A Nigerian woman who fled Africa over fears for her safety has been told she will be "forcibly removed" from the UK tonight.
Jumoke Adediwura and her two young daughters were taken from their home in Linley Grove, Kings Heath, Birmingham, to the Yarl's Wood Immigration Removal Centre in Bedford during the early hours of last Wednesday.
According to her friend Holly Nolan, she will be forced to take a British Airways flight back to Nigeria at 10pm today. Ms Nolan said Ms Adediwura had been living in Birmingham for four years after fleeing her village because of ongoing violence.
Keen to integrate in the community, she began an English course and was determined to support her family by getting a job, she said.
Both of her daughters, aged two and three, were born in the city and attended a local nursery.
Ms Nolan added her eldest daughter had special needs and Ms Adediwura had often raised fears of the girl being murdered if they ever returned because of the views of some extreme Christians who thought disability was a punishment from God.
As a result, the terrified mother has vowed to leave her children behind in a bid to ensure their safety.
To help prevent Ms Adediwura from deportation, her other friends have set up a website on Myspace. She has attracted support from UB40, Sting, Benjamin Zephaniah, Pato Banton and X Factor's Rowetta.
Ms Nolan said: "All we can do is try to stop our friend been deported to a country that her children don't know - a way of life that is alien to them."
Yesterday MP Steve McCabe (Lab Hall Green) said he had been in contact with the Immigration Minister Liam Byrne and the relevant authorities.
"I have asked for written confirmation and for assurances about what is happening with her children and I have asked that these issues be resolved," he added.
