BREAKING: Italy deports 40 Nigerians

- Italian government has deported 40 Nigerians



- The deportees arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport,

Lagos at about 8:25pm



- One of the deportees was returned based on his involvement in drug

related matters



The Italian government on Tuesday April 4, deported 40 Nigerians for

immigration and criminal offences.



Punch reports that the deportees, comprising males and females arrived

at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos at about 8:25pm

aboard an Air Meridiana aircraft with registration number E1-FNU.



CAMPUSNAIJA.info gathered that the deportation is coming few days

after the repatriation of 23 Nigerians for similar offences, from the

United Kingdom.



An immigration source said 39 of the deportees were returned because

of immigration offences while one, a male was returned because of his

involvement in drug related matters.



The source added that the returnee with drug-related issue would be

handed over to police for further prosecution while others who were

profiled by officials of the Nigeria Immigration Service would be

assisted home.



Sahara Reporters had earlier reported that the Italian government

would deport at least 40 Nigerians back into the country over

immigration offenses.



The online medium said that the deportees would arrive at Murtala

Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on Tuesday night.



Some of the deportees, according to Sahara Reporters, entered Italy

illegally while others entered the country with visiting visas but

stayed past their expiration dates.



"A source close to the Department of State Security attached to the

Lagos airport said that some of the impending deportees also committed

criminal offenses in their host country and would immediately be

handed over to the police on arrival."



It would be recalled that 23 Nigerians were repatriated from the

United Kingdom Friday March 31 over similar offenses.