The Irish government has reportedly spent €324,714, approximately N577 million, to charter a special flight for the deportation of 35 Nigerians to Lagos, according to Irish broadcaster Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ).
The deportation flight, which departed Dublin Airport on Wednesday night, carried 21 men, nine women, and five children, all of Nigerian nationality.
Ireland’s Minister for Justice, Jim O’Callaghan, confirmed the cost of the operation, stating that it was coordinated by Ireland’s national police service, An Garda Síochána, in collaboration with the Department of Justice and prison officials. Security personnel also accompanied the deportees during the flight.
RTÉ reported that the aircraft made an unscheduled stop en route due to a medical emergency, but all 35 individuals eventually arrived safely in Lagos on Thursday morning.
