AGAIN, no fewer than 79 Nigerians were yesterday deported from the United Kingdom (UK).

Meanwhile, the African Union (AU) has reiterated its plan to seek end to hostilities in conflict zones in the continent and ensure the provision of food, water and other basic amenities.

Information gathered by The Guardian revealed that the deportees comprise 58 males, 10 females and 11 infants caught in different locations in Britain. Most of the deportees were alleged not to have the required papers to reside in the UK.

The aircraft that brought the deportees touched down at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport , MMIA at 10:30 am with the registration number EICZH.

Sources close to immigration at the international wing of MMA told The Guardian that most of the deportees claimed refugee status in a bid to stay permanently in England.

At the immigration point, some of the deportees were seen perambulating as it was obvious they had nowhere to go while others quickly took the airport taxi to their destination. Some made frantic efforts to contact their family members.

One of the deportees, who refused to give his name, lamented that he was arrested up at Essex in London while he was at work and insisted that he had required papers to reside in the country.

However, Nigeria's carrier, Air Nigeria is collaborating with the African Union Congress (AUC) to implement initiatives to promote sustainable peace as well as create awareness for September 21 as the "Peace Day".

African Heads of State and Government had in 2009 declared 2010 as the Year of Peace and Security, setting aside September 21 as the Peace Day to push for non-violence across the continent.

The AU had officially launched the year of peace and security in Africa, but admitted raging conflicts in some parts of the continent showed no sign of abating.

But, officially launching the year of peace and security, AU Commission Chairman Jean Ping said some conflicts in Africa seemed intractable, citing the political stand-off in Madagascar and sectarian conflicts in Somalia and Sudan.

Ping said the AU was frustrated at the lack of progress in resolving the political stand-off in Madagascar between ousted leader Marc Ravalomanana and coup leader Andry Rajoelina.

Source:Guardian news ng