Precious Nwonu, Enugu
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has repatriated 99 foreigners for irregular migration between July and August 2026, according to its latest operational report prepared for the Office of the National Security Adviser.
The report states that 90 foreigners were sent back to their home countries in July, while nine others were deported in August. Irregular migration was identified as the primary reason for these actions.
“90 foreigners were recorded as repatriated in July, while nine were recorded in August. The cases primarily involved irregular migration, with the July records including nationals of Cameroon (33), Niger (four), Pakistan (15), Côte d’Ivoire (38), Burkina Faso (two), Chad (four), Central African Republic (two) and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (one),” the report stated.
Additionally, the NIS rescued 23 victims of human trafficking and exploitation during this period. Seven victims were rescued in July across cases involving Thailand, Mali, Egypt, and domestic locations, while 16 victims were saved in August.
These operations took place at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Seme Border, Baji Patrol Post, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), and other locations.
Several of the rescued victims were handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for care and further investigation. Immigration officers also arrested one stowaway at the MMIA in August.
“Seven victims were recorded as rescued in July and 16 in August. The records include interventions at MMIA, Seme Border, Baji Patrol Post, NAIA and other locations, with some victims handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons.
One stowaway was recorded as apprehended at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in August 2026. Twenty-three victims were recorded as rescued across July and August.
July interventions accounted for seven victims, including cases involving Thailand, Mali, Egypt and domestic locations. August interventions accounted for 16 victims, including cases intercepted at Seme Border, MMIA, NAIA and Baji Patrol Post,” the report detailed.
The agency also identified four persons of interest, consisting of three in July and one in August.
“The August case involved a potential trafficking victim who was referred to NAPTIP,” the report added.
Furthermore, the NIS dismantled a fraudulent transnational organized crime syndicate linked to the QNET/Ignite group, resulting in the arrest of the syndicate leaders and 11 facilitators in Lagos and Ogun states.
The service stated that these interventions are part of its efforts to strengthen border security, regulate migration, and combat transnational organized crime.
The report concluded that detecting document fraud, conducting enforcement operations, making arrests, and pursuing prosecutions are vital measures to safeguard Nigeria’s borders, prevent migrant exploitation, ensure effective migration management, and support national security.