The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), on Monday, May 19, 2025, received 147 stranded Nigerian returnees at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano.
The returnees, who arrived aboard a chartered flight from Niamey, Niger Republic, landed at approximately 10:50 a.m. and were received by NEMA’s Kano Territorial Office alongside key stakeholders involved in migrant support and reintegration.
According to NEMA officials, the repatriation was part of an ongoing voluntary return programme facilitated by the IOM. The demographic breakdown of the returnees includes 54 adult males, 24 male children, 37 adult females, and 32 female children.
“Upon arrival, the returnees were transported to Chilla Hotel for temporary accommodation,” a NEMA official confirmed. “Their profiling and documentation were carried out the following day, Tuesday, May 20, 2025.”
Medical personnel from the Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS) were on ground to attend to minor health concerns reported by some of the returnees. According to NRCS representatives, no serious medical issues were recorded.
The reception exercise also witnessed the participation of other relevant agencies tasked with ensuring the safe reintegration of the returnees into society.
NEMA reiterated its commitment to supporting stranded Nigerians abroad through its collaboration with IOM and other partners, and emphasized the importance of reintegration support for returned migrants.