No fewer than 263 stranded Nigerians have returned from Agadez in Niger, arriving safely in Kano on Thursday through a coordinated humanitarian operation.
The returnees touched down at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport aboard two Sky Mali flights. The first aircraft arrived at about 12.50 pm with 116 passengers, while the second landed around 4.35 pm carrying 147 persons. A majority of those onboard were young men, alongside several women and children.
The repatriation was facilitated under the Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration programme of the International Organization for Migration in partnership with the National Commission for Refugees Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons.
On arrival, the returnees were moved to the Nigerian Immigration Service Training School in Kano for profiling, documentation and further administrative procedures. Officials confirmed that the process is designed to ensure proper identification, protection screening and structured reintegration support.
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The Federal Commissioner of NCFRMI, Aliyu Tijani, who was represented by the Kano State Coordinator of the commission, Lubah Liman, described the exercise as part of ongoing efforts to guarantee safe and dignified returns for Nigerians stranded abroad. She stressed that the repatriation followed consultations with the migrants and was undertaken on a voluntary basis.
According to her, personnel from NCFRMI and the Nigerian Immigration Service are conducting profiling, while other agencies including the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, the Department of State Services, the National Emergency Management Agency and the Kano State Emergency Management Agency are providing humanitarian and security support.
Liman disclosed that after documentation is completed, each returnee will receive multipurpose cash assistance and transportation support to facilitate their return to their respective communities.
She reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to migrant protection and reintegration under the Renewed Hope Agenda of Bola Tinubu, noting that sustained collaboration with IOM and relevant stakeholders remains central to addressing irregular migration and safeguarding Nigerians overseas.
The latest repatriation highlights the growing movement of stranded migrants across West Africa and the continued push by Nigerian authorities to provide structured reintegration pathways for citizens seeking a fresh start at home.
