A total of 140 Nigerians who had been stranded in Sudan for months have returned home through the assistance of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) under its Voluntary Humanitarian Return (VHR) program.
In a statement on Friday, the IOM disclosed that a chartered flight—the first since the onset of the Sudan crisis—arrived at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport on February 27. Nigerian government officials were on hand to receive the returnees, including 64 women, 36 children, and four infants under 12 months old, as well as individuals with health conditions.
Following their arrival, the migrants received post-arrival assistance, including medical attention, counseling, and mental health support where necessary. They were also provided with transportation assistance to their respective destinations, while IOM and its partners will ensure further reintegration support based on individual needs.
Recalling the hardship they endured in Sudan, one of the returnees, Bashir, described the experience as dire. “After the war, we found ourselves out in the open with no accommodation and no food. Things kept getting tougher, and the problem was that there was no hope because the war kept going on. We are grateful to be back home,” he said.
Since the outbreak of war in Sudan in 2023, over 12 million people have been displaced, with many forced to flee to other parts of the country or seek refuge in neighboring nations. Among them were migrants, including students and professionals who had made Sudan their home.
The IOM emphasized that many stranded migrants in Sudan have lost their belongings, homes, and identification documents, leaving them vulnerable amid the worsening humanitarian crisis. According to Mohamed Refaat, IOM Sudan’s Chief of Mission, the VHR program remains a critical solution for migrants who wish to return home but lack the financial means.
The repatriation effort was coordinated with authorities in Sudan and Nigeria, including the Nigerian Embassy in Sudan, the Sudanese Ministry of Interior, the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons, and the Nigeria Immigration Service, among others.
Ms. Paola Pace, Acting Chief of Mission for IOM Nigeria, commended the collaboration that facilitated the return. “We are happy to see the positive results of partnerships and cooperation in saving lives. IOM remains committed and will continue to work tirelessly to extend support to all migrants and ensure no one is left behind,” she stated.
The IOM noted that the VHR flight was made possible with support from the European Union through the Migrant Protection, Return, and Reintegration Programme for Sub-Saharan Africa.
