TheCable

The federal government and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) on Wednesday evacuated 128 more Nigerian migrants living illegally in Libya.

The stranded Nigerians were repatriated from Tripoli, the Libyan capital.

They arrived at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos on Wednesday evening.

Kabiru Musa, the charge d’affaires of the Nigerian mission in Libya, spoke to NAN about the IOM voluntary repatriation exercise.

The 128 evacuees represent the second batch of stranded Nigerians repatriated by the federal government and IOM within 24 hours.

“IOM Libya airlifted 128 stranded Nigerians from the capital, Tripoli to Lagos today, 29th March 2023 aboard chartered flight no. UZ189,” he said.

“They are expected to arrive at Murtala Mohammed International Airport Lagos at 17.40 hours the same day.

“Just yesterday (Tuesday), we airlifted 151 stranded Nigerians, who safely arrived at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos and have reunited with their families.”

He said the federal government remains committed to evacuating whoever is ready to leave Libya under the IOM voluntary repatriation exercise.

“The mission is also always opened to facilitating the return of stranded Nigerians living here who are willing to return home,” Musa said.

“Last year, the federal government evacuated almost 4,000 stranded Nigerians here and we hope to evacuate more this year.”

Musa said the next evacuation would be from Misrata, Libya on April 18.