Fifty-one foreign nationals have been deported from Nigeria following their conviction for cyber-terrorism, internet fraud, and related financial crimes in Lagos.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) confirmed the development in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja by its spokesperson, Dele Oyewale. He said the exercise was jointly conducted by the EFCC, the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), and the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).
According to Oyewale, the latest batch — comprising 50 Chinese nationals and one Tunisian — brings the total number of foreigners convicted of financial crimes in Lagos State to 192. He said the final group of deportees left Nigeria on October 16.
“The deportation exercise followed the arrest and successful prosecution of 759 suspects during a major sting operation conducted by the EFCC on December 10, 2024, at Oyin Jolayemi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos,” he stated.
He explained that the deportation, which began on August 15, followed the conviction of the offenders by the Federal High Court in Lagos for offences bordering on cybercrime, money laundering, and Ponzi scheme operations.
The first batch of 42 convicts, mostly Chinese and Filipino nationals, was deported on August 15, with subsequent batches following through August and September.
Oyewale further disclosed that the deported convicts included citizens of China, the Philippines, Tunisia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Timor-Leste.
He said all deportations were carried out between August and mid-October 2025, in line with court directives and established immigration procedures.
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