“Some of the returnees had been detained in Libyan detention centers for immigration violations, while others had been rescued victims of human trafficking or were irregular migrants returning voluntarily.”
In partnership with the Federal Government, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has rescued an extra 330 stranded Nigerians from Benghazi and Tripoli, Libya, as part of its ongoing voluntary evacuation effort.
The Nigerian Mission’s Charge d’Affaires in Libya, Kabiru Musa, announced in an Abuja statement on Wednesday.
330 evacuees from Tripoli and Libya are expected to arrive on different flights at Lagos’ Murtala Mohammed International Airport on Wednesday night, according to Mr. Musa.
In November only, about 1,000 stranded Nigerians were airlifted from Libya, he said, reiterating the Nigerian government’s resolve not to leave any Nigerian stranded in Libya.
the IOM on Wednesday transported 172 Nigerians from Tripoli and 158 others from Benghazi, in collaboration with the Nigerian embassy in Tripoli, following effective extraction operations and the significant number of stranded Nigerians in Libya.”
According to him, “The number of the chartered flight from Benghazi. UZ389 took off from Benghazi airport at 15:45 local time and is scheduled to arrive at Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos at 22:45.”
According to him, the Tripoli chartered flight UZ0190 departed Mitiga international airport at 18.00 local time and would arrive at Lagos international airport at 23:30 local time.
“A sum of 330 Nigerians were rescued, including men, women, and children.”
“Some of the returnees had been detained in Libyan detention centres for immigration violations, while others had been rescued victims of human trafficking or were irregular migrants returning voluntarily.”
“The exercises were carried out efficiently and in exact compliance with COVID-19 criteria. Before being reintegrated into society, all returnees are expected to spend a few days at IOM-provided facilities,” Mr. Musa said.
Mr. Musa promised that the exercise would continue until Nigerians in need in Libya were assisted in reuniting with their relatives back home.
