As part of ongoing efforts to rid the 81 Division Area of Responsibility (AOR) of criminal elements, illegal immigrants, and other security threats, troops of the 65 Battalion have arrested 24 foreign nationals during a coordinated raid on a suspected hideout in Epe Local Government Area of Lagos State.
Government
This was contained in a statement made available to Defence Correspondents in Abuja on Thursday by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 81 Division, Lieutenant Colonel Musa Yahaya.
It explained that the operation was conducted following credible intelligence on the presence of undocumented foreign nationals within the Battalion’s AOR.
According to the statement, “Acting on credible intelligence, troops of the Battalion, in conjunction with members of the Vigilante Group, raided a secluded fenced compound located at Imokun in the Odo-Noforija/Poka axis of Epe.
“During the operation, 24 foreign nationals comprising 15 males and nine females were apprehended.”
It further explained that preliminary profiling revealed that the suspects were nationals of various West and Central African countries, including Cameroon (10), Togo (6), Côte d’Ivoire (3), the Republic of Benin (3), Burkina Faso (1), and Guinea-Bissau (1).
It stated that initial investigations were conducted to ascertain the suspects’ immigration status, purpose of stay, and possible involvement in any unlawful activities, while efforts were also underway to identify and question the owner of the premises to provide further insight into the circumstances surrounding their residence and activities at the location.
The statement further added that the suspects were officially handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Lagos State Command, for further investigation, profiling, and necessary administrative action in accordance with extant immigration laws and regulations.
It further explained that, while commending the troops for their professionalism and vigilance, the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 81 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Adebayo Babalola, charged personnel to sustain the ongoing operations and intensify efforts aimed at denying criminal elements, illegal immigrants, and other security threats access to the Division’s AOR.
He further reaffirmed the Division’s commitment to supporting relevant security agencies in maintaining peace, security, and public safety across the AOR.