BY EGUFE YAFUGBORHI & AKPOKONA OMAFUAIRE

WARRI—There was tension in Warri, Delta State, yesterday, as the Nigerian Immigration Service, NIS, swooped on perceived illegal foreign traders in the city.

The NIS was joined in the operation, which lasted several hours, by the Police and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corpse as well as operatives of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, who raided Igbudu Market and the Warri Central Motor Park, where hundreds of immigrants, mostly from Nigeria’s neighbouring countries were arrested.

A Senior Immigration Official of NIS Warri Area Office, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: “This action is sequel to a directive from the state command to clamp down on illegal immigrants in the country as a way of checking the growing insecurity posed by Boko Haram and Fulani herdsmen.”

The source assured that suspected strange elements with genuine work or stay permits as well as Nigerians arrested in error would be released immediately, noting that illegal immigrants without permits would be deported to their various countries at the appropriate time.

At press time, some of the illegal immigrants who evaded the NIS raid were seen fleeing the target spots to safer hideouts from the operation which was also extended to the Uwangwe Market, where several immigrants also trade.