The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has facilitated the return of 180 Nigerian migrants, including women and children, from Libya following difficult migration experiences in the North African country.
The returnees arrived in Lagos on Tuesday evening aboard a chartered Buraq Airline flight, which landed at the Pilgrims and Cargo Terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport at about 8:15 p.m.
Speaking during the reception of the migrants, the IOM sub-head in Lagos, Ali Ali Ibrahim, said many of the returnees were evacuated from detention camps in Benghazi after facing severe hardship and uncertainty.
According to him, the group consisted of 108 adult females and 45 adult males, alongside 17 children and 12 infants.
He added that two of the returnees were unaccompanied minors.
Ibrahim said many of the migrants had embarked on the journey in search of better opportunities but instead encountered harsh conditions, including exploitation and prolonged suffering.
“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,” he said.
He explained that the IOM, in partnership with the federal government and with funding support from the European Union, was providing immediate humanitarian assistance to the returnees.
The support package, according to him, includes medical screening, counselling services and reintegration assistance aimed at helping the migrants settle back into society.
Ibrahim further disclosed that eligible beneficiaries would have access to programmes focused on skills acquisition, small business support and psychosocial care to enable them rebuild their lives.
The IOM official stated that more than 65,700 Nigerians had been voluntarily returned from different countries under the programme over the past decade, while over 52,200 had received reintegration assistance.
He stressed the need for continued collaboration among stakeholders to ensure that returnees recover fully and reintegrate into their communities with dignity.
