The Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, has apprehended 51 undocumented Malian immigrants in the outskirts of Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.

The arrests took place in New Nyanya, a community in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, which shares a border with the FCT.

The migrants, aged between 17 and 25, were discovered at their hideouts following an intelligence-led operation. The NIS acted swiftly upon receiving credible information about their presence in the area, leading to their detention.

Public Relations Officer of the NIS, Akinsola Akinlabi, disclosed that among those arrested, 11 were females while 40 were males. He stated that none of them could provide valid travel documents or residence permits when interrogated by immigration officers.

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Preliminary investigations suggest that the migrants may have been victims of human trafficking and smuggling. Authorities are working to determine how they entered the country and whether they were brought in through illegal networks.

The detained individuals are currently in NIS custody, where further profiling and investigations are ongoing. Officials are also exploring possible links to trafficking syndicates operating within the region.

The NIS has reiterated its commitment to strengthening border security and curbing illegal migration.

The Service urged the public to report suspicious movements to help prevent human trafficking and other related crimes.

Crediblenewsng.com