The Federal Government of Nigeria has successfully repatriated 708 Nigerians stranded in Niamey, Niger Republic, through a coordinated effort led by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
Dr. Nura Abdullahi, Head of Operations at NEMA Kano Office, confirmed the returnees were received at Malam Aminu Kano International Airport on Monday afternoon for profiling and verification. The returnees arrived in 12 luxurious buses at approximately 4:08 pm.
The group comprised 292 male adults and children and 416 female adults and children, hailing from various states including Katsina, Kano, Jigawa, Benue, Borno, Yobe, Zamfara, Kaduna, Kogi, and Niger.
“They have been provided with meals, temporary shelter, blankets, mosquito nets, and dignity kits containing toiletries, wrappers, and sanitary pads,” Abdullahi said. “After profiling, they will be transported to their respective states tomorrow.”
Medical personnel from the Nigerian Red Cross were on hand to provide care, with severe cases to be referred to state health facilities. Abdullahi also cautioned Nigerian youths against risking their lives by traveling abroad in search of greener pastures.
Hajiya Luba Liman, Kano Field Coordinator of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), described the evacuation as a “whole-of-government approach,” facilitated in partnership with the Nigerian Embassy in Niamey and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“This is a voluntary return. Many could not afford to come back on their own, so the government arranged for their evacuation,” she said.
Some returnees recounted the hardships they faced abroad. Malam Kamalu Abdullahi from Kaduna State said he fled after violence destroyed his home. “I woke up to people shouting ‘fire, fire’. My house and those of other Nigerians were set ablaze. I was attacked and forced to leave the country,” he said, praising the government for facilitating his return.
Rabi’a Inusa, a mother of three from Jigawa, described her struggle in Niamey. “I spent five months in hardship, sleeping on the streets, spending over N100,000 on transport, and returning home with nothing,” she said.
Many returnees, particularly women and children, appeared distressed and unkempt on arrival. Representatives from NEMA, NCFRMI, Kano SEMA, and the Nigeria Immigration Service were present to welcome and assist them.
PUNCH