One Hundred Eighty-Two Nigerian Nationals Repatriated from Libya Via Joint Efforts of IOM and Federal Government

A total of 182 Nigerian migrants, including two unaccompanied children, have been repatriated to their home country through a joint effort by the International Organization for Migration and the Federal Government, arriving at Lagos' Murtala Muhammed International Airport at 8:24 pm on Tuesday via an aircraft marked Buraq.

n

The group consisted of 153 adults, comprising 108 females and 45 males, in addition to the two unaccompanied children, and were returned under the Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration programme, which is funded by the European Union in collaboration with the Nigerian Government and other stakeholders.

n

According to Ali Ibrahim, Head of IOM's Lagos Sub-Office, approximately 50 of the 182 returnees were directly transferred from detention centers, while the remaining individuals came from cities surrounding Benghazi and Libya, having traveled from Benghazi on a chartered flight.

n

Ibrahim noted that the 182 Nigerians had endured difficult journeys along migration routes, with many having left in search of opportunities only to face hardship, uncertainty, and exploitation, but now have the chance to recover with the support of the IOM and its partners.

n

The returnees received essential support upon arrival, including reception services, health screenings, and counseling, and those eligible can also access reintegration assistance to help them rebuild their lives, which may include skills training, small business support, and psychosocial care.

n

Over the past decade, more than 65,700 Nigerians have been safely repatriated, with over 52,200 receiving reintegration support, demonstrating the importance of collaboration and support in enabling returnees to recover, rebuild, and move forward with dignity.