Army captures 24 foreigners in Lagos raid

Troops from the 65 Battalion, part of the 81 Division of the Nigerian Army, have arrested 24 foreign nationals during a raid on a suspected hideout in Epe Local Government Area of Lagos State. This operation was aimed at tackling illegal immigration and other security threats.

Lt. Col. Musa Yahaya, the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations at the 81 Division, announced this in a statement on Thursday.

He explained that the raid was based on reliable intelligence about undocumented foreign nationals in the battalion’s area.

Yahaya said the troops worked together with members of the Vigilante Group to storm a fenced compound at Imokun in the Odo-Noforija/Poka area of Epe, where they arrested the suspects.

He stated, “Acting on credible intelligence, troops of the Battalion, in conjunction with members of the Vigilante Group, raided a secluded fenced compound located at Imokun in the Odo-Noforija/Poka axis of Epe. During the operation, 24 foreign nationals, comprising 15 males and nine females, were apprehended.”

Yahaya added that initial profiling showed the suspects came from six West and Central African countries.

“Preliminary profiling revealed that the suspects are nationals of various West and Central African countries, including Cameroon (10), Togo (6), Côte d’Ivoire (3), Republic of Benin (3), Burkina Faso (1), and Guinea-Bissau (1),” he said.

Yahaya noted that the military has started initial investigations to check the immigration status of the suspects, their reasons for being in Nigeria, and if they were involved in any unlawful activities.

He mentioned, “Initial investigations were conducted to ascertain the suspects’ immigration status, purpose of stay and possible involvement in any 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 Army spokesman also said that the suspects were handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service, Lagos State Command, on July 16, 2026, for further investigation, profiling, and necessary actions according to immigration laws.

Yahaya reported that the General Officer Commanding of the 81 Division Nigerian Army, Maj. Gen. Adebayo Babalola, praised the troops for their professionalism and alertness during the operation.

According to Yahaya, the GOC urged personnel to keep up ongoing operations and work harder to deny criminal elements, illegal immigrants, and other security threats a safe place within the division’s area.

He also confirmed the division’s commitment to supporting relevant security agencies in ensuring peace, security, and public safety in Lagos and other areas under its responsibility.