Headline

Coalition Slams US Deportations, Urges FG To Protect Nigerians Abroad

Published

4 months ago

May 9, 2025

A coalition of Nigerian civil society organisations has strongly condemned the ongoing mass deportations of African immigrants from the United States, describing the policy as discriminatory, unjust, and a gross violation of human rights.

The coalition, under the banner of Human Rights Monitors (HRM), is urging the Federal Government of Nigeria and other African nations to act swiftly in protecting their citizens abroad.

The concerns were raised during a press conference in Abuja, organized to highlight the disturbing trend of forced deportations and the global neglect of African migrant rights.

Speaking at the event were Armsfree Ajanaku, Convener and Head of the Grassroots Centre for Rights and Civic Orientation; Austin Aigbe of the West Africa Democracy Solidarity Network (WADEMOS); and other key stakeholders including representatives of CESDA, CESPAD, and the 21st Century Empowerment for Youth and Women.

Ajanaku said, “What we are witnessing is a global retreat from the responsibility to protect the rights and dignity of migrants, especially those of African descent.

“It is disturbing that a country like the United States, which claims to be a beacon of democracy, is leading this wave of human rights abuse.”

Since January 20, 2025, the U.S. has intensified home raids, family separations, detention of immigrants, and deportations—even of those with pending asylum cases or Temporary Protected Status (TPS). The coalition submitted a formal statement to the 58th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, calling for international intervention.

“These deportations are being conducted without due process. Children are witnessing their parents being forcefully taken, families are being torn apart, and immigrants are being treated like criminals for merely seeking refuge from danger and instability,” said Aigbe.

The coalition referenced reports by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which outline how racial profiling and mass arrests have surged under the U.S. immigration crackdown.

They argue that these actions breach international legal instruments including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and the 1951 Refugee Convention.

“We are deeply alarmed that these actions defy both international law and the domestic laws of the U.S., particularly the Refugee Act of 1980. The principle of non-refoulement is being trampled upon,” the coalition noted in their statement.

Beyond legal violations, the coalition highlighted the economic implications for Nigeria. In 2020 alone, Nigerians in the diaspora remitted over $6 billion to the country.

The HRM coalition warned that deporting thousands of Nigerians will hurt families, the economy, and national development.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria must take immediate diplomatic and humanitarian steps to address this crisis. We are calling for emergency support mechanisms to be put in place for our citizens abroad,” the coalition urged.

The group also emphasized that the root causes of irregular migration must be addressed through good governance at home. They noted that poor socio-economic conditions, insecurity, and lack of opportunities are driving young Africans to risk everything for a better life.

“Africa must not only speak up but act decisively. We can no longer afford to outsource the dignity and security of our people to foreign governments,” the statement said.

The coalition expressed support for the African Union’s 2025 theme: ‘Year of Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations.’ They committed to advocating for education, awareness, and reparative justice as essential components of sustainable change.

“The current deportation wave is not just a policy misstep; it is a humanitarian crisis. The time to act is now,” Ajanaku stressed.

Headline

David Lammy Appointed UK’s Deputy PM

Published

11 hours ago

September 5, 2025

Editor

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced a major cabinet reshuffle following the resignation of Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, in a move that could reshape the direction of his administration.

As part of the shake-up, David Lammy, a senior Labour figure and former Foreign Secretary, has been appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary, taking over key roles previously held by Rayner.

The cabinet reshuffle comes at a politically sensitive time for Prime Minister Keir Starmer, whose leadership is under growing pressure from both within the Labour Party and the broader electorate.

The sudden resignation of Angela Rayner, a high-profile figure with strong working-class support, has exposed internal tensions and sparked concerns over the party’s unity and electoral strategy.

According to BBC News on Friday, the reshuffle is seen as a crucial test for Starmer’s leadership, especially as Rayner had been a prominent and working-class figure whose departure may weaken his appeal to core Labour voters.

Key Cabinet reassignment

-Lammy transitions from Foreign Secretary to Deputy PM and Justice Secretary.

-Yvette Cooper moves from Home Secretary to Foreign Secretary.

-Shabana Mahmood is promoted from Justice Secretary to Home Secretary.

Other notable appointments include:

-Steve Reed as Housing Secretary

-Pat McFadden as head of a newly expanded Work and Pensions department

-Douglas Alexander as Scotland Secretary

-Liz Kendall moves to Science and Technology

-Emma Reynolds becomes Environment Secretary

-Peter Kyle appointed Business Secretary

-Jonathan Reynolds named Chief Whip

-Alan Campbell becomes Leader of the House of Commons

Meanwhile, Lucy Powell and Ian Murray were removed from their cabinet roles.

Political Fallout and Internal Tensions

Labour now faces mounting political pressure. Observers note Rayner’s exit leaves a vacuum for constituents drawn to her working-class credentials, possibly intensifying internal party divisions.

Her resignation also triggers a deputy leadership contest, opening up a battleground between the party’s centrist and left-leaning factions.

Moreover, Labour’s popularity has waned, with opposition to policies on welfare and immigration increasing support for Reform UK.

Starmer’s government’s handling of economic pressures and an upcoming £40 billion budget shortfall deepen the political stakes.

Lammy Steps into Key Role at a Crucial Juncture

Lammy’s appointment is viewed as strategically significant. Known for his reform credentials and advocacy for criminal justice reform, his new position comes as Parliament prepares for the Sentencing Bill.

The Prison Reform Trust welcomed his appointment, noting the timing offers “an important opportunity to move away from the failed cycle of overcrowding and crisis management.”

This reshuffle represents a pivotal moment in the evolution of Keir Starmer’s administration. With Labour under heightened scrutiny and internal frictions rising, the effectiveness of the newly configured cabinet will be a litmus test of Starmer’s leadership, particularly as the party approaches a difficult budget season, rising populist pressures, and internal power shifts ahead of the next deputy leadership election.

Headline

Nigerian Arrested In Poland For Using Fake Residence Permit

Published

11 hours ago

September 5, 2025

Editor

Polish authorities have confirmed the arrest of a 26-year-old Nigerian citizen on charges of using a counterfeit residence document.

The individual was detained by the Polish Border Guard, known as Straż Graniczna, as part of ongoing efforts to combat irregular migration and document forgery.

This information, which was obtained by PUNCH Online on Friday, was published on the Border Guard Headquarters’ news outlet on Thursday, September 4, 2025.

The BG HQs of Poland is the central unit which services the Border Guard Commander in Chief by supporting and coordinating actions of the BG units.

The report indicated that, “the Nigerian man admitted that he ordered the document online while still in the UK, received it by post, and paid €2,000 for it.

“It turned out that the Nigerian had no legal basis for staying in Poland as he had been in the country illegally for four days.”

Consequently, the Commander of the Border Guard ordered him to leave the country within 20 days and imposed a three-year ban on entry to the Schengen Area.

In addition, he was charged under Article 270 § 1 of the Penal Code – for using a counterfeit document.

The man pleaded guilty and voluntarily submitted to the penalty, but declined to provide further explanation.

According to sources specialising in immigration law, many individuals who use these fake documents are victims of elaborate scams.

As one legal expert noted in a report, “Until the situation was clarified, Ibrahim was detained in prison.”

Law enforcement agencies across Poland have been actively working to dismantle these criminal networks.

A recent, large-scale operation supported by Europol led to the arrest of dozens of suspects and the seizure of thousands of counterfeit documents, including residence permits, visas, and other identification.

Headline

US To Cut Military Aid To European Countries Near Russia — Official

Published

12 hours ago

September 5, 2025

Editor

The United States is to end long-running military assistance for European countries close to Russia, as it pushes the continent to play a greater role in its own defence, an official in one of the countries confirmed on Friday.

“Last week, the US Defense Department informed the countries that, starting from its next financial period, funding will be reduced to zero,” the defence policy director in Lithuania’s defence ministry, Vaidotas Urbelis, told reporters.

The decision comes as US President Donald Trump struggles to end Moscow’s three-and-a-half-year invasion of Ukraine.

Urbelis confirmed reports in The Washington Post and The Financial Times, citing unnamed officials saying the move was part of Trump’s efforts to cut US expenditure abroad.

The FT said US officials had told European diplomats last week that Washington would no longer fund programmes to train and equip eastern European militaries along Russia’s border.

The Washington Post said the funding to be cut was worth several hundred million dollars.

In Lithuania’s case, the cuts would impact “the purchase of US weapons and other equipment, and training”, Urbelis said.

He added that it “will not have an impact on the US troop presence in the region”, which was funded through a separate US budget allocation.

A White House official said the move hewed to a January executive order Trump had signed that reevaluated US foreign aid.

“This action has been coordinated with European countries in line with the executive order and the president’s longstanding emphasis on ensuring Europe takes more responsibility for its own defence,” the official said on condition of anonymity.

Trump has long been sceptical of both US defence spending in Europe and aid for Ukraine, pushing some of Washington’s closest allies to play a greater role on both fronts.

The Lithuanian defence ministry official said that the US funding for training and equipping its military covered between a third and 80 percent of total military aid received by the country.

Estonia’s Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur told the Postimees daily that he viewed the US move as “especially symbolic, in a negative way.

AFP