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

Four kidnapped during NECO exams regain freedom in Kogi

The Kogi State Government has confirmed the successful rescue of the four persons abducted during an attack on a National Examinations Council (NECO) examination centre in Olowa, Dekina Local Government Area, following an intensive joint security operation involving the Nigerian Army, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and local vigilante groups.

The victims, comprising a school principal, a NECO official and two students, were rescued after security operatives mounted sustained pressure on the kidnappers, forcing them to abandon the captives and flee from their hideout in the forest.

The successful rescue was announced on Thursday by the Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, who attributed the operation to the swift intervention of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo immediately after the attack on the examination centre.

According to Fanwo, Governor Ododo directed the State Security Adviser, Commander Jerry Omodara (Rtd), to coordinate a comprehensive rescue mission involving personnel from the military, intelligence agencies, the police and local security outfits.

He said security forces immediately launched an intelligence-led operation and combed the forests surrounding Dekina Local Government Area, maintaining relentless pressure on the kidnappers until they were forced to abandon the victims.

Fanwo disclosed that Governor Ododo had, earlier on Thursday, reassured residents that every available resource would be deployed to secure the victims’ freedom while inspecting newly acquired Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) purchased by the state government to strengthen the fight against criminality.

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Only a few hours after the governor’s assurance, the victims regained their freedom as security personnel intensified their operations.

According to the commissioner, the overwhelming presence of heavily armed security operatives in the forest compelled the kidnappers to flee, leaving the victims behind.

He confirmed that the rescued school principal, NECO official and two students were all in good condition and are currently undergoing medical evaluation and debriefing by security agencies before reuniting with their families.

Fanwo added that security operatives have remained in the forest to sustain the operation and ensure every member of the criminal gang responsible for the abduction is identified, arrested and prosecuted.

He commended the courage, professionalism and coordination displayed by officers and men of the Nigerian Army, DSS, Police, NSCDC, local vigilantes and other security agencies, describing the rescue as another demonstration of the effectiveness of intelligence-led inter-agency collaboration.

The commissioner also conveyed the appreciation of the Kogi State Government to President Bola Tinubu, noting that the President directed heads of security agencies to provide every necessary support to facilitate the rescue operation.

According to him, the Federal Government’s support strengthened ongoing security efforts and contributed significantly to the successful rescue of the victims.

The state government reiterated that Governor Ododo’s administration remains committed to eliminating criminal elements across Kogi State through sustained investment in intelligence gathering, surveillance technology, security logistics and inter-agency cooperation.

The victims were abducted earlier this week when armed men invaded the NECO examination centre in Olowa while candidates were writing the ongoing 2026 NECO Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE). The incident sparked widespread concern over the safety of students, teachers and examination officials in vulnerable communities.

The successful rescue has been welcomed by residents, parents and education stakeholders, who praised the security agencies for their swift response. However, security experts have urged authorities to strengthen protection around schools and public examination centres, especially in areas facing persistent security threats.

The Kogi State Government has assured residents that security operations will continue until every member of the kidnapping syndicate responsible for the attack is apprehended and brought to justice.

Four kidnapped during NECO exams regain freedom in Kogi

Police foil N22m kidnap plot in Kwara, arrest two Togolese suspects

The Kwara State Police Command has foiled a planned kidnapping and N22 million extortion plot in Okuta, Baruten Local Government Area, arresting two Togolese nationals allegedly involved in the criminal conspiracy.

The suspects, identified as Yakubu Ismaila and Hadiza Kosia, were apprehended during an intelligence-led operation coordinated by operatives of the Okuta Police Division in collaboration with the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) after a resident reported receiving repeated threats demanding a ransom.

According to the Command’s spokesperson, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, the operation began after S. Ismaila, a resident of Okuta, reported that an unidentified caller had demanded N22 million to prevent his abduction.

The caller also allegedly threatened to kidnap the complainant and murder his younger brother, Musa Ismaila, if the ransom was not paid.

Following the complaint, police operatives immediately launched a coordinated intelligence-driven investigation, deploying technical surveillance and digital tracking tools to trace the source of the threatening calls.

The operation led to the arrest of the two suspects before the alleged kidnapping plot could be executed. Police said preliminary investigations established a direct link between the suspects and the attempted kidnapping and extortion scheme. During interrogation, the suspects reportedly confessed to their involvement in the plot, providing investigators with useful information to expand the ongoing investigation.

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Security operatives also recovered the mobile phone allegedly used to issue the threatening calls, describing it as a crucial piece of evidence in the case.

The Commissioner of Police in Kwara State, CP Ojo Adekimi, commended the officers involved in the operation for their professionalism, swift response and effective coordination. He said the timely intervention of the operatives prevented what could have escalated into a major security incident and reaffirmed the command’s commitment to intelligence-led policing.

The police commissioner disclosed that investigations had been intensified to identify and arrest other members of the suspected criminal network believed to be connected to the failed kidnap plot. He assured residents that every individual linked to the conspiracy would be tracked down and prosecuted in accordance with the law.

The police also urged residents across Kwara State to remain vigilant and continue supporting law enforcement agencies by providing timely and credible information on suspicious persons and activities. According to the command, community participation remains critical in preventing crimes such as kidnapping, armed robbery and other violent offences. Authorities further assured the public that intelligence gathering, surveillance operations and proactive policing would continue across the state to strengthen public safety.

Kidnapping for ransom remains one of Nigeria’s most serious security challenges, prompting security agencies to adopt more technology-driven and intelligence-based strategies to dismantle criminal networks. Security experts have repeatedly called for stronger border surveillance and enhanced collaboration between Nigeria and neighbouring West African countries to curb cross-border crimes involving kidnapping, human trafficking and arms smuggling.

The successful operation in Kwara State highlights the growing effectiveness of intelligence-led policing in preventing criminal activities before they are carried out and underscores the importance of timely public information in supporting security agencies to combat insecurity.

Police foil N22m kidnap plot in Kwara, arrest two Togolese suspects