Troops arrest 24 undocumented foreign nationals in Lagos

Abdullateef Fowewe

Troops of 65 Battalion, 81 Division of the Nigerian Army have arrested 24 foreign nationals during a coordinated raid on a suspected hideout in Imokun, Epe Local Government Area, Lagos State, the Division said on Thursday.

Lieutenant Colonel Musa Yahaya, Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations for 81 Division, said the operation followed “credible intelligence on the presence of undocumented foreign nationals within the Battalion’s AOR.”

He added that the raid was carried out in conjunction with members of the Vigilante Group at a “secluded fenced compound located at Imokun in the Odo‑Noforija/Poka axis of Epe.”

Preliminary profiling by the Army shows the suspects include 15 males and nine females from several West and Central African countries: Cameroon (10), Togo (6), Côte d’Ivoire (3), Republic of Benin (3), Burkina Faso (1), and Guinea‑Bissau (1).

Initial investigations are ongoing to determine their immigration status, reasons for their presence and any links to unlawful activity.

The Army said efforts are also underway “to identify and question the owner of the premises to provide further insight into the circumstances surrounding their residence and activities at the location.”

The 24 detainees were handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Lagos State Command, on 16 July 2026 for “further investigation, profiling and necessary administrative action in accordance with extant immigration laws and regulations,” the statement said.

Major General Adebayo Babalola, General Officer Commanding 81 Division, commended the troops for their “professionalism and vigilance” and urged personnel to sustain and intensify operations to deny criminal elements, illegal immigrants and other security threats in the Division’s area of responsibility.

He also reaffirmed the Division’s commitment “to supporting relevant security agencies in maintaining peace, security and public safety across the AOR.”