A total of 390 Nigerians stranded in Niamey, Niger Republic, have been successfully repatriated by the Federal Government.
The operation, coordinated by the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) alongside other key stakeholders, took place at the Immigration Training School, Kano (ITSK) at 1 am on Tuesday, January 14, 2025.
This repatriation, part of a multi-agency effort, involved the Nigerian Mission in Niamey and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM). It marks the third batch of returnees in a continued voluntary return program that began in 2024. The group includes 387 adult males, two adult females, and one infant.
Upon their arrival, the returnees underwent registration and profiling by NCFRMI and Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) officials, ensuring proper documentation and access to federal reintegration support programs.
Hon. Tijjani Aliyu Ahmed, the Honourable Federal Commissioner of NCFRMI, represented by Kano Field Coordinator Hajia Lubah Liman, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to the successful reintegration of the returnees. He highlighted that under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope Agenda,’ the returnees would be integrated into empowerment programs to aid their reintegration.
The Honourable Commissioner also commended the seamless collaboration among participating agencies, emphasizing that it played a crucial role in the operation’s success. Key stakeholders in the reception exercise included representatives from the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), IOM, NAPTIP, NEMA, DSS, Nigeria Police Force, NSCDC, Nigerian Red Cross, and other relevant bodies.
