A joint security operation led by the Nigerian Army’s 65 Battalion has busted a suspected hideout in the Epe Local Government Area of Lagos State, resulting in the arrest of twenty-four foreign nationals.

The coordinated raid was executed by troops in partnership with local vigilante groups. Acting on credible intelligence regarding the presence of undocumented immigrants, security forces targeted a secluded, fenced compound located at Imokun, situated within the Odo-Noforija/Poka axis of Epe.

The sweep resulted in the apprehension of fifteen males and nine females. Preliminary profiling conducted by military authorities revealed that the suspects are citizens of six different West and Central African nations, with the breakdown as follows:

* Cameroon: 10 nationals
* Togo: 6 nationals
* Côte d’Ivoire: 3 nationals
* Republic of Benin: 3 nationals
* Burkina Faso: 1 national
* Guinea-Bissau: 1 national

Following the raid, the Nigerian Army initiated preliminary investigations to confirm the suspects’ immigration status, their purpose for staying in Nigeria, and whether they have any ties to unlawful activities.

Security personnel are also working to locate and question the owner of the Epe property to understand how the compound came to house the group.

The twenty-four individuals have been officially handed over to the Lagos State Command of the Nigeria Immigration Service for further profiling, detailed investigation, and appropriate administrative action under national immigration laws.

Commanding officers have praised the professionalism and alertness of the troops, urging them to maintain momentum in securing the area against illegal immigration and other potential security threats.