Chidimma Adetshina, Miss Universe Nigeria, is set to lose her South African identity and travel documents following a nationality dispute.

South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs launched an investigation after she became a Miss South Africa finalist, raising concerns over her eligibility due to her Nigerian father and Mozambican mother.

Adetshina withdrew from the pageant in August after officials suggested her mother committed “identity theft” to obtain South African citizenship. Despite the controversy, Adetshina went on to win Miss Universe Nigeria.

The Department has now revoked both Adetshina’s and her mother’s documents, citing fraud.

Adetshina, born in Soweto, has not commented but remains in Mexico to represent Nigeria at the Miss Universe competition in November.

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Libyan authorities have arrested a 25-year-old Nigerian man in the coastal city of Al-Khums on charges of theft and banditry.

The suspect is believed to be part of an organised gang involved in criminal activities in the region.

According to a statement released by Migrant Rescue Watch on its X (formerly Twitter) handle on Thursday, the man has been handed over to the Souq Al-Khamis Police Department for legal proceedings.

The statement read, “Police Intervention and Control Force, in response to a report, arrested in Al-Khums a Nigerian migrant (born in 1999) on charges of belonging to an organised gang responsible for theft and banditry.”

The investigation is ongoing as authorities search for other members of the gang.

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The Canadian government has announced plans to reduce the number of permanent residents it accepts each year in response to rising population growth.

On Thursday, Immigration Minister Marc Miller revealed that beginning in 2025, the annual intake of permanent residents will be lowered from the current target of 500,000. Instead, Canada will admit 395,000 newcomers in 2025, 380,000 in 2026, and 365,000 in 2027.

Miller explained that the new 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan aims to ensure sustainable, long-term population growth. It includes measures to control the number of both permanent and temporary residents, such as international students and foreign workers.

“We recognise the importance of newcomers to our economy, but we also see the pressures facing our country,” Miller said. “These changes will allow for responsible growth, ensuring access to jobs, housing, and support for all Canadians.”

The plan also includes efforts to reduce the number of temporary residents to 5% of the population by the end of 2026. Currently, immigration accounts for nearly 98% of Canada’s population growth, with temporary residents making up 60% of that increase in 2023.

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A Nigerian businessman, Adesolape Funmise Ogunba, has been detained by an Accra Circuit Court for allegedly defrauding fellow Nigerian Ndiomyi Bassey of $130,000.

Ogunba, 40, is accused of receiving the amount under the pretext of selling a Richard Mille wristwatch but failing to deliver the product.

The court charged Ogunba with defrauding by false pretence and criminal breach of trust. He pleaded not guilty.

According to the prosecution, Ogunba and Bassey, both businessmen, had agreed to conduct business together while Ogunba was living in Dubai.

Bassey transferred the money, but Ogunba failed to deliver the promised watch and ceased communication. Following an INTERPOL investigation, Ogunba was arrested.

The case has been adjourned, and Ogunba remains in police custody.

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A Turkish Airlines pilot has died after collapsing mid-flight, prompting an emergency landing in New York, the airline confirmed on Wednesday.

The incident occurred during Flight TK204 from Seattle to Istanbul on Tuesday evening. The airline’s spokesperson, Yahya Ustun, said the 59-year-old pilot, who had been with Turkish Airlines since 2007, became unresponsive mid-air. Despite attempts to administer first aid, the pilot could not be revived.

The flight crew, which included another pilot and a co-pilot, decided to divert the Airbus A350 and make an emergency landing in New York. Unfortunately, the pilot passed away before the plane landed.

Ustun noted that the deceased pilot had undergone a routine medical examination in March, which showed no signs of health issues.

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A 39-year-old Nigerian national, Gabriel Okori, has been remanded in custody in South Africa for allegedly defrauding a woman of R3 million through an online romance scam.

Mr. Okori appeared before the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Monday, October 7, following his arrest last Thursday in Cape Town by the Hawks, South Africa’s Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, in collaboration with the City of Cape Town’s law enforcement and a private security firm.

The Hawks’ spokesperson, Warrant Officer Thatohatsi Mavimbela, said the victim met Okori on Facebook, where he posed as a white man named “Mark Hermanus.” They later communicated via WhatsApp, where he claimed his son was seriously ill, persuading the woman to send money for medical expenses.

The victim reportedly transferred over R3 million, believing “Hermanus” would repay her once his son’s medical bills were settled. However, the promised repayment never came, prompting the victim to report the case to the Hawks’ serious commercial crime unit.

Okori’s next court appearance is scheduled for October 14.

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Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) has dismantled an inter-regional migrant smuggling network reportedly led by a Nigerian professor at the People’s Friendship University of Russia (RUDN).

The operation targeted the network, which facilitated illegal immigration from Africa through Russia to European Union countries. While the professor’s name was not disclosed, five key members of the ring, including Russians, Nigerians, and Ukrainians, were detained.

The smuggling group allegedly generated 60 million rubles ($650,000) since 2021 through fraudulent Russian residence permits, fake marriages, and paternity claims. During raids in the Vladimir region, FSB agents rescued three Russian nationals held captive by the smugglers.

The investigation is ongoing, with additional accomplices being sought. This development follows Finland’s 2022 decision to close its border with Russia, accusing Moscow of using migrants as part of a “hybrid attack” — a claim Russia denies.

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According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), these citizens, voting at the Chadian Consulate office in Maiduguri, expressed enthusiasm for their participation in the election, which ran from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Dr. Umar Attaib, the liaison officer of the consulate, informed NAN that 3,500 Chadians had registered to vote in Borno.

Attaib also mentioned that voting occurred not only in Maiduguri but also in Kano, Abuja, and Lagos. Several voters interviewed by NAN expressed satisfaction with the smooth conduct of the electoral process.

“We appreciate the presence of security men from the Nigerian Police, DSS, and Immigration, who are here to ensure everything is smooth.

“We also appreciate the arrangements made by the Chadian government to enable those who are not in Chad to participate in the democratic process,” a voter, Abubakar Usman, said.

10 contestants are participating in the election, with the incumbent President of the Transitional Government, Gen. Idriss Deby, and the Prime Minister, Assyonga Succes, as leading contenders.

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A 14-year-old boy, Daniel Anjorin, was fatally attacked with a sword in London on Tuesday while on his way to school.

The British-Nigerian student attended Bancroft’s private school. A 36-year-old man, who was not previously known to police, has been arrested on suspicion of murder.

The attack began when the suspect crashed a van into a house fence, injuring a 33-year-old man, then stabbed him in the neck.

He then attacked a 35-year-old man, causing arm lacerations, before killing Anjorin. Two police officers were seriously injured while apprehending the suspect, who was eventually detained 22 minutes after the initial call. The attack is not believed to be terror-related.

The independent school attended by Anjorin said in a statement Wednesday that they had been left in “profound shock and sorrow” at the pupil’s death.

“He was a true scholar, demonstrating commendable dedication to his academic pursuits. His positive nature and gentle character will leave a lasting impact on us,” Bancroft’s, in Woodford Green, near Hainault, said.

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The police in Edo state say they have apprehended one Emmanuel Ebeagbor, Aka Dr Walock, over cyberstalking, revenge porn and raud.

The 20-year-old self acclaimed spiritualist specialised in hoodwinking unsuspecting women to defraud them by posing as someone with power to solve their spiritual and worldly problems.

The suspect was arrested at Uromi, by operatives of the Intelligent Rapid Response Squad during investigations into a case of cyber stalking reported at the station.

The State Commissioner of Police, CP, Funsho Adegboye, confirmed the development.

Adegboye said the suspect requested the sum of N240,000 from a lady to help solve her spiritual problem.

He disclosed that after the victim transferred the money to the suspect’s bank account, he (the suspect) also requested for her nude video.

According to the CP, the suspect asked the woman to record the nude video when she is taking her bath, for spiritual cleansing, and promised to delete it after use.

“She did as he instructed and two weeks later, the suspect demanded for the sum of N400,000, and threatened to post her nude video on the internet,” he said.

The CP said during investigation, the complainant’s nude video and those of other ladies who were the suspect’s victims, were found in his phone.

He said the suspect will soon be charged to court.

In an interview with newsmen, the suspect said he introduced himself to the woman as a spiritualist, and promised to help her.

He said he had lost count of his victims as they are numerous.

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