The Nigerian government has announced that the first batch of Nigerians deported from the US will arrive in Nigeria. This announcement was made by Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, on social media.

According to Ojukwu, about 201 Nigerians are currently detained in US immigration centers, with 85 cleared for deportation. This number is expected to rise sharply ¹.

Ojukwu expressed concerns about the US government’s decision to deport many Nigerians, particularly those without a history of violent crime. She emphasized the need for humane treatment and sufficient time for individuals to handle their assets before deportation.

The US Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills Jr, assured Ojukwu that the repatriations would be carried out with dignity and respect for human rights.

At least 3,000 Nigerians without legal documents face the risk of deportation, according to a document obtained by Fox News from the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE). Nigeria has the second-highest number of citizens scheduled for deportation in Africa, after Somalia.

President Donald Trump had promised to deport one million people without legal permission to live in the US during his 2024 campaign. This has led to panic among African immigrant communities in America, with many going underground to avoid detention and deportation.