Kwara state Command of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) yesterday paraded nine repatriated illegal immigrants that were arrested in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital.
The illegal immigrants, all Nigeriens, according to the command, were apprehended on arrival at a spot in Tanke area of Ilorin, following a tip-off.
Parading them before newsmen, the state Comptroller of the Service, Mr. Ahamefule Nwachukwu, said the immigrants were without any travel documents and upon interrogation said they were in Nigeria to take up menial jobs.
He said though no incriminating evidences were found on them, they could constitute security risk to the nation as they did not have travelling document or national identity that would have allowed them free movements in Nigeria as members of the ECOWAS nation.
He said: “This particular people concentrated on that particular spot at Tanke. Nobody knew what they could be planning. So, we had to act swiftly to get them out and to repatriate so that if they had come to be used or they had come by themselves or sent by any person, group or organisation, to come and perpetuate any negative programme, we have decided not to give them room to do that.
“We did not find any incriminate evidence but assuming they were to be terrorists, they do not come with incriminating or dangerous weapons on themselves but people who want to use them are waiting to use them. They will later give them the materials or weapons needed for the operation.”
