300 illegal immigrants repatriated in Niger

COMPTROLLER, NIGERIA IMMIGRATION SERVICE, RIVERS COMMAND, MR MIKE LONGE (R), PARADING SUSPECTED ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS IN PORT HARCOURT ON WEDNESDAY

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) in Niger State yesterday repatriated 300 illegal immigrants arrested in its mop up exercise.

It had arrested 500 illegal immigrants. Three hundred were screened and found out to be non-Nigerians, while 200 are undergoing intensive screening to ascertain if they are illegal or not.

Briefing reporters in Minna, the Comptroller of Immigration, David Adi, said most of the illegal aliens migrated from Niger Republic, adding that they were arrested in Chachanga, Bosso, Paikoro, Suleja, Kontagora and Bida local governments.

He said Nigeria should no longer tolerate what other African countries would not tolerate.

“What these countries cannot tolerate, we should not tolerate. No Nigerian can go to these countries and work there without travel document. So we will not allow it in this country. If they have their travel documents, they are free to come and stay.”

Adi said illegal immigrants posed a threat to security in the state and the country at large.

Said he: “If security is compromised, there is no way we can get them. We want to get rid of them. Let them go to their country and get proper travel documents. When they are properly documented, they will be traceable.”

The Immigration boss said intensive screening would be carried out on those who claimed to be Nigerians, adding that they will be released if they are Nigerians, while those who are not Nigerians will be repatriated.