Amb. Mohammed Mohammed, the Nigerian Charge’ d’ Affaires to Libya, has commended the federal government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Organisation for Migration (IOM) for repatriating 158 irregular Nigerian migrants from Libya.

The envoy, in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday, said 158 irregular Nigerian migrants were recently repatriated from Libya.

Mr Mohammed noted that the repatriation exercise was carried out by the Nigerian Mission in Libya in collaboration with the Libyan authorities and the IOM under the organisation’s Voluntary Humanitarian Repatriation (VHR).

“The evacuees departed Mitiga International Airport, Tripoli, aboard chartered flight no: – UZ 189 at 1500hrs local time and arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos at 1800hrs.”

The envoy noted that the evacuees comprised 77 males, 45 females, 26 children as well as 10 infants.

He added that the Nigerian embassy repatriated them for lack of proper documentation and accusations of various criminal activities, amongst others.

“Out of the 158 evacuees, 26 males were arrested from the ongoing raid of undocumented foreigners in Libya who were released from Abu-Salim Detention Centre in Tripoli.’’

“While arriving Nigeria, the evacuees were received by relevant government agencies, including NAPTIP, Nigerian Immigration Service, Airport Security and the NDLEA.

“These evacuees are expected to undergo rehabilitation and reintegration processes before they are released into society.”

The envoy said that nearly 1,776 stranded Nigerians had so far been safely returned home in 2024, urging Nigerian citizens to shun irregular migrations.

He lauded the collaborative efforts of the Nigerian government through the ministry of foreign affairs, the Libyan authorities and the IOM for coming through to the evacuees, who had the urgent desire to return home but did not have the means to do so.

“This marks the 12th evacuation exercise carried out by the Nigerian Mission in Libya this year.

`The current exercise follows the repatriation of 142 irregular Nigerian migrants from Sabha, Libya, on July 9.

“While some of them were rescued from the Mediterranean Sea by the Libyan Coastal Guards, others were arrested for illegally entering into the country, overstay, and lack of proper documentation, amongst others.

“Some willingly submitted themselves to IOM in Libya for repatriation. You know, lately, there have been increasing and coordinated raids of illegal migrants across the cities of Libya, and these are likely going to continue.

“As Libyan authorities consider influx of illegal migrants in the country a national security issue and have vowed to employ all legal means to stop the menace.

“Nigerians living in Libya, from many indications, already have damaged reputations due to the alleged nefarious activities of some criminal elements among them.

“It is, therefore, as a result of the above that arrest and deportation of Nigerians may continue in the weeks and months ahead,’’ he said.

The Voluntary Humanitarian Repatriation is a programme of the IOM that guarantees safe, dignified and expedited return for willing migrants.

The federal government has, through its constant collaborations with this organisation, ensured that many irregular Nigerian migrants return home from time to time.

(NAN)