Twenty-four foreign nationals have been arrested by troops of the Nigerian Army during an intelligence-led operation at a suspected hideout in Epe Local Government Area of Lagos State.
The raid, conducted by personnel of the 65 Battalion under the 81 Division on Thursday, July 16, targeted a fenced compound in the Imokun community along the Odo-Noforija–Poka Road following reports of suspicious activities.
Military authorities said the operation was part of ongoing efforts to curb illegal immigration and strengthen security across Lagos State.
The Army said the operation was carried out in collaboration with members of a local vigilante group. Preliminary investigations showed that the suspects comprise 10 Cameroonians, six Togolese, three Ivorians, three citizens of the Republic of Benin, one Burkinabe and one Guinea-Bissau national.
The group includes 15 men and nine women. Security agencies are examining their immigration status, the purpose of their stay in Nigeria and whether they have any connection to criminal activities.
Following the arrests, the suspects were transferred to the Lagos State Command of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) for further screening and necessary action in accordance with the country’s immigration laws.
The military also disclosed that investigations have commenced to trace the owner or occupier of the property where the foreign nationals were found as part of efforts to determine how the premises was being used.
Commenting on the operation in Lagos, the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, 81 Division, Lt. Col. Musa Yahaya, said the raid reflected the military’s continued commitment to intelligence-driven operations and collaboration with other security stakeholders.
He noted that the exercise was aimed at preventing criminal elements from using secluded locations as operational bases.
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division, Major General Abdulrahman, praised the troops for carrying out the operation professionally and urged them to sustain the tempo of ongoing security operations across the Division’s area of responsibility. He reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to working with other security agencies to safeguard lives, maintain public order and deny criminals safe havens.
“The suspects have been handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service, Lagos State Command, for further investigation, profiling and necessary administrative action.”
“Troops have also been directed to sustain ongoing operations aimed at denying criminal elements and illegal immigrants freedom of action within the Division’s area of responsibility.”
