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Canada rejects 1,596 Nigerian asylum applications

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Prime Minister of Canada, Mark Carney.
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Canada has denied 1,596 asylum claims filed by Nigerians so far in 2025, fresh data from the Immigration and Refugee Board show.

Sunday PUNCH reports that the figures, updated to August 21, indicate that Nigerian nationals filed 3,548 claims so far this year, of which 2,292 were accepted.

This puts the acceptance rate at about 65 per cent, higher than in previous years when rejections cumulatively amounted to over 13,000.

An analysis by Maple Crest Law, a Canadian immigration practice, earlier estimated 3,455 Nigerian claims in early 2025, placing the country among the top sources of asylum seekers alongside Mexico, India, Haiti and Colombia.

Violence from Boko Haram, combined with economic instability, fuelled the departures, the report says.

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Ontario and Alberta currently host the largest numbers of asylum seekers.

The IMRB grants refugee protection in Canada if the RPD satisfactorily confirms that an applicant or claimant meets the United Nations definition of a convention refugee, “which has been incorporated into Canadian law, or that the applicant is a person in need of protection.”

The 1951 UN Convention relating to the Status of Refugees defines refugees as persons who have a substantiated fear of persecution because of their race, nationality, religion, political ideology or membership in a particular social group.

Such social groups can include sexual orientation, gender identity, being a woman and persons living with HIV/AIDS.

However, persons asking for protection in Canada must show evidence portending danger of torture, risk to their life or risk of cruel and unusual treatment or punishment should they return to their country of nationality.

Typically, such protection claims are made when immigrants notify the Border Services Agency at any port of entry upon arriving in Canada or report to an immigration officer.

“The officer decides whether the claim is eligible to be referred to the IRB.

“If the claim is eligible, it is sent (“referred”) to the RPD to start the claim for refugee protection process,” an application guideline by the Refugee Board reads.

By comparison, official records show that in 2024 alone, 811 Nigerian claims were rejected, while 2,230 were approved.

Between 2013 and 2024, the RPD turned down 13,171 applications from Nigerians and accepted 10,580, ranking the country consistently among the top five in volume of denials.

Overall asylum demand in Canada remains grew after a record 173,000 claims in 2024.

However, data published by the Canadian Government show applications eased slightly in 2025, with about 19,660 filed in the first two months of the year.

However, application volume remained far above pre-pandemic levels.

The IRB, which decides refugee protection claims, has faced criticism for delays as its backlog swelled in recent years.

The breakdown of the rejections since 2013 showed that 127, 241 and 248 Nigerians were denied protection in 2013, 2014 and 2015, respectively, under the new system for determining refugee protection claims made in Canada—which took effect on December 15, 2012.

A total of 476, 917 and 1,777 claims were rejected in 2016, 2017 and 2018 respectively.

2019 saw the highest number of rejected claims, with 3,951 Nigerian applicants turned down.

Meanwhile, 1,770, 1,686, 728, 439 and 811 persons were denied protection in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, respectively.

Nevertheless, 10,580 Nigerians were granted refugee status within the decade under review, with at least 2,230 from January to December 2024.

Official data placed Nigeria among the top 10 countries with the most claims accepted. It ranked 8th on the list.

Others are Turkiye with 4,866, Mexico with 4,363, Colombia with 3,340, Iran with 3,200, Pakistan with 2,556, Haiti with 2,211, Afghanistan with 1,921 and Kenya with 1,653 claims accepted.

Imaobong Ladipo-Sanusi is the Executive Director of the Women Trafficking and Child Labour Eradication Foundation.

In an interview with our correspondent, she said irregular migration motivated by economic hardship is often the leading cause of rejections.

“Most times, many Nigerians miss it when they don’t understand the laws governing refugee status as adopted in their chosen destination. Every country has its regulations for absorbing people into its system.

“For one, documentation is crucial because coming irregularly will get you rejected from their system. But ultimately, everybody’s rights must be protected.

“Migration must be safe, orderly and regular. Even if their status is irregular, those who really need protection should be protected,” Ladipo-Sanusi said. (Sunday PUNCH)

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Gunmen on rampage in Awka: Popular media personality- Isaac Nwosu shot dead

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• Police Commissioner visits family, vows to get perpetrators

By Chuks Collins, Awka

Some yet to be identified three-man assassins suspected to be cultists have k!lled a very popular media personality in Awka Sunday afternoon.

The popular public announcer and broadcaster/radio guest artiste, comedian -Isaac Nwosu, aka ‘Aiza Nwosu’, was according to eye witnesses shot point while on the steering on the street of the Anambra capital city of Awka.

He was said to have been shot alongside two other victims at separate locations, point-blank, gangster style.

The State Commissioner of Police, Nnanna Oji Ama, today 31st August 2026 after a 2-hour closed-door strategic meeting with the Command’s strategic and operational officers as part of ongoing efforts to reassess information from the public especially within Awka to strengthen security operations and sustain the fight against violent crime, paid a condolence visit to the family of late Nwosu.

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In his reaction shortly after the visit, Ama vowed to fish out the assailants.

Eyewitnesses who spoke to journalists said the unfortunate acts were apparently by the same assailants on Sunday, August 30, 2026.

Late Nwosu was shot along S.M. Okeke Street, Amaikwo area of Awka.

Whereas the other victims were shot dead along Capital City Road, Amaenyi area in Awka.

Eyewitnesses and residents believed the dastardly act. were cult related.

According to one of the witnesses, “The assailants, numbering about three and driving in a tinted vehicle, trailed the comedian from his home, double-crossed his vehicle and before attacking and shooting him dead.

“They left the victim in a pool of blood inside his car. As they drove some distance away, they also shot another victim d3ad by the roadside, dispossessed him of his belongings and fled.

“The assailants fired some shots into the air before leaving the scene in a commando-like manner, thereby creating tension in the area. After they left, the security operatives arrived at the scene and recovered the lifeless bodies of the victims.

“The security operatives later beefed up security around the areas following the incident.”

Some videos circulating online showed the lifeless bodies of the victims lying in pools of blood at different locations as onlookers gathered around the scenes.

The Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Ikenga Tochukwu, confirmed the incident in a statement on Monday, August 31.

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Kano APC Chairman shot dead by terrorists

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Terrorists have shot dead the All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman of Rantan Ward in Bebeji Local Government Area of Kano State, Alhaji Garba Buba, during an attack on the community.

Buba was killed on Sunday night, August 30, 2026, after terrorists reportedly invaded Rantan community and opened fire on residents. Another resident identified as Sulaiman Zunduma was also killed during the attack.

A resident of the community, Hamza Isah Rantan, confirmed the incident in a Facebook post, saying the attack forced residents to flee their homes in search of safety.

According to Hamza, the terrorists shot Buba inside his house before he was taken to a hospital for treatment. He, however, died from the injuries sustained during the attack.

Hamza also said Zunduma was shot during the invasion and died instantly. He expressed condolences to the families of the victims while praying for the recovery of those who sustained injuries.

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“On Sunday night kidnappers attacked our town, Rantan, where they shot Alhaji Garab Buha, the APC ward chairman in Rantan, who later died in a hospital. They also killed another resident, Sulaiman Zunduma,” Hamza said.

The development was also confirmed by the Kano State APC spokesperson, Alhaji Auwalu Soja, who said Buba was killed on Sunday. He added that the party would issue an official statement on the incident.

The killing occurred less than 24 hours after another attack in the area, where three residents of Garun-Mallam were reportedly killed by unidentified attackers. The successive attacks have heightened concerns over the security situation in communities around the area.

The latest killing has further raised concerns over the safety of residents in Kano communities, with calls growing for security agencies to strengthen operations and prevent further attacks.

As of the time of this report, the identities and motives of those responsible for the Rantan attack had not been officially established.

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Ex-Bayelsa Gov, Timipre Sylva dumps APC, gives reasons

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Ex-Bayelsa Governor Chief Timipre Sylva
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Former Bayelsa State Governor and ex-Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, has resigned from the All Progressives Congress, citing what he described as the party’s departure from its founding ideals.

Sylva, a founding member of the APC, announced his resignation in a letter dated August 31, 2026, addressed to the APC Chairman of Ward 4 in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

He said he made the decision after consulting his family, associates, colleagues and sympathisers.

Sylva also criticised the administration of President Bola Tinubu, saying it had disappointed most Nigerians and expressing confidence that voters would seek a change in the 2027 general elections.

In the letter, which was electronically delivered, Sylva said he could no longer remain in a party whose leaders appeared to believe that “all is fair in politics.”

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He wrote, “Having consulted widely with my family, associates, colleagues and sympathisers, I wish to formally tender my resignation from the All Progressives Congress (APC), with immediate effect.

“As a founding member of the APC, and one who joined other well-meaning Nigerians in building the party with sweat and money, it is deeply saddening to witness how the ideals we espoused have been so thoroughly and unrecognisably thwarted.

“Moreover, I cannot, in all good conscience, continue to belong to a party whose leaders believe that ‘all is fair in politics;’ and have consistently demonstrated that belief in practice.

“All cannot be fair in any endeavour of life. The demands of basic decency and morality forbid it. Unfortunately, this mentality appears to underpin virtually every action, and even inaction, of this administration.”

The former governor said the APC-led government had failed to meet the expectations of Nigerians, adding that he saw no realistic effort to change its direction.

“The present Government, formed under the banner of the APC we once loved, has disappointed the vast majority of Nigerians. And I can see neither a credible attempt nor any possibility of a revamp,” he said.

Sylva said he had therefore decided to leave the party rather than remain part of what he described as a “floundering ship.”

“I am therefore left with no other choice than to jettison a floundering ship whose fate appears to have been sealed by its irredeemable load of iniquities. I have no doubt that, in the coming election, Nigerians will vote for Nigeria and free the Country from this stranglehold on our beautiful country,” he stated.

Sylva also explained why he copied the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in his resignation letter.

He said he knew the decision could lead to increased scrutiny of him and his associates but was prepared to face the consequences.

“I am fully aware that this action of mine may invite a redoubled witch-hunt against me and my associates, but that is a risk I am willing to take,” he said.

Copies of the resignation letter were also sent to the National Chairman of the APC, the Executive Chairman of the EFCC and the APC Chairman in Bayelsa State.

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