On Friday, June 28, 2024, 103 Nigerian citizens arrived at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja after being deported from Turkey.
The group arrived on a Southwind Airlines flight, registration number TC-GRB, landing at the pilgrims’ wing of the airport at approximately 6:45 pm.
Upon arrival, they were received by various government agencies, including the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), and military personnel.
The specific reasons for their deportation remain unclear. However, many of the deportees expressed grievances, claiming they had been unfairly treated by Turkish authorities. They reported being detained for over 11 months before their deportation.
The deportees have called on the Nigerian government to intervene on their behalf and help recover their belongings left behind in Turkey.
