The federal government, in collaboration with the International Organisation for Migration, on Tuesday, repatriated another 159 Nigerian irregular migrants from Libya.

Kabiru Musa, Chargé D’affaires en titre, of the Nigerian Mission to Libya, made this known in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

Mr Musa said the 159 evacuees left Mitiga International Airport, Tripoli, at 2:30 p.m. and are expected to arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at 6:40 p.m. Nigerian time.

He said the continuous evacuation would not end until all stranded Nigerians in Libya who wish to return home voluntarily are brought to Nigeria safe and sound.

“We have again successfully evacuated another batch of 159 stranded Nigerians from Libya. As you know, most of them here are irregular migrants without travel documents and consequently face difficult situations in the country.

“With the collaboration of IOM and Libyan authorities, we evacuated 159 stranded Nigerians, which included 65 men, 61 women, 19 children and 14 infants.

“They departed Mitiga International Airport, Tripoli, aboard chartered flight UZ0189 by 2:30 p.m. local time and are expected to arrive in Nigeria via the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos, by 6:40 p.m. Nigerian time,” he said.

“Arrangements have also been made by the federal government for relevant agencies to receive them upon arrival and ensure their reintegration into the society,” he added.

Mr Musa said so far, over 3,000 Nigerians had been returned to Nigeria from Libya between January to November 2022 under the IOM’s voluntary humanitarian return programme. 

(NAN)