The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has arrested 51 suspected irregular migrants of Malian origin in Nasarawa State.
The NIS Public Relations Officer, Akinsola Akinlabi, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.
He said preliminary investigations conducted by the service suggested that the migrants were victims of Trafficking in Persons (TIP) and Smuggling of Migrants (SOM).
The spokesman added that the immigrants were found without valid travel documents or residence permits.
According to him, they were apprehended on Monday at New Nyanya, Karu Local Government Area of the state, following credible intelligence.
Akinlabi said: “The breakdown of the arrested migrants indicates 11 females and 40 males between the ages of 16 and 19.
“The arrested individuals have been taken into the custody of the service for further profiling and investigation.
“This is to determine the circumstances of their migration and any potential involvement in trafficking or smuggling networks or syndicates.”
© Ripples Nigeria