Ebola Outbreak: 39 Congolese, Senegalese Immigrants Arrested In Lagos

Police and Immigration officers yesterday arrested no fewer than 39 foreign nationals in two hotels on Lagos Island.

The foreigners were arrested following a tip-off by some residents of the area over fears of the spread of Ebola virus disease, it was learnt.


Upon receiving the report, the Area Commander, Imohimi Edgal, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Area A Command, Lion Building, contacted Immigration and Health officials who stormed Benin Hotel and an unnamed guest house, situated on Atere street and effected the arrest of the foreigners, 35 of whom are citizens of the Democratic Republic of Congo, while the rest are Senegalese nationals.
A police source told Vanguard that the Immigration officials will determine if the suspects are legally residing in the country while the Health officials will determine their health status. He also added that all the hotels in the area have been placed under surveillance.
It will be recalled that six people have died from the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in the country. The total number of reported cases is 15 after the Liberian-American Patrick Sawyer flew into the country with the virus on July 20th and was admitted into a Lagos hospital.