The Kano State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) says it has arrested 20 foreign nationals in the Danbare area of Kumbotso Local Government for illegal entry.

The State Commandant, Mohammed Hassan-Agalama, disclosed this during a press briefing on Tuesday in Kano.

He said the suspects, who are from Sudan, Chad and other neighbouring countries, were apprehended following credible intelligence and a coordinated operation by NSCDC operatives.

“The suspects include one from Cameroon, one from Niger, 12 from Sudan and six from Chad,” he said.

Mr Hassan-Agalama said preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects could not provide valid travel or identification documents, raising concerns about their mode of entry into the country and their activities within the state.

He added that exhibits recovered from the suspects included 10 Android phones.

“The Corps is currently profiling and investigating the suspects to ascertain their mission and possible links to any unlawful activities.

“Relevant agencies have been duly notified, and necessary steps are being taken in line with extant laws,” he said.

The commandant reiterated the NSCDC’s commitment to safeguarding critical national assets and maintaining internal security.

He urged members of the public to remain vigilant and to support security agencies by providing timely and useful information.

One of the suspects, identified as Idrisa Ila from the Niger Republic, said he had been residing in Kano for three years, where he engaged in trading, selling materials and other goods to meet customers’ demands.

He explained that he met some of the suspects through Facebook and that they informed him of their plan to travel to Sudan through Chad, using Nigeria as a transit point.

According to him, some of the individuals requested temporary accommodation, but he initially declined, citing the expiration of his rent.

He said the group later sent money for him to secure a house for them, adding that he was expecting only five people, but more individuals subsequently arrived and occupied the residence.

“They told me they did not have enough money to continue their journey to Sudan and decided to stay in Nigeria for some time,” he said.

Mr Ila added that residents of the area became suspicious due to the large number of occupants in the house and their inability to speak or understand Hausa or English, prompting them to report the matter to authorities.

He said he possessed valid documents but could not confirm the legal status or travel documents of the other suspects, noting that they had spent more than 10 days in Kano before their arrest.

(NAN)