Pakistani, Cameroonian migrants arrested after entering Nigeria illegally

News reports have revealed the arrest of two migrants, a Pakistani and a Cameroonian, after they had reportedly entered Nigeria via a bush path.

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The Pakistani identified as, Sahid Mahmood and a Camerounian, Nji Hagis Chi, were reportedly arrested by the Nigerian Immigration Service in Cross River State.

The reports reveal that Mahmood had allegedly been smuggled into Nigeria, illegally through a forest path in Etung Local Government of Cross River state.

The suspect had reportedly been smuggled on a motorcycle through the forest path, into Etung from which he had then entered Ikom via Lagos but had been apprehended by Border Immigration Officials at Yahe village, Yala Local Government Area of Cross River which shares a boundary with the Republic of Cameroon.

Mrs. Funke Adeuyi, the Cross River State Comptroller of the Nigeria Immigration Service, during a briefing with the media, on Tuesday, April 5, 2016, revealed saying:

“We are collaborating with other security agencies to thoroughly screen the man to make sure he is not on the wanted list of any country before he is sent back to his country because we have to be vigilant during this critical time in the country why somebody from Pakistan should want to come into the country through bush path,” she stated."

Mrs Adeuyi added that Mahmood had been arrested alongside, Chi who is reported to be his accomplice, stating that the Cameroonian revealed that he had met Mahmmood at a bus station in Ikom, and had decided to play the role of a guide to Lagos.

She said:

“He was not found with anything incriminating but had enough hard currency on him to do anything he wanted to do, so we are wary of his movement in Nigeria because he has no reason to be in this country."

Mrs Adeuyi also revealed that the documents on Mahmood had indicated that he had originally been headed to Douala International Airport in Cameroon, adding that there was nothing on the Pakistani that served as a reason to visit Nigeria.

The Pakistani and the Cameroonian are reportedly set to be screened thoroughly before their repatriation to their countries.

Although she revealed that the force has found several means by which the country can be accessed illegally, Mrs Adeuyi warned individuals and motorists to be mindful of the security risks aiding and abetting foreigners into the country, would present.

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She also made it clear that any person found smuggling people into Nigeria illegally would be arrested as an accomplice, and would be prosecuted accordingly.