NEMA receives 153 Nigerians rescued from Chad

The National Emergency Management Agency, in partnership with the International Organisation for Migration and various collaborators, has successfully repatriated 153 Nigerians from Chad.

The returnees landed at the Cargo Terminal of Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos at approximately 12:15 p.m. on Monday, having traveled on an ASKY Airlines flight with the registration number CAS-AC, as announced by NEMA in a post on its X handle on Tuesday.

The agency indicated that the returnees were repatriated under the Assisted Voluntary Return programme, which was facilitated by the IOM in collaboration with the Federal Government.

As per NEMA's report, the group consisted of 105 adults (63 males and 42 females), 45 children (25 males and 20 females), and three infants (all females).

“Upon their arrival, officers from the Nigeria Immigration Service carried out biometric registration and documentation to ensure precise profiling and to aid their smooth reintegration into the country,” the agency stated.

NEMA emphasized that in accordance with the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring the safe, dignified, and humane return of its citizens, the returnees were provided with immediate humanitarian assistance, which included food, potable water, medical care, ambulance services, luggage handling, logistics support, and counselling.

The operation, as stated by the agency, was coordinated collaboratively by NEMA, the IOM, the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, along with other pertinent stakeholders.

“The efficient and well-organized reception demonstrates the government’s continuous efforts to prioritize the welfare and dignity of Nigerians returning from abroad,” NEMA added.

Over the years, NEMA, in collaboration with IOM and other agencies, has facilitated the voluntary return and reintegration of thousands of Nigerians who were stranded in various countries.