Troops of the 65 Battalion of the Nigerian Army have arrested 24 suspected undocumented foreign nationals during a raid on a suspected hideout in Epe Local Government Area of Lagos State.
The operation was carried out following credible intelligence on the presence of undocumented foreign nationals within the Battalion’s Area of Responsibility (AOR), according to the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 81 Division Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Colonel Musa Yahaya.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Yahaya said the operation formed part of ongoing efforts by the 81 Division to rid its area of criminal elements, illegal immigrants and other security threats.
He disclosed that troops, in collaboration with members of a local vigilante group, raided a secluded fenced compound located at Imokun in the Odo-Noforija/Poka axis of Epe.
During the operation, 24 foreign nationals comprising 15 males and nine females were apprehended.
Preliminary profiling by security operatives revealed that the suspects are nationals of six West and Central African countries, including Cameroon (10), Togo (6), Côte d’Ivoire (3), the Republic of Benin (3), Burkina Faso (1) and Guinea-Bissau (1).
According to the Army, initial investigations were conducted to determine the immigration status of the suspects, the purpose of their stay in Nigeria and whether they were involved in any unlawful activities.
The statement added that efforts are ongoing to identify and question the owner of the premises where the suspects were found in order to establish the circumstances surrounding their residence and activities.
The Army confirmed that 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 Nigeria’s immigration laws.
Commending the troops for their professionalism and vigilance, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division, Major General Adebayo Babalola, urged 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.
He also reaffirmed the Division’s commitment to supporting relevant security agencies in maintaining peace, security and public safety across Lagos State and its surrounding areas.