The Lagos State Police Command has rescued 38 foreign nationals from a potential mob attack in the Epe area and commenced an investigation into suspected illegal immigration activities.
Commissioner of Police, Fatai Tijani, briefed journalists on Tuesday at the command headquarters in Ikeja, confirming that the rescue operation took place on June 17 after officers intervened to prevent a breakdown of public order.
The foreign nationals, he said, hail from Chad, Burkina Faso, Benin, Mali, Togo, Cameroon, and Ghana. “They were unable to provide satisfactory explanations regarding their presence or activities in Nigeria,” Mr Tijani stated.
According to the police chief, 20 of the rescued individuals are believed to have entered Nigeria illegally, while the remaining 18 possess valid ECOWAS travel documents.
The suspects are currently being profiled at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) and will subsequently be handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service for further action.
“We want to properly profile them and determine whether there is any criminal element to their activities before transferring them to immigration authorities for further processing,” Mr Tijani explained.
He emphasised that the intervention was necessary to avert mob action and ensure the safety of all persons involved. The matter has been escalated to relevant agencies, including the Nigeria Immigration Service and the embassies of the affected countries, for proper handling.
Investigations are ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding their presence in the area and to ascertain whether any immigration offences have been committed.
The police commissioner assured residents of the command’s unwavering commitment to maintaining public order, adding that due process would be followed and further updates provided as the investigation progresses.