NIS DEPORTS 99 FOREIGNERS OVER IRREGULAR MIGRATION

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By ‘Sefiu Ajape

The Nigeria Immigration Service repatriated 99 foreigners for irregular migration between July and August 2026, according to its latest operational report.

The report, prepared for the Office of the National Security Adviser, showed that 90 foreigners were repatriated in July, while nine others were repatriated in August.

The July figure comprised 33 Cameroonians, 38 nationals of Côte d’Ivoire, 15 Pakistanis, four Nigeriens, four Chadians, two Burkinabè, two Central Africans and one national of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Irregular migration was identified as the primary reason for the repatriations.

It said, “90 foreigners were recorded as repatriated in July, while nine were recorded in August. The cases primarily involved irregular migration, with the July records including nationals of Cameroon (33), Niger (four), Pakistan (15), Côte d’Ivoire (38), Burkina Faso (two), Chad (four), Central African Republic (two) and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (one).”

The NIS also reported rescuing 23 victims of trafficking and other forms of exploitation during the period.

Seven victims were rescued in July, while 16 were rescued in August following interventions at locations including the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Seme Border, Baji Patrol Post and other locations.

Some of the rescued victims were handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons for further care and investigation.

The immigration authorities also apprehended a stowaway at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in August.

“Seven victims were recorded as rescued in July and 16 in August. The records include interventions at MMIA, Seme Border, Baji Patrol Post, NAIA, and other locations, with some victims handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons.

“One stowaway was recorded as apprehended at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in August 2026.

“Twenty-three victims were recorded as rescued across July and August. July interventions accounted for seven victims, including cases involving Thailand, Mali, Egypt, and domestic locations. August interventions accounted for 16 victims, including cases intercepted at Seme Border, MMIA, NAIA, and Baji Patrol Post,” it said.

In addition, four persons of interest were identified during the period, comprising three in July and one in August.

“The August case involved a potential trafficking victim who was referred to NAPTIP,” it added.

The NIS further disclosed that it had dismantled a fraudulent transnational organised crime syndicate linked to the QNET/Ignite group.

According to the report, the operation led to the apprehension of the syndicate leaders and 11 facilitators in Lagos and Ogun states.

The service said the interventions formed part of its efforts to strengthen border security, regulate migration, and combat transnational organised crime.

The report also highlighted the detection of document fraud, enforcement operations, arrests, and prosecutions as measures taken by the service to safeguard Nigeria’s borders and prevent the exploitation of migrants.

The NIS said its operations during the period were aimed at ensuring effective migration management while contributing to national security.