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Again, Nigeria denies deportation of nationals from Germany

• Nigeria Embassy economical with deportation details

• Pregnant deportee slumps as fiancé takes poison hearing her deportation

A number of Nigerian migrants were yesterday ( February 26, 2020) deported by the Germany authorities.

The deportees said over 40 of them, each handcuffed and manned by four security men were brought back in an EU chattered plane.

The plane landed few minutes past 4pm and flew back after refuelling as it is usually the practice.

Our crew (Voice for African Migrants, VAM) and representatives of Refugee4Refugee, a political platform for refugees/migrants self-organisation based in Stuttgart, Germany, had waited at the cargo section where the Nigerian authorities often ‘dump’ the deportees but to their chagrin the deportees were not dumped there this time around.

Instead of the cargo section, the deportees were ‘dumped’ in front of the Pilgrim and Cargo Terminal of the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Ikeja.

An airport source said it was a deliberate plan by the authorities to keep the deportation secret and especially away from the prying eyes of the media.

“They wanted to deny the deportation but from every indication, the plot has abysmally failed. I am yet to understand why the authorities would continue to be evasive on an issue like this.” the source said.

We, had exclusively reported that Germany was going to deport the fourth batch of Nigerians yesterday. This might have formed part of the decision not to take them to the cargo gate.

Although a good number of the deportees had left before we and others became aware of where they were dumped, we were able to meet about five of them, some of who had no means of calling their relations or going home.

Traumatised as they were, the deportees said no Nigerian government official came to counsel or soothe their frayed nerves.

“All they did was to take our profiles. Some were even asking us for money. That was the height of their insensitivity to our plight,” one of the deportees said despondently.

A female deportee, who said she is six months pregnant after receiving a telephone call started crying and slumped. She was immediately assisted by other deportees.

“They told me that my fiancée took poison when he heard that I have been deported,” she said still sobbing.

Another female deportee, who did not want her name in print, said by the nature of health challenge that she has, the German authorities ought not to have deported her.

The stranded deportees relied on support from representatives of Refugee4Refugee to pay their ways back home. The organisation had also made hotel accommodation plans for deportees who might not have somewhere to stay.

Another embarrassing denial by Nigeria Immigration Service

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) which officials attended to the deportees on arrival has once again surprisingly denied knowledge of the exercise.

The National Public Relations Officer of the service, Sunday James said he wasn’t aware of the deportation.

“Not to my knowledge,” he replied when asked if the service was aware of the deportation.

The spokesman of the service at the Murtala Airport, Edet, said: “Sorry I travelled. I am in in Uyo. I may not know exactly. I travelled,”

Nigerian Embassy economical with truth

Nigerian embassy in Germany was economical with the truth when asked about the deportation. The reponse placed side by side with that of immigration show that there is more than meets the eye about the deportations.

It also further confirms the deportees’ allegations that they are often don’t defend them before the Germans.

Speaking on the deportation, Nigeria’s envoy in Germany, Peter Lambat, said: “By our records, 33 Nigerians were scheduled for deportation on 26/2/20. However, recall my last explanation the last time on variances that that could arise against the official figures.”

Confirming our report that four deportation had so far taken place this year, the envoy said: “Yes, there has been other exercises but of fewer persons since beginning of the year.”

Asked if by their records the deportation had not taken place since he said that the deportees were scheduled for deportation, he said:”I used the word because I do not know if the flight took place as scheduled.”

Since he is an envoy right there in Germany, Lambat was asked to verify if the flight took, as the deportees were seen in Lagos yesterday. The envoy was yet to respond as at the time of filling this report ( more than 10 hours after).

45 Nigerians were deported by Germany- Activist

Putting the records straight, the Coordination Activist of Refugee4Refugee, a political platform for refugees/migrants self-organisation based in Stuttgart, Germany, Rex Osa, says a total of 45 Nigerians arrived yesterday Lagos from Germany. “From witnesses report, to each deportee was five police officers assigned. While some of the deported persons were taken into deportation custody a few days before the scheduled flight departure, most of them were arrested the previous night from their sleeping beds and conveyed to the airport.

” There were only three ladies amongst them. The 4th lady was released to go back home with her kids and husband before the flight departed MÜNCHEN Airport.

“By normal standard, no airline will transport a more than 6months old pregnant lady. On the other hand, this is a situation of Germany separating families as usual. One of the deported was arrested during an appointment to submit the doctor’s proof of his 5months old pregnant wife. Another one was arrested in the presence of his close to three months old pregnant wife who is a German.”

Reacting to Nigeria Immigration Service’s claim about the deportation, Rex said: “That would mean that the German government is smuggling suspected Nigerians into the country. The response from the ministry of interior on questions we had put forward through a German parliamentarian. We had requested to know the communication of deportation enforcement with the Nigerian govt. In their response, they claim that the Airport Authorities are informed about 4weeks in advance alongside communication through the foreign representation with the Nigerian foreign affairs’ ministry. Then, how come the immigration office is not notified. But there are always immigration officers who receive and profile them on arrival.”

Rex also frowned at NIgerian embassy’s failure to come clean on the deportation. He said: “Would this not mean a total disrespect for so-called diplomatic relations. Its also shameful to understand the whole power relations. That is if the embassy officials are telling the truth. After all they are actively involved in facilitating the deportation by issuing deportation document at the request of the German deportation regime.

“How can the embassy identify and issue deportation papers for people out of suspicion by physical appearance otherwise accent in this civilisation. The German bereaucracy can never allow that anywhere but they continue to impose and corrupt out government.”

READ World Day Against Trafficking in Persons: The Migrant Project presents Nigeria’s human trafficking fact sheet

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Related Topics:. Deportation Airport deportees'Embassy Germany Immigration MÜNCHEN Nigeria Nigerian

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Open South America, available in Spanish, English and Portuguese, shares official information by country on the latest measures, including border restrictions, quarantine requirements and COVID-19 tests for migrants and travellers.

The portal also provides updated information on authorized entry points and key places for travellers and migrants, such as consulates, migrant care and health centres, airports, border crossings points and ports. This information can be explored through an interactive map.

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