The Lagos State Police Command has arrested 25 foreign nationals suspected of illegally entering Nigeria following an investigation into a reported kidnapping incident in the Ikorodu area of the state.
Sources disclosed that the suspects, comprising 19 nationals of Chad and six Cameroonians, were apprehended on June 16 by operatives of the Tactical Creek Sweeper Squad stationed in Ijede, Ikorodu.
The arrests followed a complaint lodged at about 9:00 a.m. by a Cameroonian national, Konga Delphine, who reported an alleged kidnapping case to the police squad.
Acting on the report, police operatives swiftly mobilised to the location, leading to the arrest of the suspects during a preliminary investigation.
According to police sources, investigations revealed that the Chadian nationals were allegedly brought into Nigeria without proper documentation under the pretext of attending an evangelical crusade purportedly organised by the Deeper Life Bible Church.
The Cameroonian nationals, meanwhile, reportedly claimed they entered the country for network marketing activities.
Further profiling and screening by the police revealed that the suspects could not provide valid travel or residency documents to support their stay in Nigeria.
All 25 suspects are currently in police custody as investigations continue to determine the circumstances surrounding their entry into the country and the nature of their activities.
The police assured that further details would be made available as investigations progress.
By: Zagazola Makama
