No fewer than 107 Nigerians stranded in Libya were evacuated by the Federal Government on Tuesday as part of efforts to ensure no Nigerian is left behind in the North African country.
This was disclosed by Amb. Kabiru Musa, Charge D’affaires en titre of the Nigerian Mission in Libya, who stated that the evacuees would arrive at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, on Tuesday.
Musa noted that the rescue operation was carried out by the Federal Government, in collaboration with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).
He also disclosed that 700 stranded Nigerians have been evacuated from Libya in 2023 only.
Musa stated, “107 stranded Nigerians departed Misrata International Airport aboard chartered flight No.UZ189 at 13:15 local time and are expected to arrive [at] the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, same Tuesday evening.
“Among the evacuees are 49 males, 48 females, eight children and two infants.
“Nigeria, with the support of the IOM, will continue to intensify efforts to rescue, protect and ensure the safe return of all stranded migrants in Libya.”
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Meanwhile, the Amotekun Corps in Osun said it had secured the release of a man kidnapped from a Fulani settlement at Ago-Igbira, Ila-Orangun area of the state.
The Amotekun Commander in the state, Brig-Gen. Bashir Adewinmbi (retd.), made this known in a statement on Tuesday in Osogbo.
Adewinmbi said the victim, Muhammed Jubril, was released when the local security outfit closed in on the abductors.
According to him, the abductors bolted and left behind the victim around 8pm on Monday when they sighted some operatives of Amotekun.
“The victim was held hostage in the forest between Agbamu and Arandun villages, a forest in the boundary between Osun and Kwara states.
“Amotekun was combing the forest based on intelligence report, and as our operatives were closing in on the suspects, they ran away, leaving their victim behind,” he said
Adewinmbi said the victim had been reunited with his family without paying ransom, and added that investigation was continuing to arrest the kidnappers.
He said the Seriki Fulani of Ago-Igbira commended and appreciated the efforts of the Amotekun operatives for the release of their son.
Muhammad was reportedly abducted from the Fulani settlement on Wednesday, April 12, where one Hassan Jubril was also killed.