Operatives of the Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, Oyo State Command, have apprehended a total of eighteen migrants found with Permanent Voters Cards, PVC, planning to participate in the 2023 elections in the state.
The Comptroller, NIS, Oyo State Command, Comptroller Issa Dansuleiman, gave the disclosure, while briefing newsmen yesterday in his office at Agodi, Ibadan, in line with the Federal Government’s resolve to prevent migrants from participating in the 2023 general elections in the country.
According to him, the command in the state swung into action across the length and breadth of the state, which culminated in the apprehension of eighteen migrants found with the voter’s cards.
He noted that the said migrants have violated the law of the land, adding that they were repatriated to their countries of origin.
His words: “I, therefore, state that no migrants regardless of their status should participate in the 2023 general elections at any stage and any migrant caught shall face the wrath of the law.”
“Sequel to the top management meeting of the service held on 28th September, 22, where the CGIS Idris Jere Isah MFR stated categorically the Federal Government stance not to allow any migrant to participate in 2023 general elections.”
“He charged us to dispossess any migrant of voters card and other national identification documents. In compliance with this directive, the Oyo State Command of Nigeria Immigration Service under my supervision in October switched into action across the length and breadth of the state and eighteen migrants were found with Voters Cards.”
“The said migrants having violated the law of the land were repatriated to their countries of origin.”
“In case of doubting about the nationality or identity of an individual by relevant government agency then contact Nigeria Immigration Service for clarification in such situation.”
He, however, urged the public to report any suspected case of migrants trying to participate in electoral process at any stage to Nigeria Immigration Service or the closest security agency.
In a related development, the Defence Headquarters on Thursday said, troops of Operation Hadin Kai in conjunction with Civilian Joint Task Force have arrested one Mr Bulama Modu in possession of 67 Permanent Voters Cards in Maiduguri.
Director, Defence Media Operations Major General Musa Danmadami who made this known at a briefing on Thursday said the suspect is currently in troops custody for further interrogation adding that in the same camp, a known terrorist Mr Lawan Yashin who attempted to escape upon sighting troops was neutralized.
Danmadami also noted that troops of Guards Brigade raided an illegal mining site at Tukashara Wasa, Apo in Abuja Municipal Area Council on 30 October and arrested 60 suspected illegal miners as well recovered 5 Dane guns and locally fabricated guns, 14 cutlasses, 4 sledge hammers, 25 motorcycles, 1 vehicle and other items. Troops on the same day also arrested 2 trailers loaded with illegally mined items.