The Kebbi State Police Command has arrested 165 individuals suspected of being illegal immigrants during a raid in Birnin Kebbi. The suspects have been handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service for further investigation and legal proceedings.
According to a statement issued by the command’s spokesperson, Chief Superintendent of Police Nafiu Abubakar, the operation took place on January 31, 2025, around 5:00 PM. Acting on intelligence, security operatives discovered over 200 people living in a three-bedroom flat in the Kuwait area of Birnin Kebbi. A team from the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) conducted the raid and apprehended 165 individuals.
Initial investigations revealed that the suspects are from Francophone West African countries, including Burkina Faso (35), Benin Republic (11), Niger Republic (5), Mali (4), and Ivory Coast (110). None of the individuals were found in possession of valid travel documents. Additionally, they were allegedly involved in the Qnet Ponzi scheme, a suspected fraudulent investment platform accused of defrauding unsuspecting victims.
Following the preliminary investigation, the suspects were transferred to the Nigeria Immigration Service in Kebbi State for further action.
The police reiterated their commitment to maintaining security and enforcing immigration laws. They also urged residents to report any suspicious activities in their communities to assist law enforcement efforts.
