Iceland Deports Boko Haram Victim From Nigeria - Al Jazeera - Travel

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Iceland Deports Boko Haram Victim From Nigeria - Al Jazeera by LRNZH(op): 5:30am On Jun 20, 2016

World Refugee Day: Meet the Nigerian who was kicked out of Iceland and now remains in limbo in Sweden over deportation.
By Marie-Helene Carleton

https://www.aljazeera.com/mritems/imagecache/mbdxxlarge/mritems/Images/2016/6/12/81debb5fc6df46ffa1090691d640d684_18.jpg
Eze Okafur, 32, lived in Iceland for four years before being deported
[Marie-Helene Carlton/Al Jazeera]

Stockholm, Sweden - As Eze sat in the pews at a church where he goes most mornings to pray, his phone buzzed with a new message. His Icelandic teacher was checking in on him, giving him support.

A calm and composed man, Eze began to cry, the emotion intensifying as he continued to read. His friends in Iceland were standing with him, the message said, they would fight for him.

Eze Okafur, 32, had been living in Iceland for the last four years, working as a cook in a local restaurant, learning Icelandic language, building a community.

"Iceland is my home now. I have contributed to the society here. Many people know me. My friends have become my family," he told Al Jazeera.

Eze fled Nigera after being targeted by Boko Haram. In 2010, he and his younger brother, Okwy, were attacked in retaliation for not joining the armed group. "They tried to recruit me, but I refused."

Members of Boko Haram stormed their house in Maiduguri, Borno State, in northeastern Nigeria. Eze was stabbed in the head and face. Okwy was killed.

https://www.aljazeera.com/mritems/imagecache/mbdresplarge/mritems/Images/2016/6/12/706148bb63cb45bba48a00819e7509aa_18.jpg
Eze's brother was killed by Boko Haram
[Marie-Helene Carlton/Al Jazeera]

Soon after, Eze fled Nigeria and made a long and dangerous boat journey to Europe, where in 2011 he sought asylum in Sweden. He told his story and showed his still fresh and infected wounds, including the gash over his eye, which he feared would cost him his eyesight. He was denied asylum and made his way to Iceland.

He applied for asylum in Iceland in 2012 but was denied.

He has been working with a lawyer, Katrin Theodorsdottir, who then applied for permission for Eze to stay in Iceland on humanitarian grounds, as his case has slowly made its way through the system. Eze said in October he was given temporary residency and could work.

His case in Iceland has hinged on what time limit is relevant to his asylum request, as defined by Article 19 of the Dublin Regulation, which determines which EU member state is responsible for asylum seekers.

Article 19 lays out a timeframe of six months within which an asylum seeker must be sent back to the country where they were originally asking for asylum, otherwise the current country is responsible for processing their asylum case.

After many rejections, appeals and back and forths between various immigration authorities, Theodorsdottir said there was a "twist". A special immigration committee reviewing Eze's case said the time limit to send Eze back to Sweden might have expired, and advised him to go to the immigration office and have his application for asylum processed.

Eze went to the immigration office as instructed to pick up the paperwork, and was told to wait 45 minutes, which he did. According to Theodorsdottir, unbeknownst to him, the police officer was calling the immigration office. And then another twist.

"The police said I should come to sign and all of a sudden they took me into custody. They arrested me. I spent the night in jail," Eze recalled.

"They next morning they said they were deporting me. I said I should go and get my stuff from my house. They said no. They took me to the airport and manhandled me.

"In Iceland, I have been integrated into society, with so many friends. A lot of people know me. So when the police was beating me, when I was arrested, there was a lot of reaction."

Early on May 26, Eze was put handcuffed onto a plane for deportation. Two members of the rights group No Borders Iceland boarded the plane and stood up in protest, asking other passengers to stand up as well to protest Eze's deportation. After about 10 minutes, they were arrested by Iceland's police.

He was taken to Stockholm. At the airport, he thought the Icelandic authorities would give him back the only ID he had - his Nigerian driver's license. They took it back to Iceland. He was handed papers by the Swedish immigration authorities, which gave him until June 1 to leave Sweden or be deported back to Nigeria.

He was also given a piece of paper saying he had no right to financial assistance. Without money or any identification, he was turned out onto the street where he spent the first night.

Boko Haram is an ongoing threat in Nigeria with members and supporters, Eze said, at all levels of government and the police. Several years ago, members of Boko Haram kidnapped his mother in what Eze said was a bid to force him to return to Nigeria. After brutalising her - including an attack to her face that compromised her eyesight - the kidnappers demanded a ransom.

"What I am facing in Nigeria is that this Islamic group is after my life. My life is in danger."

He said he believes that when he lands at the airport in Nigeria he fears he will be apprehended by the police. "Boko Haram has a network. They have been looking for me since then."

Today, Eze is uncertain about his future. His does know one thing for sure. If he were to return to Nigeria, he believes it would mean death for him.

With his friends, he is working hard to find a lawyer who could take his case in Sweden. His dream is to return to his home in Iceland.

Theodorsdottir said there is something the immigration office could do. She has requested that he be granted permission to live in Iceland on humanitarian grounds, a request that is still pending.

Eze said his mother, Celina, taught him how to cook at an early age and it is his passion. He loved working in the restaurant in Iceland and had a good relationship with his boss. He loves to cook Nigerian food. Maybe, he said, once he is back in Iceland, and his life has found balance again, he could pursue a dream. There is no Nigerian restaurant in Iceland.

"Maybe one day, when I am back in Iceland, I could open a restaurant", Eze said, smiling.

"When I was in handcuffs on my way to Sweden, I was pleading with them," Eze said. "I am not a criminal. I did not commit any crime. I am asking for refuge. They should treat me like a human."

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/06/iceland-deports-boko-haram-victim-nigeria-160612104826080.html#

2 Likes 1 Share

Re: Iceland Deports Boko Haram Victim From Nigeria - Al Jazeera by doublewisdom: 5:33am On Jun 20, 2016

Make them leave the guy joor. Many Nigerians are even looking for countries to flee to. Olo.do Buhari has scattered Nigeria.

31 Likes 1 Share

Re: Iceland Deports Boko Haram Victim From Nigeria - Al Jazeera by chriskosherbal(m): 5:34am On Jun 20, 2016

Hmmmm Eze

8 Likes 1 Share

Re: Iceland Deports Boko Haram Victim From Nigeria - Al Jazeera by deadkiss: 5:35am On Jun 20, 2016

Eze? Boko Haram Refuge? which kind imposter be dis nah?

103 Likes 5 Shares

Re: Iceland Deports Boko Haram Victim From Nigeria - Al Jazeera by LRNZH(op): 5:41am On Jun 20, 2016

Eze, Boko Haram Victim....

Guys, think well before you post.
You may destroy Eze's chance with an unguarded comment.

74 Likes 4 Shares

Re: Iceland Deports Boko Haram Victim From Nigeria - Al Jazeera by LRNZH(op): 5:56am On Jun 20, 2016*

doublewisdom:
Make them leave the guy joor. Many Nigerians are even looking for countries to flee to. Olo.do Buhari has scattered Nigeria.

I guess you didn't read the OP.

LRNZH:
Eze fled Nigera after being targeted by Boko Haram. In 2010, he and his younger brother, Okwy, were attacked in retaliation for not joining the armed group. "They tried to recruit me, but I refused."

Members of Boko Haram stormed their house in Maiduguri, Borno State, in northeastern Nigeria. Eze was stabbed in the head and face. Okwy was killed.

Soon after, Eze fled Nigeria and made a long and dangerous boat journey to Europe, where in 2011 he sought asylum in Sweden.

As Buhari's name dey sweet you for mouth so.
Who was Nigeria's President in 2010 and 2011?

Collect sense

135 Likes 8 Shares

Re: Iceland Deports Boko Haram Victim From Nigeria - Al Jazeera by akinszz: 5:56am On Jun 20, 2016*

Omo see format.

30 Likes 1 Share

Re: Iceland Deports Boko Haram Victim From Nigeria - Al Jazeera by DaBullIT(m): 6:04am On Jun 20, 2016

Hehehehe

Eze , Boko haram victim ?? Exactly what came to my mind

bwahahahahahahahaahha

Nothing Nna brosses won't do to get out of Obodo Nigeria

LRNZH:
Eze, Boko Haram Victim....

Guys, think well before you post.
You may destroy Eze's chance with an unguarded comment.

44 Likes 2 Shares

Re: Iceland Deports Boko Haram Victim From Nigeria - Al Jazeera by Nobody: 6:09am On Jun 20, 2016

In 2010, Eze & his younger brother - Okwy were attacked in retaliation for not joining Boko Haram?

This is nothing but a thinly veiled attempt by Eze to hoodwink the Oyinbos into granting him assylum in the guise of being haunted by Boko Haram.

If Boko Haram were to haunt anybody or group for refusing to join their ranks, the Hausas or the Northerners would be at the top of the list.

45 Likes 5 Shares

Re: Iceland Deports Boko Haram Victim From Nigeria - Al Jazeera by SIRTee15: 6:14am On Jun 20, 2016

Nigerians can lie......

27 Likes 1 Share

Re: Iceland Deports Boko Haram Victim From Nigeria - Al Jazeera by Nobody: 6:38am On Jun 20, 2016

Still wondering what this guy did to bh if they are hunting for him.

7 Likes

Re: Iceland Deports Boko Haram Victim From Nigeria - Al Jazeera by calddon(m): 6:43am On Jun 20, 2016*

Oga eze come bk to naija n stop painting Nigeria to the rest of the world as one war torn country like that abi u no get village for east ni?

Moreover

boko haram has been defeated according to oga Lai grin

33 Likes 1 Share

Re: Iceland Deports Boko Haram Victim From Nigeria - Al Jazeera by Nobody: 8:00am On Jun 20, 2016

One may hate Europeans for the contemptible way they treat Africans, but some of them are simply out of this world....People boarded a plane to resist the deportation of a man they didn't know from Adam. Such altruistic gesture is alien to many of us.

38 Likes

Re: Iceland Deports Boko Haram Victim From Nigeria - Al Jazeera by lacord5: 8:34am On Jun 20, 2016

bejeiodus:
One may hate Europeans for the contemptible way they treat Africans, but some of them are simply out of this world....People boarded a plane to resist the deportation of a man they didn't know from Adam. Such altruistic gesture is alien to many of us.

Exactly! Many are here demanding he be deported and insinuating he is telling lies. When can we ever be kind to a fellow country man? There are different tribes in Nigeria affected by Boko Haram. Many who are skeptical because of his name should learn that people from different tribes in Nigeria live in the North and were affected by the menace of Boko Haram. All their killings aren't just Northerners! There are southerners and easterners involved also.

Please let's give this man a break...there is nothing we can do from here for him but since he has friends in Iceland who are helping him, all we can do is stand in solidarity with our countryman. Do not let bad belle get in the way.

Peace!

44 Likes

Re: Iceland Deports Boko Haram Victim From Nigeria - Al Jazeera by CAPSLOCKED: 9:06am On Jun 20, 2016

LOOK AT HIS SORRY FACE LIKE THIS MY GUY.. cheesy

5 Likes

Re: Iceland Deports Boko Haram Victim From Nigeria - Al Jazeera by CAPSLOCKED: 9:09am On Jun 20, 2016

doublewisdom:
Make them leave the guy joor. Many Nigerians are even looking for countries to flee to. Olo.do Buhari has scattered Nigeria.

HE'S NOT EVEN DONE, AND YOU'RE SOUNDING LIKE THIS.

WHEN HE'S DONE WITH US I DON'T THINK ALL THE BRICKLAYERS AND CEMENT IN THE WORLD WILL BE ABLE TO PATCH US BACK cheesy

1 Like 1 Share

Re: Iceland Deports Boko Haram Victim From Nigeria - Al Jazeera by striker9(m): 10:03am On Jun 20, 2016

Italy or Germany would have been better

1 Like

Re: Iceland Deports Boko Haram Victim From Nigeria - Al Jazeera by vedaxcool(m): 11:04am On Jun 20, 2016

bejeiodus:
One may hate Europeans for the contemptible way they treat Africans, but some of them are simply out of this world....People boarded a plane to resist the deportation of a man they didn't know from Adam. Such altruistic gesture is alien to many of us.

True

Re: Iceland Deports Boko Haram Victim From Nigeria - Al Jazeera by oduastates: 11:46am On Jun 20, 2016

They know he is lying.Many of these countries send their immigration officers to Nigeria for training.
The embassy visa queue is the best boot camp in the world

8 Likes

Re: Iceland Deports Boko Haram Victim From Nigeria - Al Jazeera by oduastates: 11:47am On Jun 20, 2016

Many of these countries send their immigration officers to Nigeria for training.
The embassy visa queue is the best boot camp in the world

Re: Iceland Deports Boko Haram Victim From Nigeria - Al Jazeera by rusher14: 12:27pm On Jun 20, 2016

Eze goes to school.

10 Likes 1 Share

Re: Iceland Deports Boko Haram Victim From Nigeria - Al Jazeera by NigerDeltan(m): 12:28pm On Jun 20, 2016

Why

Re: Iceland Deports Boko Haram Victim From Nigeria - Al Jazeera by graphiti: 12:28pm On Jun 20, 2016*

"Iceland is my home now. I
have contributed to the society
here . Many people know me. My
friends have become my
family,"

..... This pipo sef are ungrateful!

Ahn-ahn! Somborri comes to develop ur barren land and u dare treat him like ds?!

Infact.......

18 Likes 1 Share

Re: Iceland Deports Boko Haram Victim From Nigeria - Al Jazeera by bqlekan(m): 12:31pm On Jun 20, 2016*

Many questions begging for answers....
Fled Nigeria because of Boko Haram?
Was he involved with them directly? How?
When did Boko Haram start kidnapping and asking for ransom?
Why you Mr Eze?
How did you manage to get to Iceland? For someone who can't pay his kidnapped mother's ransome (forget the boat story)
Why would you just abandon your mum there?

Just curious tho..

10 Likes