The United Kingdom and Nigeria have signed an agreement that will see the African nation receive deported criminals.

UK Home secretary Priti Patel confirmed she had signed off on the major deal last night describing the move as a “landmark agreement”.

An estimated 9,815 foreign criminals reside in UK prisons.

The first batch of deportees left the UK for Nigeria and Ghana last Thursday. According to Forbes, 13 Nigerians were deported alongside eight Ghanaians.

“The UK only ever returns individuals to their country of origin when the Home Office and, where applicable, the courts deem it is safe to do so. All asylum and human rights claims are carefully considered in accordance with our international obligations. Each individual assessment is made against the background of relevant case law and the latest country information,” a Home Office spokesperson told Forbes.

A main fixture of the governments post-Brexit ‘New Plan for Immigration’, the Home Office has secured similar deals with other nations including Serbia, Albania and India.