Two Nigerian nationals remanded for illegal residence in Northern Cyprus

Two Nigerian nationals, were identified and arrested early Sunday morning after police determined that they had been residing illegally in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) for extended periods.

The individual identified only as identified as LCA and CRN were brought before the court on Sunday.

Police in a court statement sated that on 28 December 2025, during an investigation conducted by the Lefkosia Criminal Branch at Apartment No. 25 in an unnamed building on Büyük Fener Street in Gönyeli, the two suspects were located inside the residence.

Immigration checks carried out using their passports revealed that LCA had been residing in the TRNC without legal permission since 8 November 2021, amounting to 1,511 days, while CRN had been living illegally since 21 November 2022, totaling 1,133 days.

Police informed the court that detailed questioning would be conducted by the Immigration Department and that the necessary correspondence would be initiated to begin deportation procedures. Authorities also noted that investigations would be carried out to determine whether the suspects had been involved in any criminal activity during their period of illegal stay. As the investigation and administrative processes are ongoing, police requested that the suspects be remanded in custody for an additional three days.