By
Khadijah Aliyu
The National Emergency Management Agency(NEMA), has received another batch of 144 stranded Nigerians, from Niamey(Niger Republic).
The coordinator NEMA, Kano territorial office Dr Nuradeen Abdullahi , made the disclosure while receiving the returnees at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano.
Dr. Nurudeen, who was represented by NEMA Kano Head of Human Resources, Suleiman Sa’ad-Abubakar,said the returnees arrived the airport at about 2:30 p.m
“The returnees were transported into Nigeria by SKY MALI Airlines, operated by Ethiopian airline B737-400 with registration number UR-CQX”
He highlighted that, the returnees were brought back, under the care of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) from Niamey(Niger Republic), through a voluntary repatriation programme.
The coordinator noted that, the program was for the distressed who had left the country to seek greener pastures in various European countries and could not afford to return when their journey became frustrated.
Dr. Nurudeen said, those repatriated include106 males, 16 females and 22 children.
The coordinator pointed out that, the returnees are from Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Abia, Sokoto and Edo among other others.
He however stressed that, the returnees would be trained on various skills acquisition programs, that would integrate them back to the society, and provide them with start up capital to become self reliant.
He advised Nigerians to avoid endangering their lives, by travelling to seek for greener pastures in other countries, adding that no country was better than Nigeria.
Speaking to newsmen, one of the returnees a widow and mother of two Fatima Muhammed, said she travelled to Algeria to seek for greener pasture with her kids.
She pointed out that, she regretted embarking on the ill-fated journey.
“No one to cater for me and my children, that was why I decided to leave the country”
The returnees were received by officials of National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and IDPs, Red Cross Society, Department of State Services and those of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps among others.
Radio Nigeria reports that, NEMA had between February and March 2023, received 300 stranded Nigerians from Niamey Niger Republic.
