The Kaduna State command of Nigeria Immigration Service has arrested 77 suspected criminals among them, 20 Nigerien nationals and 57 Nigerians.

Parading the suspects at the command headquarters, the Comptroller of the command; Hamman Yerima said a raid was carried out by immigration officers at an uncompleted building in Barnawa area of the state capital, which the suspects use as their base.

Upon interrogation, it was discovered that 20 out of the suspects were illegal immigrants from Niger Republic while the remaining 57 are commercial motor cycle (okada) operators from other states across the country where the use of okada has been banned.

Although no dangerous weapon was discovered on the arrested men, the Comptroller said the suspects resisted arrest and engaged the immigration officers in a fight.

One of the immigration officers’ men sustained injuries in the revolt.

Out of the 20 illegal Nigerien immigrants, he said that only three have a means of identification while the remaining 17 could not produce any ECOWAS traveling permit into Nigeria.

The Comptroller said that plans have been concluded to deport all the 17 illegal immigrants back to their country and added that the remaining 57 would be taken back to their respective states as soon as investigations are concluded.