A total of 263 Nigerians who were stranded in Niger Republic have voluntarily returned home, arriving in Kano on Thursday aboard two Sky Mali flights from Agadez.
The returnees touched down at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport in two batches. The first flight landed at approximately 12:50 pm carrying 116 passengers, while the second arrived at about 4:35 pm with 147 passengers.
The group consisted mainly of young men, along with a few women and children.
Representing the Federal Commissioner of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), Kano State Coordinator Mrs. Lubah Liman explained that the operation is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to ensure the safe and dignified return of Nigerians stranded abroad.
The repatriation exercise was conducted under the Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (AVRR) programme of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in collaboration with NCFRMI.
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Upon arrival, the returnees were taken to the Nigerian Immigration Service Training School in Kano for documentation and profiling. Authorities emphasized that the return was strictly voluntary and followed consultations with the migrants.
Officials from the Nigerian Immigration Service, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, Department of State Services, National Emergency Management Agency, and Kano State Emergency Management Agency provided support during the exercise.
After documentation, the returnees are set to receive multipurpose cash assistance and transportation support to facilitate their return to their communities.
Reintegration support will also be provided to help beneficiaries establish small businesses and rebuild their lives.
Mrs. Liman added that the Federal Government, under President Bola Tinubu, is committed to migrant protection and reintegration. She said the collaboration with IOM and other stakeholders underscores the government’s determination to curb irregular migration and safeguard Nigerian citizens abroad.
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