Army arrests 24 foreign nationals in Lagos hideout raid, hands suspects to Immigration

Army arrests 24 foreign nationals in Lagos hideout raid, hands suspects to Immigration

Troops of the 65 Battalion under the 81 Division of the Nigerian Army have arrested 24 foreign nationals during an intelligence-led raid on a suspected hideout in Epe Local Government Area of Lagos State, as part of ongoing efforts to combat illegal immigration, transnational crime and other security threats.

The operation, carried out in collaboration with members of the local vigilante group, followed credible intelligence on the presence of undocumented foreign nationals within the battalion’s area of responsibility.

The Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, 81 Division, Lieutenant Colonel Musa Yahaya, disclosed on Thursday that troops stormed a secluded fenced compound located at Imokun in the Odo-Noforija/Poka axis of Epe, where the suspects were arrested.

According to him, the operation was executed without resistance, leading to the arrest of 24 foreign nationals, comprising 15 males and nine females.

Preliminary profiling by the military revealed that the suspects are citizens of six West and Central African countries. The breakdown shows that 10 are from Cameroon, six from Togo, three from Côte d’Ivoire, three from the Republic of Benin, while one each is from Burkina Faso and Guinea-Bissau.

The Army said initial investigations have commenced to determine the immigration status of the suspects, establish the purpose of their stay in Nigeria and ascertain whether they have any links to criminal activities or transnational criminal networks.

Security operatives are also investigating the ownership of the property where the suspects were found to determine whether the premises served as a hideout for illegal immigrants or members of organised criminal groups.

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Following preliminary investigations, the suspects were handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Lagos State Command, on July 16, 2026, for further profiling, investigation and administrative action in line with the country’s immigration laws.

The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 81 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Adebayo Babalola, commended the troops for their professionalism, discipline and vigilance throughout the operation.

He urged military personnel to sustain intelligence-driven operations and strengthen collaboration with other security agencies to deny criminal elements, illegal immigrants and other security threats safe haven within the division’s area of responsibility.

The GOC also reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to supporting the Nigeria Immigration Service, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies in maintaining peace, protecting lives and property, and safeguarding national security across Lagos State and neighbouring areas.

The latest operation forms part of intensified efforts by security agencies to curb illegal immigration, dismantle criminal networks and enhance border security amid growing concerns over transnational crimes across West Africa.

Security experts have repeatedly warned that undocumented migration can be exploited by criminal organisations involved in kidnapping, human trafficking, arms smuggling, cybercrime and other cross-border offences, highlighting the importance of intelligence sharing and inter-agency cooperation.

Authorities have assured residents that investigations remain ongoing and that anyone found to have violated Nigeria’s immigration laws or participated in criminal activities will be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

Army arrests 24 foreign nationals in Lagos hideout raid, hands suspects to Immigration