NEMA Receives 150 Stranded Nigerians from Niger Republic
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has announced the successful repatriation of 150 stranded Nigerians from the Niger Republic, marking another effort by the Federal Government to assist citizens facing hardship abroad.
The returnees, consisting of 98 males, 33 females, and 19 children, arrived at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, aboard a chartered flight operated by SKY MALI Airlines.
According to a statement by NEMA’s Zonal Coordinator, Territorial Office Kano, Dr. Nuradeen Abdullahi, the returnees were received on behalf of the Federal Government in collaboration with officials from the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), and the Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS).
Voluntary Repatriation
Dr. Abdullahi explained that the repatriation was facilitated under the International Organization for Migration’s (IOM) Voluntary Repatriation Programme, which assists stranded migrants across the Sahel and North Africa to return home safely.
“The 150 returnees were stranded in Niger Republic due to irregular migration challenges. They were brought back under IOM’s voluntary return programme supported by the European Union,” he said.
He added that most of the returnees were young Nigerians who had left the country in search of greener pastures but ended up in dire conditions, including exploitation, joblessness, and lack of documentation.
Reintegration Support
Upon arrival, the returnees were screened, profiled, and provided with medical checkups, food, and basic relief materials. NEMA said arrangements are ongoing to assist them with psychosocial support and reintegration into their various communities.
“They will be trained in vocational skills and empowered to start small businesses to discourage repeated irregular migration,” Dr. Abdullahi noted.
Humanitarian Commitment
He commended the efforts of international partners, adding that the Nigerian government remains committed to protecting citizens abroad and addressing irregular migration through job creation and youth empowerment programmes.
Since 2017, over 22,000 Nigerians have been repatriated from Libya, Mali, Niger, and other countries under similar humanitarian initiatives coordinated by NEMA and IOM.
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