At least 35 Nigerian nationals, including five children, have been deported from the Republic of Ireland and returned to Nigeria on a chartered flight that departed Dublin Airport on Wednesday night.

According to reports from the Irish Mirror, the group consisted of 21 men, nine women, and five children. The deportees arrived in Nigeria on Thursday.

Ireland’s Minister for Justice, Jim O’Callaghan, confirmed the deportation and noted that the flight made an unscheduled stop due to a medical issue on board. Despite the delay, he stated he was “happy to say” all individuals had been successfully returned.

While the Irish authorities did not disclose specific reasons for the deportation, O’Callaghan emphasized the importance of adhering to immigration laws, saying: “Ireland has a rules-based immigration system. It is important that those rules are robust and enforced.”