UK Deportation of Nigerians: Nigerian Govt Makes Clarifications (Nigeria)
Immigration issues are always of high priority for immigrants to other countries especially Europe and the United States.
Ever since the Nigerian government announced bilateral plans to deport some Nigerians who had immigration problems like failed asylum seekers and so on as an aftermath of Nigeria's state visit to the UK it has generated controversy.
In a statement by the special adviser to Present Tinubu on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the federal government has come out to make certain clarification about the matter.
He said the migration partnership between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, as contained in the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the two nations on the sidelines of President Tinubu's historic state visit to the UK states, like memorandum on immigration cooperation and other memoranda signed, aims to strengthen the partnership between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
According to the statement, "The MoU establishes a framework to facilitate a regulated and safe migration flow between the two countries and to encourage further bilateral cooperation in the fight against irregular migration and associated acts by citizens of each country, in accordance with their respective immigration and citizenship laws and extant international treaties, conventions, protocols, agreements, and charters."
"Nowhere in the 12-page memorandum is Nigeria required to accept foreign nationals other than Nigerians. Nationals to be repatriated must have undergone multiple levels of identification and verification, and, where errors occur, they are returned to the requesting country at the requesting country's cost."
"Under the agreement, Nigeria and the United Kingdom will work together to secure the dignified return of their nationals who do not, or no longer, have the right to enter or remain in the territory of the other country."
He said a clear condition in the MoU is that the returnees concerned are bona fide nationals of the country and are treated with dignity and respect, with due regard to their human rights and fundamental freedoms.
"Law enforcement officers in each country will take the necessary action to protect the interests and well-being of citizens of either party and to mitigate conflict triggers related to migration matters", adding,"A key provision in the MoU is that the migrant to be returned must carry his legally acquired personal belongings to the country of destination, unlike in the past when migrants left with nothing.
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