Ireland spends N577m on deportation of 35 Nigerians

The Irish government has spent approximately N577 million (€324,714) on a chartered flight to deport 35 Nigerians from Dublin to Lagos.

According to Ireland’s Minister for Justice, Jim O’Callaghan, the deportees had disregarded prior deportation orders and were removed from Ireland as part of a firm enforcement approach toward immigration regulations. The minister emphasized that deportation orders must be respected, and those who are not permitted to stay in Ireland will face the consequences.

The flight experienced an unscheduled stop due to a medical emergency onboard, but all deportees eventually arrived in Nigeria on Thursday morning. This marks the third use of a chartered aircraft for deportations by Ireland in 2025, as part of the government’s ongoing efforts to enforce immigration laws.

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) clarified that it had no involvement in the operation and was not notified beforehand. NIDCOM spokesperson Abdur-Rahman Balogun stated that Ireland is not obligated to inform the commission about deportations and retains the right to repatriate individuals who violate its laws.

Ireland resumed deportations via chartered flights earlier this year, and so far, 106 individuals have been repatriated using this method in 2025. The Irish Department of Justice has confirmed that more deportations are scheduled in the coming months, with 2,403 deportation orders signed in 2024 alone.

The deportation, which took place on Wednesday night, involved 21 men, nine women, and five children, escorted by personnel from An Garda Síochána, the Department of Justice, and the Irish Prison Service.

The deportation of Nigerians from Ireland highlights the country’s determination to enforce immigration laws and manage the presence of foreign nationals within its borders.

The Irish government’s approach to deportation is seen as a means of maintaining the rule of law and ensuring that those who are not permitted to stay in the country are removed.