- Lagos Police Probe Illegal Immigration After Rescuing 38 Foreigners in Epe
- 20 Foreign Nationals Entered Nigeria Illegally, Lagos Police Reveal
- Escalate Case of 38 Rescued Foreign Nationals to Immigration
The Lagos State Police Command has rescued 38 foreign nationals from a suspected mob attack in the Epe area of the state and launched an investigation into possible immigration-related offences.
Eko Hot Blog reports that Commissioner of Police, Fatai Tijani, disclosed this on Tuesday while briefing journalists at the command headquarters in Ikeja.
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According to him, the rescue operation was conducted on June 17 following intelligence that a mob confrontation involving the foreign nationals could degenerate into a breakdown of law and order.
The group comprises citizens of Chad, Burkina Faso, Benin Republic, Mali, Togo, Cameroon and Ghana.
Tijani said the individuals were unable to provide satisfactory explanations regarding their presence and activities in Nigeria during preliminary questioning.
“The foreign nationals are currently undergoing profiling at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) to establish their identities and determine whether any criminal elements are linked to their activities before they are handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service,” he said.
The police commissioner disclosed that preliminary investigations showed that 20 of the foreigners allegedly entered Nigeria illegally, while 18 others were found to possess valid ECOWAS travel documents.
He noted that police intervention became necessary to protect the individuals from possible mob action and ensure public safety.
Tijani added that the matter has been referred to relevant authorities, including the Nigeria Immigration Service and the embassies of the affected countries, for documentation and further necessary action.
According to him, investigators are working to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the group’s presence in the community and determine whether any immigration laws were violated.
He assured residents that the Lagos State Police Command remains committed to maintaining peace, public order and security across the state, stressing that due process would be followed in handling the case.
The commissioner further promised that members of the public would be updated as investigations progress.
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