TheCable

The federal government says it has evacuated 117 “irregular” Nigerian migrants from Libya.

In a statement on Tuesday, Kabiru Musa, Nigeria’s ambassador to Libya, said the evacuation was done in collaboration with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM),

He said the evacuation exercise took place on Tuesday and the evacuees including 89 men, 22 women, two children, four infants are expected to arrive at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, at 6 pm.

He added that among the evacuees were 48 persons released from Libyan detention facilities.

“Again, we have successfully evacuated another 117 stranded Nigerians who were irregular migrants in Libya,” he said. 

“They left today, Nov. 1, at 13.00 hrs from the Tripoli International Airport and are expected to arrive at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos at 18. 00 hrs (Nigerian time).

“The evacuees include 89 men, 22 women, two children, and four infants. Among the 117 evacuees, 48 of them were released from Libyan detention centres and this was facilitated by the Nigerian government.

“The federal government is committed to ensuring that no Nigerian is left stranded in a foreign country. The Nigerian mission in Tripoli will continue to work with the Libyan authorities to ensure none of our citizens are unjustly detained and will ensure their voluntary repatriation.” 

Musa said personnel from relevant government agencies will be on the ground to receive the evacuees upon their arrival in Lagos.