Nigerian soldiers in conjunction with members of the Vigilante Group have arrested 24 foreign nationals during a coordinated raid on criminal hideout in Epe Local Government Area of Lagos State.
Troops of 65 Battalion of the 81 Division Area undertook the task to get rid the area of criminal elements, illegal immigrants and other security threats.
Lieutenant Colonel Musa Yahaya, the Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations
81 Division Nigerian Army disclosed this on Thursday in a statement.
The operation, according to him, was conducted following credible intelligence on the presence of undocumented foreign nationals within the Battalion’s Area of Responsibility (AOR).
He said, “preliminary profiling revealed that the suspects are nationals of various West and Central African countries, including Cameroon (10), Togo (6), Côte d’Ivoire (3), Republic of Benin (3), Burkina Faso (1) and Guinea-Bissau (1).
Acting on credible intelligence, troops of the Battalion, in conjunction with members of the 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 9 females were apprehended”, the Army also revealed that initial investigations were conducted to ascertain the suspects’ immigration status, purpose of stay and possible involvement in any unlawful activities.
It also assured that 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.
It also explained that the suspects were officially 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.
Commending the troops for their professionalism and vigilance, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Adebayo Babalola, charged personnel to sustain the ongoing operations and intensify efforts aimed at denying criminal elements, illegal immigrants and other security threats in the Division’s AOR.
He further reaffirmed the Division’s commitment to supporting relevant security agencies in maintaining peace, security and public safety across the AOR.
