The Nigerian government has successfully brought back 138 Nigerian irregular migrants who were stranded in Libya.
The Nigerian Mission in Libya, represented by Amb. Kabiru Musa, announced that the migrants were expected to arrive back in Nigeria on Tuesday.
The evacuees left from Mitiga International Airport on chartered flight UZ 189 in the afternoon and were scheduled to land at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos later that day.
“Today, we successfully repatriated another batch of 138 Nigerians who were stranded in different parts of Libya as irregular migrants.
“Among the evacuees today are 77 males, 56 females, 11 children, and four infants. They departed aboard chartered flight UZ 189 from the Tripoli International Airport and would arrive at the Murtala Mohammed Airport in Lagos.
“It is the fourth evacuation exercise the Nigerian Mission in Libya has conducted this year as part of the 4D foreign policy of the present administration, and under the directives of the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs.
“So far, nearly one thousand stranded Nigerians have safely returned home in 2024,” Musa said.
He mentioned that the evacuation drills were done in partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Libya as part of its ongoing Voluntary Humanitarian Repatriation (VHR) program.
“With the support of the Libyan authorities, we also successfully facilitated the release and repatriation of those in detention facilities for immigration-related offences.
“Surely, we will not rest on our oars while discharging our obligations and rendering necessary consular assistance to Nigerians in Libya,” he added.
As a result, he advised young Nigerians to avoid irregular migration, as many may not achieve their dreams and could risk their lives on the dangerous journey to find better opportunities.
Musa explained that once the evacuees return to Nigeria, they will be welcomed by government agencies who will help with their recovery and integration back into society.
