Nigeria Immigration Raids Warri Markets, Arrests Dozens Of Illegal Immigrants

From Ignatius Okpara, Warri

The Delta state command of Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) on Tuesday swooped on perceived illegal foreign traders at Uwangue, Igbudu, and Central Motor Park markets in Warri.

The action according to NIS, is part of the ongoing operation all illegal aliens must leave Delta being carried out by the service in the area.

Various security agencies, such as the Nigeria Police force (NPF), the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), as well as operatives of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), were included in the raid, which lasted several hours.

Hundreds of illegal immigrants, mostly from Nigeria’s neighboring countries, were apprehended during the operation.

However, a senior NIS officer, attached to the Warri Area Office, who do not want to be quoted said “this action is sequel to a directive from the state command to clamp down on illegal immigrants in the state , as a way of checking the growing insecurity posed by Boko Haram and Fulani herdsmen in the country”.

African Examiner reports that similar operation took place in Asaba, the Delta state capital last week, during which over 4,000 illegal aliens were arrested by the NIS operatives.

The Warri NIS source, had assured that foreign aliens with genuine work or stay permits, as well as Nigerians arrested in error, would be released immediately, adding that illegal immigrants without permits would be deported back to their respective countries at the appropriate time.

Meanwhile, some of the illegal immigrants, who evaded the NIS raid, were seen fleeing the target spots to safer hideouts from the operation, which was also extended to the popular Uwangue market, where several immigrants also do business.