The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Lagos State Command, says it has repatriated 128 irregular migrants from Lagos within the last two weeks.

The Comptroller of Immigration, Lagos State Command, Christopher Olu Onajinrin, disclosed this during the presentation of a 28-seater coaster bus and 60 raincoat jackets donated by the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) to enhance the Command’s operational mobility and improve personnel welfare.

According to Onajinrin, the repatriated migrants were nationals of Cameroon, Chad and Burkina Faso.

“Within the last two weeks alone, we repatriated 128 irregular migrants, including nationals of Cameroon, Chad and Burkina Faso. With this new coaster bus, we will further scale up our operations, reduce logistics costs, improve response time and strengthen our migration management responsibilities across Lagos State,” he said.

Receiving the donation on behalf of the Comptroller-General of Immigration, Kemi Nandap, Onajinrin described the intervention as timely and strategic, noting that it would significantly strengthen the Command’s operational capabilities.

“We sincerely appreciate Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Tayo Ayinde, the Lagos State Security Trust Fund and its Executive Secretary/CEO, Dr Ayodele Ogunsan, for this generous support. I assure Lagosians that these resources will be deployed in their best interest.

“As the lead agency in migration and border management, we are determined to intensify operations against irregular migration so that residents can continue to sleep with both eyes closed,” he said.

He explained that repatriation exercises require extensive logistics, particularly transportation, making the newly donated bus a major boost to the Command’s enforcement operations and personnel deployment.

Earlier at the presentation ceremony, the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the LSSTF, Dr Ayodele Ogunsan, commended the Nigerian Immigration Service for its commitment to safeguarding Lagos through effective migration management and border security.

Ogunsan said the Trust would continue to invest strategically in security agencies whose responsibilities are critical to keeping Lagos safe.

“Let me specially appreciate the Nigerian Immigration Service, Lagos Command, for believing in Lagos and for doing your best to ensure our state remains safe.

Whoever is committed to keeping Lagos secure will always find a dependable partner in the Lagos State Security Trust Fund.

“To whom much is given, much is expected. I am encouraged by your commitment to scale up operations for a safer Lagos, and I assure you that we will continue to support the Nigerian Immigration Service in every way possible,” he added.

Ogunsan attributed the intervention to the leadership of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and acknowledged the contributions of the Fund’s donors, Board of Trustees and Lagos residents whose support has sustained the LSSTF’s security interventions.

“I want to specially thank Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for making this possible, alongside our donors, our Board of Trustees and Lagosians who continue to invest in the security of our state,” Ogunsan said.

He also conveyed the appreciation of the Lagos security community to the Comptroller-General of Immigration, Kemi Nandap, for her leadership of the Service nationwide.

The donation, according to the LSSTF, reflects the Lagos State Government’s commitment to strengthening the state’s security architecture by equipping agencies responsible for border management, lawful migration and the prevention of security threats.