JANUARY 16, 2026

By Olasunkanmi Akinlotan

Following several strict sanctions placed on Nigerians seeking to travel to the United States of America, aircraft load factors have begun to reduce significantly, as stakeholders confirmed massive visa rejections at US embassies.

Airline operators who spoke with our correspondent explained that airlines have recently been experiencing many empty seats, as US-bound passengers have withdrawn heavily due to the lack of visas.

Some said the same situation is being experienced on the United Kingdom routes as well, especially on the London–Abuja route. Major travel agents also confirmed the development.

The PUNCH gathered that the withdrawal of US-bound passengers has affected many routes, as Nigerians mostly connect to the US through the UK and other destinations, since no airline currently operates direct flights between Nigeria and the United States.

Though The PUNCH understands that domestic airlines are barely competing on UK–Nigeria routes due to capacity constraints, Air Peace is currently the only Nigerian carrier flying the route, competing with Delta Air Lines, British Airways, Lufthansa, among others. The route, widely regarded as the most lucrative for airlines, is gradually becoming a source of concern for operators.

An operator who spoke with The PUNCH on the condition of anonymity due to concerns about competition on the route said airlines are beginning to feel the impact. He lamented that recently, an aircraft with over 300-seat capacity departed Abuja for the UK with just over 60 passengers, a development he said has resulted in losses for operators.

The operator said, “The effect cuts across all airlines flying into the UK, and gradually the situation is becoming bad if left unattended to by the US government through a relaxation of its strict sanctions. A week ago, an aircraft with a 300-seat capacity flew to Heathrow with only a little over 60 passengers.

“It is that bad. Before now, flights operated at full capacity to the UK, but even Lagos–Heathrow is no longer full. This can largely be ascribed to the technical locked gate in the US.”

Another airline operator, who declined to give his name for competition-related reasons, warned that the issue may soon boomerang on the aviation industry if the US government remains adamant.

“It is not just going to affect the Nigerian aviation industry; it will also take a toll on them. The US receives significant traffic from Nigeria, although this is through connecting flights. And Nigerians spend heavily in the US economy, so everyone will feel the impact very soon. Passenger traffic to the US has dropped significantly, and this could heavily affect business.”

The United States has maintained a tightening visa posture toward Nigeria, driven largely by security, immigration compliance, and documentation concerns. Nigerian applicants have historically faced high refusal rates under Section 214(b) of US immigration law, which presumes immigrant intent unless convincingly disproved.

US authorities have repeatedly cited issues such as visa overstays, identity verification challenges, fraud, and the use of travel documents by individuals deemed to pose security or migration risks.

These concerns intensified during Donald Trump’s first term, when Nigeria was briefly placed on an expanded travel restriction list in 2020, limiting immigrant visas and reinforcing a more sceptical approach to Nigerian applications.

With Trump’s return to office for a second term, this hardline stance has resurfaced in a more layered form, marked by stricter screening, narrower eligibility interpretations, and slower processing times for Nigerian applicants. Students, business travellers, and family-based applicants have been particularly affected, as embassies apply more rigorous interviews and background checks.

Barely 10 days to the end of 2025, the US announced a partial suspension of visa issuance to Nigerians, effective January 1, 2026, following a new presidential proclamation.

The US Mission in Nigeria said the restriction would take effect in accordance with Presidential Proclamation 10998, titled ‘Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States.’ According to the mission, Nigeria is one of 19 countries affected by the measure.

This sudden announcement pressured many Nigerians planning to travel home for the festive season to stay back, while those in Nigeria with valid US visas, particularly foreign students, cut short their holidays out of fear. Also in January, the United States introduced new travel restrictions that could require Nigerians applying for B1/B2 visas to post bonds of up to $15,000.

Information published on the US Department of State’s website, Travel.State.Gov, noted that payment of a bond does not guarantee visa issuance and that fees paid without the direction of a consular officer will not be refunded. B1/B2 visas for business or tourism were classified as high-risk visitor categories.

Agents speak

Speaking on the development, the President of the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agents, Yinka Folami, confirmed the impact on the industry, noting that clients have continued to request refunds as US visa refusals persist.

Among the barrage of refunds he has experienced, he recalled personally processing three ticket refunds.

He said, “The restriction has definitely affected travel for work, academics, family, leisure, and business, with direct consequences on passenger traffic to US ports. I personally have had three clients cancel their tickets to the US and request a refund. This experience is widespread among travel agents.

“There will definitely be fewer spontaneous family and tourist visits, which account for significant air traffic to the US. Small business owners who rely on conferences, trade shows, supplier meetings, and networking events are already slowing down.”

Similarly, former President of NANTA and CEO of Topaz Travels and Tours, Susan Akporiaye, echoed the same sentiment, saying traffic on the US route has “drastically reduced.”

She described the US visa situation as serious, stressing that travel agents have recorded numerous visa denials. She also recounted how the embassy denied a client who was merely trying to renew his visa rather than submit a fresh application.

She said, “Yes, traffic on the US route has drastically reduced. People are not even buying tickets anymore. There was a case involving one of our members whose client only wanted to renew his visa. He was confident that since it was a renewal, there wouldn’t be any issues, so he bought a ticket but he was denied.

“In the past, if you were renewing and had not overstayed or committed any offence, renewal was almost automatic. This time, it was refused. That means even people with expired visas may now be denied. The ticket is now being refunded. It is a serious matter. People should rest for now. Even visa holders are afraid because they don’t know what could happen.”

Passengers react

Speaking on the development, a Nigerian living in the US, Abiola Adaramola, said the US government has no tenable reason to be hostile toward Nigerians, adding that “in the business of building America, Nigerians are partners in progress.”

He added that rather than being a burden, Nigerians contribute significantly to the US economy through profitable businesses. “There is no reason to be hostile toward Nigerians. Wherever we go, we contribute our quota. I think Nigerians should go where they are welcomed. There are several developed economies in the world.”

Also, a Nigerian student, Idera Thomson, who had gained admission to a university in the UK, narrated how her visa was cancelled after she purchased her ticket for travel in January. At the time she spoke with our correspondent, she said the institution had reversed her admission.

“With these Trump visa restrictions, 2025 ended on a bad note and 2026 has also started badly. I first got admission mid-year but deferred it, then received another in early September. I paid the necessary fees, but now my visa has been cancelled. I have contacted the school and reapplied, but nothing has happened so far.”

Another Nigerian studying in the UK, identified simply as Dupe, said that out of fear of the unknown, she had to forgo the opportunity to celebrate with her family in Nigeria.

Dupe said, “I had already bought my ticket for Detty December in Nigeria, but I had to cancel my trip because of these sanctions. I stayed back to avoid being stranded in Nigeria. The situation has been very serious. I thought I was the only one affected, but I later discovered many people were in the same situation. We were afraid of what could happen.”

JANUARY 16, 2026

The pump prices of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) and other refined petroleum products, including Automotive Gas Oil (diesel), and Household Kerosene, among others, may spike soon as crude oil, the major feedstock for refined fuel, crossed $66/barrel on Wednesday.

Brent, the global benchmark for crude, traded above $66 on Wednesday, as other oil grades also appreciated in price, heightening concerns that the cost of refined products might balloon in the coming days.

Industry players fingered the instability in Iran and Venezuela, coupled with the actions of the United States on Venezuela, and its recent threat to Iran. They noted that the cost of crude may continue to rise unless there is stability in these two nations that produce large volumes of the commodity.

Oil marketers projected that crude oil prices may reach $80/barrel, following the uncertainties in the international market. Crude is the major feedstock for the production of refined petroleum products. The foreign exchange rate is another factor that mainly affects the cost of imported fuel.

The National President of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria, Billy Gillis-Harry, confirmed these developments in the sector while speaking with The PUNCH on Wednesday, as he noted that fuel consumers should brace for imminent price hikes.

“It is simple economics, crude oil is the main feedstock for refined petroleum products, so as the price of crude oil grows, the costs of these refined products are bound to rise. We have only one major refiner in Nigeria currently, and no one can certainly say whether the plant will retain its prices amid the spike in crude.

“Imported petrol will, of course, rise, and the same is expected of domestically produced PMS. The instability in Iran and Venezuela is definitely playing out. Even if the US decides to sell the crude produced from Venezuela at a reduced cost, it may not bring down the global crude oil prices.

“So, as fuel consumers, we should brace for hikes in the cost of refined products. It may not be now, but a sustained hike in crude oil prices would definitely lead to a spike in the costs of refined products domestically,” Gillis-Harry stated.

He noted that the instability in the Middle East may force the price of crude to hit $80 before the end of the month, adding that this may bring more FX to the Federal Government, but would raise the pump prices of refined products.

“There is apprehension that the price of crude doesn’t cross $80/barrel before the end of the month, because with the way things are going, and the seeming daily increases in crude oil price lately, the cost might get to that.

“Of course, the government would make more foreign exchange earnings as a result of this, but this will mean higher prices of refined petroleum products, and the masses would have to bear the brunt. This is the situation in the oil and gas sector right now,” Gillis-Harry explained.

The global oil industry has experienced several developments that pushed oil prices above the $60/barrel level at which it traded about a month ago. On Wednesday, The PUNCH reported that global oil prices surged on Tuesday as markets reacted to escalating drone attacks on Russia’s Novorossiysk terminal, which handles about two per cent of global daily oil supply, according to a report by Oilprice.com.

The report stated that Brent crude rose from $63 per barrel on Monday to trade around $65.14 on Tuesday evening, while US West Texas Intermediate climbed to $60.75, up from $59, representing a gain of about $2.1 per barrel.

The spike followed reported disruptions at the Caspian Pipeline Consortium infrastructure, a key export route for Kazakhstan’s crude oil operated by Western oil majors, including Chevron and Shell, raising concerns of a potential supply squeeze.

Reuters reported that two oil tankers waiting to load crude from some of Kazakhstan’s largest oilfields were hit by drones at the CPC marine terminal near Novorossiysk on Russia’s Black Sea coast.

As crude maintains the recent spike in price, data from the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria on Wednesday indicated that the landing cost of imported petrol has remained stuck at rates above the ex-depot price of N699/litre of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.

MEMAN disclosed in its bulletin that the landing cost of petrol dropped to N754.96 on Wednesday, from N758 last week. The association noted that Dangote’s gantry price was still N699 per litre, representing a difference of about N44.

But oil marketers stated that the prices of both domestically produced fuel and imported fuel would rise in the coming days if crude oil continues to spike in price. According to them, the government has to work hard to get Nigeria’s refineries under the management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, working

“This is why PETROAN has been calling for the actual revamp of NNPC refineries in Port Harcourt, Kaduna, and Warri,” Gillis-Harry stated. “We need these plants to start working properly, because their operations will go a long way in impacting the oil sector in Nigeria positively.”

JANUARY 16, 2026

By Arinze Nwafor

The Federal Government has announced that Nigerian business visitors can enter the United Arab Emirates for up to 90 days within a 12-month period, while intra-corporate transferees of Nigerian companies, including managers, executives and specialists, can reside and work in the UAE for a renewable three-year period.

The new entry provisions form part of the Nigeria–UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement signed on 13 January 2026 to expand market access opportunities for Nigerian products, businesses and professionals, while facilitating increased investment flows between both countries.

In a statement on the agreement issued by the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, the government explained that the CEPA establishes a framework for mutual market access in services trade and provides clearer rules for the commercial presence of firms and the movement of professionals.

According to the ministry, under the movement of professionals pillar, “Nigerian business visitors can enter the UAE for 90 days in a 12-month period,” while “intra-corporate transferees of Nigerian businesses (managers, executives and specialists) can enter the UAE for a renewable three-year period.”

It added that Nigeria will also permit the entry of UAE professionals in line with its immigration regulations.

The ministry said the agreement allows Nigerian businesses to establish operations in the UAE through “companies, branches, subsidiaries and representative offices”, while UAE service providers can also establish in Nigeria, subject to Nigerian laws and regulations.

It disclosed that the services commitments cover 10 Nigerian sectors and 11 UAE sectors, with market access for 99 specific services from Nigeria and 108 services from the UAE.

Highlighting opportunities for Nigerian firms and professionals in the UAE, the ministry listed tourism and travel-related services, including four- and five-star hotels, restaurants, hotel management and tourist guide services.

It said Nigerian players will also access opportunities in creative industries and media services such as entertainment, news agency services, film production, digital media and creative agencies, with operations permitted within Dubai Media City.

In professional services, the agreement covers legal services limited to consultancy on international law, accounting, auditing and taxation excluding Zakat, as well as architecture, engineering, urban planning, medical, dental and veterinary services, advertising, management consulting and software development.

The ministry added that Nigerian financial service providers can operate within the Dubai International Financial Centre in areas including investment, corporate and private banking, capital markets, asset management, insurance and reinsurance.

On the Nigerian side, the CEPA opens the market to UAE service providers in sectors such as financial services, including banking, payments, money transmission and insurance; health and environmental services; professional services such as engineering and urban planning; distribution services; and recreational, cultural and sporting services.

It also covers audiovisual services, telecommunications, and construction and related engineering services.

“All services commitments and market access provisions are subject to the relevant laws, regulations, licensing and certification requirements of Nigeria and the UAE,” the ministry stated.

Beyond services trade, the Federal Government recalled that Nigeria has eliminated tariffs on 6,243 products imported from the UAE, while the UAE has removed tariffs on 7,315 products imported from Nigeria under the pact.

The ministry stated that the agreement will “expand market access opportunities for Nigerian products, businesses, and professionals into the UAE while facilitating investment flows,” describing it as a key boost to Nigeria’s non-oil export drive and economic diversification agenda.

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, and the UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, signed the CEPA in the presence of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, and the President of the UAE, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The ministry described the pact as “a pragmatic and comprehensive agreement expected to deliver significant economic and strategic benefits”, including expanded trade opportunities, improved market access, increased investment inflows and job creation, particularly for young Nigerians.

JANUARY 16, 2026

By Saheed Oyelakin

The Federal Government has welcomed the European Commission’s decision to remove Nigeria from the European Union’s list of high-risk third countries for Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism.

The decision is contained in a European Commission Delegated Regulation released this week, amending Delegated Regulation 2016/1675.

A statement issued via X on Thursday by the Federal Ministry of Finance’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Mohammed Manga, recalls that the milestone follows Nigeria’s earlier removal from the Financial Action Task Force list of Jurisdictions under Increased Monitoring in October 2025, after the successful completion of its FATF Action Plan.

Reacting to the development, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, said the delisting was made possible through the “leadership and clear reform vision” of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“President Tinubu’s decisive leadership ensured strong inter-agency coordination, sustained engagement with international partners, and the full implementation of critical legal, regulatory, and institutional reforms required to address the strategic deficiencies previously identified in Nigeria’s AML/CFT framework,” the statement read.

Explaining the rationale and implications of the removal, the statement said, “The European Commission, in its assessment, concluded that Nigeria has significantly strengthened the effectiveness of its AML/CFT regime and satisfactorily addressed the technical and strategic deficiencies highlighted by the FATF.

“As a result, Nigeria has been removed from the EU list of high-risk third countries, alongside other jurisdictions that have demonstrated similar progress.”

The Federal Government said the development was expected to boost Nigeria’s global financial credibility by easing enhanced due diligence requirements for Nigerian individuals, businesses and financial institutions dealing with European counterparts.

It added that the decision would also “improve correspondent banking relationships, enhance investor confidence, and further integrate Nigeria into the international financial system.”

Edun commended the contributions of stakeholders involved in the reform process, including financial sector regulators, law enforcement agencies, the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, supervisory authorities, the judiciary and private sector operators.

While welcoming the decision, the minister reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to sustaining and deepening AML/CFT reforms, noting that the country would continue to work closely with the FATF, the European Union and other international partners.

PUCNH Online reports that being on the EU’s high-risk list previously meant that transactions with European partners required enhanced due diligence, stricter documentation, and additional oversight.

The ministry said Nigeria’s removal from both the FATF grey list and the EU’s high-risk list sends a positive signal to the global community that the country is on a path of reform, transparency and economic renewal.

JANUARY 21, 2026

Canada’s Armed Forces have created a model to prepare for the possibility of US invasion after Donald Trump said he wanted to annex its territory.

The plans, which ruled out conscription, are thought to mark the first time in 100 years that Ottawa has planned for the prospect of an attack from the neighbour on its Southern border.

According to a report in The Globe and Mail, a Canadian newspaper, generals say the country would have to turn to unconventional warfare because of the overwhelming power of the US.

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The model predicts the country would have to implement tactics similar to those used by the Afghan Mujahedeen against the US during its occupation of Afghanistan, such as troops and armed civilians carrying out hit-and-run style ambushes.

Drones could also reportedly play a role in inflicting the maximum number of casualties on US soldiers occupying the country, just as Ukrainian troops have done against Russia.

The model underscores how, under Mr Trump’s presidency, America is shifting from its role as a cornerstone of Western alliances since the end of the Second World War.

However, the model made it clear that it was extremely unlikely that the United States would attack its northern neighbour.

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Mark Carney, Canada’s prime minister, said on Tuesday there had been a “rupture” in the world order after Mr Trump demanded to take over Greenland.

Mr Trump has repeatedly said he would like Canada to be part of the US, mocking Mr Carney’s predecessor, Justin Trudeau, as the “governor of the great state of Canada” and joking that Canada is the “51st state”.

JANUARY 23, 2026

The Home Office is cracking down on illegal migrants, with 53,000 on the run, it has been reported. Department chiefs have reportedly set up a team to find criminals and those who have exceeded the time they can remain in the UK.

This comes after a whistleblower sent a reportedly leaked Government document to MP Rupert Lowe, which said there are 53,298 migrants who have breached immigration bail or escaped from detention. It added that there are a further 736 foreign criminals who are missing after being released from prison or detention.

The Home Office refused to confirm whether the leaked documents were genuine, but The Sun reported that they are similar to data leaked in 2016.

Mr Lowe said: "Our whistleblower investigations have revealed that there are 53,298 absconded illegal migrants, and 736 missing foreign criminals. This is a national security emergency. 65 staff is pathetic and woefully short - we need thousands on it. Every single illegal migrant needs to be rounded up and removed from our country. That is absolutely non-negotiable for the British people."

In response to a Parliamentary question from Lowe, a minister revealed that the team had been set up. Home Office minister Alex Norris said: "The Home Office has a range of tools to trace those who abscond.

"The number of staff involved in tracing activity varies across Immigration Enforcement depending on operational need, with c.65 staff currently dedicated to tracing activities, as well as resources elsewhere within the Migration and Borders System, who are responsible for recording information when individuals are found or come back into contact.

"The number of absconders recorded on Home Office systems can fluctuate, and there are no formal targets linked to a reduction in the number.

"The Home Office works closely with the police, other Government agencies, commercial companies and international partners to trace absconders and bring them back into contact.

"Where new contact details are found, we will consider the most appropriate intervention for the person, including arrest and detention for recording information when individuals are found or come back into contact."

A Home Office spokesperson said: "In addition to our dedicated tracing capability team, there are thousands of staff across the immigration system who take action against those who are illegally in the UK.

"Under this government, returns of people with no right to remain in the UK have surged, with almost 50,000 people removed - up 23%.

"The Home Secretary has announced the most sweeping reforms to tackle illegal migration in modern times. These will make Britain a less attractive destination for illegal migrants and will make it easier to remove and deport them."

JANUARY 23, 2026

• Heathrow Airport has completed a £1 billion rollout of new security scanners, enabling passengers to keep liquids and large electronic devices in their hand luggage.
• The new technology allows liquid containers of up to two litres to be carried, a significant increase from the previous 100ml limit.
• Heathrow is now the largest airport globally to have fully deployed these modern CT security scanners for all passengers.
• Other UK airports, including Birmingham, Bristol, Gatwick, and Edinburgh, have also completed the rollout, while some like London City and Luton have partial implementation.
• The updated security measures, replacing rules introduced in 2006, are expected to save millions of single-use plastic bags annually and reduce security delays.

JANUARY 30, 2026

The tangled red tape for British visitors to China could be history as soon as Monday, a leading tour operator has predicted.

At present, UK travellers must apply no more than three months in advance, pay a minimum of £130 and visit a Chinese visa office in London, Manchester, Belfast or Edinburgh to be fingerprinted.

Downing Street has announced that Sir Keir Starmer has secured a deal on visa-free travel to China for UK citizens during his visit to Beijing. It will bring the UK into line with Australia, France, Germany and around 50 other countries.

A statement from No 10 said: “It will mean people visiting China on business, as well as tourism, will be able to visit China visa-free.” It gave no details of timing.

But Wendy Wu, founder of the eponymous travel firm, told The Independent the eased bureaucracy could take effect within days: “Hopefully, from next Monday, British travellers will be able to go to China visa free. We predict that. However, the official line is that the Chinese government needs to announce it.

“For Wendy Wu Tours, this is the historical moment that we have been working for and waiting for since 2005.

“In the past, when you go to China, you have to get a visa – and that is so much work. But now it will be no barrier.

“Please take the opportunity and go, go, go. You just take your passport to the window, to the line saying ‘visa free’.”

Citizens of around 50 countries are already able to visit the People’s Republic without a visa.

Louisa Trickett, product manager for China at Audley Travel, said removing the red tape would transform journeys: “The visa process could only be started three months before travel, and as the majority of our clients book far earlier than that, it resulted in uncertainty for them in the period between booking and securing their visa.

“We expect to see enquiries rise from those who have been intrigued by China and the incredible experiences it offers, but were put off by the visa application.”

The man who pioneered tourism from the UK to China in the 1970s has welcomed the news.

Neil Taylor, former director of Regent Holidays and now a tour leader and guidebook writer, said: “This will make China suddenly competitive with all its neighbours: Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Japan, everywhere in that area doesn't require visas for British people. So now China can join that market again.”

He predicted there could be a surge in demand, with costs rising for tourists to China.

“Airfares may go up in price now unless the airlines expand massively on the basis of this new potential,” Mr Taylor said.

Ms Wu said British visitors will be welcomed: “Chinese people, they are very outgoing, very warm. So they can't speak the language, but that doesn't stop them wanting to take a photo with you and they want to practice a few sentences with you. And you can tell they are so happy to see you.”

JANUARY 31, 2026

Jan 28 (Reuters) - Air Canada on Wednesday said it expanded its winter network to Europe and Latin America, betting on growing demand for premium international travel.

It will launch new flights to Ecuador's capital, Quito, from its Toronto and Montréal hubs starting in December this year, using a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

Airlines in North America are increasingly relying on premium cabins, corporate travel and loyalty programs to drive bottom-line growth.

"We are continuing our strategic expansion into Latin America, taking advantage of continued demand strength and cargo opportunities, while leveraging a new Airbus A321 XLR base at our Toronto-Pearson global hub to enable year-round service to Copenhagen and Manchester," said Mark Galardo, president of cargo at Air Canada.

Last week, Air Canada said it was expanding its route with non-stop flights to Sapporo, beginning in December 2026.

Separately, Unifor, which represents 6,000 members working at the carrier, said it had opened collective bargaining for airport and customer service staff ahead of a February 28, 2026 contract expiration.

(Reporting by Anshuman Tripathy in Bengaluru; Editing by Tasim Zahid)

JANUARY 31, 2026

By Biodun Busari

Some Nigerians have gone into hiding and others are returning home secretly over the intensified deportation campaign led by President Donald Trump’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Saturday PUNCH learnt that many immigrants had stopped going to work as Trump reiterated his support for ICE actions.

The sweeping actions, which include house-to-house enforcement raids, have stirred panic, debate and protest, particularly following a series of high-profile deadly incidents involving the federal immigration officers.

The US president kick-started an immigration policy to arrest and remove illegal immigrants immediately after he was inaugurated into office in January 2025,

However, his policy has been met with criticisms by many people in the US and other countries over the cruelty which ICE meted out to immigrants

People who spoke to Saturday PUNCH from the US, said some Nigerians had abandoned places of work and many were secretly returning to their home country.

ICE operations

At least 32 people died in ICE custody in 2025.

Last year is said to be the deadliest in over two decades for deaths in ICE detention.

The Guardian of UK reported that in 2026 alone, no fewer than eight people have died in interactions involving ICE.

The recent cases that have created anxieties were the murders of Renée Good and Alex Pretti.

There was outrage when 37-year-old Good was fatally shot by an ICE agent in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on January 7.

Reports reveal it happened during an enforcement operation, and the medical examiner ruled her death a homicide from multiple gunshot wounds.

Similarly, 37-year-old Pretti was shot and killed by the US federal immigration agents in Minneapolis on January 24, 2026, during a federal enforcement action.

ICE officials, in their operations, have gone from house to house, picking people to detain and deport, enforcing the immigration law of the Trump administration.

Reports say that about 70,000 people have been detained by the ICE officials since the crackdown began, while 540,000 immigrants were deported to their countries.

Immigrant decries raids

A Nigerian woman recently broke into tears in a viral video on Instagram, lamenting the panic and grief of immigrants in the US.

The woman said she was traumatised by the killing of Pretti, an intensive care nurse at Minneapolis VA Medical Center.

She said ICE agents killed any immigrants, whether they were US citizens or not.

“It is very traumatising the way these (ICE) people are treating immigrants,” she said. “President Trump, if you want the immigrants to leave America, tell us. Just come out and say, ‘All immigrants, we want you out, whether you are criminal or not.’”

“These (ICE) people don’t even care. There are a lot of immigrants who are treated like animals, and these people will be telling them, ‘we are citizens’, but they don’t care,” she added in the post which went viral.

While speaking with Saturday PUNCH, the woman, who asked to be identified as Senior Immigrant, said many Nigerians had resorted to online trading in order to earn a living due to the fear of the immigration agents.

She gave two instances.

Her shopkeeper, who had stopped coming to work since December, and a family for whom people contributed money to start a business after they stopped going to their factory work.

“My girl, who was working with me in my shop, stopped coming in mid-December. The reason was that she was scared for her life because ICE came to my area. The most unfortunate thing was that they came to her area in New Jersey. Since then, she has had anxiety and fear,” she said.

“People are staying indoors because of the fear of ICE. They get family support from those who work. Two weeks ago, someone called me to say that they were donating to support some families, and they requested that I contribute, which I did. That is where people are.

“Many people just stop working because they don’t have the criteria to work. The family I was talking about worked in a factory, and they stopped because of ICE. They started selling stuff from home.

“Another family cooks, and people start to come and pick it up from their house after they would have ordered online. There are many people with other serious experiences.”

Corroborating the senior immigrant’s explanation, the President of the Nigerian community in the State of Maryland, Mrs Chris Ademiluyi, said many immigrants had gone into hiding rather than returning to Nigeria.

Ademiluyi stated that despite the crackdown, the economic and security realities of Nigeria were not better.

“They are in hiding instead. Nigeria is not any better. Some people affected may want to talk anonymously, but they are not talking because of fear,” Ademiluyi said.

She added that her community supports Nigerian-Amerícans, and they were not mostly affected by the predicament.

Don’t bury yourself before death

Also, the Lead Pastor of the Lighthouse/Rejuvenation Church in Rosenberg Texas, Shola Adeoye, raised the alarm on Facebook that Nigerians were leaving the US.

The pastor said on Tuesday that Trump’s administration was forcing Nigerians to leave.

“Some Nigerians are moving back home due to fear of this administration. It’s not wise to bury yourself before death,” Adeoye said.

The post generated a lot of reactions on social media as Nigerians differed on the topic.

A Facebook user, Ben Ijeh, said, “Whoever that leaves involuntarily by ICE is not psychologically likely to want to come back in the future. The trauma will be too much to bear. God will always make a way for His own.”

“The way ICE agents capture people could be scary; they may not have the opportunity to get themselves together. So (it is) preferred to time their return home when they can control themselves,” Olukunle Durodolu, another Facebook user, said.

Visa ban at home, opportunity restrictions abroad

A non-profit immigration and cultural organisation based in Washington DC, the Nigerian Center, has recorded an influx of people seeking help over the crackdown by ICE.

The Executive Director of the organisation, Mr Gbenga Ogunjimi, said a lot of Nigerians were suffering from the policy.

He noted that his group, with the collaborative efforts of others, had been providing education and awareness to immigrants.

Ogunjimi said, “The problem we are facing is multi-layered. There is a visa ban. So, let’s even zoom out a little bit. Before the visa ban, Nigeria was designated as a Country of Particular Concern. That was last year.

“Early in December 2025, the administration cited a number of factors, including the designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern, to move Nigeria to a partial ban. He suspended most visa categories as well as non-immigrant visas for folks in Nigeria to come here.”

He said the US government had denied Nigerian immigrants a lot of opportunities.

“What they did not tell those of us in America or Nigerians in America is that the ban will also stop their ability to file for citizenship, green cards, work authorisation, asylum, and things like that.

“So, we did a few things. Firstly, we thought the people should know. So, if you go to our website and social media, we put out a policy memo, educating people on the parameters of this ban.

“And then the second thing we’re doing is educating people on how to navigate this new terrain. We’re just giving information to folks. On the policy side of things, this is coming to us very soon, very rapidly. We’re working on a few items on the policy side of things.”

Saturday PUNCH gathered that many immigrants had started thinking of self-deportation.

The Nigerian Center founder affirmed that many Nigerians were weighing their options of staying back in the US or returning to Nigeria.

“We’ve seen cases where a lot of people are self-deporting right now.

“At the center, I’ve seen people who come in and say things like they just want to know what their options are.

“Some of them asked if they would be able to come back to the US if they leave. I will let them know what the options are, and what the law says about that.

“There was a case that I can think of most recently, where some people would advise them that they should not consider leaving the country right now, just because their situation was not as bad.

“They probably came here on a visiting visa. And maybe they have overstayed for a couple of days, maybe not months or years. And you can file a waiver for those if it’s not up to a particular time. So, it’s probably in your interest. We’ve advised people to do so based on their case.

“Now, do I have numbers of those who have actually gone back, and who have taken the advice? The answer is: I don’t know. I don’t have those numbers.”