Federal Government repatriates 123 stranded Nigerians from Algeria
The Federal Government has repatriated 123 stranded Nigerians from Algeria under the Assisted Voluntary Return (AVR) programme.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said the returnees arrived at the cargo terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos, aboard a Nesma Airlines flight on Monday.
NEMA said the return was facilitated by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in collaboration with the federal government.
According to the agency, the reception exercise was coordinated with the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) and other relevant government agencies.
The returnees comprised 121 adults, including 112 males and nine females.
The agency added that the group also included one female child and one male infant.
NEMA said officials of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) conducted biometric registration and documentation upon the returnees’ arrival to facilitate proper record keeping and support their reintegration.
The agency said the returnees received humanitarian assistance, including food, potable water, medical screening, ambulance services, luggage handling, logistics support and counselling services.
NEMA said the exercise underscores the federal government’s commitment to ensuring the safe, dignified and orderly return of distressed Nigerians and supporting their reintegration into society.
