35 People, Including Five Children, Deported from Ireland to Nigeria in Major Crackdown
- Ajibade Omolade Chistianah
- Jun 5
- 2 min read
A total of 35 people have been deported from Ireland to Nigeria in a large-scale immigration enforcement operation carried out by the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB). The group consisting of 21 men, nine women, and five children was removed from the State on a chartered flight that departed Dublin Airport on Wednesday night, June 4.
The children, who were all part of family units, were deported alongside their parents or guardians. Irish authorities confirmed that each individual on board had received final deportation orders after completing all legal proceedings, including appeals.
This marks the latest in a series of high-profile deportation operations under a renewed charter flight agreement signed by the Irish government in late 2024. The initiative is part of a broader strategy to streamline the deportation process and enforce immigration rulings more efficiently. The first operation under the new arrangement took place in February 2025, with 32 people sent to Georgia. A second deportation flight in April removed 39 others, also to Georgia.
According to the Department of Justice, there has been a sharp rise in the number of deportation orders in Ireland. Figures show that 2,403 deportation orders were signed in 2024 a staggering 180% increase compared to 2023. This shift reflects the State’s intensified efforts to address what it describes as non-compliance with immigration laws and the growing backlog of unenforced deportation decisions.
Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan reaffirmed the government’s position on the matter, stating, “Ireland is a welcoming country, but our immigration system must be respected. When individuals have exhausted all legal avenues and still remain in the country unlawfully, the State has an obligation to act.”
Chartered deportation flights are typically used when removing groups of individuals to the same destination, particularly where commercial flight removals are not feasible due to security, cost, or operational considerations.
There were no reported incidents during the Nigeria-bound flight. Nigerian immigration authorities have yet to issue a statement on the arrival of the deportees.
The operation highlights ongoing tensions surrounding Ireland’s immigration policy, with advocacy groups expected to respond in the coming days. Human rights organisations have previously raised concerns about family deportations and the psychological impact on children involved in such removals.
For now, Irish authorities maintain that all legal protocols were followed, and that deportations will continue as part of the government’s commitment to upholding the integrity of the immigration system.
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