Lagos Immigration Sweep: 82 Undocumented Foreigners Marked for Deportation

The Lagos State Command of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has arrested 125 foreign nationals for alleged immigration offences, with 82 of them slated for immediate repatriation.

The Assistant Comptroller-General in charge of Zone A, Mohamed Adamu, disclosed this on Thursday, stating that the arrests followed a coordinated, intelligence-driven operation carried out in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force on March 30.

The enforcement exercise targeted multiple high-density areas across Lagos, including Agege, Alimosho, Ebute Metta, and Badagry, as part of broader efforts to tighten border control and enhance internal security.

According to Adamu, those arrested comprised 100 nationals from Republic of Niger and 25 from Republic of Mali.

He noted that while 43 of the individuals were found with valid ECOWAS Travel Certificates and National Identity Biometric Cards, the remaining 82 had no legal documentation, residence permits, or verifiable means of livelihood.

“These individuals have been classified as prohibited immigrants and will be deported in accordance with the Immigration Act 2015,” Adamu stated.

He stressed that the operation was conducted in strict adherence to human rights standards and due process.

Reaffirming the agency’s resolve, the NIS said such crackdowns would be sustained to curb illegal migration, strengthen national security, and reduce criminal activities across the state.