Navy nabs 8 illegal migrants, 18 suspects in Rivers

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 yesterday 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 eight of the 26 suspects are illegal migrants from Niger Republic, while the others “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 the suspects have been handed over to operatives of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) for further investigation.
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 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;  they are fleeing to the South and other parts of the country to take refuge,” he said.