The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has arrested 51 suspected irregular migrants of Malian origin at New Nyanya, Karu Local Government of Nasarawa State.

The Service Public Relations Officer, Akinsola Akinlabi, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja.

Akinlabi said that preliminary investigations conducted by the service suggested that the migrants may have been victims of Trafficking in Persons (TIP) and Smuggling of Migrants (SOM).

This, he said, was because they were found without valid travel documents or residence permits.

According to him, they were apprehended on Monday, following a credible intelligence.

“The breakdown of the arrested migrants indicates 11 females and 40 males between the ages of 16 and 19.

“The arrested individuals have been taken into the custody of the service for further profiling and investigation.

“This is to determine the circumstances of their migration and any potential involvement in trafficking or smuggling networks or syndicates,”he said.

Akinlabi said that the NIS remained committed to ensuring that Nigeria’s borders were protected against illegal migration, while upholding the rights of migrants who complied with the country’s immigration laws.

He said that the Service would continue to work closely with relevant authorities and stakeholders to combat smuggling of migrants and counter trafficking in persons effectively.

The spokesperson reassured the general public of the NIS unwavering commitment to National Security and Migration Management.

He encouraged citizens to report suspicious migration activities to the nearest NIS Commands and Formations.