An asylum seeker with severe mental illness who starved himself for three months in protest against deportation has been returned to Nigeria.
A flight carrying Isa Muazu left the UK on Tuesday and has arrived in Lagos.
Mr Muazu, 45, argued he could be killed by Islamist militants in Nigeria, but the Court of Appeal and an immigration tribunal refused to block his removal.
Immigration minister Mark Harper said Mr Muazu had "no right" to be in the UK and had been "successfully removed".
Mr Muazu's lawyer said his client was being taken to hospital following his arrival in Nigeria.
Mr Harper said Mr Muazu had overstayed his visa by more than five years before claiming asylum, and he was "not found to have a genuine need of protection".
'Disturbed beliefs'
"Halting the removal of Mr Muazu because of his protest would undermine our asylum and immigration system - and provide a dangerous incentive for others to follow suit," he said.
He said Mr Muazu had been offered "appropriate" medical assistance and the UK would cover the cost of an assessment in Nigeria.
Mr Muazu was held in the medical wing at Harmondsworth detention centre in west London.
A psychiatrist found his "disturbed beliefs" formed part of a severe mental illness which led him to refuse food.
A previous attempt to deport him failed when a plane carrying him was refused permission to land in Nigeria.
[tps_title]Isa Muazu loses asylum legal battle after starving self[/tps_title]
A Nigerian asylum seeker who starved himself for three months has lost his legal bid to stay in the UK.
Isa Muazu, 45, who is being held at Harmondsworth detention centre, had argued that he could be killed by Islamist militants if he was sent back.
But an immigration tribunal ruled that he would be protected by the police, army and legal system in Nigeria.
The Home Office has arranged to return him on Tuesday night. The last flight he was on had to return to Britain.
Mr Muazu is being held in the medical wing at Harmondsworth, in west London.
A psychiatrist found his "disturbed beliefs" formed part of a severe mental illness which led him to refuse food.
Legal documents submitted to the Upper Immigration Tribunal in central London said he had a severe psychiatric disorder which he "was not fabricating".
Consultant psychiatrist Dr David Bell said Mr Muazu's "self-starvation" arose from "disturbed beliefs" that formed part of his mental disorder.
The doctor, who was instructed by the Nigerian's lawyers, said it should not be described as a "hunger strike".
According to the legal papers, another expert said Mr Muazu's mental illness would be perceived as "witchcraft...with the threat of violence" in parts of Nigeria.
Flight sent back
But the tribunal said he would be able to access Nigeria's medical services, and pointed out that Home Secretary Theresa May had offered to provide facilities to take him to hospital and meet the "reasonable costs" of health care.
Mr Muazu's lawyers told the tribunal it would ask the Court of Appeal to review the decision - an application is expected to be made later.
They launched a fresh appeal to the tribunal last week after a specially-chartered flight with Mr Muazu on board was refused landing rights in Nigeria and sent back to the UK.
At the time of the failed deportation a member of the House of Lords said a doctor had judged him "too ill to fly".
Mr Muazu began refusing food in September, arguing his asylum claim "was not treated fairly".
[tps_title]Harmondsworth Detention Centre: A life inside[/tps_title]
What's life like inside Harmondsworth Detention Centre? After a death and disturbances, insiders say they are not surprised at what has happened.
Harmondsworth's centre is not a happy place - an institution which deals with deporting people is unlikely to ever be so.But in the nine months since the prison's watchdog criticised the west London immigration detention centre, there have been growing concerns among refugee communities about what goes on behind its walls.
The Metropolitan Police have confirmed to the BBC that earlier this year they arrested and interviewed five members of staff after an allegation of assault against a Turkish detainee.
Police say the five have been bailed to return to a west London police station pending further inquiries.
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