NEMA returns another batch of 141 Nigerians from Libya

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), on Wednesday, received a fresh batch of 141 stranded Nigerians from a restive Libya, comprising 71 female adults, 3 female children and 3 female infants. Also, there are 53 male adults, 6 male children and 5 male infants.

The agency, which returned the stranded nationals back to the country, also revealed that among them were 2 medical cases, 9 families and 11 pregnant women all assisted back by the International Organisation of Migration (IOM) through the assistance of European Union.

The returnees were brought back via an AL Buraq flight number UZ189 which arrived the Cargo Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport ( MMIA) Ikeja at 10:45 p.m last night.

Receiving the Nigerians who were mostly from city centre of Tripoli, the capital of distressed country, Libya, Mr. Segun Afolayan, Chief Planning Officer, on behalf of the Director General of NEMA and other federal agencies, welcomed the voluntary returnees back in the country.

Afolayan urged the returnees to turn a new leave in forging ahead in their future endeavours and not allow the unfortunate experiences to negatively impact on their lives.

He said: ”Truly, you had bad experiences differently, collectively and individually but these should be the motivation for you to make positive decision to see the brighter future ahead of you. This is because no one can tell the story more than you and making the better use of your lives are essential.

“Please, Federal Government is urging you to be ambassadors of positive change by taking the anti-irregular migration campaign to those still aspiring to take dangerous journey. You can talk to them in the language they will understand most.”

Agencies which joined NEMA in the operation were the Nigeria Immigration Service, NAPTIP, Refugee Commission, FAAN and Port Health.