The Police in Lagos State have arrested 25 foreign nationals suspected of entering Nigeria illegally following a report of alleged kidnapping in Ikorodu area of the state.

Sources disclosed that the suspects, comprising 19 nationals of Chad and six Cameroonians, were apprehended on June 16 by operatives of the Tactical Creek Sweeper Squad based in Ijede, Ikorodu.

According to the source, the arrest followed a complaint lodged at about 9:00 a.m. by one Konga Delphine, a Cameroonian national, who reported a case of alleged kidnapping to the squad.

The source said that police operatives swiftly mobilised to the reported location, leading to the arrest of the suspects.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the Chadian nationals were allegedly brought into the country illegally under the guise of attending an evangelical crusade purportedly organised under the aegis of Deeper Life Bible Church.

“The Cameroonian nationals, on the other hand, reportedly claimed they were in Nigeria for network marketing activities,” the source said.

The Police further disclosed that the suspects were unable to provide valid travel or residency documents during profiling and screening.

According to the source, all the suspects are currently in police custody while investigations continue to ascertain the circumstances surrounding their entry into the country and their activities.

The police said further updates would be provided as investigations progress. (Zagazola, excluding headline)