The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has intercepted 17 irregular migrants in Adamawa State and, in a separate operation, arrested two men allegedly found with N34 million suspected to be ransom money.
The two suspects, identified as 55-year-old Alhaji Jaye and 34-year-old Buba Bello, were arrested on Sunday, September 6, 2026, with the cash in their possession.
The NIS said preliminary investigations showed that the suspects allegedly admitted the money was intended as ransom for the release of a captive.
The development was disclosed by the Adamawa State Command of the NIS in a statement issued by the office of the state Comptroller, Sule Jega.
In a separate operation, immigration operatives intercepted 17 undocumented migrants at a private residence in Rumde Baru, in Yola South Local Government Area of the state.
The migrants comprised 13 Cameroonian nationals, including eight males and five females, as well as four male Chadian nationals.
The NIS said the discovery of the migrants in a private residence pointed to a worrying change in the accommodation pattern of undocumented migrants in the state.
According to the command, irregular migrants are increasingly moving away from hotels and taking up accommodation in private apartments, a development that could make monitoring and enforcement more difficult.
The separate operations underscore the security and migration challenges confronting Adamawa as authorities intensify efforts to monitor irregular migration and tackle activities linked to kidnapping and ransom payments.
The NIS said it would continue its operations to strengthen border security, enforce immigration laws and respond to emerging security concerns across the state.