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By Lizzy Chirkpi
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has received 131 stranded Nigerians who voluntarily returned home from Agadez, Niger Republic, under the Assisted Voluntary Return Programme of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), in partnership with the Federal Government.
In a statement posted on X formerly Twitter on Saturday, NEMA disclosed that the returnees arrived through the Aminu Kano International Airport in the early hours of Thursday, October 30, 2025, at about 5:17 a.m.
“They were received by NEMA officials in coordination with the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), and other critical stakeholders,” the statement read.
According to the agency, officers of the Nigerian Immigration Service carried out biometric registration and documentation to ensure proper identification and facilitate reintegration.
“The returnees were subsequently conveyed to the Nigeria Immigration Service Training School, Kano, where further profiling continued on 31st October, 2025,” NEMA added.
Giving a demographic breakdown, the agency stated that the group consisted of 118 male adults, four female adults, two male children, and seven female children.
“In line with the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring a safe, dignified and humane return for Nigerian citizens, the returnees were provided with essential humanitarian support including meals, drinking water, medical screening, ambulance services, logistical assistance and coordinated reception services,” the statement further noted.
NEMA explained that the exercise underscores the continued partnership between NEMA, IOM, NCFRMI, and other stakeholders to ensure the proper reintegration of Nigerians returning voluntarily from abroad.
“The exercise reflects the ongoing national efforts to promote safe migration and strengthen humanitarian support systems,” it stated.
Earlier this week, an online publication reported that NEMA also confirmed the arrival of 153 Nigerian returnees from Chad, as part of similar reintegration efforts.