The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) received 173 Nigerian returnees from Tripoli, Libya.

In a statement on Wednesday, NEMA said the returnees were supported under the Assisted Voluntary Return (AVR) Programme.

“The returnees arrived at about 5:05 p.m. on Tuesday, 1st September 2026, aboard an Air Buraq Airlines flight with registration number 5A-BAC, which landed at the Cargo Terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos State,” it said.

It explained that the returnees comprised 152 adults, including eight males and 144 females, 14 children, made up of six males and eight females; and seven infants, comprising three males and four females.

It stated that two returnees were also identified as medical cases: one male and one female.

“The reception was coordinated under the AVR Programme by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), in collaboration with the Federal Government of Nigeria, as part of efforts to facilitate the safe and orderly return of Nigerian citizens from abroad,” NEMA explained.

The agency said that officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) conducted biometric registration and documentation of the returnees to support proper identification, record-keeping and subsequent reintegration processes.

It noted that other participating agencies provided immediate humanitarian and logistical assistance, including food and potable water, medical screening, ambulance services for returnees requiring further attention, luggage handling, reception coordination and counselling.

“The returnees were also provided with reintegration support to facilitate their safe return to their respective communities and assist them in resuming their lives following their return to Nigeria,” it stated.

It added that the reception exercise concluded successfully, with relevant government agencies and partners working together to provide the necessary assistance and support to the returnees upon arrival.