Korede Abdullah 
LAGOS, Nigeria – The Nigerian Army says it has arrested 24 foreign nationals during a security operation targeting a suspected hideout in Epe Local Government Area of Lagos State, as authorities intensify efforts to combat illegal migration and security threats.
The operation, carried out by troops of the 65 Battalion under the 81 Division, follows credible intelligence on the presence of undocumented foreign nationals within the battalion’s area of responsibility.
Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for the 81 Division, Lieutenant Colonel Musa Yahaya, says soldiers, working alongside members of the Vigilante Group, raid a fenced compound at Imokun in the Odo-Noforija/Poka axis of Epe on Thursday.
“Acting on credible intelligence, troops of the battalion, in conjunction with members of the Vigilante Group, raided a secluded fenced compound… During the operation, 24 foreign nationals comprising 15 males and nine females were apprehended,” Yahaya says.
Preliminary profiling identifies the suspects as nationals of six West and Central African countries: Cameroon (10), Togo (6), Côte d’Ivoire (3), Republic of Benin (3), Burkina Faso (1) and Guinea-Bissau (1).
Army officials say investigators are examining the immigration status of the suspects, their purpose of stay in Nigeria and whether they have links to criminal activities.
Authorities are also attempting to identify and question the owner of the property where the foreign nationals were found.
According to Yahaya, all 24 suspects have been handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Lagos State Command, for further investigation, profiling and administrative action in line with Nigeria’s immigration laws.
General Officer Commanding the 81 Division, Major General Adebayo Babalola, commends the troops for what he describes as their professionalism and vigilance during the operation.
He urges personnel to sustain intelligence-led operations aimed at preventing criminal activities and safeguarding public safety across the division’s area of responsibility.
About the Author
Mirian Gom 
Hussaini Ibrahim 