A total of 180 stranded Nigerians have been repatriated from Libya to Lagos in a coordinated operation led by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and other humanitarian partners.
In a statement released on Wednesday, NEMA confirmed that the returnees landed safely at the Cargo Terminal of Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at around 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 11. The group arrived aboard an Air Libya aircraft with registration number 5A-BAE.
The repatriation forms part of an ongoing effort by the Federal Government, supported by international agencies, to assist Nigerians stranded abroad — particularly in crisis-affected countries like Libya — and to facilitate their safe and dignified return home.
According to NEMA, the returnees included 147 adults — 45 men and 102 women — along with 19 children (6 boys and 13 girls) and 14 infants (7 boys and 7 girls). Medical teams accompanying the operation identified 46 individuals with health conditions who received immediate medical care upon arrival.
Immigration officers conducted biometric registration and profiling of all returnees to ensure proper documentation and smooth reintegration into society. NEMA stated that, in line with the Federal Government’s humanitarian policy, the returnees were provided with essential care, including food, clean water, temporary shelter, counselling, and medical support.
The agency praised the collaboration between Nigerian authorities, the IOM, and other international stakeholders, noting that the operation underscores the government’s commitment to protecting its citizens abroad and addressing the dangers of irregular migration.
Over the past years, thousands of Nigerians have been voluntarily repatriated from Libya under similar programs after being trapped in detention centers or left stranded by human traffickers while attempting to cross the Mediterranean to Europe.
NEMA reaffirmed that such missions are part of broader national efforts to strengthen migration management, combat human trafficking, and ensure the humane treatment of Nigerian migrants worldwide.
The returnees are expected to undergo reintegration programs that include vocational training, psychological support, and small business assistance to help them rebuild their lives.