The Lagos State Police Command intervened in the Epe district to safeguard 38 foreign nationals from an imminent mob attack. Following the rescue, police have launched an inquiry into the legal status of these individuals.
Commissioner of Police Fatai Tijani announced on Tuesday that the operation occurred on June 17, as law enforcement stepped in to prevent civil unrest. The rescued group includes citizens from Chad, Burkina Faso, Benin, Mali, Togo, Cameroon, and Ghana.
Tijani reported that the individuals could not provide legitimate reasons for their presence in the area. They are currently being processed at the State Criminal Investigation Department to determine if any criminal links exist before they are handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service.
Current findings suggest that 18 members of the group hold valid ECOWAS travel documents, while 20 are suspected of entering the country illegally. The police have engaged the Nigeria Immigration Service and relevant embassies to coordinate the next steps. Authorities have pledged to maintain public order and provide further updates as the investigation continues.
