By Umar Akilu Majeri,Dutse
Information available to 247ureports.com indicate that the Nigerian immigration service had sent text messages to foreigners living in Jigawa state mandating them to always have in their person – an identification card or face possible arrest by the appropriate security agency. Foreigners were particularly asked to always have handy their passport or face possibly deportation from Nigeria. As gathered, the immigration service stationed in Jigawa, in enforcing the new directive arrested over 244 suspects on the first day of the exercise.
[Sources close to the security agencies in Abuja point to the current exercise as having to do with the ramped up security against the activities of the dreaded violent Jihadist group, the Boko Haram.]
While parading the suspects, the controller of the immigration in charge of Jigawa state, Alhaji Abubakar Aliyu Bamalli said all of the suspects whom were arrested by his men had no document to show they were citizens of Nigeria.
The controller of the immigration in Jigawa went on to assure that the operation will last for two week – within which they intend to arrest all aliens in the state. He also added that the first week of the exercise will see his men and officers make arrests in 11 to 13 local government areas in the state – starting with Birnin kudu local government and Dutse local government areas.
For the remainder of the 14 LGAs, he assured that his men will extend the service to those areas immediately the Salah period – and will gradually continue till they reach their target – which is to fish out all illegal immigrants in the state. He explained that about 13 states in northern Nigeria share borders with other countries such as Niger republic.
Bamalli further stated that he is facing problems by receiving series of call from highly placed government officials in the state wanting the release of some suspects arrested by his men.
He thanked the Jigawa state governor for the gesture given to him for the support given to them – and the five Hilux pickup trucks – that conveys his officers and men to perform their duty.
He took the opportunity to charge all immigrants from neighboring countries to ensure that when coming to Nigeria to always be with their passport and all necessary documentation – “all raped cases which we are having today in most of our state are committed by those illegal immigrants from Niger who usually work in building construction as laborers and watch men as well as truck pushers”.
“I am not going to deport them back to their country but we are going to repatriate them – to let them come in to the country in a proper way – not illegal. We welcome anybody who comes to Nigeria in a proper channel “, he insisted
“Our stand here is for any Nigerian who were among the arrested – should provide prove that they are Nigerian by providing the evidence that will indicate they are Nigerian or let their people who know them come and bail them out with all necessary documentation that will prove and support that are not illegal migrants – so we will release them ” he stated.
Investigation conducted by our correspondent indicates that many Nigerians were arrested during the operation including the truck pushers and tea-sellers as well as women who cook food and sale in market.
