A group of 103 Nigerians who were deported from the Republic of Turkiye has arrived back in Nigeria. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other stakeholders warmly welcomed them at the Nnamdi Arzikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
The deportees were transported on a Southwind Airlines flight TCGRB, which landed in Abuja at around 7 pm on Friday. Upon arrival, they were received by federal government officials led by NEMA at the pilgrims wing of the airport.
During the reception, the Director General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, delivered a message to the returnees. She encouraged them to accept their experiences with resilience and to abide by the law.
Representing the DG NEMA, the Director of the North Central Zone, Alhaji Bashir Idris Garga, assured the deportees that they would be treated with dignity to address their concerns and alleviate their plight.
In a statement released by NEMA, it was mentioned that the DG informed the returnees about the financial support provided to assist them in their transportation to their respective locations.
Several other stakeholders joined NEMA in receiving the deportees, including officials from the Nigerian Immigration Service, National Commission for Refugees Migrant and Internally Displaced Persons, National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, Nigerian Police, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NDLEA, Port Health Authority, and National Intelligence Agency.
After undergoing health screenings conducted by Port Health authorities upon arrival, the deportees were provided with food and underwent profiling by NEMA and NCFRMI.
Following clearance by the Nigerian Immigration Service, they were given transportation support by NEMA to return to their homes.
While some of the deportees expressed bitterness over their deportation, they also expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for the reception they received.
