148 stranded Nigerians repatriated from Sudan

The Kano office of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has confirmed the arrival of 148 Nigerians repatriated from Sudan as part of the federal government’s ongoing support for citizens stranded abroad.

In a statement released on Saturday, NEMA said the returnees landed at Malam Aminu Kano International Airport on Friday around 2:30 p.m. aboard a chartered Tarco Aviation flight.

The passengers comprised 25 men, 27 women, 39 boys, and 57 girls.

Upon arrival, NEMA explained, “the returnees were transported to the Chila Hotel for profiling and documentation by relevant stakeholders.”

The agency further noted that no reintegration programme was attached to the exercise. “The returnees were not enrolled in any reintegration programme and were discharged and giving them transport fare by providing them with ATM card for withdrawals shortly after the completion of documentation and profiling,” the statement read.

Describing the operation as “well-coordinated and successfully executed,” NEMA stressed that the initiative was carried out smoothly.

The repatriation follows the ongoing unrest in Sudan, which has forced millions from their homes and severely impacted infrastructure.

According to the agency, the Federal Government continues to work with both NEMA and international partners to assist Nigerians caught up in the conflict. NEMA has also been collaborating with global bodies to tackle challenges faced by Nigerian migrants, while the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons has recently stepped up efforts to rescue girls from traffickers’ camps in Libya.