The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has received 180 Nigerian returnees from Algeria under the Assisted Voluntary Return (AVR) programme supported by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The returnees arrived at the Cargo Terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos State, at about 10:20 p.m. on Tuesday aboard an Albastar Airlines flight, registration number EC-NGC.
The reception exercise was coordinated by NEMA’s Lagos Operations Office in collaboration with the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI).
According to officials, the returnees comprised 172 adults, including 134 males and 38 females, six children made up of four males and two females, as well as two infants, one male and one female.
Upon arrival, officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) conducted biometric registration and documentation of the returnees to ensure accurate record-keeping and facilitate their reintegration into society.
In line 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. The support included food and potable water, medical screening and ambulance services, luggage handling, logistics assistance, as well as counselling and coordination services to ensure an orderly reception process and smooth transition.
The Assisted Voluntary Return programme remains a key component of ongoing efforts by the Federal Government and its partners to support vulnerable Nigerian migrants returning from abroad and promote their successful reintegration into their communities.
