UK Deports 43 Individuals to Nigeria and Ghana in Latest Immigration Operation

The United Kingdom has deported 43 individuals classified as immigration offenders to Nigeria and Ghana, according to a joint statement from the Home Office and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). The deportees included 15 failed asylum seekers and 11 foreign nationals who had served prison sentences in the UK. An additional seven individuals returned voluntarily. The statement, released on Friday, did not specify when the deportation took place or how many of those removed were sent to each country.

Since taking office last year, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has overseen the deportation of 87 individuals to Nigeria and Ghana through two charter flights. The most significant single flight occurred in October, when 44 asylum seekers from both countries were removed.

The UK’s recent focus on deportations to Nigeria and Ghana follows the collapse of a controversial migration deal with Rwanda. That agreement, signed in 2022, aimed to transfer some asylum seekers to the East African country for processing but was struck down by the UK Supreme Court in 2023 as unlawful. Nigeria is reported to have subsequently signed a deportation agreement with the UK, though details remain limited.

Following the latest operation, UK Minister for Border Security and Asylum Angela Eagle expressed gratitude to the governments of Nigeria and Ghana for their cooperation. The Home Office described the deportation as a reflection of the strong partnership between the three countries on immigration matters.

The UK government said over 24,000 people have been returned over the past year, marking an 11 percent increase compared to the previous 12 months.