Army Troops Arrest 24 Foreign Nationals in Lagos Raid
Army Troops Arrest 24 Foreign Nationals in Lagos Raid
Army Troops Arrest 24 Foreign Nationals in Lagos Raid
Troops of the 65 Battalion, Nigerian Army, have arrested 24 foreign nationals during a coordinated raid on a suspected hideout in Epe Local Government Area of Lagos State.
The operation was conducted as part of ongoing efforts to rid the 81 Division Area of Responsibility of criminal elements, undocumented migrants and other security threats.
According to a statement by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 81 Division, Lieutenant Colonel Musa Yahaya, the operation followed credible intelligence on the presence of undocumented foreign nationals within the Battalion’s area of responsibility.
Acting on the intelligence, troops, in collaboration with members of the Vigilante Group, raided a secluded fenced compound located at Imokun, along the Odo-Noforija/Poka axis of Epe.
The operation led to the arrest of 24 foreign nationals, comprising 15 males and nine females.
Preliminary profiling showed that the suspects were nationals of various West and Central African countries, including Cameroon, 10; Togo, six; Côte d’Ivoire, three; Republic of Benin, three; Burkina Faso, one; and Guinea-Bissau, one.
The Army said initial investigations were conducted to establish the immigration status of the suspects, their purpose of stay and any possible involvement in unlawful activities.
Efforts are also underway to identify and question the owner of the premises to determine the circumstances surrounding the presence and activities of the foreign nationals at the location.
The suspects were handed over to the Lagos State Command of the Nigeria Immigration Service on July 16, 2026, for further investigation, profiling and necessary administrative action in line with existing immigration laws and regulations.
The General Officer Commanding 81 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Adebayo Babalola, commended the troops for their professionalism and vigilance.
He charged personnel to sustain ongoing operations and intensify efforts to deny criminal elements, undocumented migrants and other security threats freedom of action within the Division’s area of responsibility.
The GOC also reaffirmed the Division’s commitment to supporting relevant security agencies in maintaining peace, security and public safety across the area.
Army Troops Arrest 24 Foreign Nationals in Lagos Raid
