The Delhi Police have arrested two Nigerian nationals for allegedly residing in India without valid immigration documents, as authorities intensify efforts to identify and remove foreign nationals staying in the country illegally.
The suspects, identified as Miracele Onyeka and Moses Chinoso, were apprehended by operatives of the South-West District Police Command during a targeted operation carried out in the early hours of January 4, 2026.
Police said the operation followed actionable intelligence received during night patrols on New Year’s Eve regarding the movement of undocumented foreign nationals within the district.
Acting on the tip-off, officers intercepted the two men and subjected them to routine immigration checks.
During preliminary questioning, the suspects claimed they had entered India on either tourist or business visas, adding that their travel documents had been deposited at their embassy for safekeeping.
However, further verification with the Immigration Department and related agencies showed that both men had overstayed their permitted period and did not possess any valid residence or visa permits at the time of arrest.
Under sustained interrogation, the suspects admitted that they were in the country unlawfully. Police said they disclosed that they had been working as casual labourers and housekeepers across parts of Delhi, Gurugram and Noida, while residing in the Kishangarh area of the capital.
They were reportedly on their way to Hauz Khas to celebrate the New Year when they were intercepted by security operatives.
A search of their mobile phones led to the recovery of digital copies of their Nigerian passports and national identity documents stored in concealed folders.
Police said all legal procedures have been completed and the case has been handed over to the Foreigners Regional Registration Office in R.K. Puram to facilitate their deportation.
The command said the arrests form part of a broader enforcement drive aimed at identifying and prosecuting foreign nationals who violate immigration laws, adding that similar operations will continue across the city.
