The International Organization for Migration (IOM), in collaboration with the Lagos Territorial Office of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), has successfully repatriated 180 Nigerians who were stranded in Libya. The returnees arrived at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at around 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, aboard a charter flight operated by Al-Buraq Airlines.
In a statement released on Friday, October 4, 2024, NEMA provided a breakdown of the returnees, which included 67 adult females, 55 adult males, 24 female children, 18 male children, and 16 infants. Upon arrival, the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) conducted a biometric profiling of all the returnees to ensure proper documentation and identification.
The statement also highlighted that various government agencies were on hand to provide humanitarian support, aimed at aiding the smooth reintegration of the returnees into society. NEMA commended the ongoing efforts of the IOM in helping Nigerians stranded abroad, noting that this latest evacuation is a reflection of the organisation’s commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of migrants.
“The IOM continues to play a crucial role in assisting Nigerians stranded abroad, and this latest evacuation underscores the organisation’s commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of migrants,” NEMA’s statement added.
