UK Deports 43 to Nigeria and Ghana in Major Crackdown on Illegal Immigration
In a decisive move to reinforce the integrity of its borders, the United Kingdom has deported 43 individuals — including failed asylum seekers and convicted foreign offenders — to Nigeria and Ghana, underscoring its commitment to a more disciplined and lawful immigration system.
The chartered removal flight, conducted under the government’s ambitious “Plan for Change,” reflects a growing international alliance aimed at tackling irregular migration and expediting the return of those with no legal right to remain in the UK.
Among those on board were 15 failed asylum seekers and 11 foreign nationals who had served criminal sentences in the UK. An additional seven individuals opted for voluntary departure. This operation marks the second deportation flight to West Africa since the last general election, bringing the total number of removals to these nations to 87 under the current administration.
Since taking office, the government has deported over 24,000 individuals — an 11% increase year-on-year. The number of foreign criminals returned to their home countries has also surged by 16%, with 3,594 removed to date.
Officials emphasized that all removals are conducted with “dignity and respect,” in line with international standards and human rights obligations.
Angela Eagle, Minister for Border Security and Asylum, stated: “This flight is a clear demonstration of how strong international partnerships deliver results on the public’s priorities — fast-tracked returns and secure borders. Through the Plan for Change, we are restoring order to a broken asylum system and shutting down the costly network of asylum hotels.”
She praised the collaboration with Ghana and Nigeria, calling it “a powerful joint commitment to disrupting organised immigration crime and safeguarding our borders.”
Baroness Chapman of Darlington, FCDO Minister for Irregular Migration, added:
“Global challenges require global cooperation. Our work with Ghana and Nigeria exemplifies the kind of meaningful international collaboration needed to combat irregular migration and dismantle human smuggling networks.
These actions are aligned with the outcomes of the recent Organised Immigration Crime Summit, where we united over 40 nations in a shared mission to secure borders and combat trafficking.”
The UK government continues to champion a strategic, results-driven approach to immigration — combining diplomacy, enforcement, and reform — as it delivers on its pledge to the British public: a fair, firm, and future-proof border system.
