The Ghana Immigration Service says it has deported some 6000 illegal migrants who had managed to enter the country.
According to the Head of Public Affairs of the Service, Michael Amoako-Atta, despite the closure of the country’s land borders since March last year, as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, the illegal migrants still found their way into the country through illegal means.
He made this disclosure during an interview on GBCNEWS.
Mr Amoako-Atta cautioned the illegal migrants to place premium on their health and that of the country and see themselves as an ally to defeat the virus, and also a key stakeholder in the fight against all forms of irregular migration.
The influx of illegal migrants amid the global pandemic remains a drawback.
Foiled attempts
The Ghana Immigration Service says it has foiled multiple attempts at illegal entry, following the closure of Ghana’s borders.
While some are immediately arrested by immigration officers at the various border posts, others manage to enter the country and stay till they are fished out by internal security officers.
The Head of Public Affairs warned that the Service would not condone any action by any individual to flout the directive on the closure of the borders.
Members of some border communities that continue to aid immigrants, despite the closure, have also been warned to be mindful of the risk they expose the country to.
The Ghana Immigration Service has assured that it has men to secure the borders against illegal entry as part of the national response to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
Meanwhile, officers of the Ghana Immigration Service are being applauded for their commitment and dedication to ensuring security at the country’s frontiers.
Nigeria jail breakers
In a related development, the Ada Police in the Greater Accra Region have busted nine Nigerians, including a female, who attempted to enter Ghana illegally through the River Volta in Ada with a boat.
The suspects, believed to be fugitives who broke jail in Nigeria, are Emmanuel Obinnah Chiedozie, 27; Kelli Ekureni, 33; Steve Eyenuku, 33;Freedom Yusuf, 25; Enebeli Lucky, 29; Yummi Usmah, 29; Patrick Chanar, 47; Bless Eyenuku, 25, and 38-year-old Obi Onuora.
Items found on them were personal effects, passports, ID cards and both Nigeria and Ghana currencies, among others.
Intelligence report
Confirming the arrest to the media, Chief Superintendent Francis Somian, Ada Divisional Police Commander, said the suspects were arrested through intelligence.
According to him, at about 9:30 am on Sunday, the police had information that some foreigners had been ferried across the River Volta into Ada Foah and were preparing to travel through public transport to Accra when they were arrested.
He explained that the police, armed with such information, quickly moved to the area known as Clinic Junction Lorry Station and accosted the suspects onboard a Sprinter commercial bus with registration number ER 1657-14.
According to Deputy Superintendent of Immigration (DSI) Mercy Budu, who is the GIS Tema Regional Public Relations Officer, the suspects have been transferred from Tema to the Headquarters in Accra after cautioning.
She said her outfit is yet to establish whether the suspects were part of the Nigerians who recently broke jail and wanted to enter Ghana to hide.
The GIS recently issued an alert informing Ghanaians of a possible entry of about 1800 Nigerian prisoners who broke jail from Owerri Prisons, in Imo State.
