Lagos, Nigeria – Relief washed over hundreds of Nigerians as they touched down in Lagos Tuesday night, marking the end of their ordeal in war-torn Libya. A joint effort by the Nigerian government and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) brought 327 stranded and detained Nigerians home in two separate flights.
The first, carrying 165 passengers from Tripoli’s International Airport, included 108 women, 52 men, and four infants who had endured the harsh conditions of Libyan detention facilities. The second flight, departing from Benghazi’s Benina International Airport, brought 162 Nigerians seeking escape from the country’s instability. Among them were 95 women, 30 men, and 19 infants, all carrying stories of hardship and the hope of a new beginning.
This airlift signifies a vital lifeline for Nigerians caught in the crossfire of Libya’s ongoing conflict. Amb. Kabiru Musa, Chargé D’Affaires of the Nigerian Mission in Libya, highlighted the ongoing collaboration with the IOM to repatriate citizens facing detention and perilous situations.
“The Federal Government remains committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all Nigerians abroad,” Musa stated. “This exercise reflects our unwavering resolve to bring our people home in times of difficulty.”