The Irish government has come under fire after it was revealed that over ₦577 million was spent on deporting 35 Nigerians via a chartered flight from Dublin to Lagos. This revelation has sparked widespread reaction, particularly due to the rising cost and diplomatic silence surrounding the move.
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According to a report by Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ), Ireland's national broadcaster, the operation cost €324,714—approximately ₦577 million based on the current exchange rate of €1 to ₦1,777.43. The deportees included 21 men, nine women, and five children, all of Nigerian nationality. The flight reportedly took off from Dublin Airport on Wednesday night and arrived in Lagos on Thursday morning.
Ireland’s Minister for Justice, Jim O’Callaghan, confirmed the figures and stated that the deportation was executed in collaboration with the An Garda Síochána (Irish Police), Department of Justice officials, and prison officers. Although the flight encountered a brief unscheduled stop due to a medical emergency, all individuals arrived safely in Nigeria.
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“This is the third time we’ve had to use a chartered flight for deportations this year,” O’Callaghan said, emphasizing Ireland's commitment to upholding immigration laws. “If you’re served with a deportation order and you fail to comply, it has consequences.”
He stressed that deportation orders are legally binding, targeting individuals who have overstayed work visas or had asylum requests denied.
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) responded through its spokesperson, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, downplaying the incident. “There’s no big deal in that,” he said. “Once you violate a country's immigration laws, they have the right to deport. Ireland is not obligated to inform us.”
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So far in 2025, Ireland has deported 106 individuals via chartered flights, signaling a more aggressive immigration enforcement policy. Reports indicate that over 2,400 deportation orders were signed in 2024, and further deportations are expected throughout the year.
The cost and silence surrounding such high-spending deportation efforts have raised eyebrows across both Nigeria and the EU, with critics questioning whether such harsh measures are financially and diplomatically justifiable.
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