TheCable

The Nigeria immigration service says it arrested and repatriated 450 illegal immigrants in Edo state in the first quarter of the year.

David Adi, the state comptroller of immigration, disclosed this on Tuesday at the presentation of a refurbished Hilux van by the management of Okomu oil palm company plc to the command in Benin, the state capital.

Adi said those repatriated were mainly from Niger Republic, Mali and Ghana.

He said the affected foreigners had no regular travel documents and credible means of livelihood.

Adi also commended the company for the vehicle, saying that the gesture would help the command in achieving its statutory duties.

He said the successful arrest of the illegal immigrants was due to logistics support by some companies in the state, including Okomu oil palm company.

“The company had sunk a borehole at our outpost station at Iguobazuwa in Ovia south west local government area of Edo,” he said.

“The command additionally requested for the company’s assistance in refurbishing the van and the managing director agreed.

“We appreciate the long-standing relationship between the company and the command.

“I will definitely pass on this gesture to the comptroller-general of immigration service and I hope other stakeholders will emulate this good gesture.”

Graham Heifer, managing director of the company, earlier said the gesture was “the company’s way of fulfilling part of its corporate social responsibility to the service.”

“Immigration service has always assisted us in the area of educating our expatriates to ensure that they do the right thing with regard to immigration laws,’’ Heifer said.

“We ensured they came into the country following approved protocol.

“It is our obligation as part of our corporate social responsibility, to assist Immigration Service to enhance its operational efficiency.

“Our company hopes that this refurbished van will improve the service ’ s operational efficiency.”