No fewer than 138 Nigerian irregular migrants stranded in Libya evacuated by the federal government were expected back to the country on Tuesday.

This is contained in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday by Kabiru Musa, chargé d’Affaires en titre of the Nigerian Mission in Libya.

Mr Musa disclosed that the evacuees departed from the Mitiga International Airport aboard chartered flight UZ 189 on Tuesday afternoon.

He said they were expected to arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos later that day.

“Today, we successfully repatriated another batch of 138 Nigerians who were stranded in different parts of Libya as irregular migrants. Among the evacuees today are 77 males, 56 females, 11 children, and four infants.

They departed Tripoli International Airport on chartered flight UZ 189 and arrived at Murtala Mohammed Airport in Lagos.

“It is the fourth evacuation exercise the Nigerian Mission in Libya has conducted this year as part of the 4D foreign policy of the present administration, and under the directives of the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs.

“So far, nearly one thousand stranded Nigerians have safely returned home in 2024,” Mr Musa said.

He said the evacuation exercises were carried out in collaboration with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in Libya under its consistent Voluntary Humanitarian Repatriation (VHR) programme.

“With the support of the Libyan authorities, we also successfully facilitated the release and repatriation of those in detention facilities for immigration-related offences.

“Surely, we will not rest on our oars while discharging our obligations and rendering necessary consular assistance to Nigerians in Libya.”

He cautioned young Nigerians to refrain from irregular migration, as many would not realise their fantasies and could lose their lives through the perilous journey of searching for greener pastures.

Mr Musa said that the relevant government agencies would receive the evacuees upon arriving in Nigeria, who would ensure their rehabilitation and reintegration into the society.

(NAN)