Malaysia Releases Immigration Arrest Figures, Nigerians Record Highest Number

Malaysian immigration authorities have arrested 53 Nigerians for various immigration offences, making Nigerians the largest group among 112 African nationals detained in the country between January and October 31, 2026.

The figures were disclosed by Malaysia’s Immigration Department Director-General, Datuk Zakaria Shaaban, in an interview with Malaysian newspaper *Utusan Malaysia* on Friday, November 13.

According to the report, Uganda recorded the second-highest number of arrests with 13 nationals, followed by Kenya with 10 and Ghana with eight. Other affected nationalities included Somalia and Tanzania, with six arrests each, and Senegal with four.

Shaaban disclosed that the most common offence was entering or remaining in Malaysia without a valid immigration pass or permit, contrary to Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63.

A total of 85 people were arrested for this offence, including 47 Nigerians.

Another 23 individuals were detained for overstaying their permitted period, while three others were arrested for allegedly violating the conditions attached to their immigration passes.

One Nigerian was also arrested over the alleged possession of forged documents under Section 56(1)(l) of the country’s immigration law.

The Malaysian authorities also detained an Algerian employer for allegedly employing foreign workers without valid immigration passes.

Shaaban said the enforcement operations would continue, warning that employers and other individuals found harbouring or employing undocumented migrants could also face legal action.

However, the report did not disclose the identities of the Nigerians arrested or the specific locations where they were apprehended.

The development highlights Malaysia’s continued efforts to tackle undocumented migration and enforce its immigration regulations.

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