The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has arrested 127 suspected foreign nationals in Kano State for alleged involvement in cybercrime and irregular migration.
The operation, which was carried out in the Hotoro Ring Road area of Nasarawa Local Government Area, was based on credible intelligence that led officers to a suspected hideout. The suspects were arrested during a raid targeting illegal immigrants and individuals believed to be operating a cybercrime ring.
Kano State Comptroller of Immigration, Kabir Danja, confirmed the development while addressing journalists on Wednesday. He said a total of 206 individuals were arrested during the operation.
“Out of the 206 suspects, 86 are Nigeriens, 41 are Chadians, and 80 are Nigerians. Among them are 185 males and 21 females, all aged between 25 and 35 years,” Danja stated.
He explained that the majority of the foreign nationals entered Nigeria through illegal routes and lacked the proper travel or residency documents.
“These migrants did not come in through the official borders. They used illegal entry points and had no legal status or identification papers. This is a clear violation of Nigeria’s immigration laws,” he said.
The NIS has handed over the 80 Nigerian suspects to the police for further investigation and possible prosecution.
The Comptroller also revealed that the Comptroller General of Immigration, Kemi Nandap, has given directives for the arrested foreign nationals to be repatriated to their home countries once investigations are concluded.
“This operation was not only about arresting undocumented migrants, but also about curbing the rising cases of cybercrime and other criminal activities being perpetrated by some of these individuals,” Danja added.
According to him, this operation aligns with the agency’s renewed efforts to strengthen internal security and tackle the growing challenge of illegal migration, which has implications for national safety and economic stability.
The Nigeria Immigration Service emphasized that it will continue to work with other security agencies to identify and dismantle criminal networks operating under the guise of migration.
The arrest has raised concerns among residents and stakeholders in Kano, who have been calling for increased surveillance and stricter border control to prevent the entry of undocumented foreigners.
The NIS also called on the public to provide useful information that could help identify irregular migrants and criminals hiding in communities.
This development is part of a broader national strategy to fight organized crime, protect Nigeria’s borders, and ensure that foreigners in the country comply with immigration laws.
