Barely two weeks after two sets of stranded Nigerians in Libya were voluntarily repatriated back to the country another set of 152 stranded Nigerians from Tripoli, Libya has been received by officials of the National Emergency Management Agency.
Nigeriacrime.com learned that the Returnees who arrived aboard Al Buraq Air Boeing 737-800 with registration number 5A-DMG landed at about 4:38 pm.
Receiving the returnees at the Cargo Wing of the Murtala Muhammad International Airport, Ikeja, the Director General of the Agency, Alhaji Mustapha Habib Ahmed who was represented by Mrs Adenike OgunKunle, Chief Executive General Service National Emergency Management Agency said the Assisted Voluntary Returnees program is in collaboration with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and Nigeria Embassy in Libya to assist the stranded Nigerians back after their failed attempts to cross over the Mediterranean Sea into Europe.
Giving a breakdown of the profiles of the returnees the Director General of the Agency, Alhaji Mustapha Habib Ahmed disclosed that fifty-four 54 adult females, seven 7 children and three 3 infant females were brought back.”
“Also seventy-three 73 adult males including those with medical cases, eight 8 male children and seven 7 infants male were among the fresh batch of voluntary returnees.
Other agencies on ground with National Emergency Management Agency are Nigeria Immigration Service, NAPTIP, REFUGEE COMMISSION, FAAN and Nigeria Police.
It will be recalled that ten days ago the second batch of distressed Nigerians being assisted back to the country by the International Organisation for Migration within 24 hours totalling 281 were repatriated back to the country.
The Director General represented by Mrs Adenike Ibitayo, Chief Search and Rescue Officer disclosed that a total of 69 females were brought back including 62 adults and 7 children.
Also among the Returnees are 61 males which also included 58 adults, 1 child and 2 infants.
The Returnees left the country with a view of seeking greener pastures in the distressed Northern African country of Libya or trying to cross over to Europe.
The conditions they met in Libya became unbearable while those that tried to cross over to Europe could not succeed and became stranded in Libya.