By Chidinma Ufomadu
No less than 42 Nigerians have been deported from Niger Republic for entering into the country illegally.
This was revealed on Friday by the acting comptroller, Nigerian Immigration Service, Katsina State, Abdullahi Dalhatu.
He explained that it received the deportees on July 10, 2020 who were sent back through the Kongolom Control Post in Kano State.
Dalhatu affirmed that 12 deportees amongst the 42 deportees had been arraigned before a Federal High Court sitting in Katsina on Thursday under Justice Hadiza Shagari while investigation of the others was going on.
“Twelve of the forty-two repatriated Nigerians have been arraigned before the Federal High Court in Katsina for evading Immigration clearance while crossing Nigerian border to another country through illegal routes. The rest will soon be arraigned upon completion of charges against them,” he said.
“In this regard I will like to use this opportunity and implore on fellow Nigerians with intention of entering or leaving Nigeria to always present themselves at a recognized Port of entry before the immigration officer for examination,” Dalhatu further said.
It can be recalled that the Nigerian borders were closed since the 21st of March 2020 in a bid to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
