The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on Sunday received another batch of 329 stranded Nigerians who were returned from Agadez in the Niger Republic.
The returnees arrived at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano at about 10:50 a.m. aboard six buses as part of a coordinated voluntary repatriation exercise.
The Head of Operations, NEMA Kano Office, Dr Nura Abdullahi, confirmed the development while receiving the returnees on behalf of the agency.
He explained that the exercise was facilitated by the Federal Government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nigerian Mission in Niger Republic, and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).
“The programme was meant to ensure the safe and dignified return of stranded Nigerians,” Abdullahi said.
According to him, the returnees consisted of 165 men, 72 women, 46 boys, and 46 girls drawn from several states including Kaduna, Jigawa, Kano, Borno, and Katsina.
He added that after profiling and verification, the returnees would be transported to their respective states of origin.
Abdullahi noted that food and medical assistance were provided to the returnees upon arrival, particularly for those with health challenges.
He also urged Nigerians to reconsider irregular migration, warning that such journeys often expose people to dangerous and exploitative conditions.
He encouraged the returnees to serve as advocates against irregular migration by sensitising other young people about its risks.
Returnees Share Harrowing Experiences
One of the returnees, Mrs Fatima Sani, a widow and mother of five from Nasarawa Local Government Area of Kano State, said economic hardship pushed her to leave Nigeria.
“My husband died two years ago, leaving me with five children. We had no food to eat and could not pay our house rent. That was why I travelled to Libya to make money to pay my rent and start a business,” she said.
She explained that her situation worsened after arriving in Libya, where she was robbed and struggled to survive while working as a house help.
“I worked as a house help in Libya, doing chores such as sweeping and washing dishes. Life was not easy in Libya,” she added.
Another returnee, Mrs Saihatu Idris, said she travelled with her two children to Libya in search of business opportunities selling ready-made clothes.
She said her journey lasted only 24 days before it was disrupted by armed attacks.
“This was my first time travelling to Libya. Bandits attacked us and stole my clothes and money,” she said.
“I only spent 24 days there. I now realise Nigeria is safer.”
She appealed to the government for financial assistance to help her rebuild her life and support her family.
NEMA confirmed that the returnees were received by officials of the agency, the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, as well as the Red Cross.
The agency reiterated its commitment to ensuring the safe return and reintegration of Nigerians stranded abroad through coordinated humanitarian support programmes.
