According to #SaharaReporters, the Kebbi State Police Command arrested 165 suspected illegal immigrants from several Francophone West African countries, including Burkina Faso, Mali, Ivory Coast, Benin Republic, and Niger Republic, found living in a cramped three-bedroom apartment in the Kuwait area of Birnin Kebbi,
The operation, conducted by detectives from the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), was based on an intelligence report that led to the raid on January 31, 2025.
The arrested individuals comprised 35 nationals from Burkina Faso, 110 from Ivory Coast, 11 from Benin Republic, five from Niger Republic, and four from Mali[1][6]. Preliminary investigations revealed that none of them possessed valid travel documents, confirming their illegal status in Nigeria.
Moreover, they were allegedly involved in the Qnet Ponzi scheme, a controversial fraudulent investment platform known for defrauding unsuspecting victims.
Following the arrests, the police handed the suspects over to the Nigeria Immigration Service, Kebbi State Command, for further investigation and legal action[1][6]. The police also reassured the public of their commitment to enforcing immigration laws and maintaining security, urging residents to report any suspicious activities in their communities.
Residents of the Kuwait area expressed concern about the presence of the illegal immigrants and the potential security risks they posed. Adamu Augie, a local resident, told SaharaReporters that many of the arrested had been living in the flat for several months, and their unfamiliar appearance and non-Nigerian identity had made locals uneasy[6]. Another resident, Abdullahi Umar, praised the police for their swift action, emphasizing that the suspects’ presence was a significant security threat given the lack of clarity about their activities and reasons for gathering in one place.
This incident highlights the challenges Nigerian authorities face in managing illegal immigration and combating associated criminal activities, including financial fraud schemes that exploit vulnerable populations. It also underscores the importance of community vigilance and intelligence-led policing in addressing security concerns.
