The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has arrested 127 foreign nationals in the Hotoro Ring Road area of Nasarawa Local Government in Kano State for their alleged involvement in cybercrime and irregular migration activities.
The Kano State Comptroller of Immigration, Kabir Danja, confirmed the arrest during a press briefing on Tuesday, stating that the operation was carried out following credible intelligence on a suspected hideout used to defraud unsuspecting Nigerians.
A total of 206 persons were apprehended during the raid, comprising 86 Nigeriens, 41 Chadians, and 80 Nigerians. Of the entire group, 185 were males and 21 females, all aged between 25 and 35 years.
Danja disclosed that interrogations revealed 127 of the suspects, who are foreigners, entered the country through unauthorised routes without valid residence permits or travel documents. He added that the 80 Nigerian suspects had since been transferred to the police for further investigation and possible prosecution.
According to him, the Comptroller General of Immigration, Kemi Nandap, has ordered the repatriation of the irregular migrants after the conclusion of investigations.
In a related development, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), in partnership with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and other stakeholders, received 111 Nigerian returnees from Niamey, Niger Republic.
The returnees, comprising 87 adult males, eight male children, eight adult females, and eight female children, arrived at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) at about 7:20 p.m. on Monday, May 26, 2025.
NEMA, via a post on its official X handle, stated that the returnees were profiled and documented at Chilla Hotel on May 27, as part of the ongoing voluntary repatriation programme aimed at supporting distressed Nigerians in foreign countries.
Authorities assured that reintegration support and further assistance would be provided for the returnees in collaboration with relevant agencies.
