Eleven Nigerians are said to have arrived in the country after being deported from the United Kingdom (UK) due to immigration issues.
The development follows a recent review of the United Kingdom’s immigration policy, which went into effect on June 28.
Although the deportation comes amid concerns that the UK’s position could lead to safety concerns due to religious persecution and sexual orientation, the UK government insists the move is in keeping the country safe.
The UK Home Office, the government department in charge of immigration and passports, reported that 21 people were deported on Thursday.
The deportation is said to be in line with the UK’s new Borders Act, which has five focus areas: “maximum sentence of life imprisonment for people smugglers and small boat pilots; increased maximum sentence for illegally entering the UK or overstaying a visa; powers to speed up removal of dangerous foreign criminals; new powers for immigration officers to search containers for illegal migrants; and visa penalties in countries who do not take back their own citizens who have no right to be in the UK”.
The UK home office said those deported on Thursday included persons with “combined sentences of more than 64 years” for criminal offences.
“Today we removed 21 people with no right to be in the UK, including those with combined sentences of more than 64 years, for crimes such as rape & sexual offences against children. We’re committed to ending the abuse of our asylum system & removing those with no right to remain,” the home office said in a tweet.
Today we removed 21 people with no right to be in the UK, including those with combined sentences of more than 64 years, for crimes such as rape & sexual offences against children.
We're committed to ending the abuse of our asylum system & removing those with no right to remain. pic.twitter.com/c0KeRyJkvo
— Home Office (@ukhomeoffice) June 30, 2022
According to the BBC, 11 Nigerians and eight Ghanaians were deported to Africa and returned to their respective countries; the Nigerians arrived at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.
Meanwhile, Priti Patel, UK secretary of state for the home department, announced the signing of an agreement with Nigeria to combat illegal migration in a tweet on Thursday.
She went on to say that both countries’ decisions will help to discourage the migration of “dangerous foreign criminals” to the UK.
“Our new landmark agreement with Nigeria will increase the deportation of dangerous foreign criminals to make our streets & country safer,” she posted.
“And take the fight to the criminal people smugglers together to tackle illegal migration.
“Our #NewPlanForImmigration in action.”
🇬🇧✍🏽🇳🇬 Our new landmark agreement with Nigeria will increase the deportation of dangerous foreign criminals to make our streets & country safer.
And take the fight to the criminal people smugglers together to tackle illegal migration.
Our #NewPlanForImmigration in action. pic.twitter.com/wkqD7MDo65
— Priti Patel (@pritipatel) June 30, 2022
