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AKARTA: The Bakauheni Seaport Security Police Unit (KPPP) in Lampung arrested 25 Afghanis attempting to cross to the Merak port in Banten, West Java.

The group did not have any travel documents in their possession, Antara reported.

Bakauheni KPPP chief Comr. I Made Bayu Suta said Tuesday the Afghan nationals were traveling in a bus heading to Jakarta, and were apprehended during a routine security check at the port's gates on Saturday.

The group were handed over to the Lampung Police on Sunday.

The police then handed them to the local immigration office, where they will be detained pending a response from the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

Lampung is known as one of the main routes taken by illegal immigrants heading to Jakarta to request help from the UNHCR or IOM - both NGOS that have representatives in the capital. - JP