UK Deports 41 Nigerians Amidst Tight Security
The United Kingdom yesterday deported 41 Nigerians back to the country in a chartered aircraft A330 accompanied by more than 30 British security operatives who escorted the deportees.
The deportees who had been in custody of the British government since October 2015 over issues related to illegal entry papers, family problems and expired stay among others, arrived at the cargo terminal of the international wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA) at 7:40 am on Wednesday.
A breakdown of the 41 affected travelers showed that there were 33 males and 8 females who are all adolescents. The Nigerians were deported according to immigration sources for immigration related offences as most of their visas had expired. On landing and alighting from the chartered aircraft they were profiled by officials of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS).
Also on ground to receive the 41 deportees were officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)NIS, Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Police and Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria(FAAN)Aviation Security(AVSEC) personnel.
Attempts by journalists to hear from the deportees on why they were deported by the UK government were rebuffed, as they were not ready to either grant interview or allow photo journalists to capture their faces while they were searching for their luggage.
Speaking on the development, NEMA Director- General, Alhaji Mohammed Sidi, stated that the deportees would be given a ‘token’ to go back to their various destinations. Sidi represented by the Deputy Director, Search and Rescue, Dr. Abdullahi Onimode advised those leaving the country in search of greener pasturesaircraft a rethink by staying in the country to develop it.
According to him, “We are here this morning to receive Nigerians that have been brought back by authorities of the United Kingdom. As a responsible government, we can’t just leave our citizens to enter the country and start finding their ways. So it is our responsibly, NEMA on behalf of the Federal Government to ensure that, one they are well received and we need to talk to them, counsel them and let them realize that the country they left some years ago is not the same country they are meeting today, we have moved ahead and everybody has equal opportunity in the present day government to be the best you can be”.
“Whatever your trading or leaning, ensure that you carve a niche for yourself. Where we tend to go to for greener pastures after all were developed by their own persons. So we should be able to proudly stay back here in Nigeria and ensure that we develop our own country. We are giving them some stipends.”
“We need to talk to them, counsel them and let them realize that the country they left some years ago is not the same country they are meeting today, we have moved ahead and everybody has equal opportunity in the present day government to be the best you can be. Whatever you’re trading or leaning, ensure that you carve a niche for yourself. Where we tend to go to for greener pastures after all were developed by their own persons. So we should be able to proudly stay back here in Nigeria and ensure that we develop our own country”, he added.
