The Federal Government of Nigeria has successfully repatriated 180 Nigerian migrants who were stranded in Niamey, Niger Republic. The returnees arrived at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano, on Tuesday at approximately 11:20 a.m.
The repatriation, facilitated by the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) in collaboration with other stakeholders, marks the fourth batch of voluntary returns from Niger Republic since 2024. This brings the total number of repatriated Nigerians to 1,272.
Breakdown of Returnees
The latest group includes:86 adult males, 40 adult females, 25 male children, 29 female children
Addressing the returnees at the Immigration Training School in Kano, NCFRMI Federal Commissioner, Hon. Tijjani Ahmed, reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring their reintegration into society.
Represented by the commission’s state field coordinator, Hajia Lubah Liman, Ahmed assured the returnees that they would benefit from various empowerment programs under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda.”
Upon arrival, officials of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) registered and profiled the returnees for proper documentation.
Ahmed praised the seamless collaboration among various agencies, emphasizing the importance of a coordinated response in addressing migration challenges.
Stakeholders Involved in the Repatriation Effort
The operation was carried out with the support of multiple agencies, including:
Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), International Organisation for Migration (IOM), National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS), Kano State Ministry of Youth and Sports, Kano State Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster and Poverty Reduction, State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA)
The repatriation exercise reflects the Nigerian government’s ongoing efforts to support citizens stranded abroad and ensure their smooth reintegration into their communities.
