The International Organisation for Migration (IOM), in partnership with the Nigerian government, has facilitated the return of 182 Nigerian migrants from Libya.
The return was carried out under the Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (AVRR) programme, funded by the European Union (EU).
They arrived at the Cargo Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Tuesday aboard a charter flight from Benghazi, Libya. They were received by officials of the IOM and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
Speaking during the reception, the Head of the IOM Sub-Office in Lagos, Mr. Ali Ibrahim, said; “the migrants had endured difficult experiences during their journeys and would now receive support to rebuild their lives.”
“We are at Lagos International Airport, where 180 Nigerians are arriving home today after difficult journeys along migration routes. Many left in search of opportunity, but instead faced hardship, uncertainty and, for some, exploitation. Today there is relief, but return is only the first step,” Mr Ibrahim said.
According to him, the returnees would receive immediate assistance upon arrival, including health screening, psychosocial support and counselling.
“In coordination with the Government of Nigeria and other partners, we provide reception assistance here at the airport and also reintegration assistance later through their reintegration journey,” he said.
Mr Ibrahim highlighted the support package to the returnees, which includes skills acquisition programmes, educational assistance, business start-up support and psychosocial care designed to help returnees reintegrate successfully into their communities.
“After return, we support them with reintegration assistance. We help them reintegrate back into their communities where they recover and rebuild their lives. This could mean many things, including group support, business assistance, support for education and other needs as they arise,” he explained.
According him, details of the latest return operation, comprised 153 women, 25 men and two unaccompanied minors. He noted that about 50 of the returnees came directly from detention centres in Libya, while others were evacuated from different locations around Benghazi.
The IOM Head of Lagos Sub-office said that the voluntary return programme has assisted thousands of Nigerians since its inception in 2017.
“With today’s arrival, a total of 65,700 Nigerians have been assisted to return voluntarily through this programme. For this year alone, about 7,625 Nigerians have returned so far,” he said.
Mr Ibrahim further said that more than 52,200 returnees have benefited from reintegration support over the past years, emphasising that the programme focuses on helping migrants regain stability and dignity.
He said; “With the right support and strong partnership, return can become a real opportunity to recover, rebuild and move forward with dignity.”
Mr Ibrahim also stressed that voluntary return does not prevent individuals from travelling abroad in the future through legal and safe channels.
“Migration is a choice, and people can make their migration choice. What we are trying to promote is that migration choices should be made correctly and safely,” he said.
Mr. Ibrahim said the IOM continues to promote safe migration through awareness campaigns and access to reliable information to help prospective migrants make informed decisions.
He also disclosed that repatriation efforts from Libya remain ongoing, with charter flights arriving in Lagos almost every week, alongside regular arrivals through commercial flights at various entry points across Nigeria, including Abuja.
Voice of Nigeria reports that the latest operation underscores the continued collaboration between the IOM, the European Union, and the Nigerian Government in addressing the challenges faced by stranded migrants and supporting their safe and dignified return home.
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