644 illegal migrants in the state have been apprehended by men of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) in Bayelsa State.
Those arrested include 44 Nigeriens, 35 Togolese, 20 Beninese and 6 Ghanaians, and many others screened and awaiting their country of origin.
They were apprehended during a special operation exercise, tagged ” Saukan Shaho” led by Comptroller Sunday James.
According to the NIS, the special operation Saukan Shaho meaning the ‘Eagle has landed‘, was sanctioned by the Comptroller-General, Isah Jere Idris, and supported by the State Governor, Senator Douye Diri.
The NIS Comptroller of the Bayelsa Command, Sunday James, while briefing newsmen in Yenagoa, declared that the operations followed the laid down acceptable ECOWAS protocol and United Nations rules of engagement and respect for human rights.
He said the command embarked on the operation between the 9th -19th of September, 2022.
Major areas raided were identified by the intelligence unit, as the Ariettalin, Swali, Onopa, Azikoro, Okaka, Bayelsa Palm, Ogbogoro, Obele, Otiotio, Famgbe and areas where we have the Bureau d’change.
He said the operation, however, led to the proper documentation of illegal migrants and migrants in the state with 89 expired travel documents renewed by the arrested illegal migrants.
He also mentioned that the other illegal immigrants had been guaranteed by their home countries of quick documentation, adding that the database of the NIS is more robust from the operation.
He commended Governor Douye Diri for his support and understanding that the operation was in the national interest and not targeted at any individual or tribe.
He also expressed concern over the movement of other illegal migrants escaping to neighboring states of Delta, Rivers, and Edo State and called for similar operations in those states to fish out those that escaped being screened in Bayelsa
