Written by
Ishioma Appiah-Yeboah
The Nigerian Army has uncovered a suspected hideout for undocumented foreign nationals in Lagos State, arresting 24 people from six West and Central African countries during a coordinated security operation in Epe Local Government Area.
The raid, carried out by troops of the 65 Battalion in collaboration with members of the Vigilante Group, followed credible intelligence on the presence of suspected illegal immigrants within the 81 Division Area of Responsibility.
In a statement signed by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 81 Division, Lieutenant Colonel Musa Yahaya, the operation targeted a secluded fenced compound at Imokun in the Odo-Noforija/Poka axis of Epe, where troops apprehended 15 men and nine women.
According to the Army, preliminary profiling revealed that the suspects include 10 Cameroonians, six Togolese, three Ivorians, three nationals of the Republic of Benin, one Burkinabè and one Guinea-Bissau national.
Military authorities said investigations are ongoing to determine the immigration status of the suspects, the purpose of their stay in Nigeria and whether they have any links to criminal activities. Investigators are also working to identify and question the owner of the compound to establish why the foreign nationals were residing there.
The 24 suspects have since been handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Lagos State Command, for further investigation, profiling and appropriate action in line with the country’s immigration laws.
Commending the troops for the successful operation, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division, Major General Adebayo Babalola, urged personnel to intensify efforts to deny criminal elements, illegal immigrants and other security threats safe haven within the Division’s area of responsibility.
The Army reiterated its commitment to working with other security agencies to safeguard lives and property, strengthen internal security and maintain public safety.