Cachar (Assam), 27 March (HS): A Nigerian national was apprehended in Silchar during a joint operation carried out by the police and Assam Rifles, with four other individuals also arrested for allegedly providing him shelter.

According to officials said on Friday, the foreign national was detained from the Shillong Patti area based on specific intelligence inputs. The arrested individual has been identified as Emeka Acedo.

Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime), Rajat Pal, informed reporters that the accused was taken into custody for not possessing valid documents to enter or stay in India. Acting on suspicion, police conducted a search at a rented house in Malugram, where they recovered an identity card and an expired visa. While the authenticity of the identity card is yet to be verified, it reportedly bears the name of Emeka Acedo.

During preliminary interrogation, the accused claimed that he had arrived in Silchar from Delhi. However, police suspect that he may have entered India through Mizoram from Myanmar before reaching Silchar.

Investigations further revealed that he had been staying in a rented accommodation in Malugram. In connection with the case, police also arrested a Mizo woman identified as Malsawmi Dangi, along with the landlord Tinku Hussain Barbhuiya and his wife Rumina Begum Barbhuiya.

Authorities are yet to ascertain whether the foreign national was living in Silchar clandestinely on his own or was assisted by others in entering the region. The purpose of his stay in the town also remains under investigation.---------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash