One hundred and sixty-one Nigerians, who have been stranded in Libya returned to the country yesterday aboard an Airbus 329 with registration number Nouvelair TS-INB.
The aircraft conveying the returnees landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, around 3:30pm.
They were received at the Hajj Camp wing of the airport by the Director General of NEMA, Alhaji Mohammed Sidi, who was represented by the Deputy Director, Search and Rescue, Dr. Abdullahi Onimode.
It was gathered that the International Oganisation for Migration, IOM, facilitated their return after the Federal Government asked for its assistance in confirming that some Nigerians were willing to return home.
The group was made up of 101 females and 60 males, seven children, and two infants.
There were also three unaccompanied minors while three of the deportees needed medical care.
Addressing newsmen, Dr. Abdullahi Onimode, said the deportees would be given some token to go back to their respective destinations.
He also advised those leaving the country in search of greener pastures to have a rethink and stay in the country to develop it.
“We are giving them some stipends. We need to let them realize that the country they left some years ago is not the same country they are meeting today. We have moved ahead and everybody now has equal opportunity to be the best you can be,” the NEMA boss said.
Some of the deportees who appeared trumatised said they will never leave Nigeria again.
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