Laraba Murey
The Federal Government, in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration, IOM, and other stakeholders, have facilitated the return of 403 Nigerians voluntarily from Niger Republic.
The reception exercise was conducted at the Nigerian Immigration Service Training School in Kano and was coordinated by the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons, NCFRMI.
Speaking at the event, the Kano State Coordinator of NCFRMI, Lubah Liman, who represented the Federal Commissioner, Aliyu Ahmed, assured the returnees of the government’s readiness to reintegrate them into various empowerment programs under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“This exercise underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring the safe and dignified return of Nigerians stranded abroad. We appreciate the seamless collaboration among all the agencies involved in making this operation a success,” she said.
The returnees, comprising 165 males, 56 females, and 182 children, were received at the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) Training School in Kano.
Marking the second batch of voluntary returns from Niger Republic within the week, following the arrival of 310 returnees on Tuesday, 17th December 2024.
The humanitarian return was jointly organized by the Nigerian Mission in Niamey, and the International Organization for Migration.
Officers from NCFRMI and the Nigerian Immigration Service profiled the returnees upon arrival, while representatives from the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, the Department of State Security, the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, and the Kano State Emergency Management Agency were on hand to provide additional support and assistance.
The Nigerian government said the ongoing effort reflects its commitment to ensuring the safe and dignified return of Nigerians stranded abroad and highlights the importance of multi-agency collaboration in addressing migration-related challenges.
