Headline

Coalition Slams US Deportations, Urges FG To Protect Nigerians Abroad

Published

4 months ago

May 9, 2025

Editor

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

Again, Russia Claims Another Village In Ukraine’s Region

Published

3 hours ago

August 25, 2025

Editor

The Russian army Monday claimed to have captured another village in Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk region, moving deeper into Ukrainian territory as peace efforts stall.

Russian forces are slowly but steadily gaining ground in costly battles for largely devastated areas in eastern and central Ukraine, normally with few inhabitants or intact buildings left.

Russia’s defence ministry said its forces had seized the settlement of Zaporizke in the region, which Russian troops recently advanced into for the first time in the three-and-a-half-year offensive.

Kyiv denies that Russian troops have gained a foothold in the Dnipropetrovsk region, an important industrial hub.

After another push by US President Donald Trump to broker a Ukraine-Russia summit, hopes for peace dimmed when Russia last week ruled out any immediate meeting between presidents Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky.

The central region of Dnipropetrovsk has previously been largely spared from fighting that has ravaged swathes of eastern and southern Ukraine, until Russia said its forces broke through in July.

Dnipropetrovsk is not one of the five Ukrainian regions — Donetsk, Kherson, Lugansk, Zaporizhzhia and Crimea — that Moscow has publicly claimed as Russian territory.

Ukraine said Russia had launched over 100 drones Monday, killing a 37-year old civilian driver and wounding two people in the northeastern Sumy region.

Moscow said Kyiv had launched about two dozen drones targeting western Russia

Headline

US Comedian Reggie Carroll Shot Dead In Mississippi

Published

3 hours ago

August 25, 2025

Editor

A United States comedian, Reginald “Reggie” Carroll, has been shot dead in Southaven, Mississippi.

The 52-year-old Carroll, widely known as the Knockout King of Comedy, was reportedly killed on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, after sustaining multiple gunshot wounds.

The Southaven Police Department confirmed the incident in a Facebook statement on Saturday.

“Southaven officers located one male victim suffering from gunshot wounds.

“The officers and medical personnel provided life saving techniques but the individual succumbed to his injuries,” the statement partly read.

The victim was later identified as Carroll, a Baltimore native.

Police said one suspect was arrested and charged with his murder.

“One male is in custody and has been charged with the murder of Reginald Carroll.

“Our thoughts are with the family of Mr. Carroll.

“Thank you to the community for their patience and understanding,” the department added.

The police further assured that there was no ongoing threat to residents, describing the case as “an isolated shooting.”

Carroll, who built his career in stand-up comedy, gained national recognition touring with Katt Williams and headlining his own showcase, Knockout Kings of Comedy.

He also featured in the 2000 edition of Showtime at the Apollo, appeared on the UPN sitcom The Parkers alongside Mo’Nique and Countess Vaughn, and starred in the 2022 television film Rent & Go.

In 2023, he produced the stand-up special Knockout Kings of Comedy.

The Southaven Police Department disclosed that an investigation into his death is ongoing.

Headline

US Defends New Social Media Vetting For Nigerian Visa Applicants

Published

3 hours ago

August 25, 2025

Editor

The U.S. Mission in Nigeria on Monday reaffirmed that the safety and security of the United States remain the cornerstone of its visa application and decision-making process.

The US said this following its directive last week that mandates Nigerians to disclose all social media usernames and handles used over the past five years as part of the visa application process.

US Mission said Nigerian visa applicants must provide a comprehensive list of their social media profiles on the DS-160 visa application form, and warned that omitting the information could lead to visa denials.

Reacting to the development, the Federal Government said US citizens intending to visit Nigeria will be subjected to the same measures.

“The best we can do is to carry out reciprocal action. Some people from the US might want to apply for a visa, and we will adopt the same measures,” spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, said last Monday.

However, in a statement released Monday on X, the US Mission said prospective visa applicants undergo careful vetting to maintain a safe and welcoming environment in the US.

It said, “The safety and security of the United States is at the heart of every #USVisa application and decision process.

“That’s why prospective applicants undergo careful screening to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for all.”

The Mission added, “These measures help protect American citizens and communities while supporting secure and responsible travel.”