Two Nigerians detained in India over visa overstay
August 21, 2026 12:38 pm
The Indian flag. Photo: AFP
Two Nigerian nationals, including a woman, have been detained in Dwarka, Delhi, India, for allegedly overstaying their visas during Operation VISTA 1.0, a police exercise targeting immigration violations.
The Republic World reported on Friday that the two Nigerians were detained after police document checks established that their visas had expired.
“The Dwarka District Police in Delhi have detained two Nigerian nationals, including a woman, for allegedly overstaying their visas, officials confirmed on August 21,” the report stated.
The first detainee, Nwakor Paul Chukwuebuka, who also uses the names Cypril Odigbo and Paul Chukwuebuka Okeke, was apprehended on August 7 in the Dwarka district.
“Nwakor Paul Chukwuebuka, who also goes by the names Cypril Odigbo and Paul Chukwuebuka Okeke, was apprehended on August 7 in the Dwarka district,” the report said.
It added that verification of his travel and identification documents confirmed that his visa had expired, prompting legal proceedings for his deportation.
In a separate incident, Aminat Aminu, a Nigerian woman, was apprehended on August 10 after police found her residing in Dwarka with an expired visa.
“In a separate incident on August 10, Aminat Aminu, a Nigerian national, was found residing in Dwarka despite having an invalid visa,” the report stated.
Following the verification of their immigration status, both Nigerians were presented before the competent authority, which issued orders for their deportation and repatriation.
“During document checks, authorities discovered that both individuals’ visas had expired. Each was presented before the competent authority, which subsequently issued deportation and repatriation orders,” the report said.
The detentions were carried out under Operation VISTA 1.0, a Delhi Police initiative aimed at monitoring the status of foreign nationals and detecting immigration violations.
“The arrests were made under Operation VISTA 1.0, a special initiative by Delhi Police aimed at verifying the status of foreign nationals in the city,” the report stated.
The operation involves police teams systematically checking the travel and identification documents of foreign nationals to identify visa overstays and other immigration-related violations.
“These cases arose as part of the ongoing Operation VISTA 1.0, during which police teams systematically verify foreign nationals’ documents to detect visa overstays and other immigration violations,” the report added.
Police said “further necessary legal and administrative action is being taken in accordance with the applicable rules” against the two Nigerians.
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