Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 65 Battalion have arrested 24 foreign nationals during a raid on a suspected hideout in Epe Local Government Area of Lagos State.

The operation was carried out as part of ongoing efforts by the 81 Division to rid its Area of Responsibility (AOR) of criminal elements, illegal immigrants and other security threats.

According to a statement by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 81 Division Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Colonel Musa Yahaya, the raid followed credible intelligence on the presence of undocumented foreign nationals within the Division’s area of responsibility.

Acting on the intelligence, troops, in collaboration with members of the Vigilante Group, raided a fenced compound at Imokun in the Odo-Noforija/Poka axis of Epe, where they arrested 24 foreign nationals comprising 15 males and nine females.

Preliminary profiling showed that the suspects are nationals of six West and Central African countries. They include 10 Cameroonians, six Togolese, three Ivorians, three nationals of the Republic of Benin, one Burkinabè and one Guinea-Bissau national.

The Army said preliminary investigations were conducted to determine the suspects’ immigration status, purpose of stay in Nigeria and possible involvement in unlawful activities.

It added that efforts are ongoing to identify and question the owner of the property where the suspects were found to establish the circumstances surrounding their residence and activities.

The suspects were subsequently handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Lagos State Command, on July 16, 2026, for further investigation, profiling and other necessary actions in line with immigration laws.

The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division, Major General Adebayo Babalola, commended the troops for their professionalism and vigilance during the operation.

He urged personnel to sustain ongoing operations against criminal elements, illegal immigrants and other security threats within the Division’s area of responsibility.

Major General Babalola also reaffirmed the Division’s commitment to supporting other security agencies in maintaining peace, security and public safety across Lagos and adjoining areas. (Channels TV)

•Twenty-four foreign nationals arrested by troops of the Nigerian Army’s 65 Battalion during a raid on a suspected hideout in Epe, Lagos State, before being handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) for further investigation on July 16, 2026.

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