Home Affairs Reveals that a Nigerian Family Who Was Among 63 Alleged South Africans Deported from Ireland Was Found to be Using a Fraudulent SA Identity and Was Deported to Nigeria Within 72 After Arriving

A parliamentary reply to a Question by ATM Party has revealed that a Nigerian family deported from Ireland to South Africa was subsequently deported to Nigeria within 72 hours of arriving at OR Tambo International Airport. The family was part of a group of 63 people returned from Ireland on a charter flight in early March 2026.

The deportation operation involved 54 adults and nine children who were removed from Ireland under deportation orders. South African authorities, including the Department of International Relations and Cooperation and the South African Embassy in Ireland, conducted verification processes before the group’s return to South Africa.

According to the minister’s response, the Nigerian family, consisting of a mother and her two sons, was taken to the Lindela Holding Facility upon arrival at OR Tambo International Airport. The Nigerian Embassy subsequently identified the family and issued travel documents, allowing them to be deported to Nigeria within 72 hours.

The parliamentary reply confirmed that the verification process had been conducted before the group’s return to South Africa. It also stated that Irish authorities did not share any information regarding the criminal history of the deportees. Following identification by Nigerian authorities, the family was immediately deported to Nigeria.