Kebbi State Police have uncovered more than 200 suspected illegal immigrants living in a three-bedroom flat in Birnin Kebbi’s Kuwait area.
Police spokesman Nafiu Abubakar confirmed that 165 of the individuals were arrested, while others escaped.
“The operation took place on January 31, 2025, around 5 p.m. Based on intelligence, security teams raided the flat and arrested 165 people,” Abubakar said.
Investigations revealed the immigrants came from several Francophone West African countries: 35 from Burkina Faso, 11 from Benin, five from Niger, four from Mali, and 110 from Ivory Coast.
Abubakar also stated, “None of the suspects had valid travel documents. They were allegedly involved in the Qnet Ponzi scheme, a fraudulent investment platform.”
The suspects have been handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service in Kebbi for further action.
Last week, Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo announced that Nigeria had deported 828 illegal immigrants in 2024 as part of its efforts to curb irregular migration and strengthen national security.
