IOM Repatriates 180 Nigerian Migrants From Libya To Lagos

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has received 180 Nigerian migrants, including women and children, repatriated from Libya.

The returnees arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Tuesday evening aboard a chartered Buraq Airline flight, landing at the Pilgrims and Cargo Terminal at about 8:15 p.m.

Speaking at the airport, the IOM sub-head in Lagos, Ali Ali Ibrahim, said most of the migrants were evacuated from detention camps in Benghazi after enduring difficult migration experiences.

“Many left in search of opportunity, but instead faced hardship, uncertainty and, for some, exploitation. Today, there is relief, but return is only the first step,” Ibrahim said.

He noted that the returnees comprised 108 adult females and 45 adult males, as well as 17 children and 12 infants.

According to him, the agency, in collaboration with the Federal Government and with support from the European Union, is providing immediate assistance, including health screening, counselling and reintegration support.

Ibrahim added that eligible returnees would benefit from programmes such as skills acquisition, small business support and psychosocial care to help them rebuild their lives.

He also disclosed that two of the returnees were unaccompanied children.

The IOM official said that over the past decade, more than 65,700 Nigerians have been safely returned under the programme, while over 52,200 have received reintegration assistance.

He stressed that sustained collaboration among stakeholders is key to ensuring that returnees can recover and reintegrate into society with dignity.