A total of 35 individuals, including nine women and five children, were deported from Ireland to Nigeria on Wednesday in a large-scale immigration enforcement operation coordinated by Irish authorities.
The deportees were flown out on a chartered flight that departed from Dublin Airport late last night, according to a statement issued by An Garda Síochána, Ireland’s national police service.
The Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB), which led the operation, confirmed that the group included 21 adult males, nine adult females, and five children. The children were part of family units, Gardaí clarified.
“Yesterday, Wednesday 4th June 2025, the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) of An Garda Síochána carried out an operation removing individuals from the State.
“The operation resulted in the removal of 35 individuals (21 males, nine females, and five children). An Garda Síochána continues to work closely with the Department of Justice in implementing immigration policy,” ,” the statement read.
The operation was carried out as part of Ireland’s enforcement of immigration rules, which include the deportation of individuals who have exhausted all legal avenues to remain in the country.
While the identities of those deported were not released, immigration advocacy groups have already raised concerns about the pace and scale of deportations in recent months, urging the government to consider more compassionate and case-by-case assessments.
Social media reactions have been mixed, with some users expressing support for strict enforcement of immigration laws, while others criticized what they described as an “inhumane” approach to vulnerable groups, especially women and children.
