Under the IOM Voluntary Humanitarian Return initiative, the Federal Government and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) have successfully brought 145 Nigerians who were trapped in Libya back to their homeland.
Amb. Kabiru Musa, the Charge d’Affaires of the Nigerian Mission in Libya, made this announcement on Monday.
Musa claimed that because the Nigerians were living in Libya illegally and lacked travel permits, they were being held in a number of detention facilities.
The ambassador stated that following their tough circumstances while in prison, the irregular migrants indicated a desire to return home, and the Federal Government, with the customary support of IOM, evacuated them.
He clarified that the operation is a component of the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to guarantee that no Nigerian national is left to suffer abroad.
According to Musa, the evacuees were scheduled to land at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport on Monday evening after departing from the Mitiga International Airport in Libya on Monday afternoon.
“On leased flight No. UZ 189, 145 Nigerians who were stuck at Mitiga Airport, Libya, were evacuated today. They should arrive at Murtala Muhammed International Airport on Monday evening.
There are 26 men and 119 women among the evacuees.
According to Musa, “they will be welcomed by appropriate organisations that will guarantee their recovery and secure reintegration into society after they arrive.”
Musa declared that under the Voluntary Humanitarian Return programme, the Federal Government and IOM will keep collaborating to bring back Nigerians who are stuck in Libya.
(NAN)
