Germany deports at least 137 Nigerians in five charter flights as Europe tightens migration rules
Germany deported at least 137 Nigerian citizens on five documented charter operations between February and June 2026, as Berlin and other European governments intensify efforts to remove migrants who no longer have the legal right to remain.
The deportations involved a series of flights from Germany to Lagos, with some operations coordinated with other European countries and Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency. The figures were documented by the Germany-based migration advocacy organisation Refugees4Refugees and its Deportees Emergency Reception and Support team.
The five operations involved 27 Nigerians in February, 37 in March, 24 in April, 23 in May and 26 in June. The March operation was particularly significant, with Germany hosting a joint European operation involving Spain, Austria and Belgium. Of the 50 people returned to Nigeria on that flight, 37 were deported by Germany.
The February flight carried 27 people from Stuttgart to Lagos on a World2Fly charter aircraft. Another 24 Nigerians were returned on April 9 from Frankfurt in an operation involving German authorities and Frontex. Further charter flights followed in May and June, bringing the total documented German returns to at least 137.
The figure does not represent Germany’s total number of deportations to Nigeria during 2026. It only covers the five documented operations monitored by the migration organisation. Rights advocates have raised concerns about whether vulnerable people receive adequate protection during deportation procedures and whether authorities always follow the correct legal process.
The deportations come as Europe adopts tougher migration policies despite a sharp decline in irregular arrivals. Frontex reported that irregular crossings at the EU’s external borders fell by nearly 40% during the first five months of 2026 compared with the same period last year. Germany has nevertheless continued to make reducing irregular migration and increasing returns a key part of its immigration policy under Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
The German operations also highlight a broader shift toward multinational deportations. Instead of countries handling removals separately, European governments are increasingly combining resources, charter flights and coordination through Frontex. For Nigeria and other African countries, this could mean greater pressure to cooperate with European governments on readmission and migrant returns as Europe continues tightening its migration system.