The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has received 181 Nigerians who were returned from Tripoli, Libya, through the Assisted Voluntary Return programme supported by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in collaboration with the Federal Government.
The returnees arrived on April 27, 2026, at about 8:13pm and were received at the cargo terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos. The exercise was handled by NEMA’s Lagos Operations Office in partnership with the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons.
According to NEMA’s statement on its X handle, the flight was operated by Air Buraq Airline and carried 159 adults, 12 children, and 10 infants.
The breakdown shows 64 adult males and 95 adult females, while the children included five boys and seven girls. The infants consisted of six boys and four girls.
On arrival, officials of the Nigeria Immigration Service carried out biometric registration and documentation to properly capture the returnees’ details for reintegration purposes.
NEMA also stated that the returnees were given immediate humanitarian support, including food, potable water, medical care, ambulance services, luggage assistance, logistics support, and counselling services.
The agency added that the operation was successfully coordinated with relevant stakeholders to ensure a smooth, safe, and dignified return process for all the Nigerians involved.
