•Foreign missions to adopt strict policy
•Boko Haram fighters found in Libya, northern Niger

To ensure that undesirable elements do not enter the country, the Federal Government has directed it missions to adopt strict visa issuance policy.

The directive followed the botched attempt by the Chief Imam of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), Ahmed Al-Assir, to enter Nigeria. Visa applicants from marked areas will, henceforth, be subjected scrutiny, sources said.

Security agencies have already stepped up investigation into Al-Assir’s possible contacts in Nigeria.

There will also be increased profiling of Nigerians travelling to suspected ISIS strongholds and visiting foreigners. An agency report yesterday said that Boko Haram has dispatched between 80 and 200 of its members to team up with ISIS in the Libyan city of Sitre.

The report added that Algerian security forces believe that Boko Haram members are currently fighting in northern Niger Republic.

There were concerns that some ISIS members might have sneaked into Nigeria to Boko Haram.

A government source said yesterday that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has directed all Nigerian missions abroad to “be strict with visa.”

“The end of carefree issuance of visa is gone, all the missions have been directed to subject applicants to thorough screening before they can enter Nigeria,” a source said.

“Special attention will be paid to ISIS prone areas and allies in some countries. We have records of the operation areas and affiliates of ISIS.

“Those coming from suspected areas will henceforth provide comprehensive details of their contacts, hosts and itinerary to the Nigerian Immigration Service(NIS).

“These are preemptive measures we have in place pending the conclusion of investigation into the visa row of Al-Assir.”

It was also gathered that security agencies have been analysing the preliminary report from the Nigerian Embassy in Lebanon on how the ISIS Chief Imam obtained visa with a fake Palestinian passport.

The probe is being handled by the Department of State Services (DSS), National Intelligence Agency, Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) , Office of National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the NIS.

A source familiar with the development said: “We cannot afford to take things for granted; we are studying the supposed itinerary of Al-Assir based on the decoy documents he used to apply for visa.

“There is a way we can track down his network in Nigeria. Definitely, it is obvious that he has some links in the country.

“The clues we are investigating border on whether some ISIS members have arrived in Nigeria or if Al-Assir was on a mass recruitment mission.

“You know he is also being interrogated by security agencies in Lebanon, we are going to compare notes with them.”

Al-Assir was arrested on August 15 at Beirut’s Rafik Hariri International Airport,Lebanon on his way to Nigeria through Egypt.

He has been on the watch-list of Lebanon’s security services since 2013.

At the time of his arrest, Al-Assir was holding a fake Palestinian passport with Nigerian visa.

Prior to his disguise, the Lebanese government had accused him of alleged involvement in the death of 17 Lebanese soldiers.

He had also been sentenced to death in absentia by a Lebanese Court.

Before Al-Assir’s ill-fated trip, the NIS had barred no fewer than 4,916 Nigerians from traveling out of the country between January and March.

Some of those affected were suspected to be travelling to enlist in some terrorist movements, including the Islamic State of Syria and Iraq and the Taliban.

Also, 12,152 foreigners were refused entry into Nigeria because they had no genuine reasons for visiting the country.

http://thenationonlineng.net/fed-govt-goes-tough-on-visa-issuance-to-stop-terrorists/

cc lalasticlala

Wonderful...

Firefire:
Wonderful...

all na wash,the world already knows what went on.

Na wash.
During elections Niger and Chad become extension of Northern Nigeria.

After bringing in enough ISIS members

Now Nigerian embassies in some countries will be like American embassy in Lagos. One of the changes we crave for.

CHANGE IS HERE

ok, just as Indians toughens the issuance of student visa to Nigerians as a result of two Nigerians who were caught trying to cross bothers to pakistan to join ISIS.

Detection of fake passports might help.

Recall that the case that brought this all about...

1.The islamist was travelling on a fake passport.

2.The islamist had also undergone surgery to change his appearance.

Good to be strict.....but more training is needed.

Welcome development. The boko we are dealing with is more than enough

Its [size=20pt]LadyF[/size] again

PROVACATEUR:
Na wash.
During elections Niger and Chad become extension of Northern Nigeria.

.

siddon for there look, e go do you like film trick...

PROVACATEUR:
Na wash.
During elections Niger and Chad become extension of Northern Nigeria.

yes na..any good thing from this government is either wash or propaganda ..we knw ur type

The Perm. Secs must be tough!

Oya make una start to close down those open boarders

K

This is just another news

lt needs to be tougher to get our Visa but as long as our Northern borders remains porous these elements can easily sneak in by road!

Only if they abide to it.

h

Lagos-Seme Border is still open and Customs Officials are still taking 50 naira to pass people. Idiroko bush tracks are free way. Niger-Nigeria Border, Cameroun-Cross River Border and Benue Borders are still open. What are we doing about those ?

yesssooo

Good

Let them not use their own disturb me when i wan collect my own now o

E de do me strongthings

;Date

Boko Haram is home grown terror that now has an international appeal.
Thanks to the I don't care attitude adopted by the governors of the affected states who preferred to blame it on Jonathan than protect their citizens.

I HAVE NOTHING TO COMMENT... BUT YO CAN HAVE THIS PRAYER


GODSON36 PRAYER FOR YOU NAIRALANDERS

__I pray that NEW thing that will Make Your Life To Be WORSE than before Will Not Come Into Your Life____

E.G

(1) SAMSUNG (Old) = Best Chelsea

(2) YOKOHAMA (NEW) = Worst Chelsea
_______________________________

(1) JONATHAN (NEW) = Worst Nigeria

(2) BUHARI (OLD) = BEST NIGERIA

________________________________

I REMAIN LOYAL @Godson36

Saying is one, doing is another.

ladyF:
Welcome development. The boko we are dealing with is more than enough

Its [size=20pt]LadyF[/size] again

Is it just me who thinks you and the other 'first to comment' she-male (introvert) are one of the most annoying characters on Nairaland. I'm filled with disgust every time I see your 'it's lady f again' signature, the both of you are very childish.

Don't you have jobs or something better to do with your life rather than fighting over who is the first to comment on Nairaland?! Are you an adult with responsibilities?!

You need to look deep into yourself and stop this childish and disgusting attitude of yours'. It's ruining the frontpage of Nairaland.