Ogun: 46 illegal immigrants from Togo, Burkina Faso, others arrested

A joint security operation involving troops of the Nigerian Army, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has led to the arrest of 46 suspected illegal immigrants residing in Ogun State.

The operation, which followed actionable intelligence, was carried out in parts of the Ijebu axis of the state and targeted foreign nationals allegedly living in Nigeria without valid immigration documents.

The arrests come amid a recent surge in insecurity across the South-West and other parts of the country, including the abduction of schoolchildren in Oyo State, as well as several other kidnapping incidents and armed attacks in neighbouring communities. The wave of violence has heightened public concern and prompted intensified security operations across affected states.

Security authorities said the suspects have been handed over to the Ogun State Command of the Nigeria Immigration Service for further investigation and administrative action in accordance with existing immigration laws.

Joint operation follows intelligence report

The Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, 35 Artillery Brigade, Lieutenant Samuel Idereghi Akari, confirmed the arrests in a statement issued on Sunday.

According to him, the operation commenced on June 11, 2026, after security agencies received credible intelligence regarding the presence of undocumented foreign nationals in parts of Ogun State.

Personnel of the Nigerian Army worked alongside operatives of the DSS and officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service to carry out coordinated raids in Ijebu Imushin, Ijebu Ilese and surrounding communities.

The exercise led to the arrest of 46 individuals suspected of violating Nigeria’s immigration regulations.

Akari said the operation forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen internal security and prevent criminal infiltration through undocumented migration routes.

Security concerns deepen across South-West

Security officials say the operation is linked to broader efforts to respond to rising insecurity in the South-West, where cases of kidnapping, armed robbery and violent attacks have increased in recent times.

The region has witnessed several disturbing incidents, including the abduction of schoolchildren in Oyo State and other attacks in parts of Ogun, Ondo and Osun states, raising concerns among residents and security stakeholders.

Authorities say such incidents have made intelligence-led operations and border monitoring more critical, particularly in areas bordering the Republic of Benin, where cross-border movement is frequent and sometimes poorly regulated.

Although no link has been established between the arrested suspects and any criminal activity, security agencies say the exercise is preventive in nature and aimed at identifying undocumented migrants and possible security risks before they escalate.

Suspects claim affiliation with QNet

Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects had allegedly been residing in Ogun State for about six months without valid immigration documentation.

During interrogation, they reportedly claimed to be merchants and workers affiliated with QNet, an online marketing platform involved in the sale of various commodities.

Security agencies, however, said investigations are ongoing to verify their claims, establish their mode of entry into the country and determine the legality of their activities.

Officials stressed that no criminal charges beyond immigration violations have been established at this stage.

Immigration authorities begin profiling

According to the Army spokesman, the arrested individuals comprise 18 nationals of Burkina Faso, 23 nationals of Côte d’Ivoire, four nationals of Togo and one national of Senegal.

Among them are 36 males and 10 females.

They have been transferred to the Nigeria Immigration Service, Ogun State Command, for profiling, further investigation and appropriate administrative action in line with extant laws.

The operation highlights ongoing collaboration among security agencies as Nigeria confronts rising insecurity across multiple regions, particularly in the South-West, where recent kidnappings — including the Oyo school abduction — and other violent attacks have intensified security responses and reinforced calls for tighter monitoring of cross-border movements.