No fewer than 51 more foreign nationals have been repatriated following their convictions for cyber-terrorism and internet fraud.
They were repatriated in joint operations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS).
The latest group of deportees, according to the EFCC in a statement on Thursday, August 21, includes 50 Chinese nationals and one Tunisian.
Persecondnews reports that the repatriation which took place on Thursday, August 21, brings the total number of convicted foreign nationals deported in the ongoing exercise to 102 since it commenced on Friday, August 15, 2025.
These convicts were among the 192 foreign nationals apprehended during a recent sting operation conducted by the commission in Lagos.
The operation followed actionable intelligence regarding the activities of one of the largest foreign-led cybercrime syndicates operating within Nigeria.
The statement said: “This exercise demonstrates our unwavering commitment to ensuring that Nigeria is not a safe haven for international criminals.
“The successful conviction and repatriation of these individuals send a clear message: we will not tolerate the use of our nation’s digital space for illicit activities that undermine our economy and national security.”
The commission stated that further deportations are scheduled to take place in the coming days as the exercise continues.
Persecondnews reports that the deportation may be linked to a ruling delivered by Justice Ekerete Akpan of the Federal High Court in Abuja on August 5.
After the convicts reached a plea bargain with the Police, the judge ordered all the 21 to be deported within six working days.
The convicts are among 109 foreign nationals being prosecuted by the Inspector-General of Police on charges of cybercrime, money laundering, and actions deemed threats to Nigeria’s national security, in a suit no. FHC/ABJ/CR/599/2024.
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