The UK government has returned 43 individuals to Nigeria and Ghana as part of a major operation aimed at strengthening border security under the "Plan for Change."
Among those on the flight were 15 failed asylum seekers and 11 foreign national offenders who had completed their prison sentences. Additionally, 7 individuals opted to return voluntarily.
This latest flight highlights the government’s continued efforts to restore order to the immigration system, ensuring that immigration rules are enforced and those without a legal right to remain are promptly removed.
Since the recent election, two charter flights have returned a total of 87 people to Nigeria and Ghana, showcasing the strong international cooperation between the UK and these two countries.
Overall, the government has returned over 24,000 individuals since the election — an 11% increase compared to the same period the previous year. In addition, four of the largest deportation flights ever have been carried out, returning migrants to destinations across Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America.
The deportation of foreign national offenders has also risen by 16%, with 3,594 criminals removed from the UK. Immigration Enforcement officials continue to ensure that all returns are handled with dignity and respect.
Minister for Border Security and Asylum Angela Eagle said:
“This flight demonstrates how international partnerships deliver on working people’s priorities for swift returns and secure borders.
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 said:
“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 UK’s hosting of the Organised Immigration Crime Summit, where representatives from over 40 countries — including Nigeria and Ghana — gathered to strengthen the global fight against human smuggling and support the UK’s broader mission to secure its borders. Photo by dannyman, Wikimedia commons.