DEFENCE
NIS Warns Nigerians Against Fake Marriages with Foreigners
The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Mr Muhammad Babandede, has warned Nigerians against contracting fake marriages with foreigners.
Babandede, who handed the warning at a briefing with newsmen in Abuja, on Wednesday, said doing so constituted a punishable offence because it deprived the Federal Government of expected revenue from tax and payment for resident permits.
He said that the warning became necessary because the service noticed that in 2020, the number of foreigners who got resident permits in Nigeria had tripled in number.
Babandede explained that the service had arrested a Chinese citizen and several Egyptians who used fake marriages to secure resident permits.
“Last year, if you look at our annual report, we noticed an increase in persons who got resident permits, because of marriage, which suggests the possibility of fake marriages to avoid payment for resident permits and tax is there.
“We are going to be very serious in investigating that and we have already started.
“I am glad to say that at the moment, we have a Chinese citizen whom we have arrested, who presented himself as a visa Agent.
“We have also arrested many Egyptians who have arranged marriages with compromised officers, who are also facing disciplinary actions.
“So, fake marriage will be thoroughly investigated and we will have a special unit to investigate marriages, and we will know how to do it.
“So, we want Nigerians, both male and female, to avoid contractual marriages, because it is an offence under the Act, and an attempt to deny paying revenue to government, ” he said.
Babandede added that henceforth, renewals of resident permits must be accompanied by evidence of tax payment, which would be validated by technology.
He noted that the service’s greatest concern was the issue of foreigners coming to take up employment and salary without paying tax.
The NIS boss further stated that the service was collaborating with the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to ensure that non-resident migrants and persons staying for less than 183 days in the country and earned income in Nigeria pay their taxes. (NAN)
) The Benue Police Command has confirmed that suspected killer herdsmen on Sunday night attacked communities in Gwer West and Apa Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Edit Udeme, made the confirmation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Makurdi on Monday.
Udeme said that tactical teams were already deployed in the affected areas to restore peace and security.
She said that nine bodies were already recovered from Edikwu Community in Apa LGA, adding that the search for the missing natives was still ongoing.
She, however, said that she had yet to get the number of casualties from the Naka attack.
“This is to confirm that there was an attack yesterday at Naka and Apa and to let you know that tactical teams have been deployed and already on ground and are on top of the situation.
“I will get back to you after getting further and accurate information, please,” she said
A credible source from Apa LGA told newsmen that the attackers invaded the community at about 6:30pm on Sunday and started shooting sporadically, killing anyone in sight.
The source further said that over 25 persons were killed and that many were also taken away to unknown destinations during the deadly assault.
It said: “As I speak with you, there is no single object in the community.
“It was an unprovoked attack. We were unaware.
“Some people went to evening service, while others were at a beer joint when the killers came.
“It is an evening one can never imagine.
“Security personnel stationed at the area were overpowered as they looked so helpless.”
In a reaction to the attack on Naka, the Chairman, Gwer West Traditional Council, Daniel Abomtse, said that the attackers “came in a guerrilla style and attacked Tse Antswam.
“As I’m talking with you now, (Monday) morning, 18 corpses had been recovered and many people sustained varied degree of injuries.
“In fact, the way some people were butchered, I doubt if they will survive.
“The search is still ongoing because many ran into the bush with gun wounds and some also jumped into well to escape the herdsmen.”
The royal father said that the community attacked was opposite a military checkpoint on the Naka- Makurdi Road. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
The Benue Police Command has confirmed that suspected killer herdsmen on Sunday night attacked communities in Gwer West and Apa Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Edit Udeme, made the confirmation in an interview in Makurdi on Monday.
Udeme said that tactical teams were already deployed in the affected areas to restore peace and security.
She said that nine bodies were already recovered from Edikwu Community in Apa LGA, adding that the search for the missing natives was still ongoing.
She, however, said that she had yet to get the number of casualties from the Naka attack.
“This is to confirm that there was an attack yesterday at Naka and Apa and to let you know that tactical teams have been deployed and already on ground and are on top of the situation.
“I will get back to you after getting further and accurate information, please,” she said
A credible source from Apa LGA told newsmen that the attackers invaded the community at about 6:30pm on Sunday and started shooting sporadically, killing anyone in sight.
The source further said that over 25 persons were killed and that many were also taken away to unknown destinations during the deadly assault.
It said: “As I speak with you, there is no single object in the community.
“It was an unprovoked attack. We were unaware.
“Some people went to evening service, while others were at a beer joint when the killers came.
“It is an evening one can never imagine.
“Security personnel stationed at the area were overpowered as they looked so helpless.”
In a reaction to the attack on Naka, the Chairman, Gwer West Traditional Council, Daniel Abomtse, said that the attackers “came in a guerrilla style and attacked Tse Antswam.
“As I’m talking with you now, (Monday) morning, 18 corpses had been recovered and many people sustained varied degree of injuries.
“In fact, the way some people were butchered, I doubt if they will survive.
“The search is still ongoing because many ran into the bush with gun wounds and some also jumped into well to escape the herdsmen.”
The royal father said that the community attacked was opposite a military checkpoint on the Naka- Makurdi Road. (NAN)
Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno has donated N5 million each to the families of eight members of Civilian Joint Task Force ( CJTF) who recently died in an explosion on the Dikwa to Marte road.
Zulum who made this known on Friday during a condolence visit to the families of deceased in Maiduguri, also granted scholarship to their children.
The Civilian CJTF is a volunteer security group that supports military operations against insurgents in Borno State and other parts of the North-East.
” I want to announce a financial assistance of N5 million to each of the bereaved families to cater for their immediate needs.
” Furthermore, the Borno Government will provide full educational scholarship to all children of the deceased CJTF members.
” For those who left no children, we shall extend assistance to their close family members,” he said.
The governor said the gesture was part of his administration’s commitment to assisting the families of security personnel and members of the CJTF who paid the supreme price of defending his people
Zulum described the deceased as martyrs who made the ultimate sacrifice in defence of their communities and assured that their bravery would always be remembered.
He prayed for the repose of their souls of the deceased and urged the bereaved families to take solace in the heroic legacy left behind by their loved ones.
The CJTF operatives died on Tuesday after they ran into an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in the area.(NAN)
The Police Command in Akwa Ibom says it has arrested five suspected cultists and recovered firearms at Ibesikpo Asutan area of the state.
DSP Timfon John, the Police Public Relations Officer, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday in Uyo.
John said the arrests took place at the cultists’ hideout in Ikot Etuk village, Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area on Wednesday.
She said that the operatives of the command, based on credible information, arrested the cultists.
John said that during the operation, operatives recovered one locally made pistol, one fabricated single-barrel gun and assorted charms.
According to her, the suspects have voluntarily provided useful information to the police regarding their criminal activities.
“This includes their involvement in a recent attack on Fulani herdsmen, which resulted in the killing of two cows.
“The stolen cows were reportedly shared among various cult groups within Ibesikpo Asutan,” she said.
John said that efforts were currently underway to apprehend other fleeing gang members and recover their operational weapons.
The spokesman further said the developments would be communicated to the public as they unfold. (NAN)
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