A total of 203 vulnerable Nigerians stranded in Libya have been successfully repatriated and received in Lagos by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other stakeholders.
The returnees arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Cargo Terminal, Ikeja, at about 7:00 p.m. on Monday aboard a chartered Al Buraq Boeing aircraft with registration number 5A-BAC.
The group comprised 50 adult males, 96 adult females, 29 children, and 28 infants.
Their return was facilitated by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) under its voluntary humanitarian repatriation programme, in collaboration with Nigerian authorities including NEMA, the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), Nigeria Immigration Service, Department of State Services (DSS), Port Health Services, and the Nigeria Police Force.
NEMA, in a statement on Tuesday, confirmed that two of the returnees required urgent medical attention and were immediately transported to New Ikeja Hospital for treatment.
Upon arrival, all returnees underwent mandatory profiling and biometric registration before being moved to the Igando IDPs Resettlement Centre, where they will participate in a reintegration programme aimed at helping them rebuild their lives.
“The returnees comprised 50 males, 96 females, 29 children and 28 infants. They (returnees) were offered necessary assistance by IOM with the support of NEMA, NCFRMI, Nigeria Immigration, DSS, Port Health and the Nigeria Police Force.
“There were 2 medical cases, and the patients were transferred to New Ikeja Hospitals for treatment.
“After the mandatory profiling and biometric exercise, the returnees were moved to the Igando IDPs resettlement centre for further reintegration programmes,” NEMA stated.
The repatriation exercise is part of ongoing efforts to assist Nigerian citizens facing difficult conditions in the North African country and ensure their safe return home.
