A total of 156 Nigerians, who had been stranded in Libya, have successfully returned to Nigeria. This repatriation effort was led by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
The group of returnees arrived at Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport on an Al-Buraq Airline flight at approximately 7:15 p.m. on Tuesday, December 3.
The group consisted of 77 adult males, 67 adult females, 7 children, and 5 infants, all of whom had endured difficult circumstances while in Libya. The Nigerian authorities, including the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), took immediate steps to ensure their safe arrival. Upon disembarkation, the NIS conducted biometric profiling of all returnees to verify their identities and records.
In addition to NEMA and IOM, a range of stakeholders, including the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and the Nigerian Police Force, worked together to provide essential support to the returnees. These agencies played a crucial role in ensuring the safety, well-being, and security of the returnees throughout the repatriation process.
The successful repatriation is part of ongoing efforts by the Nigerian government to assist citizens who have fallen victim to human trafficking, exploitation, or other forms of hardship abroad. Many of the returnees had reportedly been trapped in difficult conditions in Libya, with some having attempted to migrate in search of better opportunities. NEMA and IOM have emphasized the importance of continued collaboration to support the safe return and reintegration of Nigerian citizens who have faced such challenges abroad.
This repatriation also highlights the ongoing efforts to combat illegal migration and trafficking networks, with Nigerian authorities committed to providing the necessary support and services to reintegrate returnees into society. Authorities have reassured the public that efforts to provide adequate support and opportunities for these individuals will continue, ensuring that they are provided with the necessary resources to rebuild their lives.
