The Nation Newspaper

Tag: immigrants

  • 247 immigrants arrested in Yola

    The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has arrested 247 illegal immigrants from neighbouring countries in an operation code-named: ‘Operation Flush’.

    The Adamawa State Comptroller, Mr, Ubi Ikpi Nkanu, said the operation was to identify those who entered the country illegally and were hiding in the border local governments.

    He said the NIS was working with sister security agencies, such as the army, Npolice, Department of State Security Services, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and Nigeria Customs Service.

  • 247 immigrants arrested in Yola

    The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has arrested 247 illegal immigrants from neighbouring countries in an operation code-named: ‘Operation Flush’.

    The Adamawa State Comptroller, Mr, Ubi Ikpi Nkanu, said the operation was to identify those who entered the country illegally and were hiding in the border local governments.

    He said the NIS was working with sister security agencies, such as the army, Npolice, Department of State Security Services, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and Nigeria Customs Service.

  • 4000 immigrants arrested in Delta

    The Delta State Command of the Nigeria Immigration Service has arrested more than 4,000 people suspected to be illegal immigrants.

    The exercise was carried out in Asaba, Delta State capital, by a combined team of immigration officers and policemen, following the security situation across the country.

    Several 60-seater Marco Polo buses owned by the Delta State government were engaged in the exercise which officials of the Immigration Command said would be continuous.

    A source who preferred anonymity told The Nation that the command would take the battle to other cities in the state, including Warri, Agbor and Sapele.

    His words: “The number arrested was enormous. It might be that some of them were not documented. We had to screen them before repatriating over 267.

    “The raid is a continuous one. It will be carried out intermittently. When we have this feeling that security is being threatened, we make such raids, especially at the request of the governor.”

    Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, raised the alarm last week while addressing the media on the state’s preparation for Democracy Day celebrations.

    The Immigration source  noted that there was a sudden influx by foreigners, stressing that with the security situation in the country, such a scenario could not be condoned.

    His words: “We noticed the influx of people we regard as other nationals. This group just invaded Delta State, some coming in trucks and others coming as cattle rearers.

    “The immigration office swung into action, working with other security agencies.

    “A lot of these foreign nationals who are here illegally have been handled by the Immigration Service.

    “They are so many that any available uncompleted buildings was taken over by them. They have taken over our streets and our public buildings.

    “With what is happening now in our country, we cannot allow it. I must emphasise that the exercise is not to remove fellow Nigerians from Delta State.”

  • ‘20,000 Nigerians obtained visas to China in 2013’

    ‘20,000 Nigerians obtained visas to China in 2013’

    No fewer than 20, 000 Nigerians obtained visas to China in 2013, Mr Liu Kan, Consul-General of the Peoples Republic of China Consulate in Lagos said on Sunday.

    Liu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the visas were issued to Nigerians who travelled to the country for business transactions, work, visits and studies.

    The consul-general, however, noted that out of the number, those that travelled for business transaction were more.

    “The Chinese Consulate-General in Lagos issued about 20,000 visas to Nigerians who visited China for different purposes in year 2013.

    “This number of visas issued in 2013 is more than what was issued in the year 2012.

    “This goes to show a positive growth in the number of Nigerians travelling to China for business and cultural exchange,’’ he said.

    Liu also said that one third of the number were issued one and two-year, multiple-entry visas.

    The envoy disclosed his government’s plan to strengthen friendly relations with Nigerians in the years ahead.

    He said both countries’ governments had met on possible ways of simplifying visa conditions for Nigerians.

    “China attaches importance to developing a mutual relationship with all African countries, including Nigeria.

    “China is ready to work with Nigeria in building a long-lasting, stable and mutually beneficial relationship now and in the near future,’’ he added.(NAN)

  • ‘Life in US as an immigrant’

    ‘Life in US as an immigrant’

    Deba Uwadie, a Nigerian journalist who relocated to the United States (US) through the Visa Lottery, shares his experience with Lekan Otufodunrin, Editor, online and offers tips on how a new and a potential immigrant can live and settle down in the United States in his new book titled; The Immigrant on Columbus Way.

    Why are you publishing the book and the choice of the title?

    The book is a guide to settling down in the United States of America as new and potential immigrants.It came out of our own experience and challenges of things we thought we knew and things we did not know. We did not have a documented guide as it is in the book but just worked along based on what we were told and advice from friends. But it would have been easier for us if we had a guide as it is in The Immigrant on Columbus Way.
    The choice of the title “The Immigrant on Columbus Way” is because virtually everything happened in Columbus, Ohio. There are certain things that are done differently in the different states of the United States of America but the principles are the same.

    What is the book about?

    The book is a non-fiction story written as a step-by-step guide on how a new and a potential immigrant can live and settle down in a typical city in the United States, with Columbus, Ohio being the model for the book. It takes a reader through the stages of what to do from the very first expectation in a narration that is real and practical with nothing to hide. These include when to apply for the social security number, the importance of the driver license, job, accommodation and school.

    Based on your experience and others what is the life of a typical immigrant in US?

    It is a humbling life because a typical immigrant is beginning again, as it were. Though many opportunities abound, but an immigrant must take his turn, at least learning and experiencing the basics. For me who is a journalist, I came in when many newspapers were closing down in the United States and the city, Columbus, Ohio which has about 1.5 million population and 3million in the metropolitan Columbus, has just one daily general interest newspaper, the Columbus Dispatch. The local degrees are first recognized before degrees from abroad as our own degrees are referred to. Therefore, do I need to wait until I am able to get into the Columbus Dispatch? Of course no. But I need to settle down. That is what the book is all about.

    How easy was it for you to settle down in US? What have you had to do to readjust to living in US?

    Honestly, settling down would have been earlier and easier for me than it took for if I had a guide like “The Immigrant on Columbus Way”. It took us up to 100days to settle down and that is from getting our social security number, a job and our apartment. I had to work other jobs apart from journalism to settle down. Where I first worked is contained in the book. But it was interesting and I enjoyed the humblying part of it.
    Your book is a step to step account for immigrants to settle down. What are the basic things potential immigrants should know?
    An immigrant to the United States of America should know that without the social security number he cannot get a job, and enjoy other basic benefits that come with it like education, state identification card or driver license, accommodation, banking and more.

    What is the prospect for Nigerians interested in relocating to US?

    The prospect is great, honestly. But the challenge now is that the process that brought us in which is the US Visa Lottery has removed Nigeria from the list. But the government is working hard with the congress to use other forms such as the highly skill. I give you an example, I went to school for a one year course and enjoyed the government grant and education loan. Even my form fee of $200 was built into the loan; I did not have to pay a dime to go to school. I just started repayment after six months of graduating from the school. I pay $75 a month. I am able to write this book here with the pleasure of all the accompanying supports such as electricity and instant access to information. Does it stop me from coming back home, of course not? But the abundance of opportunities to do what you know best abound.

    Any other thing you think Nigerians should know about America?

    It could be a land of opportunities and freedom but it definitely has its own challenges. One could be sucked in and forget other things, including where one is coming from and one could be focused working towards set out goals and operate at that level depending on one’s choice.

  • Immigration deports 158 foreigners

    Immigration deports 158 foreigners

    The Seme Command of the Nigeria Immigration Service said on Thursday it deported 158 irregular immigrants between January and June.

    The command’s spokesman, Mr. Olaniyi Sowunmi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Badagry that 29 Nigerians were also deported from other countries.

    He added that 58,260 people arrived the country through the border, with valid passports and complete documents.

    “From January to June 2013, 58,260 arrived Nigerian through the border with their passports. 38,840 of them were males, while 19,420 were females.

    He, however, said that 59,210 people, including 42,474 males and 16,736 females, left Nigeria through the Seme border within the period.

    Sowunmi explained further that 67 foreigners were refused entry through the border during the period.

    “The foreigners that were refused entry were mainly from Mali, Benin Republic, Gabon and Congo.

    “4,055 Nigerians were refused departure from Nigeria to other West African countries, due to irregularities in their visas,” he said.

    He said the command also received 29 rescued victims of human trafficking from outside the country, which it handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).

  • Govt deports 19,000 illegal immigrants

    Govt deports 19,000 illegal immigrants

    Over 19,000 illegal immigrants have been deported from the country since the deadly activities of the Boko Haram insurgents became rampant, the Minister of Interior, Comrade Abba Moro has said.

    Moro, while expressing regrets that there is no accurate data on the number of illegal immigrants in the country due to what he termed the porosity of the Nigerian borders, disclosed that the United States government has promised to help in the provision of surveillance equipment to help stem the activities of the insurgents.

    He spoke in Abuja at the 27th session of the Leadership Forum organised by the Nigerian Newsworld Magazine.

    He said: “19,000 illegal immigrants have been sent out of the country by the appropriate authorities under the ministry. There is no accurate figure of illegal immigrants in our country due to the porous nature of our borders and the wrongful interpretation of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Act.

    “On the cost of implementation of the surveillance equipment at our borders, we are in the process of certifying one of those that can be awarded. It is within the region of $2.6m and it was tendered by a Chinese firm.

    “But that money may drastically reduce as the United States government is also in touch with us in fighting terror and the US government has offered to provide some surveillance equipment which we will deploy to the borders.”

    Speaking on the danger posed by prison congestion in the country, the minister explained that if the National Assembly accepts the ministry’s request to change some sections of the Prison Act, the problem of congestion would reduce substantially.

    He also said the prison service has been able to reform some of the inmates in spite of the huge challenges the authorities have had to grapple with daily.

    “The resurgence of insurgents has led to some jail breaks across the country.  However, as I speak with you, about 50 inmates are attending the National Open University Nigeria (NOUN); 90 are writing the West African Examination Council (WAEC); 690 have been rehabilitated after serving their terms; 109 have been trained in vocational skills and 145 trade-tested in artisanship.”

    He also condemned the reported clash between men of the civil defence corps and the police, noting that the Presidency has intervened in the matter.

    “It is unfortunate that the civil defence and the police should clash in the first place. Whatever reason that might have caused the occurrence of the incident, it is very unfortunate. But Mr. President has intervened and we have all agreed that such a thing should not happen again.”

    On the frequent deadly clashes involving Fulani herdsmen and farmers, Moro said the government is on the verge of creating “separate routes and grazing grounds for Fulani herdsmen. If they keep to that, I hope that would stem the tide.”

  • ‘90 % illegal immigrants in Switzerland back home’

    IF the claims of the Switzerland Embassy in Nigeria are anything to go by, 90 per cent of Nigerians living illegally in Switzerland voluntarily returned home this year.

    The embassy said the illegal immigrants returned under the Swiss Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration Programme (SAVRRP) – a partnership initiative with the Federal Government.

    According to the 19th edition of the Swiss Gazette, obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, the retunnes were paid N961, 000 each.

    It also stated that in 2011, 80 per cent of such illegal immigrants benefited from the programme, while in 2010, a total of 1,969 Nigerian citizens asked for asylum in Switzerland.

    The figure accounted for 13 per cent of all requests.

    The Gazette also stated that under its Legal Defence Assistance Project (LDAP), the Embassy carried out a programme tagged: “Improving handling of domestic violence’’ in six police stations in Lagos State.

    It stated that nearly 300 police officers were trained on the correct handling of cases of domestic violence.

    The document reads: “More than 10,000 memory cards with guidelines on how to report, record, file, and handle cases of domestic violence were printed and distributed to police officers.”

    It also said 3,000 domestic violence tool kits/manuals were designed and printed.

    According to the gazette, the aim of the project was to increase awareness on domestic violence and gender rights issues among police officers, as well as increase cases of domestic violence being recorded and filed, so as to provide redress for the victims.