The Nigeria Immigration Service, Lagos State Command, has arrested 125 foreign nationals over alleged immigration offences, with 82 of them set to be repatriated.
The Assistant Comptroller General in charge of Zone A, Mohamed Adamu, disclosed this while speaking in Lagos on Thursday. He said the operation was carried out on March 30 in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force across areas including Agege, Alimosho, Ebute Metta and Badagry.
According to him, the exercise was intelligence driven and aimed at strengthening internal security and improving migration control within the state.
He revealed that those arrested included 100 nationals from the Republic of Niger and 25 from the Republic of Mali.
Adamu explained that 43 of the migrants possessed valid ECOWAS Travel Certificates and National Identity Biometric Cards, while 82 others had no valid travel documents, residence permits or identifiable means of livelihood.
He stated that those without proper documentation had been classified as prohibited immigrants and would be repatriated in accordance with the Immigration Act 2015.
The official added that the operation was conducted professionally and in line with established human rights standards.
He further emphasised that such enforcement actions would continue, noting that the joint operation is part of ongoing efforts to ensure that all individuals entering Nigeria comply with immigration laws.
Adamu stressed that the primary objective is to enhance national security and reduce crime and criminal activities across the country.
Also speaking, the Comptroller of the Lagos State Command, Chris Onojinrin, said the affected migrants would be repatriated within 48 hours after the completion of due process.
He reiterated that Nigeria remains open to foreigners who comply with the law, adding that those who fail to meet legal requirements would not be allowed to stay.
The Service maintained that the crackdown is part of broader efforts to strengthen border control, enforce immigration regulations and ensure public safety.
