The Mumbai police have set their sights on Nigerians living illegally in the city. Anticipating trouble in Mumbai following the tension involving Nigerians in Goa, the police plan to take strict action against those from Nigeria who are overstaying here and indulging in drug peddling. There are around 25,000 Nigerians living in Mumbai and on the outskirts of the city.
The special branch, an intelligence wing of the Mumbai police, believes that more Nigerians will take shelter in Mumbai after the ruckus in Goa.
The police also fear that they will start ruling the narcotics market in the city, creating a problem for the authorities. Already, most of the drug consignments in Mumbai are brought and sold by Nigerians.
The police said certain areas like Colaba, Dongri, Pydhonie, Kalina, Mira Road and Navi Mumbai have a significant number of Nigerians. Many Nigerians have married girls from the city to get permanent residency. “Wherever there are drug buyers, the Nigerians are around,” said a senior police officer.
A source said some Nigerians even tear their passports to avoid getting caught. This ensures there is no evidence to prove how long they were supposed to stay in India. In Pydhonie, the police raided 17 guesthouses where Nigerians were living illegally.
“Since the past year, we carried out 10 combing operations and detained hundreds of Nigerians who were staying illegally. Many were later arrested and then sent back to their country,” said Nisar Tamboli, deputy commissioner of police, zone-II. Those who managed to flee have settled in other areas.
All police stations in the western suburbs have been told to keep an eye on Nigerians. A senior police officer said they will use sniffer dogs to track down Nigerians in the city and those dealing in drugs. Regular combing operations will be carried out. Apart from this, the police will check the passports and visas of Nigerians regularly and take strict action against those flouting the rules.
The slow and steady infiltration of Nigerians in Mumbai is also turning out to be a problem for businessmen in the city who are directly affected by their dealings in their areas.
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