A collaborative initiative between the Federal Government and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) resulted in the successful repatriation of 281 Nigerians from various camps in Libya on December 12, 2023. Kabiru Musa, the Charge d’Affaires En Titre of the Nigerian Mission in Libya, shared this noteworthy update in a statement to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.
Among the repatriated individuals, 159 had been released from detention facilities in different parts of Libya, while the remaining 122 were Nigerians facing challenges in the country.
The group of evacuees departed from Tripoli International Airport and is anticipated to arrive at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, later the same evening. Ambassador Kabiru Musa provided detailed information on the repatriation operation, stating, “The Federal Government, in collaboration with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), airlifted 122 stranded Nigerians on Dec. 12 from Tripoli, Libya, to Lagos aboard chartered flight No.UZ 189.”
He continued, “The flight, with a total of 47 male adults, 45 female adults, 18 children, and 12 infants, included passengers stranded in various areas of Tripoli. Additionally, 159 Nigerians from detention centers were repatriated aboard chartered flight No.UZ190 at 13:25 hours local time and are expected to arrive at Murtala Muhammed International Airport Lagos at 16:25 hours on the same day.”
Providing a breakdown of the latter flight, Musa stated, “Aboard the flight are 50 male adults, 94 female adults, and 6 infants.”
Musa emphasized that this voluntary humanitarian repatriation reflects the Nigerian government’s commitment to addressing challenges faced by its citizens, both domestically and internationally. He expressed gratitude to the IOM and the Libyan authorities for their steadfast support, which facilitated the successful evacuation and release of those held in detention facilities.
Highlighting the scope of their efforts, Musa revealed, “The Nigerian Mission in Libya, with the support of the IOM, has successfully repatriated over 6,000 stranded Nigerians from Libya between 2022 and December 2023.”