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NIS Foils Trafficking Attempt, Arrests Suspect at Sokoto Border

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NIS Foils Trafficking Attempt, Arrests Suspect at Sokoto Border

NIS Foils Trafficking Attempt, Arrests Suspect at Sokoto Border

Operatives of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) at the Ilela border command in Sokoto have arrested Rukaya Hassan, 25, for attempting to traffic two underage girls to the Niger Republic.

The Command Public Relations Officer (CPRO), Mohammed Abdullahi, who disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, noted that the victims have been handed over to the National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for further investigations.

Abdullahi added that the operation was a swift response to the morale-boosting charge of the new Comptroller General of Immigration (CGI), Mrs. Kemi Nandap.

During interrogation, Hassan, a resident of the Giribshi area of Sokoto, confessed that she did not know the two girls she was travelling with to Niger. “She claimed they were handed over to her by one woman in Sokoto, named Maman Adnan, who paid for their transport to Niger,” Abdullahi said. “She also claimed the woman requested her to help take the two girls to another woman in Niger, named Amina Yunusa, who will give them jobs in her restaurant in Niamey.”

Further examination revealed that the two teenagers, Nabila Ibrahim, 17, and her sister, Zainab Ibrahim, 15, hailed from Zuru LGA in Kebbi State. “According to them, they were going to Niger to resume work in a certain restaurant which they didn’t know the owner, but that their parents approved of their trip.”

Reacting to the incident, the Comptroller of Immigration, Ilela Command, Tony Akuneme, who conducted the interviews, invited NAPTIP, Sokoto State, to take charge of the two victims and the suspected trafficker. This move aims to aid further investigation and possible prosecution.

Akuneme reiterated his commitment to sustaining the campaign against the Smuggling of Migrants (SOM) and Trafficking in Persons (TIP), aligning with the efforts of the CGI. He also quoted the CGI, thanking the officers and men of the Ilela border command for their diligence and promising to reward outstanding personnel.

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China Introduces Instant Tax Refunds for Foreign Tourists to Boost Shopping Experience

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China Introduces Instant Tax Refunds for Foreign Tourists to Boost Shopping Experience

China has revamped its tax refund policy for foreign tourists, shifting from a refund-upon-departure model to a more convenient refund-upon-purchase system, according to the State Taxation Administration (STA).

The STA announced on Tuesday that under the new system, foreign visitors can now claim Value Added Tax (VAT) rebates instantly at designated tax-free stores. This change allows tourists to use their refunded amount immediately for additional shopping, enhancing their overall experience in China.

Previously, VAT rebates could only be withdrawn upon departure, but with the new policy, tourists will be able to access their refunds in real-time during their stay. The policy, which was initially tested in cities like Shanghai, Beijing, and Guangdong, has now passed all operational requirements and will be rolled out nationwide.

The STA emphasized its dedication to improving policy guidance and simplifying refund procedures to better serve international visitors.

Li Xuhong, Vice-President and Professor at the Beijing National Accounting Institute, welcomed the change, stating that the nationwide implementation would raise China’s tourism service standards. “It will foster a friendly, efficient, and convenient tourism environment,” Xuhong added.

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Nigeria Reaffirms Commitment to One-China Policy Amid Taiwan’s Trade Office Claims

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Nigeria Reaffirms Commitment to One-China Policy Amid Taiwan's Trade Office Claims

Rep. Jaafaru Yakubu, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on China-Nigeria Parliamentary Relations, has reiterated Nigeria’s firm commitment to the One-China Policy, following recent comments by Taiwan’s Trade Mission Head in Nigeria, Andy Yih-Ping Liu.

Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday, Yakubu firmly declared that Nigeria continues to recognize Taiwan as an integral part of the People’s Republic of China. He rejected Liu’s claim that Taiwan was not part of China, labelling it as “propaganda” aimed at undermining the strong diplomatic ties between Nigeria and China.

“For the record, United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758, adopted in 1971, recognised the People’s Republic of China as the sole legitimate representative of all of China, including Taiwan,” Yakubu stated. “The One-China Policy remains the cornerstone of China-Nigeria relations.”

He emphasized that since Nigeria and China established diplomatic ties in 1971, the country has consistently upheld this principle. “Efforts by Taiwan’s trade office to challenge this stance are futile and will not succeed,” Yakubu added.

Yakubu criticized Liu’s comments as an attempt to draw Nigeria into China’s internal matters, accusing the Taiwanese official of deliberately sowing discord and provoking a diplomatic rift. “Nigeria’s relationship with China is built on mutual respect and non-interference in each other’s political matters,” he said.

In response to Liu’s claim that China acted as a bully, Yakubu pointed to the positive trajectory of Nigeria-China relations. “Contrary to these baseless assertions, Nigeria has enjoyed a mutually beneficial partnership with China, yielding tangible results for both nations. Since 1971, our ties have grown significantly.”

He highlighted the strategic nature of the partnership, referencing the elevation of the relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during the 2024 FOCAC Summit in Beijing. “Today, Nigeria stands as China’s second-largest trading partner in Africa, with bilateral trade surpassing 20 billion dollars,” Yakubu noted.

Furthermore, Yakubu praised China’s role in Nigeria’s infrastructural development, with investments in sectors such as rail networks, roads, ports, power stations, and water treatment facilities.

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Shettima Warns Media Against Romanticising National Challenges

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Shettima Warns Media Against Romanticising National Challenges

Vice President Kashim Shettima has cautioned Nigerian media practitioners against the growing tendency to romanticise serious national issues, describing the trend as a dangerous departure from the media’s constitutional duty of promoting truth and accountability.

Represented by his Special Adviser on Special Duties, Modibbo Umar, the Vice President issued the warning on Tuesday while delivering a speech at the 17th LEADERSHIP Conference and Awards held at the Old Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja.

“We must resist the temptation to romanticise serious national issues or frame them in ways that distort public understanding,” Shettima said. “Doing so only weakens the fabric of our democracy and derails our collective efforts at nation-building.”

The Vice President’s remarks came as stakeholders in governance, business, and civil society gathered to reflect on the theme of the event, “Challenges and Opportunities in Nigeria’s Fiscal Federalism.” The conference provided a platform for thoughtful engagement on some of the country’s most pressing issues, with a focus on the responsibilities of leadership at all levels.

Shettima also used the occasion to commend LEADERSHIP Newspapers Group for its consistent contributions to national discourse and its commitment to celebrating excellence in leadership.

“I commend LEADERSHIP Newspaper for the vision to convene this vital discourse and for shining the light on those who have chosen to lead with courage and competence. May we never tire of striving for a better Nigeria,” he said.

The annual LEADERSHIP Conference and Awards continues to be a major event that brings together influential voices to deliberate on national progress and honour individuals and institutions making meaningful impact in society.

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