*Amb. Kabiru Musa, Chargé D’affaires en titre, of the Nigerian Mission to Libya, Tuesday discloses most of the irregular Nigerian migrants being repatriated have no travel documents, and are consequently, facing difficult situations in the North African country

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

As part of country’s diplomacy drive to ensure the safety of all its citizens worldwide, the Federal Government, in partnership with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), on Tuesday, November 15, 2022, successfully repatriated 159 more  irregular Nigerian migrants from Libya.

ConsumerConnect reports Amb. Kabiru Musa, Chargé D’affaires en titre, of the Nigerian Mission to Libya, disclosed this development in a statement issued Tuesday, in Abuja, FCT.

Repatriation for safety of lives, property

The Nigerian Mission’s continued evacuation of stranded Nigerians in the North African country is said to be part of the Federal Government’s citizen’s diplomacy drive towards ensuring the safety of all Nigerians across the world.

The Nigerian envoy disclosed the 159 evacuees left Mitiga International Airport, Tripoli at 2.30 p.m, and are expected to arrive the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, in Lagos, at 6.40 p.m Nigerian time.

Amb. Musa also stated that the continuous evacuation would not end until all stranded Nigerians in Libya, who wish to voluntarily return home are repatriated to the  West African country safe and sound.

He said: “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, 61women, 19 children and 14 infants.”

The diplomat further noted: “They departed Mitiga International Airport, Tripoli, aboard chartered flight UZ0189 by 2.30 p.m. local time, and are expected to arrive Nigeria via the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos by 6.40 p.m. Nigerian time.”

Musa stated: “The Federal Government and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, have taken this as a priority to ensure that none of its citizens will be left stranded in a foreign country.

“The exercise is worldwide, and not limited to Libya alone.

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

According to him, over 3,000 Nigerians have been returned to Nigeria from Libya between January and November 2022, under the IOM’s voluntary humanitarian return programme.