TheCable

The federal government on Sunday evacuated 481 stranded Nigerians from Libya.

The evacuation of more than 4, 511 others is expected to follow immediately. All the returnees will be temporarily camped at a reception centre in Port Harcourt, Rivers state, pending formal transfer to their states.

Amid joy and enthusiasm, the returnees were accompanied by Mustapha Maihaja, director-general of the National Emergency Management Agency( NEMA), Abike Dabiri, senior special assistant to the president on the diaspora affairs, and a representative of the national security adviser.

A delegation, led by Geoffrey Onyeama, minister of foreign affairs, had negotiated the exit of the returnees with the Libyan government.

The returnees landed at the Port Harcourt International Airport around 5.05pm into the waiting arms of Onyeama and other members of the delegation.

Addressing the returnees Onyeama said: “On behalf of the President, I welcome you back to your country. Mr President and the good people of Nigeria were concerned about your well-being and sent a delegation. The President put all resources at our disposal to bring you back.

The FG delegation

” We came and saw where so many of you were being held in difficult and inhuman condition.

“We had a good understanding with Libyan government and we are happy to bring back these Nigerians home. The Federal Government will do its best to return them safely to their various states.

“This administration will continue to protect every Nigerian at home and abroad. Many of you were trafficked, many of you were taken against your judgment. I want to assure you that you will not be abandoned.”

He unfolded plans by the government to rehabilitate the returnees including enrolling them for skills acquisition.