Nigerian Government Repatriates 161 Nationals In Libya Detention Facilities To Lagos

The federal government has repatriated a total of 161 Nigerians whose releases were secured from detention facilities in Libya due to various immigration offenses.

This was made known by Kabiru Musa, the Charge d’Affaires En Titre of the Nigerian Mission in Libya, on Monday in Abuja, noting that the Nigerian government, through its Mission in Libya, secured the release of the detained Nigerians to enable them to return home and rebuild their lives.

He explained that the evacuees were expected to arrive at Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, on Monday night, adding that the evacuees were also sensitised on the dangers of irregular migration, warned against embarking on such perilous journeys again, and warned others to get home to avoid irregular migration.

“As part of the Federal Government’s pledge to ensure none of its citizens is left stranded abroad, we have successfully evacuated another 161 Nigerians from Libya.

“The Nigerian Mission in Libya with support from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Libyan authorities secured their release from detention centers across Libya so that they can return home to rebuild their lives.

“The 161 evacuees departed Mitiga International Airport, Tripoli aboard chattered flight No.UZ0189 on Monday evening and are expected to arrive the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Lagos same Monday night.

“They include 87 males, 68 females, five children, and one infant. This further shows the commitment of the Federal government to ensuring the safety and dignity of every Nigerian citizen in the diaspora,” Musa said.

Almost 6,000 stranded Nigerians have been repatriated under the IOM/FG Voluntary Humanitarian Repatriation (VHR) exercise in 2023.