FG Puts Hunger Protest Sponsors on Watchlist, Freezes Accounts

FG Puts Hunger Protest Sponsors on Watchlist, Freezes Accounts

The Nigerian Immigration Services (NIS) has placed sponsors of the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests on its watchlist.

Comptroller-General Kemi Nandap announced on Tuesday shortly after a closed-door strategic meeting at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja.

Nandap warned that these sponsors, mostly based in the diaspora, would face immediate arrest upon entering Nigeria.

The meeting, convened by Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Christopher Musa, aimed to implement President Bola Tinubu’s crackdown order. Attendees included heads of intelligence and para-military agencies.

Nandap said, “We have diaspora sponsors, they are on our watchlist. They are watchlisted, any attempt they make to come into the country, we’ll be notified and they will be picked up and handed to appropriate authority.”

The Immigration boss said the Service has in response to the protest deployed more officers to borders both land and airports to ensure effective manning of those entry and exit points.

According to her, the Service has also stepped up surveillance to prevent foreign intervention in the country.

On his part, the Director-General Department of State Services (DSS), Yusuf Bichi, said the agency had uncovered some sponsors but declined giving further information.

The secret police boss, who was represented at the meeting by the DSS’ spokesman, Peter Afunanya, said some bank accounts had already been blocked. He added that some of the people operating such accounts are staying abroad, adding that they are being monitored.