Tag: USA

U.S lawmaker makes U-turn, warns against dividing Nigeria; says it’ll empower terrorists

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US lawmaker makes U turn

…Slams FG over $9m lobbying deal United States (U.S) Representative Riley Moore has warned that encouraging separatist agendas in Nigeria could worsen insecurity and expose Christians, particularly in the North and Middle-Belt, to greater danger. Moore gave the warning yesterday, in a statement posted on his official X account after a fact-finding visit to Nigeria to assess reports of Christian persecution. He said he met with government officials, church leaders, humanitarian organisations and internally displaced persons across the country. “I have travelled to Nigeria and engaged in multiple high-level meetings…

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Senate to hold briefing on US strikes in Nigeria

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Senate to hold

…As Ningi queries alleged NASS exclusion  The 10th Senate has disclosed plans to hold an executive briefing over the December 25 United States air str!kes on terrorist targets in Sokoto State, following concerns raised by Senator Abdul Ningi on the alleged exclusion of the National Assembly from discussions preceding the operation. Raising the issue under Order 42 (Matters of Privilege) during plenary, Senator Ningi, an opposition lawmaker representing Bauchi Central, argued that the air strikes amounted to an infringement on Nigeria’s territorial integrity and should have involved legislative oversight. He…

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U.S. halts all visa processing for applicants from Nigeria, 74 others

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U.S. visa processing

The United States (US) Government, through its State Department, has announced the suspension of immigrant visa processing for applicants from 75 countries, including Nigeria, Iran and Russia, as part of measures aimed at cracking down on individuals considered likely to become a “public charge”. A State Department memo directed consular officers to refuse visas under existing immigration laws while the department reassesses its screening and vetting procedures. Countries affected by the decision include Somalia, Russia, Afghanistan, Brazil, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Nigeria, Thailand, Yemen and several others. According to the memo,…

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7.2m Nigerians may suffer, as US exits global agencies

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US exits global agencies

7.2 million Nigerians could face key health, humanitarian, and development programme challenges following the United States’ decision to withdraw from dozens of United Nations and non-UN international organisations. The US said the move will end American funding and participation in bodies operating across the country, which are not serving the interests of the American people. In a fact sheet released on Tuesday, the White House said President Donald Trump had signed a presidential memorandum directing the withdrawal of the United States from 66 international organisations, including 31 UN entities and…

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US introduces $15,000 visa bond for Nigerians, others

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U.S. revokes visas

The United States (U.S) has introduced new travel restrictions that could require Nigerians applying for B1/B2 visas to post bonds of up to $15,000. According to information published on the US Department of State’s website, Travel.State.Gov, the payment of a bond does not guarantee visa issuance, adding that fees paid without the direction of a consular officer will not be refunded. Of the listed Nations, African countries accounted for 24 of the 38, including Nigeria, in the updated list released by the US State Department on Tuesday. Visa bonds are…

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Trump’s US invades Venezuela, captures President

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US invades Venezuela

…To face narco-terrorism indictment Venezuelan President, Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, have been indicted in the United States on sweeping criminal charges, including narco-terrorism, the US Attorney-General, Pam Bondi, said yesterday. Bondi disclosed that the indictments were filed at the US District Court for the Southern District of New York and include charges of narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, possession of machine guns and destructive devices, and conspiracy to possess machine guns and destructive devices against the United States. In a statement posted on the social media platform…

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US resumes Sambisa Forest’s surveillance after Sokoto airstrikes

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US resumes

The United States (US) resumed intelligence and surveillance operations in Nigeria yesterday, following late Thursday’s strikes on ISIS terrorists in Sokoto. A report by Brant Philip, a Sahel-focused terrorism tracker, shared flight tracking data that showed the aircraft flying over Borno state. The aircraft was a Gulfstream-V, a long-range business jet often modified for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions, according to the data. Philip said Saturday’s intelligence operations focused on the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), the ISIS affiliate in Nigeria, which operates primarily in the north-east and Lake…

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Airstrike Fallout: Traditional ruler cautions locals in Sokoto

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Sokoto airstrike fallout

The traditional ruler of Jabo in Tambuwal LGA of Sokoto State, Abubakar Jabo, has advised residents against visiting the explosion site to pick metal fragments and debris. The airstrike in the area, which occurred in the early hours yesterday, did not affect residents nor damage residential buildings. A visit to the scene where debris fell revealed that several fragments were being collected by some locals. The officials of Police Base 15 Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) in Sokoto led by the Commandant, Hassan Jatau, had cordoned off the area on arrival.…

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Trump hands Nigeria £1.6bn health package in return for protecting Christians

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Trump's health package

…As US, FG seal landmark $5.1bn pact The United States (U.S) and Nigeria have signed a landmark five-year bilateral health cooperation agreement worth $5.1 billion (£4bn), with Washington contributing nearly £1.6bn ($2.1bn) and Abuja committing about £2.2bn ($3bn) in new domestic health spending—the largest co-investment under President Donald Trump’s ‘America First Global Health Strategy’ to date. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed in December, is aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system, reducing preventable deaths, and combating HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, polio, and maternal and child mortality. Nigeria currently bears about 30%…

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‘U.S conducting surveillance flights over Nigeria after Trump’s military intervention threat” – Report 

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US conducting surveillance

The United States (U.S) has been conducting intelligence-gathering flights over large parts of Nigeria since late November, according to Reuters reports. Citing December flight tracking data and current and former US officials, the report said the US contractor-operated aircraft used for the surveillance missions typically takes off from Ghana and flies over Nigeria before returning to Accra, the Ghanaian capital. It is not immediately clear what information the flights are intended to obtain. A former US official told Reuters the aircraft is among several assets the President Donald Trump administration…

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