The UK government has deported 43 Nigerians, including 15 failed asylum seekers and 11 foreign national offenders, in a renewed immigration crackdown. The deportees arrived in Nigeria on a chartered flight that landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos under tight security.
UK Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Angela Eagle, said, “This flight demonstrates how international partnerships deliver on working people’s priorities for swift returns and secure borders. Through the Plan for Change, we’re restoring order to a broken system, accelerating returns of those with no right to be here, and closing expensive asylum hotels.”
The deportation exercise is part of the UK’s ongoing efforts to enforce its immigration laws and maintain public safety. Baroness Chapman of Darlington, FCDO Minister responsible for Irregular Migration, added, “Working with other countries and partners is critical to tackling irregular migration. I welcome our cooperation with Ghana and Nigeria to return those with no right to be in the UK, secure our borders, and deliver on the Plan for Change.”
This marks the second deportation flight to Nigeria and Ghana since the last general election, bringing the total number of deportees to 87. Since the UK government took office, over 24,000 people have been deported, an 11% increase compared to last year. Deportations of foreign national offenders have risen by 16%, with 3,594 criminals removed from the UK.
Authorities stressed that deportations are carried out “in a dignified and respectful manner”. Nigerian immigration authorities have confirmed receiving the returnees and have commenced standard processing procedures, including documentation and security screening.
Human rights organizations have raised concerns over the treatment of some of the deportees, accusing the UK government of disregarding humanitarian considerations in certain cases. The UK government maintains that its actions are aimed at disrupting organized immigration crime and protecting national borders.