By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja
Over 956 Nigerians have been rescued and evacuated from Libya, in the first quarter of 2025 alone, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has revealed.
This, according to Dabiri-Erewa, was made possible courtesy of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Nigeria and the National Commission For Refugees Migrants And Internally Displaced Persons Offices (NCRMI).
The breakdown of the returnees, according to a statement on Monday by Alhaji Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit, NiDCOM, showed that 683 of them were females, 132 males, 87 children and 54 infants.
The returnees, the statement further showed, were brought back home in six tranches from January to March 2025.
The six trips include 152 on January 28, 145,180 and 159 on February 11, 19 and 25 respectively while 144 and 176 came in on March 4 and 18 respectively.
And in the last few years , well over 15.000 stranded Nigerians have been evacuated back home by the federal government and the international organization for migration, the statement said.
The statement by Balogun reads, “Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) says over 956 Nigerians have been evacuated from Libya, in the first quarter of 2025 alone, courtesy of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Nigeria and the National Commission For Refugees Migrants And Internally Displaced Persons Offices (NCRMI).
“The breakdown shows that 683 of them were females, 132 males, 87 children and 54 infants.
“The returnees were brought back home in six tranches from January to March 2025.
“The six trips include 152 on January 28, 145,180 and 159 on February 11, 19 and 25 respectively while 144 and 176 came in on March 4 and 18 respectively.
And in the last few years , well over 15.000 stranded Nigerians have been evacuated back home by the federal government and the international organization for migration
“Dabiri-Erewa reiterated the Commission’s persistent advise to Nigerians to avoid dangerous and deadly migration routes such as Libya , a war torn country. dealing with many struggles
“Because of the delicate political situation in Libya, we countlessly caution Nigerians to avoid Libya as a pathway to Europe; not just Libya but other irregular routes
“She urged Nigerians to follow the legal and regular means of migration, noting that some rescued Nigerians from Libya still return to Libya or more dangerous routes to get into Europe”, it stressed.
Dabiri-Erewa assured that the Federal Government, will continually uphold the interest, dignity and fundamental human rights of Nigerians at home and in the diaspora, irrespective of their socio-economic, ethno-cultural or religious backgrounds.
The former member of the House of Representatives therefore called for collaboration with government agencies, NGOs, the media and other relevant stakeholders to join hands in raising awareness on the dangers of irregular migration.
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