In the aftermath of Thursday’s raid at the Ijora area of Lagos State which resulted in the arrest of two Boko Haram suspects, at least 500 foreigners were arrested by the police at different locations across the state.
The arrests were coordinated by the State Intelligence Bureau, SIB and police divisions across the state. Eyewitnesses say that women and children were among those arrested.
However, police sources denied it, saying that those were arrested were detained at the Police Headquarters, Ikeja where they were being thoroughly interrogated, documented and vetted. They said that the raid was carried out on the orders of the state Police Commissioner, Umar Manko, who tasked his men to fish out suspected Boko Haram infiltrators in the state.
Most of those arrested were later discovered to be Chadiens, Nigeriens and Malians who were staying in Nigeria without proper documentation.
“We are waiting for the CP’s order on what to do with the foreign nationals who do not have any business Lagos” the source stated
The National Vice Chairman, Arewa Youth Development Association of Nigeria, Shuaibu Dansudu, who was at the command headquarters, to secure the release of some Hausa residents of Oke-Odo Market, Ile-Epo and Oja commended the police for making efforts at ensuring that members of the deadly Boko Haram sect do not infiltrate the state.
Dansudu however, asked the Federal Government to do all it can to ensure that the sect’s insurgency was put to an end.
”Government needs to do all it can to ensure peace in all parts of the country even if it requires granting them amnesty. We cannot continue to live like this,” he said.
Meanwhile, the police has been commended by the residents of Oyegbemi Street, at Ijora 7up area of the state where the two Boko Haram suspects were arrested.
Oluwa Idowu, a resident whose uncompleted building is situated next to the area where one of the suspects was arrested, urged landlords in the state to properly vet their would-be tenants before letting their apartments to them.
”I was shocked when I heard the news but I am not familiar with the man because he just moved in three months ago. But I am grateful to God that he was arrested before he succeed in carrying out his plans. But this issue is an eye opener to landlords and home owners in this state.
We must be wary and properly vet people we rent our apartments to; so we do not fall victims to evil.
By doing so, we will assist the security agents in discharging their jobs,” she stated.