The Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa says over 956 Nigerians have been evacuated from Libya in the first quarter of 2025 alone, courtesy of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Nigerian government and the National Commission For Refugees, Migrants And Internally Displaced Persons Offices (NCRMI).
The breakdown shows that 683 of them were females, 132 males, 87 children, and 54 infants.
The returnees were brought back home in six tranches from January to March 2025.
The six trips include 152 on January 28, 145,180 and 159 on February 11, 19 and 25 respectively, while 144 and 176 came in on March 4 and 18 respectively.
In the last few years, well over 15,000 stranded Nigerians have been evacuated back home by the federal government and the International Organization for Migration.
Dabiri-Erewa reiterated the Commission’s persistent advice to Nigerians to avoid dangerous and deadly migration routes such as Libya, a war-torn country dealing with many struggles.
“Because of the delicate political situation in Libya, we countlessly caution Nigerians to avoid Libya as a pathway to Europe; not just Libya but other irregular routes,” she said.
She urged Nigerians to follow the legal and regular means of migration, noting that some rescued Nigerians from Libya still return to Libya or more dangerous routes to get into Europe.
Dabiri-Erewa stressed that the Federal Government will continually uphold the interest, dignity, and fundamental human rights of Nigerians at home and in the diaspora, irrespective of their socio-economic, ethnocultural, or religious backgrounds.
She also called for collaboration with government agencies, NGOs, the media and other relevant stakeholders to join hands in raising awareness on the dangers of irregular migration.
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