The United Kingdom (UK) has deported 43 people to Nigeria and Ghana for immigration violations, including failed asylum petitions and criminal convictions.
In a joint statement issued on Friday by the Home Office and the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO), UK authorities acknowledged the removal but did not indicate when the deportations would take place.
According to the announcement, the deportees comprised 15 failed asylum seekers and 11 foreign nationals who had served their prison sentences.
Another seven people reportedly returned to their native nations voluntarily.
“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. Seven people returned voluntarily,” the statement noted.
However, the government did not specify how many were sent to each country or whether they were all Nigerian or Ghanaian natives.
Since Prime Minister Keir Starmer assumed office, the UK has organised two charter deportation flights to Nigeria and Ghana, transporting a total of 87 individuals.
In October, a record 44 people were deported in a single trip to both countries.
This transition follows the collapse of the contentious UK-Rwanda migration pact, which was declared illegal by the United Kingdom Supreme Court in 2023.
The agreement sought to transport asylum applicants to Rwanda for processing and placement.
In response, the United Kingdom reportedly struck a deportation agreement with Nigeria to expedite the return of undocumented migrants.
Following the last flight, UK Border Security and Asylum Minister Angela Eagle thanked the Nigerian and Ghanaian governments for their participation, describing the operation as an example of strong international teamwork.
The UK government also stated that over 24,000 people have been removed from the nation in the last year, representing an 11% increase from the previous year.
