Troops of the Nigerian Army have arrested 24 foreign nationals during a security operation at a suspected hideout in Epe Local Government Area of Lagos State.
The operation, carried out by personnel of the Army’s 65 Battalion in collaboration with members of a local vigilante group, was part of ongoing efforts to eliminate criminal elements, undocumented immigrants and other security threats within the 81 Division Area of Responsibility.
According to the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Musa Yahaya, the raid followed credible intelligence indicating the presence of undocumented foreign nationals in a secluded compound located at Imokun along the Odo-Noforija/Poka axis of Epe.
He disclosed that security operatives stormed the fenced property and arrested 24 suspects, comprising 15 men and nine women.
Preliminary profiling revealed that the individuals are citizens of six West and Central African countries. They include 10 Cameroonians, six Togolese, three Ivorians, three nationals of the Republic of Benin, one Burkinabe and one citizen of Guinea-Bissau.
Lieutenant Colonel Yahaya explained that initial investigations focused on establishing the suspects’ immigration status, the purpose of their stay in Nigeria and whether they had any links to criminal activities.
He added that security agencies are also working to identify and question the owner of the property where the foreign nationals were found in order to determine the circumstances surrounding their residence and activities.
Following the operation, the suspects were handed over to the Lagos State Command of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) on July 16, 2026, for further investigation, profiling and any necessary administrative actions in accordance with Nigeria’s immigration laws.
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division, Major General Adebayo Babalola, commended the troops for their professionalism, vigilance and swift response during the operation.
He urged military personnel to sustain ongoing security operations and intensify efforts to prevent criminal activities and other threats across the division’s area of responsibility.
The GOC also reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to working closely with other security and law enforcement agencies to ensure peace, public safety and security throughout Lagos State and neighbouring areas.
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