145 Nigerians, Including 29 Children and Infants, Deported from Libya in Mass Return
A total of 145 Nigerians, including 29 children and 27 infants, have been deported from Benghazi, Libya, highlighting ongoing concerns about the safety and welfare of people involved in irregular migration journeys.
The returnees arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja, Lagos, at about 8:27 p.m. aboard an Al Buraq Airlines flight under the Assisted Voluntary Return Programme, which is facilitated by the International Organization for Migration in collaboration with the Federal Government.
Officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), working with the International Organization for Migration, received the returnees and immediately began coordinated support efforts to ensure their safe arrival and proper care.
According to the Head of NEMA’s Lagos Operations Office, Mohammed Olatunde, the group included 29 children, comprising 13 males and 16 females, as well as 27 infants, with 17 males and 10 females.
He explained that officials of the Nigeria Immigration Service carried out biometric registration and documentation of all returnees upon arrival. This process is aimed at ensuring accurate identification and supporting reintegration efforts within the country.
The returnees were also provided with essential humanitarian assistance, including food, clean drinking water, medical attention, and ambulance services for those who required immediate care. Additional support included counselling services, logistics assistance, and help with luggage handling.
NEMA stated that these coordinated measures were implemented to ensure a safe, dignified, and organized reception process, particularly for vulnerable individuals, including children who may have experienced difficult conditions during their time abroad.
The agency further emphasised the importance of continued reintegration support to help returnees rebuild their lives after their return to Nigeria.
