The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has published the names and photographs of 124 Nigerians identified for deportation as part of its intensified immigration enforcement programme.   According to a statement published on the DHS website and reported by Punch Newspapers, the individuals have been placed on what the department described as its “worst of the worst” criminal register. US authorities said those listed had been convicted of serious crimes but did not disclose the specific offences committed or provide a timeline for their deportation. The DHS said the operation forms part of the immigration crackdown being implemented under President Donald Trump, with enforcement efforts led by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). “The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is highlighting the worst of the worst criminal aliens arrested by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE),” the statement said. It added that DHS and ICE personnel were carrying out President Trump’s directive to begin mass deportations with individuals considered the highest priority for removal. The published list includes 124 Nigerian nationals whose names and photographs have been made public by US authorities. The latest action follows a series of executive orders signed by President Trump after returning to office on January 20, 2025. The orders declared illegal immigration a national emergency, strengthened border security measures and directed immigration agencies to prioritise the arrest and deportation of non-citizens convicted of serious crimes. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has defended the policy, saying the administration remains committed to enforcing immigration laws and removing undocumented immigrants with criminal records. The deportation campaign has primarily affected migrants from Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and El Salvador, but the US has also expanded deportation flights to countries in Africa, Asia and the Caribbean. Nigeria has also faced increased scrutiny from Washington. In June, the US imposed partial visa restrictions on Nigerian citizens, citing concerns over identity management, information sharing, visa overstay rates and security screening. The DHS has not announced when the deportations of the listed Nigerians will begin or provided further details on individual cases.

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has disbursed a total of ₦1.5 billion in student loans to 6,129 students across three tertiary institutions for the 2025/2026 academic session.   The beneficiaries are Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology (BOUESTI) in Ekiti State, Sikiru Adetona College of Education, Science and Technology in Ogun State, and the Edo State College of Nursing Sciences in Benin City. A breakdown released by NELFUND shows that BOUESTI received ₦1,360,920,800 across five tranches for 5,396 students, making it the largest beneficiary. Sikiru Adetona College received ₦104,530,000 for 680 students, while the Edo State College of Nursing Sciences received ₦36,485,000 for 53 students. The three institutions have confirmed receiving the funds. Registrar of Sikiru Adetona College, Dr Bukola Makinde, said the money had already been paid directly into the beneficiaries’ bank accounts, adding that the support would help students continue their education without financial disruption. Provost of the Edo State College of Nursing Sciences, Mabel Omobude, pledged that the funds would be used strictly for their intended educational purpose, reaffirming the institution’s commitment to transparency and accountability. BOUESTI Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Andrew Babatunde Omojola, confirmed receipt of the full ₦1.36 billion and commended the Federal Government and NELFUND’s management for the efficient disbursement process. He said the funding would benefit 5,396 students and praised the scheme for advancing its objective of expanding access to higher education through financial support. The update was announced by NELFUND on its verified X account and confirmed by beneficiary institutions in acknowledgement letters seen by Channels Television.

The Senate has approved a combined ₦403.1 billion Police Trust Fund budget for the 2025 and 2026 fiscal years to strengthen policing and tackle Nigeria’s growing security challenges.   The approval includes ₦170.1 billion for 2025 and ₦233 billion for 2026, with lawmakers expressing confidence that the funding will improve the operational capacity of the Nigeria Police Force through better equipment, infrastructure, training and other critical resources. The 2026 budget provides for personnel costs, capital projects and overhead expenditures aimed at enhancing the police’s ability to combat terrorism, kidnapping and other forms of insecurity across the country. The Senate’s decision comes amid renewed calls for stronger security measures as communities continue to grapple with rising crime and violent attacks in several parts of Nigeria. In a related development, President Bola Tinubu has asked the Senate to approve a bill seeking to repeal the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015 and replace it with the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2026. The proposed legislation seeks to strengthen Nigeria’s criminal justice system by addressing procedural gaps that have slowed the delivery of justice. It also proposes the establishment of a criminal justice monitoring council to oversee implementation of the law in the Federal Capital Territory and other federal courts. According to the President, the bill will promote the use of technology, introduce innovative measures and improve the implementation of criminal justice reforms by relevant institutions. The Senate has referred the bill to its Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters for further legislative consideration.