‘Please help our Saskia’

Umar Mukhtar and Natalie Rowe

Heartbroken friends of Saskia Iloba, the star pupil from Falinge who could be forced back to Nigeria, have made an emotional plea to keep her in the UK.

Umar Mukhtar, 17, and Natalie Rowe, 16, fear Saskia, 17, and her family “could be killed” if they are forced back to their homeland, where her policeman father was allegedly murdered.

Saskia believes the "murder" was politically motivated, and that all their lives could be in danger if they were to be sent back.

Natalie Lowe, who has been close friends with Saskia since they began studying at Holy Cross University College, Bury, said: “We will do anything to keep Saskia and her family here; I can’t bear to think about what could happen to them if they are forced on that plane.

“You couldn’t wish for a more genuine, positive, bright girl who deserves a bit of happiness.

“She rarely spoke about her dad’s murder, but I know when they tried to enquire about how he was killed, they began getting death threats.”

Diane Newton, who was Saskia’s teacher at North Manchester High School for Girls said: “I will do everything I can to help with this campaign.

“The Home Office fails to see the danger these wonderful people are in. It is beyond belief.”

On 10 July, The Home Office forcibly removed the family from their home in Falinge, Rochdale, and into a detention centre in Bedfordshire, before trying to force them on a plane just four days later.

Umar Mukhtar told Rochdale Online News how Saskia was due to be the Vice Chairman of the Student Council in September, and had dreams of becoming a doctor.

He added: “She is a credit to the community, and complete asset to this country and to Rochdale. We can't bear to see her go.

“The system is so corrupt, these good people are in great danger and no-one seems to see it.”

 The case is under review following the intervention of Rochdale MP Paul Rowen who asked Immigration Mininster Phil Woolas to use his discretion to stay the deportation.