Five students detained in north Cyprus for overstaying visas pending deportation

Gönyeli, Cyprus – July 20, 2025 — Five individuals found to be residing illegally in Northern Cyprus have been remanded in custody as deportation procedures are underway, following a court order issued in Gönyeli.

The individuals, DEO, ECO, CNO, MIE, and EPE, all Nigerian nationals were brought before the court for the second time on Monday July 21 after authorities confirmed they had overstayed their legal residency periods by between 230 and 1,502 days.

During the court hearing, the police provided testimony outlining the circumstances of their arrest. 

On July 17, 2025, officers from the Anti-Narcotics and Smuggling Directorate executed a court-authorized search of an apartment located on Ziya Gökalp Street in Gönyeli. During the operation, officers identified the five suspects residing in the unit and conducted immigration checks.

The investigation revealed that; DEO has been living illegally in the country for 1,502 days since June 7, 2021. ECO for 1,125 days since June 19, 2022, CNO for 230 days since November 29, 2024, MIE, since 596 days since November 29, 2023 and EPE since 1,199 days since April 4, 2022.

All five were initially remanded for three days on July 18. Police noted that during this time, necessary correspondence was initiated with the relevant authorities to facilitate their deportation, and responses are currently pending.

Stating that the investigation has been completed, police requested an extension of the detention period. 

After reviewing the evidence presented, the judge ordered that the suspects remain in custody for an additional four days while deportation procedures continue.