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Tag: Immigration

  • Gunmen Attack Immigration Office in Ogbomoso, Cart Away Officers’ Firearms

    Gunmen have attacked the Immigration Office in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, and carted away firearms belonging to officers on duty during a late-night operation on June 2, 2026.

    The incident occurred at about 10 p.m. at the facility located along the Ogbomoso–Ilorin new expressway, sparking fresh concerns over security in the area.

    Attack on Immigration Facility

    Sources said the attackers stormed the premises while activities were ongoing around the nearby Ayanyan Cattle Market, taking officers by surprise.

    The gunmen reportedly overpowered personnel on duty and dispossessed them of their weapons before escaping into the night.

    No casualties were immediately confirmed at the time of filing this report.

    Police React

    The Oyo State Police Command said it was yet to receive a full briefing on the incident.

    Spokesperson of the command, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, said updates would be provided once verified information is obtained from the affected unit.

    “I will provide updates as soon as the necessary information becomes available,” he said.

    Authorities are expected to commence investigation into the attack as security operatives move to track those responsible.

  • Trump Orders Nigerians Seeking Green Cards to Return Home for Processing

    United States President Donald Trump has directed that Nigerians and other foreign nationals seeking green cards must now return to their home countries to process their applications except under extraordinary circumstances.

    The new immigration policy was disclosed on Friday in a statement issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

    New Green Card Rule Announced

    According to the agency, the policy is aimed at restoring what it described as the original intent of American immigration law.

    USCIS stated that foreign nationals seeking adjustment of status would now be required to complete their residency application process through US consular offices abroad under the supervision of the United States Department of State.

    “We’re returning to the original intent of the law to ensure aliens navigate our nation’s immigration system properly,” the statement said.

    “From now on, an alien who is in the U.S. temporarily and wants a Green Card must return to their home country to apply, except in extraordinary circumstances.”

    Students, Tourists, Workers Affected

    The agency explained that the new directive would mainly affect temporary visa holders including students, tourists and workers already living in the United States.

    According to USCIS, nonimmigrant visas were designed for temporary stays and should not automatically become a pathway to permanent residency.

    “Nonimmigrants, like students, temporary workers, or people on tourist visas, come to the U.S. for a short time and for a specific purpose. Our system is designed for them to leave when their visit is over,” the statement added.

    US Gives Reason for Policy Change

    USCIS spokesman Zach Kahler said the policy would help reduce cases of migrants remaining illegally in the United States after failed residency applications.

    “This policy allows our immigration system to function as the law intended instead of incentivising loopholes,” Kahler stated.

    The agency also argued that the move would allow immigration officials to focus on other priorities including citizenship applications, trafficking cases and requests involving victims of violent crimes.

    Fresh Immigration Crackdown

    The latest development comes months after the Trump administration reportedly suspended green card and citizenship processing for Nigerians and nationals from several countries affected by a US travel ban.

    Reports had indicated that the suspension affected legal immigrants already residing in the United States who were seeking permanent residency or citizenship.

    The administration also froze immigration petitions from nationals of 19 countries covered under the travel restrictions announced in June.

  • Police Disperse Anti-Foreigner Protest Targeting Nigerians

    South African police fired rubber bullets and teargas on Wednesday to break up a large anti-foreigner protest in the coastal city of Durban, where demonstrators specifically named Nigerians among the foreigners they want expelled from the country.

    What happened in Durban

    Hundreds of protesters, including members of political parties and the xenophobic vigilante group Operation Dudula, marched through Durban’s streets waving placards and chanting against undocumented immigrants.

    Several shop owners shut their businesses ahead of the march, fearing looting and violence. A small group of protesters reportedly harassed bystanders and looted shops before police moved in to disperse the crowd.

    Who led the protest and what they said

    ActionSA party leader Herman Mashaba addressed the crowd, singling out Nigeria, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Mexico among the countries whose nationals he said were flooding South Africa.

    “We are seeing our government allowing our country to be flooded by groups from all over the world,” Mashaba said. “So we are saying to our government this is unacceptable.”

    The deeper context

    The protest reflects long-running tensions in South Africa over unemployment and competition for jobs and housing.

    South Africa’s statistics agency puts the national unemployment rate at nearly 32 per cent, one of the highest in the world. Approximately three million foreigners — around 5.1 per cent of the population — currently live in the country.

    Nigerians have repeatedly been targeted in xenophobic attacks in South Africa over the years, with previous waves of violence in 2008, 2015, and 2019 displacing thousands and forcing the temporary closure of Nigerian businesses.

    Nigeria’s position

    The Nigerian government has not yet issued a formal response to Wednesday’s protest. The Federal Government and the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria have in past incidents summoned South African envoys in Nigeria and issued formal protests following attacks on Nigerian nationals.

    Nigerians living in South Africa are urged to remain calm, avoid large gatherings, and stay in contact with the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria or the Consulate General in Johannesburg in the event of any threat to their safety.

    No date has been set for further protests, but Operation Dudula and allied groups have previously indicated they intend to continue pressure on the South African government over immigration policy. The Nigerian government is expected to monitor the situation closely given the large number of Nigerian nationals residing in South Africa.