Mum makes appeal for her five-year-old son to remain in UK, hours before deportation to Africa.

A mum last night made a heartbreaking appeal for her son to be allowed to stay in the UK, hours before he is due to be deported to Africa.

Little Rafeeq Atanda would “not be safe” if he was sent to Nigeria - a country he has never lived in - said his devastated mum.

The five-year-old and his mother, Bola Fatumbi, from Gateshead, were last night being held in an immigration centre in London ahead of their scheduled deportation late last night.

Speaking from the centre, Bola told the Evening Chronicle: “I feel safe in Gateshead, but we have no one in Nigeria."

“Rafeeq was born here, he goes to school here and is doing well, it is so very hard for us."

“There are so many kidnappings and frightening things with Boko Haram happening in Nigeria, it would not be safe.”

Fighting back tears, Bola, 30, told how she had first come to the UK following the death of her parents, brothers and sisters in a car tragedy in Nigeria in 1997.

She said: “It was so hard but I thought I’d have a better life here and we have made a lot of friends in Gateshead.”

Gateshead MP Ian Mearns has now asked the Home Office to urgently reconsider their decision to deport the little boy.

Despite being born in the UK, Rafeeq faces being removed from the UK with Bola.

The Chronicle understand Mr Mearns contacted the Home Office on Wednesday, requesting a barrier be placed on the planned deportation, citing concerns over Rafeeq’s health.

Now, Mr Mearns is asking for an “urgent reconsideration of the case”.

He said: “I understand that the family are desperately trying to put together the evidence to submit a fresh application to remain. Surely time should be given for that application to be made and considered.”

More than 5,500 people have now added their names to a petition launched earlier this week asking for the Government to reconsider deporting the little boy.

Family friend Kath Hayward, who started the petition, said: “We’ve had so many people sign up since Wednesday. We are only hoping this will now do some good.

“We would urge more people to get involved."

“We have heard from Bola’s solicitor and everything that can be done to help, is now being done.”