In a renewed effort to curb illegal immigration, the Algerian government has deported 40 Nigerian nationals, forcing many others into hiding to avoid arrest.
The deportees, comprising 37 men and three women, arrived at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on February 4, 2025, aboard Turkish Airlines flight TK623 at 8:10 pm.
Sources revealed that several Nigerians still in Algeria are now going into hiding to evade deportation.
Among those identified in the latest expulsion were Ibrahim Abdullahi from Kano State, Sani Adamu from Katsina State, and Barau Muazu from Kano State.
Algeria has significantly intensified its crackdown on undocumented migrants, particularly those from sub-Saharan Africa, leading to a surge in deportations.
This move has sparked concerns from human rights organizations, which have criticized the actions as racially discriminatory and inhumane.
The mass deportations form part of Algeria’s broader strategy to control undocumented migration. Reports indicate that thousands of migrants have been expelled in recent years.
In 2017, Amnesty International documented over 2,000 forced expulsions within three weeks, while a 2024 report by Alarme Phone Sahara stated that more than 30,000 migrants, including Nigerians, had been deported to Niger.
The humanitarian consequences of these expulsions have been severe. Many deportees are reportedly abandoned in remote desert areas near the Niger border, left without food, water, or shelter.
Organizations such as the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation have condemned Algeria’s approach, labeling it “ruthless and illegal,” particularly given the harsh conditions in northern Niger.
While the exact number of Nigerians affected by Algeria’s stringent immigration policies remains uncertain, the situation highlights the growing challenges faced by West African migrants seeking better opportunities abroad.
