Canada to deport Nigerian family despite Boko Haram threat claims

A Nigerian family facing deportation from Canada has lost their final legal bid to remain in the country, despite claims that Boko Haram targeted them for religious conversion.

Adeniyi Muftau Gbadamosi, his wife Olabisi Sherifat, and their sons Olamilekan Malik and Olamiposi Shuaib had sought to halt their removal, arguing they would face imminent danger if returned to Nigeria.

However, Federal Court Justice Roger Lafrenière dismissed their application last Friday, paving the way for their deportation scheduled for August 19, 2025, at 5:10 p.m.

The Gbadamosis fled Nigeria in 2018, with Mr. Gbadamosi stating he was targeted by Boko Haram after converting from Islam to Christianity and openly criticizing the extremist group.

In sworn statements, he detailed how militants attacked their Southern Nigerian home, killed their family cat, and attempted to kidnap one of his sons. He also accused Nigerian police of failing to act when the incidents were reported.

Initially seeking asylum in the United States in December 2018, the family missed their interviews and later crossed into Canada in July 2019 to apply for refugee protection. However, Canadian authorities deemed them ineligible for refugee status because of their prior U.S. asylum claim.

They then filed a *Pre-Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA), presenting new evidence of threats, but their application was denied on March 31, 2025. Officials argued the family could safely relocate to Port Harcourt, a city in southern Nigeria where Boko Haram has minimal influence.

Justice Lafrenière upheld this conclusion, stating there was no “serious issue” with the PRRA officer’s decision. He noted that Boko Haram’s ability to track individuals is largely confined to northern Nigeria, and the applicants failed to prove otherwise.

“Their argument amounts to a disagreement with the weighing of the evidence,” Lafrenière wrote.

The family also cited Olabisi’s mental health, claiming her *major depressive disorder with psychotic features* would worsen if deported. However, the judge ruled that psychological distress tied to removal does not meet the legal threshold for irreparable harm. He criticized the medical documentation provided, describing it as “paltry, undated, and lacking detail.”

Additionally, the court dismissed the argument that their pending humanitarian and compassionate (H&C) application should delay deportation, noting such applications can proceed even after removal.

Unless another court intervenes, the Gbadamosis are expected to return to Nigeria today. Canadian authorities recommended they establish a home in Port Harcourt rather than continue fleeing Boko Haram in northern regions.