The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), has welcomed 145 Nigerian nationals evacuated from Libya, marking a coordinated effort under the Assisted Voluntary Return (AVR) programme.
The returnees landed at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at approximately 8:27 p.m. local time aboard an Al Buraq Airlines charter flight. According to a statement from Mohammed Olatunde, Head of NEMA’s Lagos Operations Office, the group consisted of 122 adults—46 males and 76 females—along with 23 children (13 boys, 16 girls) and 27 infants (17 males, 10 females).
Upon arrival, officials from the Nigeria Immigration Service conducted biometric registration and documentation for all individuals. This procedure, NEMA confirmed, is standard to verify identities and lay the groundwork for subsequent reintegration support.
Immediate humanitarian assistance was provided. This included distribution of food and potable water, on-site medical evaluations, and ambulance services for those requiring urgent care. Additional logistical support covered luggage handling and coordination of onward movement. Mental health and psychosocial counselling services were also made available to address potential trauma from the migration experience.
The operation underscores Nigeria’s ongoing bilateral and multilateral engagements to manage irregular migration. Libya remains a key transit point for migrants and refugees attempting sea crossings to Europe, often facing hazardous conditions, detention, or exploitation. The AVR programme, facilitated by IOM with funding from the European Union and other partners, offers a safe and dignified return option for nationals wishing to leave Libya voluntarily.
NEMA emphasized that the reception process is designed to ensure safety, order, and dignity. The agency’s role encompassed coordination at the point of entry, while IOM typically leads post-arrival assistance, including transportation to final destinations and longer-term reintegration packages such as skills training or small business support.
This repatriation reflects a continued, structured response to the return of Nigerian migrants from abroad. Future steps will involve transferring eligible returnees to their respective states of origin, where state-level emergency management agencies and the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) will facilitate community reintegration.
The successful conclusion of this evacuation highlights the operational capacity of Nigerian institutions in partnership with international bodies to address complex migration challenges, reinforcing a commitment to protect citizens while managing retournee flows systematically.
