Over 400 Stranded Nigerians Arrive From Libya In 3 Months

Over 120 Nigerians from Libya arrived in the country on Thursday, the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, has said

The new arrival brings the number of Nigerians stranded in the North African nation to over 400 in the last three months, according to figures provided by NEMA.

In July 143 returnees were received, while in August 174 people among them women and children arrived the country, among them 23 sick persons suffering from all manner of ailments.

Speaking NEMA acting Coordinator of the Lagos Territorial Office, Ibrahim Farinloye disclosed that the Nigerians were received at the Cargo Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport at about 4.22pm.

He said the returnees, who arrived aboard a Boeing 700-787 Al Buraq Air with registration number 5A-DMG, were brought back to the country by the International Organisation for Migration through a voluntary repatriation programme.

Farinloye stressed that the programme was meant for the distressed Nigerians who had left the country to seek greener pastures in various European countries but could not afford to return when their journey became frustrating.

He said the returnees brought back comprise 46 male adults, 62 female adults, two male and six female children, as well as four female and six male infants.

The acting coordinator urged Nigerians to be wary of close associates, family friends or neighbourhood elders who deceive with sweet talks of a better life in foreign countries.

Farinloye said many were now being deceived with promises of assistance to destinations such as Iraq, Dubai (United Arab Emirates) and Egypt, but end up in connection houses in Libya.

He enjoined the returnees to turn a new leaf by looking for ample opportunities that abound in the country, which are enough for everyone to achieve their desired goals.

“We admonish the returnees on the need to realise that there’s no country better than Nigeria.

“There are ample opportunities for all of us to thrive and live happily in virtuous and God-fearing manners in Nigeria without unnecessarily exposing ourselves to underserved dangers in foreign lands,” he said.

Farinloye encouraged the returnees to be positive ambassadors toward advocacy and sensitisation against irregular migration that leaves the youths vulnerable to all sorts of abuses and death in extreme cases.