At least 522 Nigerians stranded in Niamey, Niger Republic, have safely returned home as part of an ongoing voluntary repatriation effort by the Federal Government.
The returnees arrived on Sunday at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano aboard 12 luxury buses, where they were received by officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for profiling and assistance.
Speaking after their arrival, the Head of Operations at NEMA’s Kano office, Nura Abdullahi, clarified that the exercise was voluntary and not a forced evacuation. He explained that the operation was coordinated by the Federal Government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
According to him, the group included 267 adult men, 101 adult women, 82 boys, and 72 girls, drawn from states such as Kano, Jigawa, Plateau, and Bauchi.
Abdullahi noted that adequate arrangements had been made to support the returnees. Medical teams, including personnel from the Nigerian Red Cross, were on ground to attend to those with health challenges, while a mobile intensive care unit was also deployed.
He added that many of the returnees had embarked on the journey in search of better economic opportunities, often aiming for countries like Libya and Algeria, but were forced to turn back due to safety concerns.
The returnees were provided with food, blankets, mosquito nets, and dignity kits containing essential items such as toiletries and sanitary products. Temporary shelter has also been arranged pending their relocation to their respective states after proper documentation.
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A representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Magaji Umar, commended the government’s efforts, describing the operation as part of Nigeria’s commitment to protecting its citizens abroad and managing migration responsibly.
He added that the repatriation was made possible through collaboration between government agencies, Nigerian missions, and international partners, including the International Organisation for Migration.
Authorities have also advised Nigerians to avoid risking their lives through unsafe migration routes, stressing that opportunities at home should not be overlooked.
