THE Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has arrested 127 foreign nationals in the Hotoro Ring Road area of Nasarawa Local Council, Kano State, for their involvement in various cybercrimes and irregular migration.
This came as the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), in collaboration with other stakeholders, received 111 Nigerian returnees from Niamey, Niger Republic, as part of ongoing efforts to support voluntary returnees. This was disclosed on the agency’s X handle yesterday.
Meanwhile, the Kano State Comptroller of Immigration, Kabir Danja, said the arrests were made during an operation based on credible intelligence targeting a hideout where the suspects were allegedly defrauding innocent Nigerians.
Danja revealed that 206 individuals were apprehended, including 86 Nigeriens, 41 Chadians, and 80 Nigerians. Among the suspects, 185 were males and 21 were females, all aged between 25 and 35 years.
Interrogations revealed that most of the 127 foreign nationals had entered Nigeria through unauthorised entry points and lacked residence cards or travel documents.
Danja further stated that the 80 Nigerians among the suspects have been handed over to the police.
He added that the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Kemi Nandap, has directed that the irregular migrants be repatriated following the conclusion of investigations into their activities.
On the 111 Nigerian returnees from Niamey, Niger Republic, NEMA stated that the repatriation exercise was facilitated by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), in partnership with key agencies involved in migrant support and reintegration.
“As part of the ongoing efforts to support voluntary returnees, the National Emergency Management Agency, Kano Office, in collaboration with other critical stakeholders, received 111 Nigerian nationals repatriated from Niamey, Niger Republic. The returnees arrived at Malam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) at 7:20 p.m. on May 26, 2025,” the statement read.
The agency revealed that the returnees included 87 adult males, eight male children, eight adult females, and eight female children.
“Upon arrival, the returnees were transported to Chila Hotel, where they underwent profiling and documentation on May 27, 2025,” it added.
