The Federal Government of Nigeria, with the support of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), evacuated 139 Nigerian irregular migrants who had been freed from detention centers across Libya on Monday.
Ambassador Kabiru Musa, Charge d’Affaires En Titre, said in a statement to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja that the exercise was aimed at ensuring that no Nigerian is abandoned abroad for immigration offenses.
According to Musa, the evacuees comprising 85 males, 51 females, two children, and one infant are expected to arrive at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos on Monday evening.”
“The Nigerian Mission in Libya with support from the IOM again secured the release of 139 irregular Nigerian Migrants who were in detention centres in Libya and have facilitated their return home.”
“This is the third exercise we have conducted within the past month, and the Federal Government is committed to ensuring that none of its citizens is left stranded abroad.”
“The 139 evacuees departed Mitiga International Airport, Tripoli aboard chartered flight No. UZ 0189 on Monday afternoon and are expected to arrive at Murtala Muhammed International Airport Lagos on Monday evening.”
“We did not only evacuate them but also sensitized them on the dangers of irregular migration so that on return, they are to warn others against taking such dangerous routes,” Musa said.