Together with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the Federal Government successfully assisted the return of a further batch of 147 Nigerian migrants who had become unlawfully stuck in Libya on Tuesday.
The Nigerian Mission in Libya’s Charge d’Affaires En Titre, Ambassador Kabiru Musa, made this information public in a statement.
According to Musa, the people who were being evacuated took off on Tuesday from Tripoli International Airport on leased flight UZ 189. They were expected to arrive at Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, later that evening.
Musa said, “Under the continuous evacuation exercise of the Federal Government, which is supported by the IOM in Libya, we successfully evacuated another batch of 147 irregular Nigerian migrants who were stranded in Libya.
“The evacuees included 78 males, 55 females, 13 children, and one infant. They departed Libya successfully and are expected to arrive at Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos, where they will be received by relevant officials.
“We would continue to evacuate stranded Nigerians who have expressed willingness to return to Nigeria under the IOM’s Voluntary Humanitarian Repatriation (VHR) programme, in line with the’renewed hope’ agenda of the present administration to ensure all citizens have a better life.
“We are also pleased with the regular repatriation exercise, which shows that a lot of Nigerians are willing to return home to contribute to the nation’s development.
Musa expressed appreciation to the Libyan government for their ongoing assistance in making these operations a success.