The Nigeria Immigration Service NIS) says its command in Illela border, Sokoto state, has repatriated 62 nationals of the Republic of Mali.
A statement released on Sunday in Abuja by Tony Akuneme, the controller of the command, said the Malians were made up of 11 ladies and 51 males.
Akuneme said the Mali nationals were taken from the NIS headquarters in Abuja to Illela border in Sokoto by a squad commanded by eight policemen in two buses.
He added that at around 8 p.m. on Friday, the squad reached the border checkpoint.
“Upon their arrival, I directed the Assistant Controller in charge of Human Resources, Adamu Mshelia, who also doubled as the Officer in Charge of Anti-Smuggling Unit to oversee the proper documentation of the repatriated individuals,” the statement reads.
“After due procedures, the irregular migrants were handed over to officers of the Niger Republic Police at the Birnin Konni control post.
“At Birnin Konni, the migrants underwent another round of screening and documentation before being received by the Commisere, the police chief of the area,” he added.
In a related development, the NIS controller stated that the construction of mega and mini forward operating bases at the Illela control post is still ongoing.
He said that Kemi Nandap, the NIS controller-general (CG), upgraded the facility as part of her ongoing efforts to purge the nation of irregular migrants in all 36 states and the federal capital territory (FCT).
“The construction company has commenced land clearance and demolition of some dilapidated and unserviceable structures,” Akuneme said.
“We appreciate the CG for this upgrade, which aligns with her commitment to curbing irregular and prohibited migration across the country.”
Akuneme reassured the populace that security and military forces are still available to handle threats from Lakurawa bandits noting that the situation in the Illela and Tangaza districts is calm.
