The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) says it has not received any distress call from Nigerians residing in Iran amid the ongoing hostilities involving Iran and the United States.

Director of Media and Public Relations of the commission, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, disclosed this in a telephone interview on Monday while responding to concerns that Nigerians may be stranded following the suspension of international flights into and out of Iran.

Balogun clarified that while Nigerians may be living in Iran, none has formally contacted the commission for assistance.

“I’m not saying there are no Nigerians there, I’m only saying nobody has sent any distress call,” he said.

He explained that the cancellation of flights was due to security concerns arising from the conflict, noting that airlines would not operate in an active war zone.

“You cannot fly where bombs are going up and down. No airline will fly,” he stated, adding that the situation affects all nationalities.

According to him, evacuation would only be possible if there is a ceasefire that allows stranded persons to leave safely.

“They may ceasefire for two or three days to allow people who are stranded at the airport to be evacuated. That has not been done,” he noted.

On the estimated number of Nigerians currently in Iran, Balogun said NiDCOM does not have such data and advised that inquiries be directed to the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which oversees Nigeria’s embassies.

“We don’t have embassies there. The only person controlling embassies is the Minister of Foreign Affairs. They will be able to tell you,” he said.

Balogun also noted that collaboration with airlines or foreign authorities is not feasible at the moment due to the suspension of flights and Nigeria’s lack of a national carrier operating international routes.

“Which Nigerian airline? We don’t have one now,” he added.

He explained that Nigerians travelling to Iran usually do so privately, often connecting through countries such as Dubai or Greece.

On the possibility of a government-led evacuation, Balogun said affected Nigerians must first formally request assistance and indicate willingness to return home.

“You cannot force them. People went there voluntarily. In Sudan and Ukraine, some initially said they were not leaving. So people must seek for help and say, ‘Our lives are in danger, can you evacuate us?’”

He added that once such a request is made and conditions permit, the Federal Government could activate emergency measures, including chartering aircraft and setting up a rescue committee.

Balogun reaffirmed that the protection of Nigerians abroad remains a core responsibility of the Federal Government under its citizen diplomacy policy, but stressed that evacuation efforts would depend on improved security conditions and the reopening of airspace.

“As far as I know, I’m not aware that anybody has sent a distress call,” he maintained.

A Federal High Court in Abuja has approved an application for accelerated hearing in the ongoing trial of five men accused of masterminding the August 26, 2011 bombing of the United Nations building in Abuja.

Justice Emeka Nwite granted the request on Monday following an application by prosecuting counsel, Alex Izinyon (SAN), who invoked the 2022 Practice Direction on terrorism cases issued by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho.

Izinyon told the court that the case had lingered for nearly a decade and urged the court to allow day-to-day proceedings where possible to ensure a prompt conclusion. He argued that expediting the trial was in the interest of justice and all parties involved. Defence counsel did not oppose the application, and the court subsequently granted it.

The Department of State Services (DSS) is prosecuting Al-Barnawi, also known by several aliases including Kafuri, Naziru, Alhaji Yahaya, Mallam Dauda and Alhaji Tanimu.

He is standing trial alongside Mohammed Bashir Saleh; Umar Mohammed Bello (also known as Datti and Mohammed Salisu); and Yakubu Nuhu (aka Bello Maishayi).

During proceedings, a prosecution witness identified as PW3, a senior operative and computer forensic expert in the DSS Technical Department, testified in a trial-within-trial to determine whether the defendants’ statements were made voluntarily.

Under cross-examination by Bala Dakum, counsel to the second defendant, the witness said he could not recall the exact date a video recording admitted as Exhibit C was made. However, he stated that the interviews of the five defendants took place between 2016 and 2017.

He maintained that the DSS employed professional standards in its investigations, stressing that the forensic recording equipment used complies with the Evidence Act and global best practices.

Responding to claims that the video recording contained gaps, the witness denied any tampering, explaining that the device is designed to be tamper-proof.

According to him, the equipment records simultaneously onto two identical DVDs in real time and automatically triggers a digital closure if paused, preventing further editing.

On allegations that the second defendant was not administered cautionary words before making his statement, the witness clarified that his role was strictly technical  to record proceedings  and not to participate in questioning.

Nonetheless, he said the video evidence showed that the defendant was informed of his rights, including the option to decline answering questions and access legal counsel, but chose to proceed voluntarily.

The witness also addressed concerns over why only the defendant’s face appeared in the video recording. He explained that it is standard practice not to capture the faces of interviewers for security reasons.

While body parts of interviewers may inadvertently appear during exchanges, he said such portions cannot be edited out due to the integrity safeguards embedded in the recording device.

He further stated that all official interactions between investigators and defendants are submitted to the court. Where security concerns arise from unintended exposure of personnel, the matter is left to the court’s discretion.

Earlier, under cross-examination by F. K. Kamaga, counsel to the first defendant, the witness reiterated that the recording equipment cannot be paused or manipulated mid-session, dismissing suggestions that it could be altered during interviews.

Justice Nwite adjourned further hearing in the matter to March 4, as the court continues the trial-within-trial proceedings.

A civil society organisation named Ikwuano Good Governance and Human Rights Project has written to Abia State Governor Alex Otti asserting that portions of Ikwuano LGA has been deliberately and intentionally excluded from its constitutionally rights and development as portions of the Umuahia Capital Territory and Umuahia Capital Development Authority.

In a statement titled ‘RE: EXCLUSION OF PORTIONS OF IKWUANO LG FROM UMUAHIA CAPITAL TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT’, the Executive Director of IGGHRP, Mr Tony Icheku argued that what seemed an oversight by previous negligent administration appears to have transformed into a deliberate and intentional administrative exclusion and relegation of these portions of Ikwuano LGA from developmental projections of UCDA.

In the statement where he listed the affected communities to include Ndoro – Umugbalu – Amawom – Umudike, Icheku further maintained that by excluding these communities which boasts of high population density first from the recent roads rehabilitation and reconstruction of roads leading in and out of Umuahia and from the recently introduced Green Shuttle Bus Service routes, the Otti-led administration appears to have keyed into the mistake of previous negligent administrations.

According to him, among several important institutions on the Ikwuano portions of Umuahia Capital Territory include the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike; National Roots Crop Research Institute, campus of the Abia State University; Government College, Umuahia plus several secondary and primary schools plus medical facilities.

Icheku appealed to Gov Otti to reverse the mistake of the past and incorporate these communities in his usual speedy interventions in spreading socio-economic development to all books and crannies of Abia State.

The letter reads in full:

Ikwuano Good Governance and Human Rights Project

March 2, 2025

His Excellency, Dr Alex Otti
Executive Governor, Abia State
Government House
Umuahia

His Excellency,

RE: EXCLUSION OF PORTIONS OF IKWUANO LG FROM UMUAHIA CAPITAL TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT

We write to you in the consciousness of the New Abia spirit which has ushered unquantifiable socio-economic to our dear State within such a short period.

We however wish to draw your attention to what appears to be deliberate exclusion of portions of Ikwuano LGA from the constitutionally designated Umuahia Capital Territory masterplan. Being part of the masterplan of Umuahia Capital Territory, this portions of Ikwuano LG should benefit from the development programmes and projects of Umuahia Capital Development Authority. Unfortunately, such has not been the practice since Aug. 21, 1991 creation of Abia State and subsequent development of the Capital Territory masterplan.

From our observations, what seemed an oversight by previous negligent administration appears to have transformed into a deliberate and intentional administrative exclusion and relegation of these portions of Ikwuano LGA from developmental projections of UCDA.

First, we have observed that these Ikwuano portions of Umuahia Capital Territory were deliberately excluded from the massive road rehabilitation and reconstruction of major roads leading into and out of Umuahia metropolis by His Excellencys administration.

Just like Tower to Onuimo, these portions of Ikwuano LG are part of the Federal road network, but that did not stop your administration from speedy work on the Tower-Onuimo section of the road.

Sir, we wish to remind His Excellency, that the Umuahia-Ikwuano road was in worse condition than the Tower-Onuimo road whose reconstruction and rehabilitation was speedily embarked upon. Thankfully, your government has taken over the road finally. Thank you Sir.

Secondly, we are constrained to write His Excellency over the deliberate and intentional exclusion of Ikwuano portions of the Umuahia Capital Territory from the Green Shuttle Bus Services.

If under the Umuahia route, there are Ubakala – Isigate route; Isigate to Tower route; and Isigate to Ohafia route, we cannot find justiciable reason for the absence of Oboro – Isigate route.

Its part of Oboro clan, beginning from Methodist High School, coming from Ndoro that fall within the Umuahia Capital Territory. Find enclosed sign post declaring this fact.

His Excellency must be aware that beginning from Ndoro – Umugbalu – Amawom – Umudike – Ahia Eke are clusters of fast growing population which can generate enough revenue for the Green Bus project.

On this stretch of road are the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike; National Roots Crop Research Institute, campus of the Abia State University; Government College, Umuahia; A large Catholic Church community comprising a seminary, secondary and primary schools plus medical facilities.

In our consideration, we assumed that some of the information we have proffered may not have been properly brought to His Excellencys attention, and we hope that our doing so now would right the wrongs of the past regarding the exclusion of this portions of Ikwuano LG from Umuahia Capital Territory development.

We equally extend our appreciation to His Excellency for the interventions in hitherto abandoned inter and intra community road network across Ikwuano LG.

We look forward to His Excellencys usual speedy interventions in spreading socio-economic development to all books and crannies of Abia State.

Accept Sir, the compliments of our high regards.

yours sincerely
e-signed
Tony Icheku
Executive Director
Ikwuano Good Governance and Human Rights Project

Cc:
i. Hon Boniface Isienye, Abia State House of Assembly
ii. Hon. Commissioner for Information, Abia State
iii. Hon Commissioner for Transport, Abia State
iv. Hon Commissioner for Finance, Abia State
v. Executive Chairman, Ikwuano LGA
vi. Director-General, Ministry of Finance Inc., MOFI, Abia State