Nigeria repatriated seven North Koreans on Wednesday, the country’s immigration service (NIS) said, with the men now barred from returning to the country for life.

The reason for the deportation order, reportedly handed down from the country’s interior minister Rauf Aregbesola, is unclear.

“The comptroller general, NIS, Mr Muhammad Babandede, has carried out the deportation of seven DPRK nationals from Nigeria for life,” NIS public affairs officer Sunday James said in a statement carried by multiple local outlets.

They have been named as Jo Sun Phil, Jang Sung Chol, Che Chun Hyok, Pak Yong Gon, Ri Yong Il, Ri Hak Su,