The Nigeria Immigration Service,
Lagos State Command, has urged citizens of the Economic Community of
West African States living in Lagos to ensure that they have their relevant documents and remain law abiding.
The Comptroller, Mrs. Justina Ahmadu,
said this during a meeting with leaders of citizens of ECOWAS countries
living in the state, according to a statement on Tuesday.
The immigration boss noted that the
service would soon embark on raids, but was only giving them notice so
that those living in the country illegally could do the right thing.
She said people without valid documents
should leave the country immediately and get such documents before
returning. She added that those coming into the country must pass
through official points of entry and not illegal routes as those without
stamped passports would be deported.
“I am advising you all to tell your
people to do the right thing by getting valid documents. We are giving
you a grace period now before we start raiding and deporting people.
Also, those living legally here should remain law abiding so that we can
continue to live peacefully together,” she said.
Leaders of all ECOWAS countries (except
Nigeria), were represented at the meeting. The leaders of Togo, Benin,
Niger, Ghana, Cote D’Ivoire, Cape Verde, Liberia, Senegal, Sierra-Leone,
the Gambia, Mali, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau and Burkina Faso, promised to
deliver the message to their people.
