... 65,700 rescued in 9 years

THE International Organization for Migration (IOM), in collaboration with the Federal Government and the European Union (EU), has evacuated 182 stranded Nigerian migrants from Benghazi, Libya, bringing the total number of voluntary returnees to 65,700 since 2017.

IOM Head of Office in Lagos, Ali Ibrahim, who led the agency’s team to receive the returnees, said the evacuation was carried out under the Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (AVRR) programme, largely funded by the EU to rescue migrants stranded along irregular migration routes.

The returnees arrived aboard a special charter flight at the Cargo Terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, on Tuesday night.

According to Ibrahim, the returnees comprised 108 adult females and 45 adult males, bringing the total number of adults to 153.

There were also 17 children — seven females and 10 males — as well as 12 infants made up of eight females and four males.

However, the IOM disclosed that two of the 17 children returned unaccompanied.

“In total, there are 123 females and 59 males, making 182 returnees altogether. More importantly, we have two unaccompanied children; that is, they returned without their parents.

“You know it is a dangerous migration route, so many things could have happened,” Ibrahim explained.

The Lagos Head of Office noted that upon arrival, the returnees are immediately processed through an integrated support system aimed at helping them reintegrate into society.

“We provide support immediately upon arrival. This includes health screening, psychosocial first aid, and assistance with immediate needs.

“After their return, we also support them with reintegration assistance. That means helping them reintegrate into their communities so they can recover and rebuild their lives,” he said.

According to him, the support may include livelihood assistance, business support, educational aid, and other forms of intervention depending on individual needs.

Statistical data provided by the agency revealed a sharp increase in irregular migration casualties, with 7,625 Nigerians voluntarily evacuated from North Africa between January and June 2026 alone.

Responding to questions about repeated migration attempts by some returnees, Ibrahim stressed that while migration remains a fundamental human right, the goal of the AVRR programme is to ensure that future migration is done through safe and legal channels.

“Voluntary return means that you are a migrant in another country, you find yourself stranded, and you choose to return to your country of origin.

“Migration is a choice. What we are trying to promote is that such choices are made correctly. We promote safe migration by providing access to the right information so people can make informed decisions,” he said.

The IOM further disclosed that repatriation exercises have now been scaled up to weekly operations across major entry points, including Kano and Lagos, alongside daily commercial arrivals of rescued Nigerians through the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.