The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) says it has received 177 Nigerian returnees from Libya, under the Assisted Voluntary Return (AVR) programme.
In a statement issued on Monday, NEMA said the returnees were received by its Lagos operations office in collaboration with the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI).
The agency said the repatriation was facilitated by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in partnership with the federal government.
According to NEMA, the returnees arrived at about 7:35 p.m. aboard an Air Buraq Airlines flight that landed at the cargo terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja, Lagos.
The agency said the returnees comprised 151 adults, including 66 males and 85 females. NEMA added that 14 children, made up of eight boys and six girls, were also on board the flight. The remaining 12 returnees were infants, comprising five males and seven females.
The agency said officials of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) conducted biometric registration and documentation of the returnees upon arrival.
According to NEMA, the exercise was aimed at ensuring proper record-keeping and facilitating the reintegration process.
The agency said the returnees received immediate humanitarian assistance, including food, potable water and medical screening. It added that ambulance services were provided for those requiring medical attention.
NEMA also said luggage handling, logistics support, counselling and coordination services were provided to ensure an orderly reception and smooth reintegration process.
The agency said the reception exercise was coordinated in collaboration with NCFRMI, NIS, IOM, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Port Health Services and the Nigeria Police Force. NEMA added that other relevant agencies also participated in the exercise.
The agency said the repatriation forms part of the federal government’s efforts to protect the rights and welfare of Nigerians returning from distressed situations abroad and support their reintegration into society.
