By Ebi Kesiena
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has confirmed the deportation of 62 Malian nationals through the Illela Border Control Post in Sokoto State, as part of ongoing efforts to clamp down on irregular migration across the country.
According to a statement issued on Monday in Abuja by the Controller of the Illela Border Command, Mr Tony Akuneme, the deportees included 51 men and 11 women. They were escorted from the NIS headquarters in Abuja to the border by a team of eight officers led by Inspector Mamoud Sadiq, travelling in two buses. The team arrived at the Illela post around 8:00pm on Friday.
“Upon their arrival, I directed the Assistant Controller in charge of Human Resources, Adamu Mshelia, who also doubles as the Officer in Charge of the Anti-Smuggling Unit (ANTISOM), to oversee their proper documentation,” Akuneme stated.
Following standard procedures, the deported migrants were officially handed over to officers of the Niger Republic Police at the Birnin Konni control post. The migrants then underwent another round of screening and documentation before being received by the local police commissioner, known as the Commissaire.
Strengthening Border Infrastructure
Meanwhile, Akuneme also revealed that construction work is currently underway on both mega and mini Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) at the Illela control post. The project is part of a broader initiative by the NIS Comptroller-General, Kemi Nandap, to enhance border security and curb irregular migration nationwide.
“The construction company has already begun clearing the land and demolishing dilapidated and unserviceable structures,” he said, praising the Comptroller-General’s commitment to strengthening border infrastructure.
Akuneme further assured that the situation in Illela and nearby Tangaza remains stable, with military and security forces actively patrolling the area. This measure, he noted, is in response to potential threats from Lakurawa bandits operating along the border regions.
The deportation and the infrastructural upgrades reflect the agency’s ongoing efforts to manage migration responsibly while reinforcing national security across Nigeria’s border corridors.
