LAGOS, Nigeria (FN) — The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has received 147 stranded Nigerians repatriated from Libya, marking another phase in the country’s ongoing efforts to assist citizens trapped abroad under harsh conditions.
The returnees arrived at the Cargo Terminal of Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on October 21, 2025, aboard an Air Libya Airlines flight with registration number 5A-BAE. The flight landed at approximately 5:15 p.m., carrying a mix of adults and children.
Among the returnees were 100 adults — 32 men and 68 women — and 34 children, including 18 boys and 16 girls. Many had endured months of hardship in Libya, where they faced detention, trafficking, and abuse while attempting to migrate to Europe through irregular routes.
Officials from NEMA, the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, and other support agencies were on hand to receive the group. Upon arrival, the returnees underwent medical screenings and were provided with food, clothing, and temporary shelter.
The repatriation was facilitated through the Assisted Voluntary Return program coordinated by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and funded by the European Union. The initiative aims to help migrants return home safely and reintegrate into their communities.
NEMA Director-General Zubaida Umar reiterated the agency’s commitment to protecting vulnerable Nigerians abroad. She emphasized the importance of public awareness about the dangers of irregular migration and the need for stronger border control and education.
Many of the returnees shared stories of exploitation and broken promises by traffickers who lured them with false hopes of jobs and better lives in Europe. Some had spent months in overcrowded detention centers before being rescued.
The Nigerian government has pledged to continue working with international partners to ensure the safe return and rehabilitation of its citizens. Reintegration programs, including vocational training and psychosocial support, are being expanded to help returnees rebuild their lives.
This latest operation underscores the persistent challenges of migration in West Africa and the urgent need for coordinated humanitarian responses to protect those most at risk.
