50 illegal immigrants arrested in SW Nigeria

Operatives of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) have arrested 50 illegal immigrants in different parts of southwest Ogun State ahead of March general elections.

The NIS said the illegal immigrants were arrested at different locations in Odeda area of the state.

State comptroller of the Service Victoria Isang disclosed this while briefing newsmen on Wednesday in Abeokuta, the state capital.

Isang said the illegal immigrants were apprehended due to the command's zero tolerance for illegal entry into the country.

The NIS comptroller gave the breakdown as including 29 Beninoise, 11 Nigeriens and 10 Togolese.

She assured that the arrested illegal immigrants would be repatriated to their different countries in the next 24 hours.

Isang told reporters that the state had on Feb. 6 repatriated a total of 69 Togolese who were illegal immigrants, adding that 147 illegal immigrants were repatriated by the command in 2014.

The state immigration boss also warned foreigners in the state to steer clear from voting during the forthcoming elections, stressing that any of them caught would be dealt with according to the law.

"Any foreigner who under false declaration is found in possession of the Permanent Voter Cards or Nigeria national identity card with a view to partaking in the election process shall be severely dealt with in accordance with the law," Isang said. Endi