Troops arrest 24 foreign nationals in Lagos, hand over suspects to Immigration Service

Troops of the 65 Battalion, Nigerian Army, have arrested 24 foreign nationals during a coordinated raid on a suspected hideout in Epe Local Government Area of Lagos State as part of ongoing efforts to rid the 81 Division Area of Responsibility (AOR) of criminal elements, illegal immigrants and other security threats.

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

According to the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 81 Division Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Colonel Musa Yahaya, the troops raided a secluded fenced compound at Imokun in the Odo-Noforija/Poka axis of Epe, where they apprehended 24 foreign nationals comprising 15 males and nine females.

Preliminary profiling identified the suspects as nationals of six West and Central African countries. They include 10 Cameroonians, six Togolese, three Ivorians, three citizens of the Republic of Benin, one Burkinabè and one Guinea-Bissau national.

The Army said initial investigations were launched to determine the immigration status of the suspects, the purpose of their stay in Nigeria and whether they were involved in any unlawful activities.

It added that efforts are also underway to identify and question the owner of the property where the suspects were found in order to establish the circumstances surrounding their residence and activities at the location.

Following the operation, the suspects were handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Lagos State Command, on July 16, 2026, for further investigation, profiling and appropriate administrative action in line with existing immigration laws and regulations.

Commending the troops for their professionalism and vigilance, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Adebayo Babalola, directed personnel to sustain ongoing operations and intensify efforts aimed at denying criminal elements, illegal immigrants and other security threats freedom of operation within the Division’s area of responsibility.

Babalola also reaffirmed the Division’s commitment to working closely with relevant security agencies to enhance peace, security and public safety across Lagos and other areas under the Division’s jurisdiction.