NEMA receives 181 Nigerian returnees from Libya

Nigeria has once again welcomed a group of its citizens returning from Libya under the Assisted Voluntary Return program, facilitated by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in partnership with the Federal Government. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), through its Lagos Operations Office, alongside the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons, received 181 individuals who had been in Tripoli.

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The National Emergency Management Agency, Lagos Operations Office, in collaboration with the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, has received 181 Nigerian returnees from Tripoli, Libya, under the ongoing Assisted Voluntary Return programme facilitated by the International Organisation for Migration in partnership with the Federal Government of Nigeria.

The returnees, comprising 159 adults, 12 children, and 10 infants, arrived on April 27, 2026, aboard an Air Buraq flight. Their arrival marks a critical juncture, as the Nigerian government, through NEMA, is committed to ensuring their safe and dignified return. The immediate provision of humanitarian assistance, including food, water, medical care, and counseling, is a testament to this commitment, aiming to ease their transition back home.

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The returnees arrived on 27th April 2026 at approximately 20:13 hours at the Cargo Terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, aboard an Air Buraq Airline flight with registration number 5A-BAB.

This operation highlights the ongoing challenges faced by Nigerians attempting to reach Europe through irregular routes, often finding themselves in precarious situations in transit countries like Libya. The Assisted Voluntary Return program offers a pathway back for those who wish to return, but it also brings to the fore the complex issues of migration, human trafficking, and the need for reintegration support. For Nigeria, receiving these returnees is not just a humanitarian act but also a matter of national concern, requiring coordinated efforts to ensure they can rebuild their lives upon their return.

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In line with the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring the safe, dignified, and humane return of its citizens, the returnees were provided with immediate humanitarian assistance, including food and potable water, medical care, ambulance services, luggage handling, logistics support, as well as counselling and coordination services.