Connect with us

News

VISA: US demanding $15,000 down payment for some visitors

The funds will be returned if the applicant complies with all visa terms. If the applicant remains in the United States past the deadline, the funds will be forfeited.

Published

on

864 Views

The US State Department says that some visa applicants will soon be required to pay bonds of up to $15,000 to discourage visa overstays as part of President Donald Trump‘s crackdown on migration.

Starting later this month, the pilot program will require applicants from certain countries to pay a sum of “no less than $5,000” as collateral for the issuance of their visa.

The funds will be returned if the applicant complies with all visa terms. If the applicant remains in the United States past the deadline, the funds will be forfeited.

“Consular officers may require covered nonimmigrant visa applicants to post a bond of up to $15,000 as a condition of visa issuance,” the agency said in a notice to be published Tuesday in the US Federal Register.

The 12-month program would only affect foreign nationals from countries considered to have “high visa overstay rates” based on a 2023 Department of Homeland Security report, the notice said.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

JUST IN: Multiple Crashes on Kara Bridge Disrupt Lagos-Ibadan Expressway; FRSC Urges Alternative Routes

Published

on

2 Views

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Lagos Sector Command, has advised motorists to avoid the Kara Bridge area on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway following multiple road traffic crashes that occurred in the early hours of Friday, disrupting traffic flow in both directions.

According to the FRSC, the first incident happened around 12:05 a.m. on the outbound carriageway towards Ibadan, involving five articulated trucks and one Toyota Sienna. Preliminary investigations point to speed violation and loss of control as the cause.

Seven adult males were involved in the crash. One person died, another sustained injuries, and five escaped unhurt. Recovery efforts have been complicated because the body of the deceased is trapped under one of the heavily loaded trucks, requiring heavy-duty equipment for evacuation.

While rescue teams were still at the scene, a second crash occurred at approximately 3:15 a.m. on the inbound carriageway towards Lagos. A Mazda commercial bus suffered brake failure, leaving its driver seriously injured. The driver was promptly rescued and transported to the Lagos State Accident and Emergency Centre for treatment.

FRSC rescue teams, alongside LASEMA and other emergency responders, are working to clear the wreckage, recover the trapped victim, and restore normal traffic flow.

Lagos Sector Commander, Corps Commander Kehinde Ganiyu Hamzat, expressed sympathy to the families of the victims and called on motorists to exercise patience and cooperate with traffic personnel at the scene.

Motorists have been strongly advised to use alternative routes to avoid delays along the Kara-Ojodu Berger corridor until operations are concluded:

  • Outbound traffic (Lagos to Ibadan): Divert via the Ikorodu-Sagamu route.
  • Inbound traffic (towards Lagos): Use the Lekki-Epe Expressway or Ikorodu-Sagamu Expressway.

The FRSC further reminded drivers, especially those operating articulated vehicles and commercial buses, to ensure their vehicles are roadworthy — with particular attention to braking systems — before any journey. The Command also urged drivers to avoid unnecessary night travel, reduce speed in poor visibility, maintain safe distances, avoid dangerous overtaking, and rest when fatigued.

The FRSC remains committed to restoring normalcy as quickly as possible in collaboration with other emergency and traffic management agencies.


PRESS RELEASE

FRSC ADVISES MOTORISTS TO USE ALTERNATIVE ROUTES AS RESCUE OPERATIONS CONTINUE FOLLOWING MULTIPLE CRASHES ON KARA BRIDGE

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Lagos Sector Command, wishes to inform the motoring public that its rescue teams are currently managing the aftermath of multiple road traffic crashes that occurred at Kara Bridge along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in the early hours of today, Friday, 24th July, 2026.

Continue Reading

News

LASTMA issues traffic diversions over Kara Bridge crashes

Bakare Oki said the congestion stretched from Kara Bridge through Berger to the Secretariat axis, forcing the agency to immediately deploy personnel and recovery equipment to the scene.

Published

on

By

13 Views

Kara Bridge inward Mowe-Ibafo in the early hours of Friday, July 24

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) on Friday advised motorists travelling from Lagos towards Mowe, Ibafo and Ogun State to divert through Ogunnusi Road, River Valley, Agidingbi and Allen Avenue before reconnecting to their destinations through Maryland or Anthony.

LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare Oki, said that the alternative routes are to ease severe gridlock caused by multiple crashes involving articulated trucks on the Kara Bridge section of the Lagos -Ibadan Expressway.

Speaking to journalists at the accident scene, he said that the first crash occurred at about 12:05 a.m. when a trailer loaded with flour overturned on Kara Bridge while heading towards Mowe, blocking the carriageway and disrupting traffic.

He said that efforts by other motorists to avoid the obstruction triggered another collision involving about six vehicles, resulting in a complete traffic lockdown on the outbound section of the expressway.

Bakare Oki said the congestion stretched from Kara Bridge through Berger to the Secretariat axis, forcing the agency to immediately deploy personnel and recovery equipment to the scene.

Continue Reading

News

Army declares soldier wanted for alleged sale of military uniforms to terrorists

The Army announced the development in a statement issued on Thursday by the Headquarters Nigerian Army Ordnance Corps (NAOC), revealing that the soldier, attached to the Nigerian Army Ordnance Kits Factory, had been absent from his duty post since June 3, 2026.

Published

on

By

17 Views

• Mohammed Yusuf Amutu / Credit: Nigerian Army

The Nigerian Army has declared Private Mohammed Yusuf Amutu wanted over allegations that he sold military uniforms to terrorists and other criminal elements without authorisation.

The Army announced the development in a statement issued on Thursday by the Headquarters Nigerian Army Ordnance Corps (NAOC), revealing that the soldier, attached to the Nigerian Army Ordnance Kits Factory, had been absent from his duty post since June 3, 2026.

The statement, signed by the Assistant Director of Army Public Relations at the NAOC Headquarters, Major Oluwatope Dorcas Aluko, said that initial findings linked Amutu to the alleged illegal sale and distribution of military uniforms.

It stated that the appropriate military authorities had declared the soldier wanted and were working to locate and arrest him for further investigation.

The Army added that appropriate disciplinary action would be taken in line with military regulations if the allegations are proven

Continue Reading

Trending