Nigeria rescues over 1,200 citizens from Niger unrest

The Federal Government has successfully evacuated a total of 1,230 stranded Nigerians from the Republic of Niger, a move that reaffirms its commitment to protecting the welfare of citizens abroad, particularly in the face of ongoing political instability and security concerns in the country.

This evacuation effort was carried out in collaboration with relevant national and international partners, with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) providing crucial logistical and technical support to ensure a smooth process, and was conducted in two batches.

The first batch of 708 returnees arrived on March 23, 2026, while the second batch of 522 returnees arrived on March 29, 2026, according to a press statement signed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, on Wednesday.

The operation reflects Nigeria's continued engagement with global partners in addressing migration challenges in a humane and orderly manner, and was facilitated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with relevant national and international partners.

Upon arrival in Kano, the returnees were received by a multi-agency team, comprising officials from the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, and other agencies.

The National Emergency Management Agency, the Nigeria Immigration Service, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps were also part of the multi-agency team that received the returnees, ensuring a smooth reception and processing of the evacuees.

Other agencies present included the Kano State Emergency Management Agency, the International Committee of the Red Cross, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, as well as officials of the Kano and Katsina State Governments.

Following their arrival, the returnees underwent profiling at the airport to ensure proper documentation and to support reintegration efforts, and were subsequently transported to the Immigration Training School, Kano, where they were provided with temporary accommodation.

During their stay at the facility, the evacuees received essential support, including meals, sanitary supplies, and basic medical care where necessary, to facilitate their reintegration into society.

After the completion of all procedures, the returnees were discharged and reunited with their families, marking a successful conclusion to the evacuation exercise.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the evacuees were safely discharged and reunited with their respective families upon completion of the necessary processes, reflecting the Government's emphasis on evacuation, humane treatment, and reintegration of returning citizens.

The evacuation exercise is part of the Federal Government's broader responsibility to safeguard Nigerians wherever they may be, and demonstrates Nigeria's proactive approach in responding to emerging situations that may pose risks to its citizens abroad.

The Ministry remains vigilant and continues to monitor developments in the region while engaging diplomatically with relevant authorities to ensure the continued safety of Nigerians, and noted that the exercise highlights the Federal Government's broader responsibility to safeguard Nigerians wherever they reside.

The Government appreciated the Republic of Niger for its cooperation during the evacuation process, describing the support as a reflection of the strong bilateral relations between both countries and their shared commitment to humanitarian principles.

The Ministry further commended international partners, particularly the IOM and the International Committee of the Red Cross, for their contributions to the success of the operation, noting that such partnerships are vital in addressing migration and humanitarian issues.

The Ministry advised Nigerians living abroad to remain law-abiding and respect the laws of their host countries, and urged them to maintain regular contact with Nigerian diplomatic missions and to register with the nearest embassy or consulate for timely assistance in emergencies.