182 Nigerians Return Home from Libya

A group of 182 Nigerians returned home from Libya on Tuesday night.

The returnees arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos. They came on a chartered Buraq Airline flight around 8:15 PM. The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) welcomed them.

Mr Ali Ali Ibrahim, the IOM Sub-head in Lagos, spoke to reporters at the airport. He said most of the returnees came from detention camps in Benghazi, Libya.

“We are here tonight to welcome home 182 Nigerian migrants from Libya after difficult journeys along migration routes. 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. Working closely with the Government of Nigeria and with the support from the European Union, IOM is helping them return into a pathway toward recovery,” he said.

Ibrahim shared that the returnees included 108 adult females and 45 adult males, making a total of 153 adults. The flight also had 17 children, which included seven females and 10 males, along with 12 infants, eight females and four males.

“In total, there were 123 females and 59 males, making a total of 182 returnees on the flight,” Ibrahim noted. He also mentioned two of the returnees were unaccompanied children who returned without their parents or guardians.

“Upon arrival, returnees received reception support, health screening and counselling. Those eligible can also access reintegration assistance to help them rebuild their lives. That support can include skills training, small business support and psychosocial care.

“For nearly a decade, more than 65,700 Nigerians have returned safely and over 52,200 have received reintegration support,” he added.