In a major security operation targeting illegal immigrants and criminal elements in Lagos State, troops of the 65 Battalion, under the 81 Division Nigerian Army, have arrested 24 foreign nationals during a coordinated raid on a suspected hideout in Epe Local Government Area. The operation, carried out in collaboration with members of the Vigilante Group, took place at a secluded fenced compound in Imokun, located along the Odo-Noforija/Poka axis of Epe. The arrests, made on July 16, 2025, are part of ongoing efforts to enhance security and eliminate threats within the division’s Area of Responsibility (AOR).
Lieutenant Colonel Musa Yahaya, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for the 81 Division, confirmed the development in an official statement. He stated that the 24 suspects comprised 15 males and nine females, all of whom were apprehended during the swift and well-coordinated operation. Preliminary profiling revealed that the individuals are nationals of various West and Central African countries, including 10 Cameroonians, six Togolese, three Ivorians, three nationals of the Republic of Benin, one Burkinabè, and one national from Guinea-Bissau.
Initial investigations are currently underway to determine the immigration status of the suspects, their purpose for being in Nigeria, and whether they are involved in any unlawful activities. Authorities are also working to identify and question the owner of the compound to gain further insight into the circumstances surrounding the group’s residence and activities at the location. The suspects were formally handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Lagos State Command, for further profiling, legal processing, and administrative action in line with existing immigration laws and regulations.
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 81 Division, Major General Adebayo Babalola, has directed all personnel to sustain and intensify ongoing security operations. He emphasized the need to deny criminal elements, illegal immigrants, and other security threats access to the division’s AOR. Babalola also reaffirmed the division’s commitment to supporting other security agencies in maintaining peace, security, and public safety across the region. This latest operation underscores the Nigerian Army’s continued efforts to combat transnational crime and strengthen national security in high-risk areas. The incident highlights the importance of inter-agency cooperation in addressing complex security challenges, particularly in urban centers like Lagos.
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