No fewer than 43 Nigerians have been deported by the United Kingdom as part of its latest effort to strengthen immigration controls.
According to a report published on gov.uk on Friday, the deportees included 15 failed asylum seekers and 11 foreign national offenders who had completed their prison sentences. Seven individuals also left the country voluntarily.
The deportation flight forms part of the government’s “Plan for Change,” which aims to restore discipline to the immigration system by ensuring that immigration laws are enforced and that those without the right to remain are removed swiftly.
This is the second deportation flight to Nigeria and Ghana since the last general election, bringing the total number of deportees to 87.
Officials highlighted the growing cooperation between the United Kingdom and Nigeria in managing migration.
Since the current government assumed office, more than 24,000 people have been deported — an 11% increase compared to the same period last year. Deportations of foreign national offenders have also risen by 16%, with 3,594 criminals removed from the country.
Authorities stressed that all deportations are handled “in a dignified and respectful manner.”
The 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 going further in restoring order to a broken system, accelerating returns of those with no right to be here and closing expensive asylum hotels.
“I thank the governments of Ghana and Nigeria for facilitating this operation, which reflects our joint commitment to disrupt organised immigration crime and protect our borders.”
Baroness Chapman of Darlington, FCDO Minister responsible for Irregular Migration, added: “Working with other countries and partners around the world is critical to tackling irregular migration – by working internationally, we will meet this global challenge together.
“I welcome our strong 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 operation follows the Organised Immigration Crime Summit, which saw the UK bring together over 40 countries, including Nigeria and Ghana, to drive forward the global fight against smuggling gangs and deliver on the government’s mission to secure our borders.”
