The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially received 148 Nigerians, including infants, who were repatriated from the Niger Republic. The return of these individuals is part of an ongoing effort to manage migration and support Nigerians stranded abroad.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) disclosed this development in a statement released on Thursday, noting that the repatriation occurred on Tuesday. This marks another instance of collaboration between the Nigerian government and international organizations to address issues of migration and displacement.
Providing further details, NEMA explained that the group of returnees consisted of 120 adult males, nine adult females, 10 male children, seven female children, and two infants. The repatriation process was carried out with significant support from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), demonstrating a concerted effort to address the challenges faced by Nigerians abroad.
NEMA confirmed that the returnees arrived in Lagos on Tuesday, November 12, 2024. They landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Cargo Terminal, at approximately 2:15 PM aboard Skymali flight ER-CTZ. Upon arrival, the returnees were received by the NEMA Lagos Territorial Office (LTO) in collaboration with other key stakeholders, including immigration officials and airport authorities.
In the statement, NEMA also highlighted the challenges faced during the process, particularly heavy rainfall that temporarily delayed the movement of the returnees from the aircraft. However, once the weather cleared, officials from the Nigerian Immigration Service facilitated the necessary procedures, while buses provided by the airport handlers transported the returnees to the biometric registration centre for proper documentation.
The statement partly reads, “The NEMA Lagos Territorial Office (LTO), alongside other key stakeholders, welcomed a new group of returnees repatriated from the Niger Republic on Tuesday, 12 November 2024, with support from the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
“The returnees landed at Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Cargo Terminal, at approximately 2:15 PM on Skymali flight ER-CTZ, totalling 148 individuals. The group included 120 adult males, nine adult females, 10 male children, seven female children, and two infants.
“Due to heavy rain, there was a brief delay in moving the returnees from the aircraft. Once the weather cleared, officials from the Nigerian Immigration Service arrived, and the aircraft handlers provided buses to transport the returnees to the biometric registration centre for documentation.”
This development has sparked widespread reactions from Nigerians, with many expressing outrage over the current economic conditions that they believe have driven citizens to seek opportunities in countries like Niger Republic. The public is questioning why Nigerians, despite their country’s resources and size, would feel compelled to migrate to a neighboring nation perceived to have less to offer in terms of economic opportunities.
Critics argue that the rising cost of living and lack of opportunities in Nigeria are significant factors pushing citizens to seek alternatives abroad, often resulting in harsh experiences such as deportation. Many have called on the government to prioritize policies and initiatives that address unemployment and economic challenges, thereby reducing the need for Nigerians to leave the country in search of better prospects.
The repatriation of these individuals highlights the complex socio-economic challenges facing Nigeria and underscores the need for comprehensive strategies to improve living conditions and support citizens both at home and abroad.