LAGOS/Nigeria: The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), in partnership with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), on Monday received 170 Nigerians who voluntarily returned from Libya after being stranded in the North African country.
The returnees touched down at the Cargo Terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, aboard Air Buraq Airlines flight 5A-BAG at about 3:36 p.m. under the Assisted Voluntary Return programme coordinated by the IOM and the Federal Government.
Confirming the development, the Head of NEMA Lagos Operations Office, Mr. Mohammed Olatunde, said the exercise was conducted in collaboration with the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons.
He explained that the initiative was part of ongoing efforts to ensure the safe, humane and dignified return of Nigerians facing difficult conditions abroad, particularly in conflict-prone and unstable regions.
According to Olatunde, the 170 returnees comprised 163 adults, including 129 males and 34 females.
He added that seven children and two infants were also among those repatriated from Tripoli, Libya.
The NEMA official disclosed that one of the male returnees arrived with a medical condition and was immediately attended to by health officials on ground.
He further stated that personnel of the Nigeria Immigration Service carried out biometric registration and proper documentation of the returnees upon arrival at the airport.
Olatunde said the returnees were provided with immediate humanitarian assistance, including food, clean drinking water, medical support and psychosocial counselling to help them cope with the trauma associated with their experiences abroad.
He also noted that ambulance services, luggage support and other logistics arrangements were put in place to ensure a smooth reception process and facilitate their reintegration into society.
The Assisted Voluntary Return programme, supported by the IOM and relevant Nigerian government agencies, has continued to provide stranded Nigerians abroad with opportunities to safely return home and rebuild their lives.
