Information learnt that Jonathan dispatched the order to the management of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS).
To this end, Leadership gathered that the management of NIS has directed the comptroller of the service in the 36 states of the country and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to flush out all foreign nationals, especially those from the neighboring countries of Niger, Chad, Cameroon and other adjoining West African countries, inhabiting the country without valid immigration permit.
News gathered that the decision of the Presidency stemmed from the understanding that some nationals from neighboring countries had become vulnerable to the sponsors of Boko Haram to launch mayhem on the country, especially in the FCT and northern parts of the country.
It was also learnt that the Presidency acted in response to the alarm by some states’ governor’s about the renewed influx of foreign nationals, lacking valid entry document, into the various states of the country.
We recalls that the unrestricted movement of nationals of neighboring countries had become a source of concern to some stakeholders, especially the governors, in recent times, particularly in the wake of the deadly activities of the Boko Haram in the northern parts of the country.
It was gathered that stakeholders were worried that the illegal immigrants, who have found their ways into the nooks and crannies of the country, could be used to breach the peace in the various states.
Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan is one of the governors, who have protested the influx of the foreign nationals into their states.
Specifically, Uduaghan, in his remarks at May Day celebration in Asaba, the state’s capital, raised the alarm that strange visitors had virtually taken over the state.
Such characters, Uduaghan lamented, were inhabiting uncompleted buildings and engage in menial jobs, including employment as house-helps, in the state.
Uduaghan, who was apparently worried that the government was yet to win the battle against Fulani herdsmen, who have been attacking farmers in the state, warned that his administration would not watch helplessly as illegal aliens took over the state.
Findings by Leadership revealed that the mop up operation by NIS to identify and deport the illegal aliens in line with the order of the Presidency, has begun in the all the states and FCT.
One of our sources in NIS, said that the service was committed to the successs of the exercise.
The source in NIS, who craved anomymity because he was not permitted to speak to the press stated, “The NIS has begun an operation to fish out all illegal aliens in the nooks and crannies of the country and the exercise was authorised by the Presidency. All the commands of NIS in the 36 states and Abuja have been directed to arrest and deport all immigrants without valid residence permit.
“The board of NIS and the supervising Ministry of Interior are committed to the success of the exercise since it was ordered by Mr. President,” the source added.
Already, no fewer than 4,000 such illegal aliens from the neighboring West African countries have been arrested in the exercise carried out in Delta State. The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and other sister security agencies complimented the NIS in the operation, which commenced in Asaba, on Wednesday.
The security agents stormed the streets and markets in the major town of the state’s capital in the early hours of Wednesday.
It was learnt that those without valid resident papers were picked up randomly along Nnebisi Road and the popular Ogbogonogo Market and dispatched into some buses provided by the state government.
The exercise led to traffic snarl along some major roads and streets in Asaba.
Some illegal aliens took to their heels on sighting the team.
The public relations officer of NIS in Delta State, Mr. Victor Okechukwu, confirmed the exercise in the state.
Okechukwu, who denied that the operation was ordered by the Presidency, said it was a normal schedule of NIS in accordance its constitutional responsibility.
He said the NIS was thorough about the exercise, adding that “The suspects are being screened and that those found to be illegal immigrants would be repatriated while the genuine ones and Nigerians among them would be released.”
Okechukwu said the operation would be extended to other local government areas of the state.
Source: Leadership