The Federal Government of Nigeria has successfully evacuated 138 Nigerian irregular migrants who were stranded in various parts of Libya.
The Nigerian Mission in Libya facilitated the evacuation and carried it out “as part of the government’s commitment to repatriating citizens facing challenges abroad.”
According to Amb. Kabiru Musa, the Chargé d’affaires En Titre of the Nigerian Mission in Libya, the evacuees departed from the Mitiga International Airport in Libya aboard chartered flight UZ 189.
He further stated: “They are expected to arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos later on the same day.
“The group of evacuees comprises 77 males, 56 females, 11 children, and four infants. This marks the fourth evacuation exercise conducted by the Nigerian Mission in Libya in 2024, bringing the total number of repatriated Nigerians to nearly one thousand for the year.
“The evacuation efforts were carried out in collaboration with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in Libya under its Voluntary Humanitarian Repatriation (VHR) programme.
“Additionally, we worked closely with Libyan authorities to facilitate the release and repatriation of individuals detained for immigration-related offences.”
Amb. Musa emphasized the dangers of irregular migration and urged young Nigerians to refrain from embarking on dangerous journeys in search of greener pastures.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to providing necessary consular assistance and ensuring the rehabilitation and reintegration of returning migrants into society.
News.ng had earlier reported that a total of 14,917 Nigerians, comprising individuals from Africa and Europe, have voluntarily returned to Nigeria between 2021 and 2023, according to data from the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).
The figures were obtained from the International Organisation for Migration’s Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration programme.
The data includes more than 1,000 Nigerians who received protection and reintegration support through the Cooperation on Migration and Partnership for Sustainable Solutions initiative.