings.

When contacted for clarification, Dambere admitted that he is not a licensed travel agent but rather a travel trainer who sometimes connects clients with intermediaries handling immigration processing.

According to him, payments made through him by individuals seeking relocation opportunities amount to about ₦100 million. He explained that the funds were transferred to various middlemen both within Nigeria and outside the country who claimed they could facilitate Canadian visas and job placements.

Dambere said the agents involved have begun discussions about refunding the money in instalments, although he did not provide a specific timeframe for when the refunds would be completed.

He appealed for patience from victims, noting that both the EFCC and the Nigeria Police are working to help recover the funds from the intermediaries involved.

Dambere’s lawyer, Barrister Stanley Princewill, said his client had already started refunding some of the money before the matter was escalated to anti-graft authorities.

According to the lawyer, the situation became complicated after some victims reported the case to the EFCC, which resulted in the suspect’s arrest and legal proceedings. He urged the victims to cooperate with efforts aimed at recovering the funds rather than escalating tensions.

Princewill also maintained that Dambere primarily trains caregivers and assists them with job opportunities abroad, particularly in Canada and other countries.

However, several victims disputed that claim, alleging that after realising he could not deliver the promised visas, the suspect deleted the WhatsApp group created for the applicants and opened another group to recruit new participants.

They claimed that about 75 individuals paid millions of naira each for the supposed Canadian immigration and caregiver job programme, but none has received the promised visa or employment.

Angered by the situation, the victims have now come together to pursue legal action to recover their funds.

They have submitted a petition to the Nigeria Police, Rivers State Command, calling for a thorough investigation into the alleged Canada visa fraud and demanding that the suspect refund their money as quickly as possible.

Some victims who spoke anonymously expressed doubts about whether they would ever recover their funds.

One victim said the prolonged delay has shattered their trust in the entire process, stressing that what they want now is simply a refund rather than the promised visa or documentation.

Another victim explained that many of them sold property, rented out their houses, and borrowed money from friends and relatives to raise the required payment.

They also alleged that the suspect has been largely out of public view since last year, making it difficult for victims to determine how or when their funds will be returned.

When contacted for an official reaction, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Rivers State Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, said she needed time to verify details of the case before issuing an official statement.

The incident highlights the rising cases of fake visa agents and immigration scams targeting Nigerians seeking opportunities abroad, especially those pursuing caregiver and healthcare jobs in Canada.

Experts have repeatedly advised prospective migrants to verify immigration consultants and process applications through official government channels to avoid falling victim to fraudulent schemes.

75 Nigerians Lose Over ₦100m in Alleged Canada Visa Scam

MURIC Briefs Public on Latest Development in UI–ISI Hijab Appeal

The Oyo State chapter of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has updated the public on the latest development in the ongoing appeal over the controversial hijab dispute involving the University of Ibadan and the International School Ibadan.

In a statement issued on Friday, the organisation said proceedings took place at the Court of Appeal on March 6, 2026, where the appellants — the University of Ibadan, International School Ibadan and three other parties — moved an application seeking an extension of time to compile and transmit the record of appeal in the case.

According to MURIC, the application, which was dated and filed on November 11, 2024, requested the court to grant an enlargement of time for the appellants to complete the process and also asked that the already compiled record be deemed as properly compiled and transmitted.

The court, after listening to submissions from counsel, granted the application as requested.

Following the ruling, the appellate court issued directives for the filing of briefs by the parties involved in the case.

The appellants were ordered to file their brief of argument within seven days, while the respondents are expected to file their brief within fourteen days after being served with the appellants’ brief. The appellants were also given an additional seven days to file a reply brief, if necessary, after receiving the respondents’ brief.

The court subsequently adjourned the matter to April 29, 2026, for the hearing of the appeal.

MURIC further disclosed that eleven other related appeals connected to the hijab controversy had earlier been adjourned to the same date, meaning all the cases are expected to be heard together.

The legal team representing MURIC in the matter is led by Barrister Yusuf Anikulapo, who was present in court during the proceedings.

Reiterating its position, the organisation stated that it remains committed to pursuing justice and defending what it described as the fundamental rights of Muslim students to practice their religion freely, including the right to wear the hijab in schools.

MURIC therefore urged members of the Muslim community and the public to remain calm, prayerful and supportive as the legal process continues.

The statement was signed by Mallam Ibrahim Agunbiade, General Secretary of MURIC, Oyo State Chapter.

MURIC Briefs Public on Latest Development in UI–ISI Hijab Appeal

Power Generation Drops Below 4,000MW, Worsening Electricity Supply Across Nigeria

Electricity supply across Nigeria has worsened following a significant drop in power generation on the national grid, raising concerns among consumers and industry stakeholders over the stability of the country’s power sector.

Data from the Transmission Company of Nigeria indicates that generation recently fell to below 4,000 megawatts (MW), largely due to disruptions in gas supply to several thermal power plants that depend on gas to operate.

The development has resulted in reduced electricity allocation to distribution companies (DisCos), leading to extended outages and unstable power supply in many parts of the country.

Officials in the power sector explained that most of Nigeria’s power plants are gas-fired, making the system highly vulnerable to fluctuations in gas availability. When supply is interrupted, generation capacity drops sharply, placing pressure on the national grid.

Industry observers say the situation may lead to wider blackouts if urgent measures are not taken to stabilise fuel supply to generating stations.

The Transmission Company of Nigeria, which manages the national grid, has not announced a system-wide collapse but acknowledged ongoing operational challenges affecting power distribution.

Nigeria’s electricity grid has suffered repeated disruptions in recent years. Experts note that aging infrastructure, inadequate gas supply, and limited investment in generation and transmission capacity remain key factors contributing to persistent power shortages.

Consumers across several states have reported prolonged outages since the drop in generation, with businesses warning that unreliable electricity continues to increase the cost of operations as many rely on alternative power sources such as generators.

Energy analysts have called on the federal government and stakeholders in the power sector to accelerate reforms, improve gas supply security, and invest in renewable and alternative energy sources to reduce the country’s dependence on gas-powered plants.

Nigeria currently has an installed generation capacity of over 12,000MW, but actual output delivered to the grid typically ranges between 3,000MW and 5,000MW due to operational constraints.

Power Generation Drops Below 4,000MW, Worsening Electricity Supply Across Nigeria