KEY POINTS

• Security agencies arrested 46 suspected illegal immigrants during a joint operation in Ogun State.
• The suspects, who are nationals of Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Togo and Senegal, allegedly lived in Nigeria without valid immigration documents.
• They have been handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service for further investigation, while the military pledged continued efforts to combat illegal migration

Troops of the Nigerian Army, working in collaboration with the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), have arrested 46 suspected illegal immigrants in Ogun State.

The arrests were carried out during a coordinated security operation launched following actionable intelligence received by security agencies.

According to a statement issued on Sunday by Lieutenant Colonel Idereghi Akari, Assistant Director of Army Public Relations for the 35 Artillery Brigade, the operation commenced on June 1 and targeted several locations across Ijebu Imushin, Ijebu Ilese and neighbouring communities.

Preliminary investigations conducted by security agencies revealed that the suspects had allegedly been residing in Ogun State for about six months without valid immigration documents.

During questioning, the individuals reportedly identified themselves as merchants and workers associated with QNet, an online marketing platform involved in the sale of different products and commodities.

Authorities said the circumstances surrounding their activities are still being investigated.

Nationals of Four West African Countries Among Those Arrested

The 46 suspects comprise nationals from four West African countries.

According to the military, 23 of those arrested are citizens of Côte d’Ivoire, while 18 are from Burkina Faso. Four of the suspects are Togolese nationals, while one is from Senegal. The group consists of 36 men and 10 women.

Following their arrest, the suspects were transferred to the Ogun State Command of the Nigeria Immigration Service for further investigation and appropriate administrative action in accordance with the country’s immigration laws.

The authorities are expected to determine the status of the individuals and take necessary measures based on the outcome of ongoing investigations.

Commenting on the operation, the Commander of the 35 Artillery Brigade, Brigadier General Friday Oguche Onu, praised the troops and other participating security agencies for their professionalism, vigilance and effective collaboration.

He also urged residents of Ogun State and neighbouring communities to remain alert and promptly report suspicious movements and activities to the relevant authorities.