A convoy of Nigerian irregular migrants, totaling a minimum of 138 persons, was set to return from Libya on Tuesday, following the Federal Government’s intervention to facilitate their evacuation and journey home.
The announcement was made on Tuesday in Abuja by Ambassador Kabiru Musa, who currently holds the position of Chargé D’Affaires En Titre at the Nigerian Mission in Libya.
Musa revealed that on Tuesday afternoon, the evacuees embarked on their journey from the Mitiga International Airport, boarding a chartered flight with the designation UZ 189.
Musa mentioned that the evacuees were anticipated to land at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos later on the same 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.
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“So far, nearly one thousand stranded Nigerians have safely returned home in 2024,” Musa said.
According to Musa, the evacuation efforts were coordinated in conjunction with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in Libya, within the framework of its enduring 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”.
Musa delivered a cautionary message to young Nigerians, advising them against embarking on irregular migration, stressing the dangers of pursuing unattainable aspirations that could lead to fatal outcomes, such as perilous journeys in pursuit of better prospects.
Musa assured that upon their arrival in Nigeria, the evacuees would be met by relevant government authorities, who would oversee their rehabilitation and effective assimilation back into society.