Outcry as Nigerian Family Is Deported from Ireland to South Africa
Despite public outcry, the Department of Home Affairs has given no explanation for why Nigeria-born Titilayo Oluwakemi Oyekanmi and her three sons were flown from Ireland back to South Africa last week. The family boarded a charter flight after Irish authorities denied their asylum request. Oyekanmi says she fled South Africa in 2023 after a criminal gang assaulted her and her children. Ireland’s Justice Minister confirmed that 63 undocumented migrants, including nine children, were returned to South Africa. The family also turned down a €10,000 relocation offer before removal. Under Irish law, deported migrants may be sent to any country willing to accept them. Because the Oyekanmi family held permanent residency in South Africa, Dublin chose it as their destination. Both the International Protection Office and the Appeals Tribunal reviewed the case independently. On social media, many have questioned why the family was not returned to Nigeria. Political parties and advocacy groups have since lodged parliamentary questions and called on Home Affairs to clarify the matter.
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