A total of 148 vulnerable Nigerians stranded in Libya have been successfully repatriated to the country. The returnees, who arrived on Tuesday, included 124 adult women, 13 adult men, five children, and three infants.
Officials from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Lagos Territorial Office, alongside other stakeholders, received them upon their arrival at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.
Confirming the development, NEMA announced on X (formerly Twitter), stating:
“NEMA Lagos Territorial Office officials, along with other stakeholders, received another batch of 148 Nigerian returnees from Libya today, Tuesday, 11th February 2025.
“The returnees arrived at Murtala Muhammed International Airport Cargo at 17:35 hours aboard a Boeing chartered flight with registration number 5A-BAA.”
The agency further disclosed that the returnees received assistance from the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) with support from NEMA, the Nigerian Immigration Service, the Nigerian Police Force, and other relevant agencies.
“They were offered necessary assistance by IOM with the support of NEMA, NCFRMI, Nigeria Immigration Service, DSS, Port Health, and the Nigeria Police Force.
“After undergoing the mandatory profiling and biometric exercise, the returnees were moved for further reintegration programs spearheaded by IOM,” the statement added.
Over the years, many Nigerians who migrated to Libya in search of better opportunities have faced severe human rights abuses, including kidnappings, sexual exploitation, and forced labor. Reports of violence, human trafficking, and extortion have also been rampant, prompting continuous efforts to repatriate affected individuals.
