The United Kingdom government has announced an upward review of fees for visa, residency and citizenship applications, with the new rates set to take effect from April 8, 2026. The revised charges, released by the UK Home Office, cut across almost all application categories processed within and outside the UK, including visit, study, work, settlement and naturalisation routes. Nigerians, who ranked among the highest applicants for UK visas, are expected to feel the impact of the increases. Under the new structure, the cost of a short-term visit visa of up to six months will rise from £127 to £135, while…
Author: Adeboye
Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke have rescued a 28-year-old woman, Mrs Member Ityavber, who was abducted in Tse-Ubena village, Yooyo Council Ward of Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State. The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Thursday by the Acting Media Information Officer of the operation, Lt. Ahmad Zubairu. Zubairu said the rescue mission was carried out in collaboration with operatives of the Benue State Civil Protection Guard following reports of kidnapping activities in the area. According to him, troops deployed from Tor-Donga swiftly responded to the distress call and launched a coordinated operation that led to…
The Anambra State Police Command has arraigned an apprentice and an accomplice for the alleged murder of their employer, Ikechukwu Nwite, and the theft of millions of naira from his account. The prime suspect, 21-year-old Chiemerie Anieke, reportedly killed Nwite with a pestle on February 16, 2026, at Fegge, Onitsha, following a confrontation over alleged theft of money and drug abuse. In a statement on Wednesday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said operatives of the State Criminal Investigation Department arraigned the suspects before the High Court in Onitsha on March 18, 2026. “Operatives of the State Criminal…
Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested three suspected criminals accused of impersonating security personnel to gain access to residential estates and vandalise vehicles across the state. The suspects, Obinna Okeke (27), Emmanuel Anyanwu (38) and Joshua Nkemdirim (31), were apprehended in the early hours of Tuesday during a coordinated operation by police detectives. In a statement on Wednesday, the command’s spokesperson, Commissioner of Police Olohundare Jimoh, said the gang specialised in disguising themselves in fake security uniforms and using imitation firearms to deceive estate residents and on-duty guards. According to the statement, the suspects reportedly employed a…
The Anambra State Police Command has arrested a 35-year-old man, Chukwudalu Ezeani, for allegedly killing his cousin, 52-year-old Chinedu Ezeani, and concealing the body in a shallow grave at his residence in Afube village, Amichi, Nnewi South Local Government Area. The incident reportedly occurred on August 1, 2025, around 8 p.m., but the crime remained hidden for nearly eight months before police intervention. The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the arrest in a statement on Wednesday, explaining that the case was initially filed as a missing person report at the Amichi Police Station. “Operatives of the State…
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons has secured the conviction of two men for trafficking eight children, including some of their biological offspring, for exploitation in Cross River State. The convicts, Mabum Arisha and Mutashu Mabum, both from Mfom 1 Village in Ogoja Local Government Area, were on Monday found guilty on all 17 counts preferred against them by a Federal High Court sitting in Calabar. The trial judge, Justice L. Ojukwu, held that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, leading to their conviction. The court heard that the duo recruited and handed over…
A United Kingdom court has sentenced a 24-year-old Nigerian, Chukwuemeka Ahanonu, to life imprisonment for the murder of a 56-year-old woman, Nila Patel, following a violent attack in Leicester. It was gathered from Leicestershire Police that the incident occurred on June 24, 2025, along Infirmary Road after the convict crashed his car while allegedly under the influence of cannabis. Ahanonu was said to have been driving recklessly across the city centre, swerving between lanes, running traffic lights and endangering pedestrians before losing control of his vehicle. After the crash, he reportedly fled the scene and attacked Patel, who had just…
An atmosphere of panic enveloped the Kwara State Polytechnic on Wednesday following the reported presence of operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, which triggered protests among students. Findings by PUNCH Metro revealed that the anti-graft operatives were sighted patrolling areas around the institution while examinations were in progress, a development that heightened anxiety across the campus. Eyewitnesses recounted that confusion erupted when students suddenly began fleeing in different directions, amid claims that an operative was seen chasing a student, further escalating tension. A student, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the situation caused widespread fear. “We suddenly…
Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, has sacked the Commissioner for Investment, Commerce and Industry, Shehu Sagagi, with immediate effect. The decision was announced in a statement issued on Thursday by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature. According to the statement, Sagagi has been directed to hand over the ministry’s affairs to the Director of Commerce pending further directives from the government. The governor commended the former commissioner for his contributions during his time in office, noting his role in political mobilisation, religious engagement and support for small and medium-scale enterprises in the state. He also wished Sagagi well in his future…
The trial over the 2022 attack on St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church continued on Wednesday at the Federal High Court in Abuja, as a defendant accused operatives of the Department of State Services of subjecting him to abuse and coercion. The defendant, Al-Qasim Idris, made the allegation while testifying before Justice Emeka Nwite, claiming he was pressured to confess to involvement in the deadly incident. Idris told the court that he and other suspects were allegedly maltreated during their detention in DSS custody following their arrest. He further stated that the alleged abuse left him hospitalised for three days before…