Trending 
The Nigeria Immigration Service has arrested 125 foreign nationals in Lagos State for alleged immigration-related offences, with 82 of them set for repatriation, officials said Thursday.
The operation, carried out on March 30 in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force, targeted parts of the state, including Agege, Alimosho, Ebute Metta and Badagry, according to Mohamed Adamu, Assistant Comptroller-General in charge of Zone A.
Adamu said the exercise was intelligence-driven and aimed at strengthening internal security and migration management.
Arrests by nationality
Among those arrested, 100 were nationals of the Republic of Niger, and 25 were from the Republic of Mali, Adamu disclosed.
He added: “The affected individuals had been classified as prohibited immigrants and would be repatriated in line with the Immigration Act 2015.”
Repatriation within 48 hours
Chris Onojinrin, Comptroller of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Lagos State Command, said the migrants would be repatriated within 48 hours after due process.
Adamu said the operation was conducted professionally and in line with human rights standards. He also noted that the Service would sustain the crackdown.
“It is intelligence-driven and a joint operation between the Nigeria Immigration Service and the Nigeria Police Force. The aim is to ensure that anyone coming into Nigeria meets the requirements of immigration laws,” he said.
“It is a continuous exercise. The main aim is national security and to reduce crime and criminality to the barest minimum.”
Warning to foreign nationals
Adamu reiterated that the Service was not against foreigners who comply with the law.
“Any foreigner who satisfies the law is free to conduct legitimate business, but those who do not have no place in the country,” he added.
