UK pressures Nigeria to help Home Office increase deportations

Country’s diplomats in London say immigration crackdown is indiscriminate and will tear families apart

Nigeria’s government is coming under pressure from the Home Office to help pave the way for the deportation of an estimated 29,000 Nigerians believed to be living in Britain illegally, according to one of its most senior diplomats.

Olukunle Akindele Bamgbose, acting high commissioner to the UK, said his embassy was being asked to help remove people who were sick, had immigration appeals outstanding, had no ties to Nigeria after living for many years in the UK and who in some cases were not even Nigerian.

If you have built a life ​here​ over three decades and have children ​here ​what purpose will it serve to deport you?

I have never taken any benefits from this country, and I have been working just to survive