🇳🇬NigeriaWest Africa
Nigeria sees rise in asylum-seekers, reduction in refugee registration backlog
via Punch Nigeria4 min read
Nigeria experienced a 21 percent increase in newly arrived asylum-seekers, totaling 322 additional persons, during the first quarter of 2026. Concurrently, the backlog of refugees awaiting formal registration decreased by 3,613 within the same period. Data from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees UNHCR and the Federal Government, through the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, indicates that the total refugee and asylum-seeker population in Nigeria slightly reduced from 142,064 in December 2025 to 138,900 by March 2026. The primary driver of refugee flows into Nigeria remains the Anglophone crisis in Cameroon, with Cameroonians accounting for 86 percent of the total refugee population. Most of these refugees are concentrated along the border states, particularly Cross River, Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, and Akwa Ibom. The second-largest group originates from Niger Republic, though their numbers decreased during the quarter due to voluntary return movements. Other source countries include Syria, Sudan, and the Central African Republic. Women constitute 57 percent of the refugee population, children under 17 make up approximately 50 percent, and the elderly account for five percent. The Federal Government has granted Temporary Protection Status to 86,000 Cameroonian refugees through June 2027. A former Nigerian Ambassador to Singapore, Ogbole Amedu-Ode, emphasized Nigeria's international obligations to asylum-seekers while also
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, has demanded N5 billion in damages and a public apology from actor-turned-politician Kenneth Okonkwo. This demand follows alleged defamatory statements made by Okonkwo during a television interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily program on Monday, June 8. Obi's lawyers, led by Alex Ejesieme SAN, sent a letter dated June 9, 2026, accusing Okonkwo of making false and malicious allegations. These allegations, subsequently published by various media, included claims that Obi and NDC leaders in the South-East demanded a N10 million bribe from House of Representatives aspirants, that Obi compiled candidate lists from a hotel room, and that he was involved in criminal activities and collecting money from people abroad. Obi's legal team stated these remarks falsely portrayed him as engaging in bribery, extortion, fraud, and criminal conduct, describing the allegations as "false, baseless, malicious, reckless, defamatory and wholly unsupported by any fact." They have given Okonkwo seven days to withdraw the statements, publish an "unequivocal and unreserved" apology with similar prominence, and pay the N5 billion for damages to Obi's reputation. Failure to comply will result in legal action, including claims for damages and injunctive reliefs. In response, Okonkwo dismissed the demand on his X handle, stating he had not yet read the letter and suggesting Obi was seeking campaign funds. He warned that any
Must ReadTwelve people were killed in a mass shooting at an informal settlement near Johannesburg, South Africa, on Tuesday night. South African police reported that more than 10 armed individuals arrived in a vehicle, stormed the settlement, and opened fire on residents at multiple locations before fleeing. Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi stated that eight adult males and three adult females were pronounced dead at the scene, with one additional person dying later in the hospital. The incident occurred in Cleveland, approximately six kilometers east of Johannesburg city center. The motive for the attack is currently unknown, and no arrests have been made. This event is the latest in a country that experiences a high rate of homicides daily, often linked to gang rivalry and competition among informal businesses.
Lionel Messi scored within minutes of his return from injury, helping Argentina to a 3-0 victory over Iceland in their final World Cup warm-up match in Auburn, Alabama. Messi, who started on the bench due to muscle fatigue, entered the game in the final quarter and scored his 117th international goal. Valentin Barco opened the scoring for Argentina, and Thiago Almada added a third goal after a pass from Messi. Argentina will begin their World Cup defense against Algeria on June 16, followed by matches against Austria and Jordan in Group J.