ABEOKUTA — Troops from the Nigerian Army’s 35 Artillery Brigade, working in coordination with sister security agencies, have apprehended 46 suspected illegal immigrants in Ogun State. The arrests, which followed actionable intelligence, occurred during a targeted security sweep across Ijebu Imushin, Ijebu Ilese, and their neighboring communities.

Operation Details

The joint operation, which commenced on June 11, 2026, resulted in the detention of 36 males and 10 females. According to Major Idereghi Samuel-Akari, the Assistant Director of Army Public Relations for the 35 Artillery Brigade, preliminary investigations indicate that the individuals had been residing in the state for approximately six months without valid immigration documentation.

The breakdown of the detainees by nationality is as follows:

      •  Côte d’Ivoire: 23

      •  Burkina Faso: 18

      •  Togo: 4

      •  Senegal: 1

During interrogation, the suspects claimed to be merchants and workers affiliated with QNet, an online marketing platform dealing in various commodities.

Handover and Continued Vigilance

Following their arrest, all 46 individuals were handed over to the Ogun State Command of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) for further investigation and appropriate administrative action in accordance with Nigerian law.

Brigadier General Friday Oguche Onu, Commander of the 35 Artillery Brigade, commended the troops and collaborating agencies for their professionalism and vigilance throughout the operation. He emphasized that the successful arrest highlights the military’s ongoing commitment to curbing irregular migration and enhancing internal security.

General Onu further urged residents of Ogun State to remain security-conscious and to report any suspicious activities or individuals to the relevant security agencies to assist in maintaining peace and safeguarding the state’s interests.