IMMIGRATION POLICE CARRY OUT FORCED RETURN TO WEST AFRICA

Malta’s Immigration Police have carried out a forced return operation involving a man who was repatriated to a country in West Africa.

The operation took place on Monday, following the man’s arrest at the end of last month during routine inspections conducted by the Immigration Police.

Authorities said the individual had entered Malta irregularly in 2011 and had applied for international protection. However, both his application and subsequent appeal were rejected.

Despite this, the man reportedly failed to cooperate with authorities in order to return voluntarily to his country of origin.

Police were able to detain him once again following coordinated efforts with various third countries in relation to the return of irregular migrants.

Pending the necessary arrangements for his return, the man was held at a detention centre under the responsibility of the Agency for Detention Services.

This marks the seventh forced return operation coordinated by the Immigration Police since the beginning of 2026.

#MaltaDaily