The Federal Government of Nigeria has successfully repatriated 390 Nigerian migrants stranded in Niamey, Niger Republic. This effort is part of ongoing initiatives to assist citizens facing hardships abroad and reintegrate them into society.
According to the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), the returnees included 387 adult males, two adult females, and one infant.
The repatriation exercise was conducted in collaboration with various stakeholders and took place at the Immigration Training School, Kano, around 1 a.m. on Tuesday.
The operation was coordinated by the Nigerian Mission in Niamey and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM). It marks the third batch of Nigerians voluntarily returning from Niger Republic since the program began in 2024.
To date, a total of 1,103 Nigerians have been brought back from the neighboring country since December 2024.
Upon their arrival, the returnees were registered and profiled by officials from NCFRMI and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).
This documentation process ensures that the returnees can access reintegration support programs provided by the Federal Government.
Tijani Ahmed, the Federal Commissioner for NCFRMI, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to reintegrating the returnees into society.
Represented by Kano Field Coordinator Hajia Lubah Liman, he highlighted plans to include the returnees in empowerment programs under the “Renewed Hope Agenda” of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The Commissioner commended the seamless collaboration among participating agencies, emphasizing the importance of joint efforts in addressing migration-related challenges.
Stakeholders involved in the reception exercise included representatives from the NIS, IOM, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS), State Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), among others.
This initiative underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to addressing the plight of stranded citizens and supporting their reintegration into the country.
