THREE of four Nigerian illegal immigrants arrested recently in Thurrock have been jailed after appearing at Southend Crown Court.

Akinnola Abiodun Ikudaisi, 24, of Parnell Close, Chafford Hundred, pleaded guilty to possession of a false Dutch passport with intent and overstaying. He was sentenced to nine months imprisonment.

Olaseni Rilwan Akinsemoyin, 37, of Seabrooke Rise, Grays, and Olumide Isaac Ayodele, 24, also of Parnell Close, Chafford Hundred, pleaded guilty to possession of a false Nigerian passport with intent and a false National Insurance number (NINO) card for use in fraud.

They were jailed for nine months for the passport offence, with six months concurrent for the insurance number fraud.

The fourth man arrested, Jolaoso Ayinde Fuad, 37, of Seabrooke Rise, Grays (charged similarly to Akinsemoyin), did not appear in court but is still being held on remand. He is likely to be sentenced this week or next.

A senior immigration officer says steps will be taken to return all the immigration offenders to Nigeria.

Regional Director for the Midlands and East of England, Gail Adams, said: "Every day of the week my officers are cracking down on illegal immigration.

"Anyone found to be working illegally should know that we will seek to remove them from the country.

"We are now making more arrests, sending more people to court and carrying out more removals than ever before. Last year in the East of England we removed 800 immigration offenders following over 900 operations and over 500 arrests.

"But we are not complacent - we will continue to work closely with local police forces and other partners to root out illegal immigrants."