Three students detained for living in the TRNC without a resident permit

Three Nigerian nationals who were identified and arrested for living illegally in the TRNC has been detained for 3 days.

The suspects, named only as MAE, 21, FA, 23 and TOA, 27 were identified and arrested by the police in Lefkosia during immigration checks carried out across the country on Friday, Nov., 17, 2023.  

They were taken to court on Saturday on charges of illegal residency.

A police officer who spoke in court said it was determined that the suspect; MAE, has been living illegally in the country for 179 days since May 22, 2023, the suspect F.A, 23, has been illegally living in the country for 397 days since October 16, 2022, and the suspect TOA, has been living illegally in the country for 395 days since October 18, 2022.  

Police said that it will be investigated what the suspects did while they were living illegally in the country or whether they were involved in any crime.  

The police stated that the investigation was continuing and requested that the suspects be detained for 3 days.