Federal Govt Receives 29 Stranded Nigerians From Sudan 

The federal government, in collaboration with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), has facilitated the safe return of 29 out of 120 Nigerians stranded in Sudan.

They received the returnees on behalf of the federal government. The reception took place at the International Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport in Abuja yesterday.

The National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), Alhaji Tijani Ahmed stressed that the voluntary return of the 29 Nigerian emigrants – 18 females including five minors, five adult males, and two minors – became necessary due to the crisis in Sudan.

He also stated that about nine more voluntary returnees would be airlifted from Sudan next week.

“We are here at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport to receive the returnees from Sudan. We want to ensure that our people return safely and with dignity.

“The National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons, in collaboration with the IOM, is doing everything possible to ensure that these 120 Nigerians are returned to the country,” he said.

Ahmed added that the Commission is also arranging the safe return of about 17 Nigerians in Algeria, eight in Tunisia, and others in various countries over the next few weeks. He noted that the Commission, with IOM’s assistance, facilitated the return of about 1,950 Nigerians between January and May.

“In 2003, the Commission and its partners returned over 7,000 Nigerians from various countries back to the country,” he said.

Ahmed expressed his appreciation to IOM and other partners for their financial and moral support in ensuring that Nigerians living abroad are returned safely and with dignity.