Immigration officers in Cross River State have arrested nine Cameroonians and four Nigerians for illegal migration.
Comptroller of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) in the state, Okey Ezugwu, said the suspects were arrested early Thursday while trying to enter Nigeria through the waterways.
He said the arrests were made during an inspection at Mfum border in Etung and Ikang border post in Bakassi Local Government Areas.
The suspects, he added, contravened the Federal Government’s “COVID-19 stay-at-home order”.
Ezugwu explained that eight of the Cameroonians were arrested at the Mfum border in Etung, while one was arrested at Ikang border alongside four Nigerians.
“Before this kind of movement can take place, there must have been connivance, especially with the local communities,” he said.
The comptroller urged border communities to assist immigration officers in guarding the borders, adding that whatever affects one Nigerian at this period affects the whole country.
Ezugwu said he would take up the matter with the traditional ruler of Ajarsor in Mfum border to ensure that the route is not used again for illegal immigration.
