The Federal Government on Monday repatriated 161 Nigerians whose release was secured from detention facilities in Libya over various immigration offences by the Embassy of Nigeria.
Amb. Kabiru Musa, Charge D’Affaires En Titre of the Nigerian Mission in Libya, disclosed this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja.
According to Musa, the Federal Government, through its mission in Libya, secured the release of the detained Nigerians to enable them to return home and rebuild their lives.
Musa said that the evacuees are expected to arrive at Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, on Monday night.
“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 at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, the 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.
Musa said that the evacuees were also sensitized on the dangers of irregular migration, warned against embarking on such perilous journeys again, and warned others to get home to avoid irregular migration.
Almost 6,000 stranded Nigerians have been repatriated under the IOM/FG Voluntary Humanitarian Repatriation (VHR) exercise in 2023.
NAN
