Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
In a significant humanitarian operation on Monday, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) received 708 Nigerian citizens who had been stranded in Niamey, the capital of the Republic of Niger, and brought back to Nigeria for support, documentation, and eventual return to their home states. The returnees, comprising men, women, and children of various ages, were brought to Malam Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano State where they were officially received by government officials and humanitarian workers before undergoing a detailed profiling and support process.
The group arrived at the airport around 4:08 p.m. aboard 12 buses provided as part of the repatriation effort coordinated by the Federal Government. The returnees were immediately taken through physical verification and documentation procedures to establish their identities, states of origin, needs, and next steps for support. Officials said this detailed profiling exercise was crucial to ensure each person would receive appropriate assistance and be safely transported to their respective communities after the airport reception.
According to NEMA officials, the 708 returnees included 292 male adults and children and 416 female adults and children from diverse regions across Nigeria, including Katsina, Kano, Jigawa, Benue, Borno, Yobe, Zamfara, Kaduna, Kogi, and Niger State itself, illustrating the broad demographic of Nigerians who had been living in the neighbouring country before their return.
Dr. Nura Abdullahi, Head of Operations at NEMA’s Kano office, addressed journalists following the arrival. He explained that the evacuation was facilitated through collaboration between NEMA, the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Nigerian Embassy in Niamey, highlighting the government’s commitment to assist citizens who could not return on their own due to financial, security, or logistical challenges. He stressed that upon arrival, the returnees were provided with immediate humanitarian support, including food, temporary shelter, blankets, mosquito nets, and hygiene kits — items essential for restoring dignity and stability after extended periods in difficult conditions abroad.
Medical teams from the Nigerian Red Cross Society were also on the ground at the airport to provide on-site health checks and care for those who were ill, with more severe medical cases referred to state health facilities for further treatment. According to Dr. Abdullahi, the presence of medical professionals was critical given that many returnees had endured prolonged hardship and poor living conditions before their repatriation.
Officials emphasised that after the profiling and verification process — expected to be completed by the following morning — arrangements would be made to transport the returnees to their various states of origin. This transition is being coordinated with the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to ensure each person’s journey home is safe, orderly, and efficient.
Representing the NCFRMI at the reception, Hajiya Luba Liman, the Kano Field Coordinator, described the repatriation as a “whole-of-government approach,” underscoring how multiple agencies worked in partnership to provide coordinated assistance. She noted that the return was voluntary and designed to help Nigerians who found themselves unable to return independently due to financial hardship, lack of documentation, or personal safety concerns, affirming the Federal Government’s resolve to protect and support citizens in distress overseas.
Several returnees spoke candidly about the circumstances that led them to remain in Niger and their experiences in the months or years leading up to their evacuation. One such person, Malam Kamalu Abdullahi from Kaduna State, explained that he had lived in Niamey for more than a decade before escalating violence forced his departure. He described waking up to chaotic scenes of unrest, including attacks on Nigerian residences that left him with no choice but to seek the government’s assistance for return.
Another returnee, Rabi’a Inusa from Jigawa State, recounted her arduous journey in search of a better life. She said that economic pressures at home — including family instability and losses — compelled her to travel abroad with her children, only to encounter prolonged hardship, homelessness, and financial strain in Niger. She added that travel costs had drained her resources and that she returned home with nothing, emphasising the profound personal toll of irregular migration.
Many of the returnees, particularly women and children, appeared visibly distressed, reflecting the emotional and physical challenges of living in uncertain conditions far from home. Their stories highlighted the complex realities faced by many Nigerians who migrate irregularly or out of necessity, often driven by economic hardship, security issues, or the hope of better opportunities abroad.
The reception and support operation in Kano is part of a broader regional response to migration challenges in West Africa. Large numbers of Nigerians have historically settled in neighbouring states such as Niger due to regional cross-border movement patterns, economic ties, and responses to internal security situations. However, factors including insecurity, economic strain, and limited access to social services have made some Nigerian populations in neighbouring countries increasingly vulnerable, leading to the need for return and reintegration interventions.
Humanitarian agencies and government bodies have previously worked together on similar repatriation efforts, both voluntary and assisted, to help stranded Nigerians return from countries such as Libya, Niger, and others within the region. These operations often include coordination between the Nigerian government, host country authorities, and international organisations to ensure safe, orderly, and dignified returns.
As authorities continue the profiling and support efforts, the Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to protecting the welfare of Nigerians abroad and helping returnees resettle and reintegrate into their communities. The impact of the repatriation, the personal accounts of the returnees, and the scale of the operation underscore the ongoing challenges surrounding migration, economic opportunity, and cross-border mobility in the West African region.
NEMA and partner agencies are expected to continue working closely in the days ahead to finalise the profiling and facilitate onward travel for all 708 returnees, marking a significant chapter in Nigeria’s ongoing humanitarian response to its citizens abroad.
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