Thai authorities have commenced deportation proceedings against a Nigerian national, Clinton Ubasinachi Ekechukwu, after an artificial intelligence-powered facial recognition system reportedly identified him as an illegal immigrant during a nationwide crackdown on immigration offences.
According to reports, Ekechukwu was arrested during a security operation in Kathu, Phuket, after law enforcement agents deployed mobile AI facial recognition devices linked to a central immigration database.
The operation was said to be part of a broader campaign targeting transnational crimes and immigration violations ordered by Police Lieutenant-General Saksira Puek-am.
Authorities disclosed that the facial recognition technology flagged Ekechukwu and another foreign national, identified as Ousmane Kone, prompting further investigations by security operatives.
Police investigations reportedly revealed that Ekechukwu had overstayed his visa by nearly two and a half years after entering Thailand under a 60-day visa exemption arrangement.
Kone was also alleged to have remained in Thailand for more than two years after the expiration of his legal stay.
The suspects were subsequently handed over to investigators at the Kathu Police Station, where they are facing immigration-related charges, including visa overstay offences, pending deportation proceedings.
Thai authorities reportedly commended the effectiveness of the AI facial recognition system, noting that the technology would continue to be deployed in identifying illegal immigrants and other foreign nationals involved in criminal activities.
The development comes amid intensified operations by Thai security agencies targeting foreigners suspected of violating immigration and narcotics laws.
Last week, another Nigerian national, Samuel Egbujonuma Silas, was reportedly arrested during an alleged undercover cocaine operation in Thailand.
Similarly, a Thailand-based Nigerian identified as Louis Junior was apprehended following an alleged attempt to sell cocaine to undercover police operatives.
