JUST IN: NEMA receives 174 Nigerian returnees from Libya

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LAGOS, Nigeria (NPA) — The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Lagos Operations Office, in collaboration with the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), has received 174 Nigerian returnees from Tripoli, Libya, under the Assisted Voluntary Return (AVR) Programme.

The return exercise, coordinated by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in collaboration with the Federal Government of Nigeria, took place on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at the Cargo Terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.

NEMA said the returnees, all adult males, arrived at about 4:52 p.m. aboard an Air Buraq Airlines flight with registration number 5A-BAG.

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The agency said many of the returnees had endured what it described as harsh incarceration and inhumane treatment while in Libya.

Upon arrival, officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) conducted biometric registration and documentation to facilitate identification, record-keeping and the reintegration process.

In a statement dated September 22, NEMA said participating agencies provided immediate humanitarian and reception support, including food and potable water, medical screening and ambulance services where required.

Other support included luggage handling, logistics, reception coordination and counselling.

The returnees were also linked to reintegration support programmes aimed at assisting their transition back into their communities.

NEMA said the reception exercise was successfully completed, with participating agencies providing the necessary assistance to the returnees upon arrival.