The Irish government on Wednesday deported 35 Nigerian nationals for violating immigration laws, marking the country’s first charter deportation flight to Africa this year.
In a statement released by the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB), which coordinated the operation, authorities confirmed that among the deportees were five children and nine women. The children, officials said, were part of family units removed from the country.
“All individuals were removed on a chartered flight which left Dublin Airport last night, Wednesday, June 4, 2025, for Nigeria,” the GNIB said.
This latest deportation marks the third such charter operation carried out by Irish authorities since February 2025, when the country resumed large-scale deportations via private charter flights. However, it is the first time this year that the chartered flight has been directed to an African nation.
Irish Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan defended the move, stating that deportations are a necessary part of maintaining a fair and lawful immigration process.
“Ireland has a rules-based immigration system. It is important that those rules are robust and enforced,” O’Callaghan said.
“The return of people whose applications have been refused and deportation orders have issued is the foundation of any modern rules-based immigration process.”
The minister further emphasized that all prospective migrants must follow legal procedures when entering and residing in Ireland.
“People coming to Ireland must follow the appropriate pathways for legal migration. If a person’s application for international protection is refused and they are ordered to leave the State, they must do so,” he added.
O’Callaghan also confirmed that the deportation flight experienced a temporary delay due to a medical incident onboard, necessitating an unscheduled stop. However, the issue was resolved, and the flight later proceeded, with all 35 returnees arriving safely in Nigeria on Thursday morning.
He concluded by reiterating the Irish government’s firm stance on immigration enforcement: “Removal operations of this nature send a clear message that there are consequences for people who remain in our country without permission and underscore this Government’s intention to protect the integrity of our immigration system.”
