The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), in collaboration with the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), has successfully received 150 stranded Nigerian citizens repatriated from Agadez, Niger Republic. The returnees arrived at the Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, in the early hours of Thursday under the Assisted Voluntary Return (AVR) initiative facilitated by the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
The repatriation effort is part of an ongoing humanitarian mission to bring home Nigerians who found themselves stranded abroad due to irregular migration, economic hardship, or displacement.
The returnees—comprising men, women, and children—were welcomed by officials from NEMA’s Kano Operations Office, alongside representatives from NCFRMI and IOM. Upon arrival, they underwent documentation and medical screening before being provided with temporary shelter, food, and essential supplies.
Speaking at the reception, NEMA’s Coordinator in Kano, Dr. Nuradeen Abdullahi, emphasized the agency’s commitment to reintegration and rehabilitation. “This operation reflects our dedication to ensuring that every Nigerian, regardless of circumstance, is given the opportunity to return home safely and rebuild their lives,” he said.
The AVR program, supported by the Federal Government of Nigeria, aims to assist migrants who voluntarily choose to return to their country of origin. It includes reintegration support such as vocational training, psychosocial counseling, and access to small business grants.
One of the returnees, Amina Yusuf, expressed gratitude for the safe return. “We faced many challenges in Niger, but today we are back home. I thank the Nigerian government and all those who made this possible,” she said.