Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Nigeria Immigration Service, Osun State Command, on Friday, August 21, 2026, paraded 55 irregular migrants arrested at different locations across the state in a major intelligence-led operation targeting foreign nationals residing illegally in the country. The migrants, identified as nationals of Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of Congo, were apprehended for allegedly entering Nigeria through unauthorised routes without valid travel or residency documents. The operation, which the Command described as just the beginning of a broader crackdown, has raised fresh concerns over the activities of illegal immigrants and the exploitation of Nigeria's porous borders by criminal networks.
Addressing journalists shortly after the parade at the Command headquarters in Osogbo, the Osun Comptroller of Immigration, Ibrahim Akinyemi, said the arrests followed actionable intelligence gathered by the command. "These people are about 55. They are irregular migrants. They were arrested and brought here for repatriation. They came in through an unauthorised route. So, their stay here has become a serious nuisance," Akinyemi declared. He explained that through intelligence gathering, the command was able to locate their residences and bring them in with the directive of the Comptroller General of the Nigerian Immigration Service. Akinyemi stressed that the operation was part of a coordinated effort to rid the state of illegal migrants and warned that more arrests would follow.
The Comptroller disclosed that the migrants were apprehended at various locations, with some residing in the Owode-Ede community. He noted that the command profiled and checked their documents, only to discover that none possessed any valid travel documents, not even ordinary passports. "They don't have any travel documents. They don't even have ordinary passports, and they are here doing this illegal online business that is not registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission," he said. Under interrogation, the migrants claimed they were in Osun State to engage in an online business known as QNET, but refused to provide further details about the nature of the business or the identities of those who recruited them. Akinyemi also revealed that the migrants claimed to have entered Nigeria through Yola, Adamawa State, and vowed that the command would go after those responsible for bringing them into the country. "By the grace of God, we are taking them back to where they came from," he declared.
One of the migrants, Ismail Mohammed, a Cameroonian national, told journalists that he arrived in Osun in February 2026 after being invited by a woman living in Chad to engage in an online business. Mohammed's account offers a glimpse into the networks that facilitate illegal migration and the false promises that lure unsuspecting individuals into exploitative situations. The arrests have also shone a spotlight on QNET, a company that has faced legal challenges and allegations of operating a pyramid scheme in several countries. The Nigeria Immigration Service has not established a direct link between the migrants' online business activities and any criminal enterprise, but their undocumented status and refusal to cooperate fully with investigators have raised red flags.
The operation in Osun comes amid growing concerns over the influx of illegal immigrants into Nigeria, particularly from neighbouring and Central African countries. The Nigeria Immigration Service has intensified its enforcement operations across the country, targeting undocumented foreign nationals and those engaged in illegal activities. The Command's decision to parade the migrants and publicise the arrests is seen as a deterrent to other illegal immigrants and a message to those who facilitate their entry. The Comptroller's warning that "this is just the beginning of the exercise" suggests that the Service is prepared to sustain the momentum and expand its operations to other parts of the state.
As the 55 migrants await repatriation, the Nigeria Immigration Service has called on members of the public to provide information on suspicious activities and the presence of undocumented foreigners in their communities. The Service has also reiterated its commitment to protecting the nation's borders and ensuring that all foreign nationals residing in Nigeria do so legally. The arrests in Osun are a significant step in that direction, but they also underscore the scale of the challenge facing the country's immigration authorities. With porous borders and weak enforcement mechanisms, Nigeria remains a destination of choice for illegal migrants and a transit point for those seeking to reach other parts of the world. The Osun operation is a reminder that the fight against illegal migration is far from over, and that the Nigeria Immigration Service must remain vigilant if it is to secure the nation's borders and protect its citizens.
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