The returnees, comprising 140 females, 102 males, 6 children, and 5 infants, touched down at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos at around 7:20 p.m.
Two hundred and fifty-one Nigerians returned from Libya on Tuesday night through the efforts of the Nigerian embassy in Libya and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
The returnees, comprising 140 females, 102 males, 6 children, and 5 infants, touched down at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos at around 7:20 p.m.
The returnees were received at the Hajj Camp terminal of the airport by officers of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), the National Agency for the Protection of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), and the Nigeria Police Force.
Also on the ground to receive the returnees were officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
Among the returnees were eight Nigerians who were deported for committing drug-related offenses. They were promptly handed over to security agencies for prosecution.
Our correspondent reported that two Nigerians returned in order to receive medical treatment. One returnee, a woman, suffered from severe burns requiring surgery while another required psychiatric treatment.
The burn victim was allegedly trafficked into the North African country after paying a smuggler N300,000.
Addressing reporters, NEMA Director of Search and Rescue, Onimode Bandele, explained that the Nigerian government would rehabilitate the returnees so that they can be reintegrated into society. He encouraged Nigerians to look for opportunities within Nigeria rather than embarking on dangerous journeys to foreign countries.
“As a government, our advice is that young Nigerians should strive to work hard and tap into vast opportunities available in the country instead of seeking greener pastures elsewhere,” he said.
“Let's thank God that these ones have returned safely because Libya is not what it used to be. “
Mr. Bandele added that NEMA would continue to work with the IOM to bring back Nigerians who are willing to return.
