By Desire Emmanuel
The Nigerian Army on Thursday, July 16, said it carried out a raid on a compound in the Epe area of Lagos State, arresting 24 foreign nationals.
The army stated that troops of 65 Battalion arrested the foreign nationals during the raid on the suspected hideout in a secluded fenced compound located at Imokun in the Odo-Noforija/Poka axis of Epe.
The operation, which was conducted following credible intelligence on the presence of undocumented foreign nationals, led to the arrest of 15 males and nine females in the compound.
According to a statement by the Nigerian Army, preliminary profiling revealed that those arrested were nationals of West and Central African countries, including Cameroon (ten), Togo (six), Côte d’Ivoire (three), Republic of Benin (three), Burkina Faso (one) and Guinea-Bissau (one).
Also, initial investigations were conducted to ascertain their immigration status, purpose of stay and possible involvement in any unlawful activities.
Efforts are 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 foreign nationals were officially handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Lagos State command, on Thursday, July 16, for further investigation, profiling and necessary administrative action in accordance with extant immigration laws and regulations.
