Troops arrest 24 foreign nationals during raid on suspected hideout in Lagos

Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 65 Battalion have arrested 24 foreign nationals during a coordinated raid on a suspected hideout in Epe Local Government Area of Lagos State.

The operation was part of ongoing efforts to rid the 81 Division Area of Responsibility (AOR) of criminal elements, illegal immigrants and other security threats, according to the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 81 Division Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Colonel Musa Yahaya.

In a statement, Yahaya said troops of the battalion, in collaboration with members of the Vigilante Group, raided a secluded fenced compound at Imokun, located within the Odo-Noforija/Poka axis of Epe, where the suspects were arrested.

“During the operation, 24 foreign nationals comprising 15 males and nine females were apprehended,” the statement said.

The Army said preliminary profiling showed that the suspects are citizens of different West and Central African countries, including 10 Cameroonians, six Togolese, three Ivorians, three nationals of the Republic of Benin, one Burkinabè and one Guinea-Bissau national.

It added that initial investigations were conducted to determine the suspects’ immigration status, purpose of stay and possible involvement in unlawful activities.

“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,” the statement added.

The suspects were subsequently handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Lagos State Command, on July 16, 2025, for further investigation, profiling and necessary administrative action in line with existing immigration laws and regulations.

The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 81 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Adebayo Babalola, directed troops to sustain ongoing operations and intensify efforts to prevent criminal elements, illegal immigrants and other security threats from gaining access to 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 the AOR.