The Nigeria Immigration Service, Oyo State Command, has arrested seven Republic of Benin indigenes following a petition by a resident. The Comptroller of the command, Innocent Akatu, on Wednesday said the resident observed that there had been series of criminal activities in the Ekerin area of Ologuneru community in Ibadan since the suspects came to the community. Akatu said after the arrest, it was discovered that the individuals entered Nigeria through illegal routes from the Republic of Benin and had chosen the remote community as a hideout.
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Akatu said, “The petition from a concerned Nigerian proved helpful as it led to the arrest of the seven people who are indigenes of the Republic of Benin. The petitioner said rape and robbery cases were recorded regularly in the area since the suspects settled down in the area.
“When we raided the area, we were able to apprehend seven persons who have no legal documents to stay in Nigeria, and they don’t have any means of livelihood. Such people constitute security threat to Nigeria and they will be sent back to their country of origin immediately.
“To us at the command, they are security risks which confirmed the fears and allegations of the petitioner. Even if you don’t have a job, you must eat and clothe yourself. The only way to do these without any lawful means of livelihood is to steal or be involved in criminal activities.”
One of the arrested persons, Wahab Umoru, 29, said he came to Nigeria illegally in 2005 while Soliu Alidu claimed to have been born in Saki 29 years ago. Others are Mustafa Bukare, Fudu Abdulai, Aruna Zakari, Abu Aruna and Mumuni Yakubu.
The comptroller said the illegal immigrants were large in number in the area and that some of them had travelled to the Republic of Benin. He, however, said they would be arrested if they returned to Nigeria.
