"We Pay N300 Or N500 To Enter Nigeria" – Confessions Of Illegal Immigrants Arrested In Lagos

A suspected illegal immigrant from the Niger Republic, Shuaib Kaneda, says many illegal immigrants usually entered Nigeria by paying between N300 and N500 to unidentified persons. Shuaib added that he had spent 8 years in Nigeria, but could not acquire valid documents before he was arrested by officials of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Lagos State Command. The 34-year old was among 82 illegal immigrants paraded on Wednesday at the command’s office in Lagos.

The suspects were said to have been arrested at different parts of the Lagos Island area after an intelligence report. Shuaib, an illegal immigrant who spoke in pidgin, said, 

“I have been here for about eight years now. I work as a loader and make between N1, 000 and N1, 500 a day. I use the money I make to feed my family in the Niger Republic. I am married and have two children and they are in Niger. I travel home every six or eight months. The people at the border see many of us when we come in. Sometimes, they collect N300 and other times, we give them N500 before we pass.”

Another suspect, Alimaru Saliade, told PUNCH Metro that he sneaked into the country by mixing up with cows being transported into Nigeria.

“I followed cows to Lagos. I have been here for four years now and I have not been able to get my documents because I don’t have money.”

The Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Lagos State Command, Muyiwa Odunubi, said the command raided the suspects based on intelligence report.

“We have a surveillance team that keeps a tab on illegal immigrants in the state. When our men went out, they got them in all manner of places. Some were caught around banks, others were found sleeping under benches. Even fuel stations were not spared. 

“In the Idumota area of the state for instance, we found that they have a room where they sleep. It is not clear whether they rented the apartment or somebody gave them the place. We introduced ourselves and arrested them; they never resisted.”

Source: Punch