UK Government Steps Up Efforts to Secure Borders with Charter Flight to Nigeria and Ghana
In a significant move to reinforce its commitment to securing the UK’s borders, the government has successfully returned 43 failed asylum seekers and foreign offenders on a charter flight to Nigeria and Ghana. This development underscores the administration’s progress in restoring order to the immigration system through its Plan for Change, ensuring that those who break the rules are swiftly returned.
According to a statement from the UK Government, the flight demonstrates the strength of cooperation between the UK, Nigeria, and Ghana on this critical issue. The individuals removed had no right to be in the UK and included 15 failed asylum seekers and 11 foreign national offenders who had served their sentences. Notably, 7 people returned voluntarily.
This latest operation brings the total number of people returned on charter flights to Nigeria and Ghana since the election to 87. The UK Government has reported that, overall, over 24,000 people have been returned since the election, representing an 11% increase on the same period 12 months prior. Furthermore, deportations of foreign national offenders are up 16% since the election, with 3,594 criminals removed.
The UK Government has emphasized that Immigration Enforcement ensures returns are carried out in a dignified and respectful manner. Minister for Border Security and Asylum Angela Eagle highlighted the significance of international partnerships in delivering on the government’s priorities for swift returns and secure borders.
"This flight demonstrates how international partnerships deliver on working people’s priorities for swift returns and secure borders," Minister Eagle said. "Through the Plan for Change we’re going further in restoring order to a broken system, accelerating returns of those with no right to be here and closing expensive asylum hotels. I thank the governments of Ghana and Nigeria for facilitating this operation, which reflects our joint commitment to disrupt organised immigration crime and protect our borders."
Baroness Chapman of Darlington, FCDO Minister responsible for Irregular Migration, also welcomed the strong cooperation with Ghana and Nigeria, stating, "Working with other countries and partners around the world is critical to tackling irregular migration – by working internationally, we will meet this global challenge together. I welcome our strong cooperation with Ghana and Nigeria to return those with no right to be in the UK, secure our borders, and deliver on the Plan for Change."
This operation follows the Organised Immigration Crime Summit, which saw the UK bring together over 40 countries, including Nigeria and Ghana, to drive forward the global fight against smuggling gangs and deliver on the government’s mission to secure the UK’s borders. The UK Government remains committed to building on this success and continuing to work with international partners to tackle irregular migration and protect the country’s borders.
The government’s efforts to secure the UK’s borders have been bolstered by a significant increase in returns and deportations. With four of the largest returns flights ever having taken off, returning migrants to countries across Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America, the administration is demonstrating its commitment to enforcing immigration laws and protecting national security.
As the UK continues to grapple with the complexities of irregular migration, the government’s emphasis on international cooperation and robust border controls is set to remain a key priority. The success of this charter flight to Nigeria and Ghana serves as a testament to the effectiveness of this approach and the government’s determination to secure the UK’s borders.
