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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Culture & Society

NEMA receives 37 Nigerian returnees from Türkiye

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Context piece
  • The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) received 37 Nigerian nationals returning from Türkiye at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
  • The returnees arrived via a chartered aircraft following notification from the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
  • NEMA, in collaboration with other agencies, provided documentation, medical screening, and humanitarian assistance to ensure a dignified reception and facilitate reintegration.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) facilitated the return of 37 Nigerian citizens from Türkiye, who arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. This repatriation effort is part of ongoing government initiatives to assist Nigerian nationals returning from abroad.

The returnees arrived on a chartered aircraft after the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs provided official notification. Upon arrival, NEMA's Abuja Operations Office coordinated a reception mechanism involving multiple government agencies and humanitarian partners. This ensured the returnees received a seamless, dignified, and humane welcome.

At NEMA, our priority is to ensure that every returning Nigerian is treated with dignity, compassion and respect. We encourage our compatriots to embrace this opportunity for a fresh start, remain law-abiding, and take advantage of available government support programmes aimed at facilitating their successful reintegration into society.

— Pharm. Zakari AbubakarThe Head of NEMA Abuja Operations Office speaking during the reception of Nigerian returnees from Türkiye.

The reception process included essential steps such as documentation, profiling, and medical screening. Humanitarian assistance was provided before the individuals were handed over to the relevant authorities for further reintegration into society. Pharm. Zakari Abubakar, Head of NEMA's Abuja Operations Office, stressed the agency's commitment to protecting the dignity and welfare of vulnerable persons through inter-agency collaboration.

Abubakar encouraged the returnees to embrace the opportunity for a fresh start and to remain law-abiding, highlighting available government support programs. He also commended the collaborative efforts of agencies like the Nigerian Immigration Service, the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, and others involved in the exercise. This reception follows similar efforts, including the return of 123 Nigerians from Algeria and 181 from Libya earlier in the year.

coordination efforts remained critical to ensuring efficient reception and reintegration support for returning migrants.

— Pharm. Zakari AbubakarThe Head of NEMA Abuja Operations Office emphasizing the importance of inter-agency collaboration.
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Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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