29 STRANDED NIGERIANS RETURN FROM SUDAN, FG CONFIRMS
The Federal Commissioner of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), Alhaji Tijani Ahmed, announced the arrival of 29 Nigerian emigrants from Sudan on Thursday in Abuja.
Ahmed explained that the voluntary repatriation was necessary due to the ongoing crisis in Sudan. The group included 18 females (five of whom were minors), five adult males, and two additional minors.
In his statement, Ahmed mentioned that an additional nine voluntary returnees are expected to be airlifted from Sudan in the upcoming week.
“We are here at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport to welcome the returnees from Sudan. Our priority is to ensure their safe and dignified return,” he stated.
Ahmed highlighted the collaborative efforts between the NCFRMI and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to facilitate the safe return of these individuals. He mentioned that plans are also underway to repatriate about 17 Nigerians from Algeria, eight from Tunisia, and several others from various countries in the coming weeks.
From January to May, the Commission, in partnership with the IOM, successfully facilitated the return of approximately 1,950 Nigerians. Additionally, in 2003, over 7,000 Nigerians were repatriated from various countries with the help of the Commission and its partners.
Ahmed expressed his gratitude to the IOM and other partners for their financial and moral support, ensuring that Nigerians abroad are returned safely and with dignity.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the returnees were profiled and provided with kits, including refreshments, upon their arrival.
