Immigration offences: UK deports 43 to Nigeria, Ghana
Authorities in the United Kingdom have announced the deportation of 43 persons to Nigeria and Ghana citing immigration offences, including failed asylum applications and criminal convictions.
This was contained in a joint statement released by the Home Office and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) on Friday.
The UK authorities confirmed the deportation but did not specify the exact date, neither did it clarify how many were sent to each country or confirm if all were nationals of Nigeria and Ghana.
According to the statement, the deportees included 15 failed asylum seekers and 11 foreign nationals who had completed prison sentences. An additional seven individuals reportedly returned to their home countries voluntarily.
“43 failed asylum seekers and foreign offenders were returned on a charter flight to Nigeria and Ghana, as the government steps up international collaboration to secure our borders.
“The flight underscores the government’s progress restoring order to the immigration system through the Plan for Change, ensuring rules are respected and those who break them are swiftly returned.
“Those removed had no right to be in the UK and included 15 failed asylum seekers and 11 foreign national offenders who had served their sentences. 7 people returned voluntarily.
“Since the election, two charter flights have taken off to the countries, carrying a total of 87 people and demonstrating the strength of cooperation between the UK, Nigeria and Ghana on this critical issue.
“Under this government, over 24,000 people have been returned, an 11% increase on the same period 12 months prior, while four of the largest returns flights ever have taken off returning migrants to countries across Europe, Asia, Africa and South America.
“Deportations of foreign national offenders are also up 16% since the election, with 3,594 criminals removed.
“Immigration Enforcement ensure that returns are carried out in a dignified and respectful manner.” the statement noted.
