Another group of 182 Nigerians returned from Libya

Another group of 182 Nigerians stranded in Libya returned to the country on Tuesday evening.

The returnees arrived at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on a Buraq Airline chartered flight at 20:15 and were received by officials of the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

The migrants, consisting of women and children, are voluntary returnees from Libya.

In a conversation with journalists at the airport, IOM Subhead in Lagos, Ali Ali Ibrahim, said the majority of the migrants came from detention camps in Benghazi, Libya.

He said: “We are here tonight to welcome home 180 Nigerian migrants from Libya after a difficult journey along the migration route.

“Many go looking for opportunities, but instead face hardship, uncertainty and, for some, exploitation.

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“Today there is relief, but the return is only the first step.

“Working with the Nigerian Government and with support from the European Union, IOM is helping them get back on track to recovery.

“The returnees consisted of 108 adult women and 45 adult men, bringing the total number of adults to 153 people.

The flight also carried 17 children, consisting of seven girls and 10 boys, as well as 12 babies, including eight girls and four boys.

“In total, there were 123 women and 59 men, for a total of 182 people returning on the flight.”

Ibrahim revealed that the two people who returned were unaccompanied children who returned without parents or guardians.

“Upon arrival, returnees receive reception support, health checks and counselling.

“ Those who qualify can also access reintegration assistance to help them rebuild their lives.

“Support can include skills training, small business support and psychosocial care.

“Over nearly a decade, more than 65,700 Nigerians have returned safely and more than 52,200 have received reintegration support.

“The most important thing is; with the right support and strong partnerships, return can be a real opportunity to recover, rebuild and move forward with dignity,” added the IOM official.

More than 5,000 Nigerians stranded in the North African country have been evacuated under the voluntary returnee program implemented by the Federal Government and IOM in the last three years.