46 Suspected Illegal Immigrants Arrested in Intelligence-Led Ogun Operation

Residents of several quiet communities in Ogun State were going about their daily activities, unaware that dozens of foreign nationals had allegedly been living among them without valid immigration documents for months. That reality came into sharp focus after a coordinated security operation by troops of the Nigerian Army, working alongside the Department of State Services, DSS, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, and the Nigerian Immigration Service, NIS, led to the arrest of 46 suspected illegal immigrants across parts of the state.

Those arrested include 18 nationals of Burkina Faso, 23 nationals of Côte d'Ivoire, four nationals of Togo and one national of Senegal. The group comprises 36 males and 10 females, and were said to have been residing in Ijebu Imushin, Ijebu Ilese and surrounding communities for approximately six months.

Operation Commenced June 11 Following Actionable Intelligence

Announcing the development, Major Idereghi Samuel Akari, Assistant Director Army Public Relations, 35 Artillery Brigade, said the operation began on June 11, 2026, following actionable intelligence received by security agencies. Troops and other security personnel conducted targeted raids in the affected communities, leading to the arrest of the suspects at various locations.

The suspects claimed to be merchants and workers affiliated with QNet, an online marketing platform involved in the sale of various commodities.

— Major Idereghi Samuel Akari, 35 Artillery Brigade

During interrogation, the suspects reportedly identified themselves as merchants and workers connected to QNet, an online marketing platform involved in the sale of various commodities. Preliminary investigations revealed that the individuals had allegedly been living in the state without valid immigration documentation.

Suspects Handed Over to Immigration Service for Further Action

Following their arrest, the suspects were handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service, Ogun State Command, for further investigation and administrative procedures in line with existing immigration laws. The development has highlighted growing concerns among security experts about the movement of undocumented migrants across borders and the potential implications for internal security, economic activities and community safety.

Brigade Commander Commends Troops, Appeals to Public for Vigilance

Commending the personnel involved in the operation, Commander of the 35 Artillery Brigade, Brigadier General Friday Oguche Onu, praised the professionalism and vigilance displayed by the troops and collaborating agencies. He appealed to members of the public to remain alert and support security agencies with timely information, urging residents to promptly report suspicious activities and individuals to relevant authorities.

For security authorities, the operation represents more than just an immigration enforcement exercise - reflecting an ongoing effort to strengthen internal security, improve border management and ensure that individuals residing within Nigerian communities comply with established laws. As investigations continue, residents of the affected communities are left reflecting on how a significant number of foreign nationals allegedly lived among them for months before a coordinated intelligence operation brought their presence to light.