The Oyo State Command of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has arrested and repatriated 18 foreigners for allegedly possessing voter cards.

The NIS comptroller in the state, Isah Dansuleiman, made this known during a sensitisation programme on the 2023 general elections for stakeholders in Ibadan on Wednesday.

The theme of the sensitisation programme is “Credible Elections in Nigeria: What is expected of migrants before, during and after the Election”.

Mr Dansuleiman said the migrants were arrested during a raid conducted in October by the command across the length and breadth of the state.

The comptroller said the foreigners violated the law of the land and were instantly repatriated to their various countries of origin.

“No migrant, regardless of their status, should participate in the 2023 general elections, and any migrant caught in possession of a voters card will face the full wrath of the law.

“Those using them know their status but use them for their selfish reasons to procure voters cards,” he said.

The comptroller warned migrants residing in Oyo State not to involve themselves in the 2023 general elections, saying they are allowed to stay in Nigeria to carry out their legal activities provided they have the required documents.

Mr Dansuleiman called on Nigerians to report any migrant trying to participate in the general elections.

He assured Nigerians that the command would not relent in ensuring that the 2023 general elections are free, fair and credible.

Mr Dansuleiman further called on migrants who are yet to do the migrants re-registration to do so, saying that the command would soon go out to smoke them out.  

(NAN)