Wednesday July 02, 2025
By Ukeme ASUQUO
The National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, has confirmed the return of 104 Nigerians from Algeria under the Assisted Voluntary Returns, AVR, programme coordinated by the International Organisation for Migration, IOM, in collaboration with the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The returnees arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on Sunday, June 30, aboard an Air Algerie flight (Flight No. 70-BKT), touching down at the airport’s cargo terminal at approximately 1:50 p.m., according to a statement posted on NEMA’s official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Tuesday, July 1.
The group consisted of 80 adult males, 14 adult females, two male children, five female children, and three infants.
Upon arrival, they were received by officials from NEMA’s Lagos Operations Office and were immediately processed through biometric registration and documentation by the Nigerian Immigration Service, NIS.
In addition to registration, the returnees were provided with essential humanitarian support including food, water, medical care, ambulance services, assistance with their luggage, and other logistics.
NEMA emphasized that the initiative is part of a broader strategy to ensure the safe, dignified, and voluntary return and reintegration of Nigerian citizens stranded abroad.
The agency reaffirmed its commitment to working with both national and international partners to uphold the dignity and rights of returnees.
This operation is the latest in a series of repatriation efforts aimed at addressing the challenges of irregular migration and human trafficking, while helping returnees reintegrate into society.
