Navy Nabs 8 Illegal Migrants, 18 Suspects Terrorising Residents Of Port Harcourt

The Nigerian Navy, said it has arrested a 26-man gang alleged to have been terrorising residents of Port Harcourt.
Commodore Sanusi Ibrahim, the Commander of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder Port Harcourt, told newsmen on Wednesday that the gang was arrested during a raid of criminal hideouts in Port Harcourt.
According to him, the arrest followed an intelligence report of incessant terror campaign by the group.
He said that eight of the 26 suspects are illegal migrants from Niger Republic, while the rest suspects claimed to be Nigerians. 
“Troops of NNS Pathfinder raided a mami market around Borokiri area of Port Harcourt following intelligence report of criminal activities and presence of illegal migrants in the area. 
“Following the raid, eight illegal migrants from Niger Republic were arrested over their involvement in drug peddling, robbery and harassment of innocent citizens in the area. 
“Also arrested during the raid were 18 others, who claimed to be Nigerians,” he said.
Represented by Cdr. Chidi Ejiofor, NNS Pathfinder’s Base Operations Officer, Ibrahim said the raid was made in view of the present security challenges in the North-East and other parts of the country.
He said that the suspects had been handed over to operatives of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) for further investigation and deportation of the aliens.
Receiving the 26 suspects, Mr Ahmed Isiaku, the Assistant Controller of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Port Harcourt, called for intelligence sharing between security services in the state.
Isiaku said that synergy with security services would lead to the arrest of more criminals and terrorists, especially at a time when Boko Haram insurgents were fleeing to other parts of the country.
“We are grateful for the effort and synergy shown by the navy in the arrest of illegal migrants considering the present security challenges caused by Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East.
“Intelligence report shows that with current pressure being mounted on insurgents in the North-East by the military; insurgents are fleeing to the south and other parts of the country to take refuge,” he said. 
According to him, collaboration with other security agencies will enable NIS flush out and checkmate illegal aliens and their known associates from the state.
Isiaku said the eight illegal migrants would be thoroughly screened and deported to their country, while the 18 other suspects would be handed over to the police for prosecution. (NAN)