LAGOS/Nigeria: The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), has received 100 Nigerian returnees from Algeria under the Assisted Voluntary Return programme.
The returnees arrived in Lagos at about 2:40 p.m. aboard an Air Algerie flight, marking another phase of coordinated efforts by the Federal Government and its international partners to manage migration and support citizens returning home.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Thursday by the Head of NEMA Lagos Operations, Mr. Mohammed Olatunde, who confirmed that the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) also played a key role in the reception process.
Olatunde explained that the returnees were brought back under the Assisted Voluntary Return initiative facilitated by IOM in partnership with the Federal Government and NCFRMI, aimed at ensuring safe and dignified return of stranded Nigerians.
Upon arrival, officials of the Nigeria Immigration Service conducted biometric registration and documentation of the returnees to ensure proper identification and data capture as part of reintegration planning.
He noted that the exercise was critical in enabling authorities to provide structured support and monitor the reintegration of the returnees into their respective communities.
The agency further disclosed that the returnees were provided with immediate humanitarian assistance, including food, water, and medical care, to stabilise them after their journey.
In addition, NEMA said it offered logistics support, counselling services, and coordinated assistance to ensure a seamless reception and transition process.
The latest repatriation underscores ongoing efforts by Nigerian authorities and international partners to address irregular migration challenges while prioritising the welfare and reintegration of affected citizens.
