Nigerian immigration confirms arrest of Bobrisky at Seme border, gives reason

The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has confirmed the arrest of Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, at the Seme border while he attempted to leave the country.

“In line with its commitment to secure the borders, the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) intercepted Okuneye Idris Olanrewaju, also known as Bobrisky, at the Seme border for attempting to leave the country,” the NOS spokesperson said. Kenneth Udo. in a statement shared with PREMIUM TIMES.

NOS described Bobrisky as a “person of interest” in connection with unspecified public concerns. “He is being questioned and will be handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action,” the statement said.

The agency reiterated its commitment to professionalism in border security.

PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that Bobrisky was detained during routine passport checks by immigration officials at the Nigeria-Benin Republic border.

Sources at the border confirmed that he was returned to Lagos after his arrest.

“Bobrisky has now been sent back to Lagos.” The source added that “he was arrested at midnight and detained until this morning and is currently being transferred to NIS Lagos Zone in Ikeja,” said an official who spoke on condition of anonymity.

According to the source, Mr Bobrisky tried to leave the country discreetly. “He gave his passport to someone to stamp it for him, so the officer, among other things, immediately saw the name and asked him to get out of the vehicle.”

Mr. Bobrisky is the subject of ongoing investigations by the House of Representatives, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the Nigerian Correctional Service.

He faces charges of bribery and abuse of influence.

READ ALSO: How Bobrisky was arrested at the border with the Republic of Benin – Source

Recently, a leaked audio recording shared by social media personality Martins Ortse (known as VeryDarkMan) implicated Mr. Bobrisky in a bribe of N15 million to EFCC civil servants to drop the money laundering practices.

The speaker on the tape also claimed that he avoided a six-month prison sentence for currency abuse thanks to the intervention of a “godfather.”

Bobrisky has denied that the voice in the recording is his. He and VeryDarkMan were summoned by the House of Representatives for questioning, but Bobrisky did not show up.