Troops of the 65 Battalion, Nigerian Army, have arrested 24 foreign nationals during a raid on a suspected hideout in Epe Local Government Area of Lagos State.
The operation, conducted in conjunction with members of a local vigilante group, followed credible intelligence on the presence of undocumented foreign nationals within the battalion’s Area of Responsibility (AOR).
A statement by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 81 Division, Lt.-Col. Musa Yahaya, on Thursday, said the troops raided a secluded fenced compound at Imokun in the Odo-Noforija/Poka axis of Epe.
He said the operation led to the arrest of 24 foreign nationals comprising 15 males and nine females.
According to him, preliminary profiling revealed that the suspects include 10 Cameroonians, six Togolese, three Ivorians, three nationals of the Republic of Benin, one Burkinabe and one Guinea-Bissau national.
Yahaya said initial investigations were aimed at establishing their immigration status, purpose of stay and possible involvement in unlawful activities.
He added that efforts were also underway to identify and question the owner of the premises to determine the circumstances surrounding the suspects’ residence and activities.
“The suspects have been handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Lagos State Command, for further investigation, profiling and necessary administrative action in line with extant immigration laws,” he said.
The spokesman said the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 81 Division, Maj.-Gen. Adebayo Babalola, commended the troops for their professionalism and vigilance.
He said the GOC charged the personnel to sustain ongoing operations and intensify efforts to deny criminal elements, illegal immigrants and other security threats freedom of action within the division’s area of responsibility.
According to him, Babalola also reaffirmed the division’s commitment to supporting relevant security agencies in maintaining peace, security and public safety across Lagos and adjoining areas.
